Overview

There are two types of History programme. The MA by Research entails producing a 40,000-word thesis; the PhD programme demands a high level of research and analysis resulting in a 100,000 (PhD) word thesis. We welcome research applications across the range of expertise within the School. 

• Our staffs research interests and publications cover vast periods of history, enabling you to make use of field leading, professional support during your research and studies with us.
• We are the only History department in the UK to achieve a perfect score of 100% ‘world leading’ for both the impact of our research and our research environment. This extraordinary achievement has resulted in the Times Higher Education ranking History at Kent 1st in the UK.
• Kent’s Graduate and Researcher College, co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme which covers  a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and team working, and career management skills.

The School of History at the University of Kent offers a great environment in which to research and study. Situated within the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury, with its own dynamic history, the University is within easy reach of the main London archives and is convenient for travelling to mainland Europe.

There is a good community spirit within the School, which includes regular postgraduate social meetings, weekly seminars and a comprehensive training programme, with the full involvement of the School’s academic staff. You'll join a lively, research-led department where postgraduate students are given the opportunity to work alongside academics, recognised as experts in their respective fields. 

Thanks to the wide range of teaching and research interests in the School, we can offer a wide scope for research supervision covering the breadth and depth of world history. Find out more about the School's research centres and staffs specific research interests here.