School of Humanities / Sgoil nan Daonnachdan

Interlace panel from the Govan sarcophagus, carved for the bones of St Constantine, c. 900 AD

History Postgraduate research degrees

The History Subject offers Masters and PhD degrees by research:

  • MPhil by research: one-year (two years part-time) with a dissertation of 30-40,000 words;
  • MLitt by Research: two-year degree (three years part-time) with a dissertation of 40-70,000 words;
  • Master of Research (MRes): one-year (two years part-time) with a dissertation or between 17,000 and 30,000 words (a flexible programme offering a combination of taught and research components - further details
  • PhD: three-year degree (five years part-time) with a dissertation of 70-100,000 words.

These degrees are examined by a viva in which the candidate answers questions on the dissertation.  The viva is conducted by two examiners, an internal examiner from the university (who has not supervised the dissertation) and an invited external examiner from another institution.

Supervision

Each research student works under the supervision of two members of staff familiar with the student's field of inquiry.  Though a formal interview is not required for entry to the University, prospective students are encouraged to discuss their research ideas with members of staff who are specialists in their fields of interest before applying.  

Distance learning

Applications for distance learning  are passed to our College Higher Degrees Committee and are considered on a case-by-case basis: they are assessed according to things like the location of the research resources to be used for the thesis, the availability of resources in the main proposed place of study, formal mechanisms which will be in place for distance supervision, etc.  Please check the Arts College research degrees guidelines for further details.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for research degrees must have completed an undergraduate degree, normally at a minimum standard of upper second class (2:1), 3.0 GPA or the equivalent. 

We strongly recommends that prospective PhD students should complete a taught Masters degree with a research training component before applying for the doctoral programme.
 
If English is not your native language, you must provide proof of competence in English in the form of a certificate of English as a Foreign Language.  The College of Arts requires a minimum of 7.0, with no subtext less than 6.0, in the IELTS Test or a minimum of 250 in the computer-based TOEFL. The University's English as a Foreign Language unit offers pre-sessional courses and can help you with queries.
 
Entry requirements can be modified for prospective students with atypical backgrounds.  Mature and part-time students are encouraged to apply.  To discuss entry requirements in more detail, please contact Dr Donald Spaeth, History Postgraduate Convenor.

How to Apply

More information on the application process can be found in the College of Arts pages.  Applications for a research degree should be made online. 

Applicants should also complete a research proposal outline form and upload it to their online application form.