Program Overview

PhD Garden History

Course Overview

The PhD in Garden History is an advanced research degree, awarded on the basis of a thesis and an oral viva voce examination. The primary purpose of the PhD is the preparation and presentation of a substantial piece of independent and original academic research, completed in three years if studying full-time and usually six years if studying part-time.

Study Period

The usual period of doctoral research is three years for those who engage in full-time study, though the University’s Regulations also permit candidates who make particularly rapid progress to apply to the University Research Committee for permission to submit at the end of their second year of study. Part-time study is also available, with students completing the dissertation in five or six years.

Supervision

Every PhD student in the School of Humanities is supported by two supervisors. Supervisors are experts in their field of study and support students throughout the PhD. Students will also benefit from the advice and support of other academic members of the Faculty who will be involved in progression through the various stages of the PhD, including Annual Review meetings with a senior professor (where progress is monitored and support offered towards the planning of the next period of study).

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a first or upper second-class degree or significant relevant experience. However, age is usually an irrelevancy. Wherever possible, students are encouraged to begin their studies at the start of the academic year (in September), in order to be in step with their peers. Where this is not possible, however, entry points exist at the start of each academic term.

Mature Students

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from all suitably qualified students. The University is committed to lifelong learning, and students joining the PhD programme will encounter a wide variety of age-ranges among their peers.

International Students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

English Levels

If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements.

Selection Process

Candidates apply online, sending in their supporting documents, and will be assessed on this basis by the Course Directors in Garden History.

Teaching & Assessment

PhD students undertake supervised but independent research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research. The length of the dissertation should not be fewer than 70,000 words and no longer than 80,000 words of text (excluding the thesis-abstract, appendices, footnotes, tables, and bibliography).

After Your Course

The University’s Course Directors, students’ supervisors, and the Research Officer and Tutor for Graduate Students are available to discuss students’ post-graduation plans and how they may utilise most effectively the skills acquired during their studies.

Course Fees

The fees for this course are:

• Sep 2025 Full-time (3 Years)
  • UK: £8,267 (first year), £24,800 (total cost)
  • INT: £14,500 (first year), £43,500 (total cost)
• Sep 2025 Part-time (6 Years)
  • UK: £4,133 (first year), £24,800 (total cost)
  • INT: £7,250 (first year), £43,500 (total cost)

Scholarships and Bursaries

We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.

• **Postgraduate First-Class Scholarship
  • The scholarship will reduce tuition fees by 33% for new UK and international postgraduate students.

Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship

• Research scholarship that offers outstanding applicants some or all the fees paid for by the University.