Scottish History PhD

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: History

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Full-time
  • PhD | 3 years | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • PhD | 6 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of History, Classics and Archaeology

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD by Distance

Available

School location

Central Area

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About the degree programme

The PhD in Scottish History offers you the opportunity to explore Scotland’s past at an advanced level through independent research.

The University of Edinburgh has one of the largest concentrations of scholars interested in the Scottish past. Our research expertise in Scottish history within the School ranges from late medieval kingship and saints’ cults to the Reformation, the witch hunt, government and finance, the Highlands in all periods, Scotland’s diaspora and external relations and its place in the Union. 

Colleagues in archaeology and classics also have Scottish interests and these scholars are supplemented by academics in other areas of the University, including:

  • Celtic and Scottish Studies
  • Social and Political Sciences
  • Geography
  • Education
  • Divinity
  • Scottish Literature

The breadth of expertise in the School and in the wider University makes it possible for us to supervise a very wide range of topics. 

Each student is allocated at least two supervisors, allowing us to combine thematic, chronological and, if appropriate, disciplinary expertise in the supervisory team. 

We also have close links with external organisations, such as National Museums of Scotland, and may be able to include external partners in supervisory teams.

Study options

The PhD programme is designed to take three years full-time or six years part-time.

PhD by Distance option

PhD by Distance students will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students. The frequency with which students will meet with their supervisors, and method of communication for supervision sessions, will be provisionally agreed at the point of application and confirmed during induction. 

All core training provided to on-campus PhD students in HCA will be delivered in a hybrid fashion and/or recorded for PhD by Distance students. Certain opportunities that are only available in Edinburgh and which are not core to the successful completion of the PhD programme, such as tutoring, will not be available to PhD by Distance students. Applicants who are keen to take up tutoring opportunities should apply to the on-campus PhD programme. Applicants should take into account that while the PhD by Distance programme offers flexibility and accessibility, there may be resources not available to Distance learners.

Please be aware that some funding bodies do not permit students to study by distance, for example both ESRC and AHRC regulations currently state that students must be residents at the Institution where they are studying.

Why choose this programme

  • Each student is allocated at least two supervisors, allowing us to combine thematic, chronological and disciplinary expertise in the supervisory team.
  • The University of Edinburgh has one of the largest groups of historians in any British university.
  • We can offer supervision across an exceptionally wide chronological and geographical range.
  • Exceptional resources within walking distance of the School, including the National Records of Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, and the National Library of Scotland.

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 1 July 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

and, if applicable:

  • details of any published work

You will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:

Applicants to the PhD by Distance will also be required to complete a PhD by Distance Applicant Admission Form.

What's involved?

The PhD by Distance mode is available to all applicants for eligible School of History, Classics and Archaeology PhD programmes. Applicants will select between on-campus and distance options, as well as between part-time and full-time options.

PhD by Distance students will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students. The frequency with which students will meet with their supervisors, and method of communication for supervision sessions, will be provisionally agreed at the point of application and confirmed during induction. 

Training

All core training provided to on-campus PhD students in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology will be delivered in a hybrid fashion and/or recorded for PhD by Distance students.

Certain opportunities that are only available in Edinburgh and which are not core to the successful completion of the PhD programme, such as tutoring, will not available to PhD by Distance students.

Applicants who are keen to take up tutoring opportunities should apply to the on-campus PhD programme. Applicants should take into account that while the PhD by Distance programme offers flexibility and accessibility, there may be resources not available to distance learners.

Please be aware that some funding bodies do not permit students to study by distance, for example both ESRC and AHRC regulations currently state that students must be residents at the Institution where they are studying.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for the PhD by Distance are the same as for the School’s on-campus PhD programmes.

In addition, applicants to the PhD by Distance will also be required to complete a HCA PhD by Distance Applicant Admission Form. This form must be emailed to the Postgraduate Research Office (hca-pgr@ed.ac.uk) who will upload this to your application on your behalf.

 

Applicants should provide information about previous experience of distance study together with a statement detailing the potential risks and characteristics of distance learning. It is important that student’s applying for this mode of study recognise its particular challenges. While experience of studying at a distance is desirable in applying for the programme, this is not a specific requirement for admission. All of this should be discussed with the potential supervisor(s) prior to application and can be reflected on further during the admissions interview.

