Medieval Studies PhD

Programme overview

PhD: a research project undertaken across three years (full-time, plus a writing up period), culminating in an 80,000 word thesis. As well as having the option to audit taught units, there may be the potential for PhD students to teach units themselves from their second year of study onwards.

Bristol's importance as medieval England's second city and a major maritime port for trade and exploration makes it an excellent setting for interdisciplinary intellectual exchange. The Centre for Medieval Studies in the Faculty of Arts has internationally recognised expertise in a wide range of subject areas.

Research towards MPhil and PhD is supported in the following subject areas: archaeology, drama, English, French, history, history of art, Italian, medieval Latin, music, religion and theology. Applications from prospective graduate students wishing to undertake interdisciplinary research are particularly welcome.

This research degree is also available via distance learning.

Careers

A significant number of graduates from this programme develop careers as academics in higher education. Others move into academic-related jobs in archives, libraries or academic administration, with many maintaining the capacity to undertake new and innovative research in the field of medieval studies. Some come to medieval studies as mature students in retirement and go on to become independent researchers.