PhD History at University of Southampton

Programme overview

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.

Faculty: Arts and Humanities | Department: History | Duration: 2 to 4 years full-time; 3 to 7 years part-time | Study mode: full-time/part-time | Location: Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

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 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.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). UK fee, full-time (also applies to Horizon Europe associated-country applicants). Part-time: UK £2,619, international £10,050 a year. Also by distance learning. Source

International applicants: GBP 20,100 a year (2026/27). International fee, full-time. Source

Duration: 2 to 4 years full-time; 3 to 7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/apply

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