Applicants should also use this additional application form to provide details of the access they will have to research facilities at the normal site of study and where the core datasets that they will rely on are located.

Working whilst studying

The School understands that many students will take on paid work alongside their studies. The University’s guidance for full-time PhD students is that they should work no more than an average of 9 hours per week for across the academic year, to ensure they have time for their studies. 

While there are no specific rules about how many hours part-time students can work, the School recommends that part-time students allocate at least two to three days a week, on average across the year, to their PhD research. 

You should discuss any working patterns that you have with your proposed supervisor and reflect on the time you are devoting to your studies throughout your programme, particularly if you are struggling to make sufficient progress; this might well be a topic for discussion at annual reviews.

Provisional supervision agreement
You must name a member of staff who has provisionally agreed, in writing, to supervise you in order for your application to be taken forward. Please ensure that the relevant correspondence is uploaded to your admissions application. This statement of support is provisional, pending assessment of your application and your performance at an interview. If you haven't approached a member of our academic staff yet, please use the following staff list to help you find a supervisor in the subject area of your interest.
 
Guidance on finding a supervisor
List of HCA academic staff
Research proposal
You must submit a research proposal (in a Word or PDF document) demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research. This will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. The suggested word count for the research proposal is 1,000-2,000 words, including footnotes and bibliography. Applicants are encouraged to adhere to the word count but will not be penalised for exceeding this. Guidance on writing a research proposal can be found online:
 
Guidance on writing a research proposal
References
You must submit two references with your application.

Interview

If you meet all of the entry requirements, you will need to attend an online interview with potential supervisors. The interview should last 20-30 minutes. Please note that an offer to study is subject to a successful interview. 

This interview will be organised by your prospective supervisor and will be an occasion for you to meet the proposed second supervisor. The supervisory team will use it as an opportunity to explore your knowledge of the field and get a sense of your ability to carry out the proposed research programme. 

We cannot issue an offer until the supervisor confirms in writing that the interview has taken place and their recommendation.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Funding

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

We require the following (with further details below):
  • Provisional supervision agreement between you and a primary supervisor, in writing
  • Research proposal
  • Qualifications at undergraduate and Masters level
  • References
  • Entry interview 
  • PhD by Distance - additional application form
  • Evidence of English language competency
Qualifications
A UK 2:1 honours degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant Masters degree with an overall mark of at least 65%, or international equivalents.
 
We may also consider your application if you have relevant professional experience; please check with your potential supervisor before you apply.
 
You will need to submit both your undergraduate and postgraduate degree certificates and transcripts in order to be considered for PhD admission. For instructions on how to upload any additional documents after you have submitted your application, please follow the support guidance:
 
Guidance on document uploading
PhD by Distance
For PhD by Distance students please see the "PhD by Distance option" section for further requirements, including an additional application form.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Research profile

Here in the nation’s capital, Scottish history is taught by a strong and distinguished team, comprising six core academic staff members, plus a number of postdoctoral fellows and associated staff.

The University of Edinburgh has offered the subject since establishing the prestigious Sir William Fraser Chair of Scottish History and Palaeography in 1901. The post is currently held by Professor Ewen Cameron.

From the Middle Ages to the present day, we can offer expertise in all periods of study.

Other members of staff have published extensively on topics including:

  • Scottish politics in all periods
  • late medieval kingship
  • saints’ cults
  • the witch-hunt and associated beliefs
  • religious and intellectual change, particularly in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
  • the Scottish Enlightenment
  • the Highlands, especially in the middle ages and the modern period
  • Scotland’s external relations and involvement with empire

To find out more about our research strengths, and the research groups and centres based in the School, consult our research pages:

You can identify a potential supervisor by looking at the School of History Classics and Archaeology’s Staff Profiles, which give details of research interests and publications, and email addresses. You are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

Our research community

Scottish History students play an active role in the research life of the History Subject Area and the School of History, Classics and Archaeology through participating in reading groups, seminars and workshops and conferences.

