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Research degrees (PhD and MPhil)

Undertaking postgraduate research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. The School of Advanced Study’s eight world-renowned institutes offer expertise in a broad range of humanities disciplines. 

Choose between on-campus study or online PhD supervision from anywhere in the world.

However you study, you'll benefit from the School’s collaborative research environment, specialist resources, and opportunities to participate in an extensive programme of events. 

What our students say

“My supervisors are experts in the fields that inform my research, and the Institute is home to influential research centres which bring together academics from all around the globe. The research culture promotes independent work while still receiving constant support and constructive feedback.”

Monja Stahlberger, Germany

PhD at the Institute of Languages, Cultures & Societies

“I chose this PhD programme because of the world-leading expertise offered by the academic staff, the availability of resources, and the series of lectures given by visiting academics and leading practitioners in the field of refugee studies.”

Dean Thompson, Australia

PhD at the Refugee Law Initiative

“The programme has furnished me with many skills, from interpersonal to technical, that will be very useful regardless of whether I choose to stay in academia or pursue a career in industry or in the public sector.”

Daniela Major, Portugal

PhD in Digital Humanities

PhD and MPhil degrees

PhD and MPhil

PhD at the Institute of Classical Studies

Undertake doctoral research on the ancient world, including languages, literature, history, art, archaeology or philosophy of the ancient Greek and Roman times.
PhD and MPhil

PhD at the Refugee Law Initiative

Contribute to our understanding of international refugee law and policy with a PhD from the UK's only academic hub dedicated to research in this crucial field.
PhD and MPhil

PhD at the Warburg Institute

Explore your interests in cultural and intellectual history with a research degree at the renowned Warburg Institute. Study online or on campus in Bloomsbury.
PhD and MPhil

PhD Digital Humanities

Earn a prestigious PhD as part of an interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to the use of digital techniques in humanities scholarship in the UK and beyond.
PhD and MPhil

PhD Digital Humanities by Practice

Unlike a traditional PhD, this programme allows students to be assessed on the creative output of their research in addition to a shorter written thesis.