MPhil/PhD in Medieval Studies

Program Overview

The MPhil/PhD Medieval Studies program offers an intensive exploration of medieval history, literature, and culture, empowering students to conduct original research and contribute to scholarly knowledge. Students are guided by expert supervisors, benefiting from independent research, regular feedback, and a supportive research environment that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration. The program cultivates transferable skills for careers in academia, research, and beyond, preparing graduates for success in both academic and non-academic settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

MPhil/PhD Medieval Studies offers an intensive study of a chosen topic within the history, literature, and/or culture of the medieval period. The program aims to enable students to make an original contribution to scholarly understandings of their chosen subject area. The program emphasizes independent research, guided by expert academic supervisors with expertise in various fields, including Roman and medieval history, gender and literary studies, social, political, economic, legal, religious and cultural history, archaeology, medievalism, and the history of emotions.

Assessment:

The assessment for this program is a thesis of 80,000 words (PhD) or 40,000 words (MPhil), which must demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge and be suitable for publication (in whole or in part). Students are typically required to defend their thesis in an oral examination (viva), where they must demonstrate expert understanding of their subject and show how their research findings contribute to knowledge or build on existing understandings of the subject.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes independent research, with students receiving guidance from expert and well-published supervisors. Students are expected to submit appropriate written work regularly to their supervisors and to act on the feedback received. Regular meetings with supervisors are held to discuss research development, comment on written drafts, and agree on the next stage of work. The School of Humanities and Heritage provides a stimulating research environment, with research seminars and staff-student reading groups fostering cross-disciplinary debates and collaboration, as well as providing opportunities for career development.

Careers:

A doctoral qualification is considered the capstone of academic achievement and may mark the beginning of a career in academia. Graduates have also pursued careers in research, research administration, publishing, arts and heritage, and teaching in various contexts.

Other:

The program benefits from strong links with other areas of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, especially with the Lincoln School of Film, Media and Journalism. An interdisciplinary research culture facilitates collaboration with colleagues across a wide range of topics. The program also collaborates with the Global and Transregional Studies Research Group and with the EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Committee of the School of History and Heritage. Students are encouraged to participate in the Medieval Studies Research Group, which provides a stimulating and inclusive environment for discussion and debate with fellow students, scholars, and visiting academics, through various research events and activities. The program has strong relationships with the wider scholarly and professional community, including Lincoln Cathedral Library and Archives, with whom they collaborate in teaching and research. They also collaborate closely with various organizations, including The Society for the Medieval Mediterranean, The Lincoln Record Society, Royal Historical Society, The Noblewomen Network, The Historical Association, International Arthurian Society (British Branch), Pipe Roll Society, British Archaeological Association, Society for Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Settlement Research Group, International Association for Robin Hood Studies, International Society for the Study of Medievalism, and The Middle Ages in the Modern World (MAMO).