Welcome to the Institute of English Studies

The Sambrook Appeal

The IES Sambrook Appeal, named in honour of the life and work of Keith Sambrook, aims to raise and disburse vital funds in support of the next generation of IES students and scholars. This support allows us to attract the best and brightest students to the Institute, regardless of their personal or financial circumstances.

The Sambrook Appeal

IES Virtual Community

Although Senate House and the institute remain physically closed, the IES has always been, and continues to be, deeply committed to promoting and supporting academic conversations and communities within English Studies.

IES Virtual Community

LRBS Online

While the London Rare Books School is postponed this year, we’ve put together some online content to inform and entertain our students and everyone interested in the study of rare books and manuscripts. Over the course of the next three weeks, when LRBS was due to take place, there will be blogs, interviews, quizzes and talks on topics ranging from medieval books and incunabula to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s scrapbooks, in addition to an online course on digital scholarly editing.

LRBS ONLINE

PhD Study

The Institute of English Studies provides a unique scholarly community in which to pursue doctoral research. We offer research supervision in a number of literature-related subject areas, ranging from book history to early twentieth century literature.

Find out more

MA/MRes in the History of the Book

The Institute’s unique programme prepares students for careers in special collections, curatorship, and the rare book trade. Open for 2020/21 applications now!

About

Welcome to the Institute of English Studies

The Institute of English Studies is an internationally renowned research centre, specialising in the history of the book, manuscript and print studies and textual scholarship.

About

Palaeography Online

While the London International Palaeography Summer School is postponed for 2020, we have put together some exciting online content and useful resources for our students, and everyone interested in palaeography and manuscripts. Take a look at exclusive blog posts, a transcription challenge, and a wealth of online resources to fill the palaeography gap in your summer!

Get Involved

IES core areas of research

Texts and Technologies | Archives, Authors, Collections | Reading and Interpretation

About Us

Founded as the Centre for English Studies in 1991, the Institute of English Studies is one of nine member institutes of the School of Advanced Study, University of London.

About Us

Events

The Institute runs an active programme of conferences, symposia, lectures, readings, and seminars, while collaborating with organisations in the UK and abroad.

Events

Masters Programmes

Our MA/MRes programme teaches book history from c. 3000 BCE to 2000 CE. Many alumni establish careers in librarianship, curatorship, publishing, and the rare book trade.

Masters Programmes

Research Degrees

The Institute hosts research, visiting, and postdoctoral fellows who play an active role in the life of the Institute. Fellowship applications are accepted each spring.

Research Degrees

Summer Schools

The London Rare Books School, International Palaeography Summer School, Nineteenth Century Summer School, and T.S. Eliot Summer School offer short, intensive courses for study.

Summer Schools