Admissions - Ph.D. in Literature

The 2025-26 Graduate Admissions Application is closed.
Applications will be available in October 2025.

Apply | UC Davis Graduate Studies

The deadline to apply to our program was January 5, 2025. If you’re interested in applying for the next cycle, please check back in early Fall when the application system will reopen.

The Graduate Studies Application Components page covers many admissions questions, but feel free to contact our program's staff if you need more information. Regarding your application status, please check online or contact us.

Application Requirements
In preparing your materials, please note the department implements holistic review of applications, which considers every element of the application in an effort to reach a contextualized assessment of students' accomplishments an potential.

• Writing sample (see below for details)
• Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
• Copies of transcripts
• Pay the application fee
• Admissions Requirements and Eligibility as set by UC Davis Graduate Studies
   

Writing Sample

• One-two research or term papers written for English courses; the total should not exceed 30 pages excluding images and bibliography.
• If your research or term paper(s) are not recent (e.g., written in the past 2-3 years or so), it is advisable that you revise the papers to include more current research/sources on your topic.
• Be sure that you closely proofread any research or term paper(s) you submit in order to present your best work possible.

The UC Davis graduate program seeks applicants with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews arising from differences of culture and circumstance.

There is no independent application for admission to the M.A. program, emphasis in Literature; this degree can only be earned by those admitted to the Ph.D. program, en route to their Ph.D.

International applicants, please review the following application information.

Graduate Studies only offers application fee waivers to applicants who have participated in specific graduate preparation programs.  Applicants who are affiliated with these programs must indicate their participation AND must provide the name and contact information for their program coordinator in the relevant section of the online application system to receive a fee waiver.

• Statement of Purpose

• Describe your academic preparation, relevant experience, motivation for applying, research interests/intended focus of your studies, and professional goals as they relate to the graduate program and major field. 
  
  Academic preparation refers to educational background, practical learning, extracurricular activities, self-directed research, and academic accomplishments/qualifications that demonstrate your potential for success as a master’s or doctoral student in the graduate program. Examples: related coursework, academic research and writing, fieldwork, internships, laboratory activities, scholarships/awards, independent study, presentations, publications, teaching, faculty or peer mentorship, studio projects, organizational membership, and study abroad. 
  
  Interests, specializations, and career goals may include your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization, and professional objectives. 

  Alignment may include how your preparation, experiences, and interests match, specific faculty or resources and characteristics of your graduate program at UC Davis. Please include specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how your interests align with the identified faculty member/s.

• Personal Statement

• While the Statement of Purpose is primarily focused on academic preparation, research interests/concept, and alignment with the graduate program, the Personal Statement is an opportunity to share the unique background, experiences, perspectives, and abilities that you will bring to a graduate program. 

  Please describe how your background and life experiences shaped your academic and/or professional path and influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This may include formative experiences, environment, values, motivations, interactions, decisions, etc. 

  We encourage you to consider these potential scenarios when developing your Personal Statement: 

  • Commitment to overcoming significant obstacles despite economic disadvantage, challenging social environment, or other specific experiences of hardship.
  • Unique talents, abilities or skills relevant to personal growth. 
  • Employment experiences, extracurricular activities, or community participation that inspired further education.
  • Evidence of growth, maturity and commitment to graduate study and/or a major field.

Three Letters of Recommendation

• From professors or other persons situated to speak about your potential for graduate study. In general, letters from professors or instructors involved in post-secondary academic studies who can speak to your research and/or the potential for your research profile, as well as any other aspect of your academic profile (e.g., any experience teaching, tutoring, or mentoring others) are preferred. These persons may also address your extra-curricular and personal histories as applicable.

Transcripts

• Copies are allowed. Once admitted, Graduate Studies requires official transcripts.
• UC Davis requires academic records from each college-level institution you have attended - instructions can be found here.

Prospective students may also submit a Fellowship Application after applying to the program.

• Funding Your Ph.D.

• All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are provided guaranteed funding for 5 years in the form of Teaching Assistant and Associate Instructor positions. These appointments provide a tuition waiver which covers the Resident Regular Tuition and Health Insurance and pays a monthly salary. A limited amount of Graduate Student Researcher positions are available.

  Departmental funds are also available, such as the Miller Travel Fund, for students to attend conferences, interviews and conduct research. Additional progress-based and summer stipends are awarded with funding allocated to us by Graduate Studies.

  The UC Davis Humanities Institute offers various fellowships students can apply for to fund their projects. Admitted students are also considered for University-wide fellowships.

 Questions? Contact Us