Economic & Social History PhD

We are internationally recognised for research excellence in modern economic and social history, with exceptional strengths in business and financial history, the history of medicine, social and gender history.

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words

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Overview

Economic and Social History represents the historical approach to the social sciences. As such, it encompasses a wide array of intellectual approaches and brings the particular rigour and demands of historical enquiry to a range of social science methodologies.

As a PhD student, you will be undertaking your project as part of the largest group of Economic and Social Historians in Scotland. We are internationally recognised for research excellence in modern economic and social history, with exceptional strengths in

business and financial history
the history of medicine
social and gender history

These are reflected in the projects currently undertaken across our postgraduate research (PGR) community of around 20 PhD students. This includes full-time and part-time students, from international and local backgrounds, and supported by funding from a variety of organisations including the ESRC and AHRB.

The University of Glasgow is a large, multi-disciplinary university, providing excellent opportunities to engage with a broad spectrum of postgraduate and research activities within the School of Social & Political Sciences; the College of Social Sciences (eg. the Adam Smith Business School) as well as in other areas of the university (eg. History within the College of Arts & Humanities).

PGR Convenor

Dr Angus Ferguson

Study options

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.

Entry requirements

Our research degree applicants will usually possess a good Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent), with a significant component in economic and social history.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

7.0 with no sub-test under 6.5
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

94; with Reading 19; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

66 with no subtest less than: Listening 59;Reading 60; Speaking 59; Writing 74
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

185 overall, no subtest less than 176
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

Oxford ELLT 8
R&L: OIDI level no less than 7 with Reading: 25-26 and Listening: 18-19
W&S: OIDI level no less than 8.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Fees and funding

Fees

2025/26

UK: To be confirmed [24/25 fee was £4,786]
International & EU: £26,580

Fees are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Tuition fees for part-time study will be charged at half the full-time annual fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Re-submission by a research student £540
Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Funding

Postgraduate research projects in Economic & Social History have received funding from a variety of sources including:

The ESRC via the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science pathways. If you are interested in making an application you can discuss this with the SGSSS pathway convenor for ESH: Dr Angus Ferguson
Our College of Social Sciences and School of Social Political Sciences Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Support

Postgraduate research students will have regular opportunities to participate in the research culture of the subject through:

subject seminars, with external guest speakers
WIP (work-in-progress) sessions where research staff and students can discuss work at different stages of development
writing retreats designed to support productivity through structured writing sessions
an annual one-day conference where every student can present their work to peers within the subject area.

Individual reviews take place each year with supervisors and postgraduate research convenor. Where each student may reflect on development to date and set goals for the next year.

There will also be opportunities to develop research training and skills across the social sciences Researcher Development Programme. And to gain experience in teaching and assessment eg. as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA).

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.