History MA, PhD

Entry requirements

A first or second class honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent).

A first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) and, normally, a taught MA qualification.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

here 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.

Reasons to study our History MA by Research or PhD programme:

• 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.

About the School of History

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.

Information for international students

Please see our International website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, international fee-paying students cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

Please see our funding pages for the most current information.