PhD at the Institute in Paris

The School of Advanced Study (SAS) at the University of London brings together eight internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK's national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.

The University of London Institute in Paris offers a vital connection between Higher Education in the UK and the Francophone world, serving as a lively hub for academic exchange while offering students an enriching international experience in French Studies, International Politics, and Urban History and Culture.

Founded as the Franco-British Guild in 1894, the Institute in Paris has a rich history of fostering intercultural education. Forming an academic community which crosses national borders, its research thrives in a multilingual, interdisciplinary environment, addressing contemporary issues in cultural production, international politics, and environmental humanities, with a particular focus on transnational exchange.  

Together, the School of Advanced Study and the Institute in Paris create a collaborative environment in the humanities and social sciences. Bridging UK and French academic communities, they foster cross-cultural learning and research, enriching fields such as languages, migration, cultural and urban history, environmental humanities, and international politics.  

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

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 will be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond.

The MPhil involves a minimum of two years (equivalent to six terms) of study, and a thesis of up to 60,000 words. The PhD is awarded after a minimum of three years (equivalent to nine terms) of study for a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Both degrees can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis.

Our research degrees usually start in September or January, although start dates can be flexible.

In common with most UK universities, you will initially be registered for an MPhil degree and be expected to transfer to the PhD programme during your second year, on meeting the formal requirements for progression/upgrade.

A successful MPhil dissertation is either a record of original work in a Iimited area or an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge in a field. A successful PhD dissertation must form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality either in the discovery of new facts, or by the exercise of independent critical power, or both.

This programme is managed in partnership with the School of Advanced Study and the University of London Institute in Paris. Students are registered at the School of Advanced Study (SAS), but will undertake study on-campus in Paris at the University of London Institute in Paris with supervision delivered by the Institute in Paris.

Research at the Institute in Paris reflects the multilingual, intercultural and interdisciplinary environment and seeks to answer contemporary questions of cultural production, international politics, and environmental humanities, especially as these are reflected in transnational exchange. Researchers work closely with different communities in Paris to develop our understanding of how France and the francophone world are positioned, both within local diversity and in wider global dynamics.

Research at the Institute centres around four key themes: 

1. Mobilities, Environmental Politics and City Studies
   Exploring the intersection of urban culture with the migration of people and goods.
2. Literary Studies, Cultural Translation and Multilingualism
   Exploring the impact of linguistic and literary diversity, creativity and innovation on the social and political identity of societies.
3. Contemporary Politics and Critical Theory
   Exploring the origins, forms and responses to political, social and environmental crises from the perspective of both French and international critical theory.
4. Knowledge Diplomacy
   Exploring the impact of higher education institutions and their research on inter-state cooperation, and vice-versa. 

It is now possible to register for a PhD by Practice, giving you the opportunity to develop a body of creative work as part of your doctoral research. Unlike a traditional PhD, you will be assessed on the creative output of your research in addition to a shorter written thesis.

Examples of the creative output could include an exhibition, art installation, a film, a translation or a piece of software. This element is worth two-thirds of the whole award, with the 30,000-word written critical component contributing the final third.

The PhD by Practice is available to study on campus or by distance learning, with the same admission criteria as our other research degrees.

The University of London Institute in Paris doctoral programme is managed in partnership with the School of Advanced Study’s Doctoral Centre. Students are registered with SAS but will undertake study on-campus in Paris with supervision delivered by the Institute in Paris.

Every student works with a pair of supervisors, and it is possible to arrange co-supervision with experts in other institutes within SAS, in the federation members of the University of London, or occasionally in institutions outside the University of London, including in Paris.

Professor Anna-Louise Milne

Professor of French and Comparative Studies, Academic Director, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: anna-louise.milne@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• Comparative literature
• Cultural translation
• Urban studies
• Contemporary migration and social movements

Dr Catriona MacLeod

Senior Lecturer in French Studies, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: catriona.macleod@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• Bandes dessinées and graphic novels 
• Text-image art forms
• Representation of women in visual art
• Political activism in visual art
• Feminist visual theory

Dr Charlotte Legg

Senior Lecturer in French and History, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: charlotte.legg@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• Colonial History
• Modern History
• Settler Colonial Studies
• Gender History
• Cultural History

