History MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Program Overview

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History MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

• Level: PostgraduatePG PhD
• Duration:
  • MPhil Full Time (on and off-site): 12 months – 3 years
  • MPhil Part Time (on and off-site): 30 months – 5 years
  • PhD Full Time (on and off-site): 2 – 4 years
  • PhD Part Time (on and off-site): 3 – 6 years
  • PhD by Published Works Part Time (on and off-site): 1 – 2 years
• Starting: October, March
• UK Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• International Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• Location: Waterside, Distance Learning

Overview

This History MPhil, PhD and PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry.

Highlights

• Research expertise covering British history from the late middle ages to the present day.
• We can supervise topics including:
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Economy and material culture
  • Medicine and the body
  • Crime and the law
  • History of emotions
  • Warfare and military intelligence
  • Fascism and far right
• Opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study, including with areas such as English and Media.
• Links with a range of local and national organisations.
• Study in a supportive environment with staff who want to see you succeed.

Entry Requirements

• We normally ask you to have a recognised first or upper second-class honours degree or Master’s Degree from a UK university or International equivalent in a relevant subject area.
• Application Information
  • Students with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
  • All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
  • All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
    • Successful interview by the University.
    • Suitable Research Supervision Support.

Course Content

• This History PhD programme is a way for you to absorb yourself a topic you are passionate about, develop a deep understanding of your chosen specialism and improve your research, written and presentation skills.
• While developing and setting up a research project, you will initially receive general, discipline based and project specific training so that you can go on to conduct your research work effectively and independently.
• Your supervisors will guide you through the process with regular in-person or online tutorials.
• When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within fields related to your topic, such as the heritage sector, progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
    • UK – Full Time: £5,700
    • UK – Part Time: £2,845
    • International – Full Time: £16,350
    • International – Part Time: £7,640
  • Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
    • UK – Part Time: £3,600
    • International – Part Time: £7,840
• Scholarships and Bursaries
  • Please visit the funding page and our scholarships page for more details on how to fund your study.

Staff

• Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive: Anne-Marie Kilday
• Dean of Research & Knowledge Exchange: Cathy Smith
• Professor in History: Mark Rothery
• Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism: Paul Jackson
• Senior Lecturer in 20th Century History: Jim Beach
• Head of Culture: Drew Gray
• Senior Lecturer in History: Tim Reinke-Williams
• Head of Graduate School: Matthew McCormack
• Senior Lecturer in History: Rachel Moss
• Senior Lecturer in History and Heritage: Caroline Nielsen

Careers and Employability

• Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have moved into academic research related to their topic, while others have gone on to take up roles in heritage organisations, teaching and the media. Some have engaged in PhD level research for a retirement project.

Related Courses

• History BA (Hons)
  • Our History degree mixes academic study with field trips and opportunities to go on placements with heritage organisations.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This History MPhil, PhD and PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills.

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Objectives:

• Absorb yourself in a topic you are passionate about.
• Develop a deep understanding of your chosen specialism.
• Improve your research, written and presentation skills.
• Conduct research work effectively and independently.
• Find research and development roles within fields related to your topic, such as the heritage sector.
• Progress into an academic career.
• Enter business at a managerial level.

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Teaching:

• You will be supervised throughout your project by historians who are specialist in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals.
• Your supervisors will guide you through the process with regular in-person or online tutorials.

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Careers:

• Academic research related to their topic.
• Roles in heritage organisations.
• Teaching.
• The media.
• PhD level research for a retirement project.

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Other:

• Research expertise covering British history from the late middle ages to the present day.
• We can supervise topics including: Gender and Sexuality, Economy and material culture, Medicine and the body, Crime and the law, History of emotions, Warfare and military intelligence, and Fascism and far right.
• Opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study, including with areas such as English and Media.
• Links with a range of local and national organisations.
• Study in a supportive environment with staff who want to see you succeed.
• Regular research seminars, conferences and activities led by the Centre for Historical Studies; access to the unique Searchlight Archive; specialist training in areas such as teaching in Higher Education and how to get your work published.

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• Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil). UK – Full Time: £5,500 UK – Part Time: £2,775 International – Full Time: £15,950 International – Part Time: £7,450
• Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works. UK – Part Time: £3,500 International – Part Time: £7,650