Medieval Studies

Entry requirements

2:1 or equivalent in a relevant subject.

Months of entry

January, April, July, September

Course content

York's Centre for Medieval Studies (CMS) is the oldest interdisciplinary centre for postgraduate study of the Middle Ages in Great Britain, and it is also one of the most respected centres in the world. It is one of the few institutions in the world where postgraduate students undertake interdisciplinary research in Medieval Studies. The faculty are world experts in their fields, the whole atmosphere is friendly and supportive, and a PhD from York is well regarded throughout the world when you move on to seek academic employment.

What can I study?

Students studying toward the PhD in Medieval Studies work on research projects that span or blur traditional disciplinary boundaries, and are supervised jointly by staff specializing in two different subject areas. Subject areas include Archaeology, Art and Architectural History, History (social, economic, political, cultural, ecclesiastical, intellectual and gender) and Literature (including Old and Middle English, Old Norse, Latin, Italian, French), Viking studies, codicology and palaeography.

They meet their supervisors together regularly, and are active participants in the research life of the Centre. Research students at the CMS are introduced to the benefits of collaborative work from an early stage in their research careers. To find out more about the kind of research that goes on at the CMS, have a look at staff research interests and what current students are working on: Staff research interests | Current PhD projects.

Information for international students

For more information see our English language requirements.