PhD History at Swansea University

Programme overview

Research degree in history in the School of Culture and Communication, with specialisms in medieval, early modern and modern history, including British, European and global history. Students undertake a substantial project led by their own historical interests and supervised by expert staff.

Department: School of Culture and Communication (History) | Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time | Intake: October, January, April or July (1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July) | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Supervised original research culminating in a thesis and an oral examination (viva). Students may join the department's research groups: the Richard Burton Centre for the Study of Wales, the Health, History and Culture Research Group, the Conflict, Reconstruction and Memory Research Group, the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Research and the Centre for research into Gender in Culture and Society. The PhD thesis is up to 100,000 words. Students may have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, with training and payment.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD: normally an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master's degree with a minimum overall grade of Merit (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University); applicants with a UK first-class honours degree and no master's degree are considered individually. English language for international applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.5, or a Swansea University recognised equivalent. Admissions decisions may also take account of the standard of the research proposal, performance at interview, competition for places and relevant professional experience. One academic reference is required before the application is progressed to the academic Admissions Tutor.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,006 a year (2025/26). UK student full-time annual rate (2025/26 entry point); part-time is half. Charged over the minimum candidature period. Bench fees may apply. Source

International applicants: GBP 19,950 a year (2026/27). Full-time, Year 1 tuition fee; fees for later years rise by 3%. Start dates in 2026/27 per the published fee table. Source

Intake: October, January, April or July (1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July)

Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities