Department of History
Prospective students
Current students
About the department
Research
Lifelong Learning
Research degrees (MPhil, MLitt, PhD)
The postgraduate degrees awarded by the Department are the M.Phil., M.Litt. and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Candidates normally register for a two-year M.Litt. under the supervision of one or two members of staff and, should their progress prove satisfactory, their registration may then be transferred to a PhD in the course of their second year. Candidates with a Master's degree may be able to register directly for a PhD The award of this degree is dependent on the satisfactory completion of a thesis of about 80,000 words which must 'represent a contribution to knowledge' and show 'signs of originality and critical power'. The M.Litt. is awarded for a shorter thesis. Both the M.Litt. and the PhD may be taken on an extended study (part-time) basis.
Postgraduates may register for a research degree directly after completing their undergraduate degree. They should normally expect to have a good 2.I. degree or above. MA and some undergraduate seminars will be open to them. Increasingly the major funding bodies will require candidates to complete a prior one-year taught course before registration for a research degree. The MAs described below are designed to provide the requisite training.
An important role in the successful completion of a postgraduate degree by research is played by your adviser/s. Please check the current staff page for suitable candidates and contact them directly to discuss your research proposal. If you cannot find someone suitable please email artf-gradschool@bristol.ac.uk for further assistance.
Having identified a potential adviser and discussed your proposal with them you then need to make a formal application.
Application information
For further information on life as a postgraduate in Bristol, visit the Graduate School of Arts and Humanities.