Research Degrees
More than 65 PhD theses are currently being undertaken by postgraduates students in the School of History attesting to the School’s commitment to fostering innovative research and early careers. Click here for a list of recent theses completed in the School (some can be read online).
Many of these postgraduate students have been attracted to St Andrews by their wish to be supervised by a certain member of staff, often a leading contributor to his or her field. The research interests of members of staff range from 6th century Scotland to America in the 1970s and with over forty active researchers the number of areas of expertise is very large.
In addition to the academic relationship which doctoral students will develop individually with their supervisor, these students are also part of a large and active research community. Formally this community includes the Institutes and Centres within the School and the regular seminars which run throughout the semesters. A more informal postgraduate community is maintained through dedicated communal workspace, reading parties and a range of postgraduate social events.
Doctoral students are also part of a geographically wider research community. For example, there are formal links between history at St Andrews and at the Universities of Dundee and Aberdeen, the French Centre has connections with the Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution at Florida State University and the Reformation Studies Institute has a collaboration with the Institute for Swiss Reformation History in Zurich. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in conferences, seminars and workshops outwith St Andrews while they are carrying out their doctoral research.
The School of History is also keen to promote the future careers of its students while they are at St Andrews, and has been greatly encouraged by the number of former doctoral students now in academic posts. In addition to encouraging contact with other institutions, the School offers undergraduate tutoring, including training and feedback, to many of its postgraduate students. The University itself also runs a prize-winning programme designed to foster the employability of doctoral and post-doctoral students.
Those interested in PhD study should normally in the first instance contact a relevant member of academic staff to discuss their area of research and establish the availability of appropriate supervision.
Information about funding opportunities can be found here.
Information about formal application procedures can be found here.
For a student's perspective on PhD study at St Andrews, see: http://standrewsschoolofhistory.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/why-write-a-phd-at-st-andrews-by-claire-hawes/
Although we will consider applications at any time, we recommend that you begin the process as early as possible in the academic year. NB that we will only consider applications for funding from students who have been made a formal offer by the university before Thursday 7 March 2013.
For further information or general queries about opportunities for doctoral study in the School of History, please contact the Director of Postgraduates, Dr. Simon MacLean, email: pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk
