Postgraduate study

What postgraduate degrees can I study?

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AHRC Collaborative Research Training scheme

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MA courses

M.Phil/Ph.D courses

Within these broad subject areas, academic staff at the IHR work on a wide range of themes and topics, including religious and cultural history, political history, economic and social history, and imperial history:

For a list of current research students and their topics, see our IHR students page. For our ethical practice guidelines, see our Statement of Ethical Practice.

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Why study at the IHR?

The Institute of Historical Research (IHR), founded in 1921, occupies a position at the centre of the academic study of history in the United Kingdom. It is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for its research activities, and in the provision of resources to the academic community as a whole. A vibrant, interdisciplinary research culture is fostered within the IHR, and more broadly within the School of Advanced Study, part of the University of London, which provides a unique configuration of academic resources for postgraduate and postdoctoral research.

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How do I apply?

We welcome an informal approach in the first instance. Having received an information pack from the Institute, applicants should approach the prospective supervisor or Elaine Walters (elaine.walters@sas.ac.uk), the Secretary of the Higher Research Degrees Committee (HRDC) (who will advise on a suitable prospective supervisor), submitting a covering letter with the following:

  • a Curriculum Vitae including the information needed for the application form;
  • the names and addresses (including fax and email numbers) of two academic referees (other than the prospective supervisor) able to comment on your ability and potential as a research student in your chosen field of study;
  • a statement on your proposed research topic (this will be a first draft of the statement to appear on the application form).

We expect applicants to discuss their research proposal with the prospective supervisor, who will offer advice on the topic and on completing the application form.

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence (gained in the last 3 years) that their written and spoken English language is adequate for postgraduate study. For further information please see the School's English language competency requirements.

If you cannot easily visit the Institute, this discussion can take place via telephone, email or letter. After this stage the applicant will normally be interviewed by the prospective supervisor and at least one other member of the Institute's HRDC. If travel to the Institute is impossible, a suitable alternative procedure will be used.

The formal application, with supporting documentation (including references and a statement from the prospective supervisor), will be submitted to the Secretary of the Institute's HRDC, who will forward a copy of the materials to the Registrar of the School of Advanced Study. In assessing the application the HRDC will satisfy itself that:

  • the candidate's qualifications are acceptable;
  • the research proposal meets the required academic and practical criteria (see below);
  • the research proposal has been adequately discussed by the candidate with the prospective supervisor and has the supervisor's support;
  • training and other academic support needs have been assessed and can be met;
  • the proposed starting date and other relevant dates will allow the student to take part in training and other relevant activities of the Institute and the School (the preferred starting date is October; only in exceptional circumstances should the starting date be later than January).

The research proposal to be considered by the HRDC should:

  • define the research question or problem to be addressed;
  • indicate the main objectives of the research;
  • specify why the question or problem is important, what other research has been done in the area (supported by a short bibliography of no more than one side of A4), and how the research will contribute to understanding in the area;
  • indicate the methods and sources to be used;
  • not exceed 1000 words, plus the bibliography.

We recognise that many features of the research proposal may be modified during the first year of research.

Research students are usually admitted to study for the MPhil in the first instance. Their suitability for transfer to the PhD is formally assessed towards the end of the first year (full-time students). Well-qualified applicants may be admitted to study for the PhD from the beginning.

The Institute's HRDC normally meets three time a year (late October, late January and June). Applications should arrive at the Institute at least ten days before the meeting at which they are to be considered. The Institute's decision on an application will be communicated to the candidate and to the School's Registrar shortly after the meeting at which the application was considered.

The School of Advanced Study offers bursaries for Master's degree study and for research degree study (MPhil/PhD). For details, visit http://www.sas.ac.uk/funding.html.

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