Course summary

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond. The Institute of Historical Research has a broad remit to cover the history of the world from the fourth to the twenty-first century, but has particular strengths in British and European history. Subject Areas The Institute of Historical Research(Opens in new window) offers doctoral research supervision in the following broad areas: • Medieval British history • Modern British history • Local, regional and community histories of the British Isles • Place and Identity • Early medieval Northumbria and the north • Later medieval armies and warfare • Urban and metropolitan history (especially London), including comparative approaches across Europe and elsewhere • Late medieval and early modern urban history • Digital history and Historical GIS • History of propaganda in the twentieth century • History of the First and Second World Wars • History of emotions in modern Britain • The everyday lives of ‘ordinary’ people • Architecture, planning and the built environment in Britain from the twentieth century onward • The British Commonwealth and British decolonisation • History and policy • Medievalism and other usages of the past Before submitting an application you are advised to contact a member of the Institute's academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study to discuss your proposal. A list of academic staff and their interests can be found here.