PhD History at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The graduate programme trains professional historians as scholars and teachers across African, ancient, Asian, European, global, Latin American, military, Russian and East European, U.S., and women's and gender history. Doctoral work requires a reading knowledge of two foreign languages (or advanced proficiency in one), written comprehensive exams and a dissertation with oral examination. Most students are funded through teaching assistantships or fellowships.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Department of History | Duration: Coursework and comprehensive exams by sixth semester; degree completed within 8 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Additional PhD coursework includes a research seminar, two courses in a second field, HIST 905 (research design) and HIST 994 (dissertation credit); UNC MA coursework other than HIST 993 can count toward the PhD. Up to six hours of approved transfer credit may count.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: The department considers applications from those holding undergraduate degrees and those who have obtained M.A. degrees elsewhere.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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