Join our large and vibrant postgraduate research community of over 30 students. Our research interests range from the ancient world to contemporary global history across topics as diverse as the buildings of the Roman empire and peacefulness in twentieth-century China.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), 87% of our research was ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent.
You'll be supported by a supervisor who'll provide direction and can help you shape your research proposal. We offer PhD supervision across a full chronological, geographical and thematic range due to the expertise of our more than 40 historians.
You’ll also have access to the archival material in the Hartley Library’s Special Collections. These include collections of primary documents relating to the history of Britain and its Empire and the history of the modern Jewish experience.
We offer our PhD students an opportunity to take part in our Skills Development Training Programme to enhance life skills and employability. You'll also become a member of our humanities graduate school. This provides additional help and support as well as, student-led activities and a social network.
You’ll be encouraged to participate in part-time tutoring and research seminars, and to present and publish your research findings.
Our doctoral students have a record of finding academic and other posts which we are proud of as we put great emphasis on offering an all-round preparation for a professional career.
Our research is based around our research centres and groups. We have a wide range of expertise across a broad chronological and geographical range:
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Taking a structured PhD will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
As an arts and humanities student you may be able to apply for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding through the South West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (SWW DTP). You'll need to apply for funding separately from your application to us.
Doctoral training centres offer fully funded studentships which include:
Find out more about the SWW DTP.
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
We charge tuition fees for every year of study. If you’re applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| History full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| History part time | tbc | £9,300 |
| History (distance learning) full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| History (distance learning) part time | tbc | £9,300 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| History full time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| History part time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
| History (distance learning) full time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| History (distance learning) part time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| History full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £19,620 |
| History part time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £9,810 |
| History (distance learning) full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £19,620 |
| History (distance learning) part time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £9,810 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
We belong to a broader community of Humanities researchers at Southampton who share interests in particular periods and themes. We participate in a number of centres to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange within those areas:
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
You’ll need to send us
The application process is the same whether you're applying for a funded project, or have created a research proposal.
Our PhDs start in September each year. You’ll need to submit your application for September entry by 1 July of that year.
If you require a visa to study with us, please apply as early as possible and allow plenty of time for visa applications.
You should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. You can also apply if your grade was lower than 2:1 – you’ll need to show you’ve made good progress since your degree.
If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have achieved a merit or above including 60%, for the dissertation. If you have not completed a master’s, you’ll need to show you can produce high quality writing and analysis.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
You can study for a History PhD either in person or remotely. The duration is the same for both.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Duration (full time) | Duration (part time) |
| History PhD | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |
