History PhD/MPhil

We are confident that you will find the Department of History a stimulating place in which to conduct your research. The Department has a thriving research community that includes both staff and research students, and will offer you many opportunities to develop your skills and widen your intellectual horizons. There are many possibilities to participate in interdisciplinary research networks, contribute to research seminars, organise conferences and gain teaching experience.

Many of the our staff are recognised as global leaders in their field, building international reputations as strong, imaginative and innovative researchers. We are all dedicated to supervising PhD. research projects and further developing the rich and vibrant research culture in the Department of History, to which both staff and students contribute and from which we all benefit.

You will be able to identify a suitable supervisor for almost any doctoral project you are intending to undertake. When a project requires expertise which spans to two or more departments in the University, we may be able to offer co-supervision with colleagues in other disciplines, and for students with Midlands4Cities or Midlands Graduate School funding, co-supervision at other universities too.

View our postgraduate profiles to explore the areas of research that our academic staff are currently supervising.

Research areas

Our department a substantial range of expertise across many periods of history, from c. 800 BCE to the present day, across Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Europe (including Britain) and North America. Our work covers most genres of historical research and writing. Please see the Academic Staff Index for the full list of our research expertise.

The Department of History is located near the West entrance of University Park Campus in Lenton Grove, an attractive 18th-century building. It is close to the Sports Centre and only a few minutes' walk from the Hallward Library, and from the coffee bars, cafes and shops in the Portland Building. This is where you will find our staff offices, staff common room, teaching rooms, and a computer suite.

The free University shuttle bus service stops just in front of our building and goes around the University Park campus and to Kings Meadow and Jubilee Park campuses. This service runs every 15 minutes during term time.

IT and study facilities

Research postgraduates have access to the dedicated research postgraduate study space in the Humanities Building, as well as the Digital Transformations Hub. There is also a microfiche/film reader and printer. All postgraduates can use the Department of History's 24-hour on-site student computer suite with printing and scanning facilities. The University provides all students with access to general IT facilities through a number of computer rooms spread across its campuses. The University's Graduate School also offers postgraduate students working space, and facilities for relaxing and socialising.

Research students in the Department of History may use staff photocopying facilities free of charge (for reasonable usage) and in addition receive an annual allowance for photocopying and printing off-premises. Inter-Library Loan vouchers up to a specified value per annum are also available to research students.

To encourage full integration of PhD students into the Department of History's academic and social community, postgraduate research students are also welcomed into the staff common room, where you can consult magazines, historical journals and reference books, find out about forthcoming conferences, seminars, fellowships and awards from the departmental display board, and use the kitchen facilities.

The Hallward Library is situated in the centre of the campus, just 10 minutes' walk from our Department.

Research Facilities

The University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections are situated at Kings Meadow campus and have won recognition for their national and international importance. 

Nottingham is an ideal centre for research, with excellent research facilities of its own, and an ideal central position which enables research postgraduates to access additional library and archival resources in London and elsewhere.

Graduate School

The Graduate School supports all postgraduates and early career researchers at the University, with dedicated study spaces, training courses and placement opportunities.

In addition to the minimum of ten annual supervisory meetings you will have with your supervisors, a number of University support services exist to assist you during your time at Nottingham and beyond. Academic Support, within Student Services, provides support for a range of study and academic writing issues.

The Graduate School's Research Training Programme offers a broad and comprehensive range of research training courses from 'Using Archives in Your Research', to 'Pathways into Publishing'.

The Graduate School also runs training targeted specifically at Faculty of Arts students and the Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Centre coordinates training and events that are relevant and useful to research postgraduates in history. Classes are provided in a number of modern and classical languages for which funding is often available.

Student services

The University provides a range of support and information to enhance your student experience.

You will have access to:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• financial support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

English language courses

Our Centre for English Language Education offers presessional English courses to help develop your English and study skills.

The centre is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK, so you can be sure that the teaching and facilities are high-quality. You can also access free English language support alongside your academic course.

Students’ Union

University of Nottingham Students’ Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or speak to the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Researcher training and development

The Graduate School training and development programme empowers postgraduate students and early career research staff to develop the skills required in their research and future careers.

We encourage you to get in touch with a member of academic staff about your research proposal before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area. 

Details of research supervisors can be found on the department website. You can also contact the Director of Postgraduate Research in History, Dr Karen Adler.

Your supervisors will discuss training needs with you at the start of your studies and draw up a programme of individually tailored training which will be reviewed and revised when necessary during your research degree.

Careers

Average starting salary and career progression

For postgraduates from the School of Humanities, six months after graduation:

• 97.9% were in employment or further study
• the highest salary was £36,000
• the average salary was £20,500.

Source: known destinations and salary data for full-time, home, postgraduates extracted from the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17.

Careers support and advice

Whether you are considering a career within or outside academia, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

You can access our Careers and Employability Service during your studies and after you graduate.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.