PhD with the Institute of Historical Research
PhD Programmes
Available to study anywhere in the world
The Institute of Historical Research has a broad remit to cover the history of the world from the fourth to the twentyfirst century, with particular strengths in British and European history.
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.
How to Apply
Before agreeing to accept you, the School will require you to submit a research proposal, so it is worthwhile having this drafted ahead of a formal application. Once you have contacted the School, you will be put in touch with a potential supervisor.
Distance learning
Students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. Please note that not all institutes and supervisors offer this option, and that some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way.
This programme is also available to be studied on campus in London. Visit the School of Advanced Study website to find out more about potential supervisors and subject areas, as well as details about available funding opportunities and more information about distance learning research degrees.