Dr Edouard Morena

Senior Lecturer in French and International Politics, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: edouard.morena@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• Climate and environmental politics
• Critical agrarian studies
• Social movement studies

Dr Joanne Brueton 

Senior Lecturer in French Studies, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: joanne.brueton@ulip.lon.ac.uk 

• 20th- and 21st-century literature in French 
• Francophone postcolonial writing 
• Queer narrative and gender studies 
• The contemporary novel 
• Modern French theatre and performance

Dr Shela Sheikh 

Senior Lecturer in International Politics, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: shela.sheikh@ulip.lon.ac.uk 

• Post- and Decolonial Cultural Studies 
• Globalization, Internationalism and Southern Epistemologies  
• Environmental Humanities, Post- and Decolonial Ecologies  
• Human and Non-Human Rights, Environmental Justice  
• Testimony, Performativity and Theatricality  
• Global Arts

Dr Eugene Brennan 

Lecturer in International Politics, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: eugene.brennan@ulip.lon.ac.uk 

• Contemporary Political Theory
• Contemporary French and Francophone Thought
• Theories and Politics of Crisis
• Cultural Studies

Dr Sabrina Bouarour 

Lecturer in French Studies, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: sabrina.bouarour@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• Film and Media Studies
• Filmmaking
• Visual Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Gender, Sexuality and Queer Theories  
• Urban Culture

Dr Davide Gallo Lasserre 

Lecturer in International Politics, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: davide.gallolassere@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• History and contemporary relevance of Marxist and post-Marxist thought, particularly (post-)Workerism and Eco-Marxism
• Theories of crisis and global capitalism
• Social movements theories and theories of conflict

Dr Tim Gore OBE

CEO, University of London Institute in Paris

• Transnational role of universities 
• Policy implications of regional and international higher education groupings 
• Knowledge stewardship and openness across frontiers 
• Geopolitical influences on university international strategies

Dr Geoffrey Roger 

Lecturer in French Studies, University of London Institute in Paris
Email: geoffrey.roger@ulip.lon.ac.uk

• French Historical Linguistics
• Linguistic History of France
• Dominant Language Ideologies
• Language Policy
• Language Rights
• Minority Languages in France

Before submitting an application, you are advised to discuss your proposal with a member of the academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study. You can find our academic staff's contact details and areas of expertise in the Supervisors section.

Before agreeing to accept you, the School will require you to submit a research proposal, so it is worthwhile to have drafted this before formally applying. See the Guidelines on drafting your research proposal.

Candidates will normally receive an initial response to their application within 28 working days. Those who have been formally interviewed will normally be informed within one week as to whether they are to be offered a place.

Note: in accordance with regulations research students will be registered for the MPhil degree in the first instance. Upgrading to PhD will be considered in the second year for full-time students and in the third or fourth year for part-time students.

Applicants to our PhD programme are usually required to hold a master’s degree. However, we will consider applications from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements but who offer alternative qualifications and/or relevant experience.

English is the standard language of instruction and you will be required to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency. It is possible on certain conditions to complete a doctorate at the Institute in French.

More information on entry requirements.

Fees are set annually and cover registration, tuition, and (in the case of research students) supervision.

Fees are quoted per annum -- that is, you will need to pay at least the fee quoted below for each year of your studies. Please note that tuition fees are subject to annual uplift. The University of London reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses and amend other details without prior notice.

See the Tuition Fees for 2024-25 - listed by Institute.

Our students fund their studies in a variety of ways including scholarships, bursaries and fellowships, as well as government loans and postgraduate loans. 

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that you don't need to pay back and are awarded based on personal circumstances or academic achievement. Funding at postgraduate level is competitive so it’s a good idea to plan financially before starting your course. 

For information about fees and funding from the School of Advanced Study, please visit the SAS Fees and Funding page.

The SAS Careers Service works with students and graduates of all ages and at all stages of career development across all the institutes. Our mission is to provide high-quality information about careers and skills, and professional advice and guidance. We help students with their career development, either within their current field of work or in something completely new. 

SAS students can access 1-2-1 guidance appointments throughout their studies and for up to 2 years after graduating, to help them plan their next steps, whatever they might be. We also offer CV, cover letter, and application advice as well as mock interviews with the SAS Careers Consultant who will empower you to feel more confident in your interview performance.