PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

The PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic is a research degree that is usually examined after three years of research by a thesis of up to 80,000 words. The criteria for obtaining the degree are that the thesis represents a 'substantial contribution to knowledge' and that it also represents a realistic amount of work for three years of study.

Overview of the Program

The department can offer doctoral supervision on topics in a variety of early medieval languages and literatures (Old English, Old Norse, Medieval Welsh, Medieval Irish, Insular Latin), in the history of a comparable range of geographical areas (Anglo-Saxon England, Scandinavia, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, and Scotland), as well as in palaeography.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the PhD who have not previously taken an MPhil, MA, or similar research foundation course in a closely related discipline to the one in which they wish to pursue their research are usually required to take the MPhil course before registering for the PhD. Those with relevant master's qualifications admitted into the PhD programme are registered for the degree towards the end of their first year if progress has been satisfactory.

Program Structure

As part of a PhD student's learning and development, regular postgraduate seminars are held throughout each term, where papers are given both by current students and by guest speakers. In addition, the third term (Easter) Postgraduate Symposium is a more informal setting in which students present their research in a variety of formats (including posters and round-table discussions). ASNC postgraduate students also organise their own annual day-long conference (Cambridge Colloquium in Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic) and are involved in running two inter-university conferences. The Department and Faculty organise training and professional development sessions to supplement the University's provision.

Continuing to the PhD

To continue to the PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, students must apply through the Universitys admission processes, taking funding and application deadlines into consideration. Readmission is not automatic and each application is considered on its own merits. The expected standard for continuation is an overall mark of at least 70%, including at least 70% in the dissertation.

Key Information

• Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time
• Study Mode: Research
• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
• Department: Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

Application Deadlines

The following are the application deadlines for the PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic:

• Lent 2026 (Closed)
  • Applications open: September 4, 2024
  • Application deadline: October 2, 2025
  • Course Starts: January 5, 2026
• Easter 2026
  • Applications open: September 4, 2024
  • Application deadline: January 14, 2026
  • Course Starts: April 17, 2026
• Michaelmas 2026
  • Applications open: September 3, 2025
  • Application deadline: May 14, 2026
  • Course Starts: October 1, 2026
• Lent 2027
  • Applications open: September 3, 2025
  • Application deadline: October 1, 2026
  • Course Starts: January 5, 2027
• Easter 2027
  • Applications open: September 3, 2025
  • Application deadline: January 14, 2027
  • Course Starts: April 17, 2027

Funding Deadlines

• Course Funding Deadline: January 7, 2026 (Gates Cambridge US round only)
• October 15, 2025 (for other funding opportunities)

Similar Courses

• Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic MPhil
• Literature, Culture and Thought (Research) MPhil
• French PhD
• Italian PhD
• Medieval History MPhil

University of Cambridge

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