PhD at the Institute of Historical Research

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field.

With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. 

This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond.

The Institute of Historical Research has a broad remit to cover the history of the world from the fourth to the twenty-first century, but has particular strengths in British and European history. 

Subject Areas

The Institute of Historical Research offers doctoral research supervision in the following broad areas:

• Medieval British history
• Modern British history
• Local, regional and community histories of the British Isles
• Place and Identity
• Early medieval Northumbria and the north
• Later medieval armies and warfare
• Urban and metropolitan history (especially London), including comparative approaches across Europe and elsewhere
• Late medieval and early modern urban history
• Digital history and Historical GIS
• History of propaganda in the twentieth century
• History of the First and Second World Wars
• History of emotions in modern Britain
• The everyday lives of ‘ordinary’ people
• Architecture, planning and the built environment in Britain from the twentieth century onward
• The British Commonwealth and British decolonisation
• History and policy
• Medievalism and other usages of the past

Before submitting an application you are advised to contact a member of the Institute's academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study to discuss your proposal. A list of academic staff and their interests can be found here.

Course dates

8 January 2024

Location

Institute of Historical Research

Course duration

3-4 years (full-time); 5-6 years (part-time)

Application deadlines

Applications will open in October 2023 for January 2024 entry.

Level of study

MPhil/PhD

Mode of study

Full-time On Campus, Part-time On Campus, Full-Time Distance Learning, Part-time Distance Learning

Funding Opportunities

Scholarships and bursaries - Fund your PhD at the Institute of Historical Research

Contact Us

If you have specific questions about this research degree, please make an enquiry.