We have a diverse and close-knit postgraduate community – you’ll always find someone to talk to about the topic you’re interested in. You’ll become part of a research community with opportunities to attend a broad range of seminar series and public lectures beyond your programme of study.

Seminars

The School has a diverse range of regular seminar series and many standalone events and there are many other Edinburgh-based societies and groups who also run related events. The focal point of the Scottish history community is the weekly research seminar in Scottish History. There are also regular social events organised by the Scottish history section of the History subject area.

Postgraduate students are actively involved in our research groups and research centres. Some sit within the disciplines of History, Classics and Archaeology, others bring together researchers across the School. Cross-school research groups include: Digital Humanities; Intellectual History; Late Antique and Byzantine Studies; Material Culture; the History of Science, Medicine and Technology and the Global and Transnational History Research Group.

To find out more about our research groups, centres and seminars, see:

There are also many research seminars and other activities taking place in the wider University.

Postgraduate-led seminars and reading groups

There are also a number of postgraduate-led seminars and research groups.

Current postgraduate-led seminars include:

Programme structure

The PhD is a substantial piece of independent research which makes a contribution to the state of existing knowledge in the field. 

The PhD programme is designed to take three years full-time or six years part-time. 

The PhD is examined by submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words and by oral examination.

Training

PhD students work closely with their supervisors, who are recognised experts in the field of study. All PhD students pursue an individually tailored programme of research training agreed with their supervisors. 

The PhD programmes in History provide core training in the research skills necessary to flourish at doctoral level and beyond, through a core course in semester one, Professional Skills for Historians, and a day-long annual conference for PhD students in semester two. All PhD students in the School also benefit from School and University-wide training in research and professional skills.

Knowledge sharing

PhD students are encouraged to share their research with other postgraduate students through workshops and seminars, and to take an active part in the research life of the history subject area, the School and the University through our research groups and centres and through student-led workshops and seminars. 

We also have three research centres: 

You must contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

Find a supervisor

Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Support

You will have at least two supervisors who will provide expert academic guidance on your chosen research topic. 

You will meet regularly to discuss your progress and research plans, as well as drafts of your thesis/dissertation chapters, conference papers and potential articles.

In addition to individual supervision, all our PhD students pursue an individually tailored programme of research and professional skills training agreed with their supervisors.

Please note, the University of Edinburgh does not sponsor students to study part-time using a Tier 4/Student visa.

Facilities

Postgraduate students have access to a wide range of resources and facilities both within the William Robertson Wing of the historic Old Medical School, and nearby in the vibrant heart of the city of Edinburgh. 

Study spaces

Our location, right in the heart of Edinburgh, means you will be based close to the city’s cultural attractions and facilities, including a wealth of libraries, archives, museums and galleries, which provide uniquely rich support for the disciplines we teach.

A tour of our postgraduate spaces:
PhD room - Room 3.06

Room 3.06 has been allocated as a working space for the entire HCA PhD community. This space is intended to provide research students with a quiet working environment. New first-year students may apply for allocated desk space at the beginning of year 2.

Scottish History Collection - Room 3.07

This small library houses the Scottish History Collection.  While the library itself is available for use by all students, the desk space within the room is reserved for the use of PhD students.

Postgraduate Study Room - Room 2.35

This room is available to all postgraduate students and is intended to provide students with a quiet working environment. It is a dedicated study and computing lab with printing, copying and scanning facilities, overlooking the Meadows, one of the city’s best-loved green spaces.

Computer Teaching Lab - Room 2.36

Room 2.36 is a 24-seater computer lab on the second floor, which is available to HCA students at postgraduate and undergraduate Honours level when it isn't booked for teaching.  The computers in this room are of a high specification and are particularly suitable for work requiring intensive computation or graphical manipulation. They also have some specialist software and may be particularly useful to students who have lab sessions in the room, using specific pieces of software.

Student Research Room - Room 2M.25

The Student Reading Room (2M.25) is a quiet study facility and houses some of the School's book collections. The room also contains a small number of PCs, and printing facilities are available. Please note that these rooms are not exclusively postgraduate resources, and access is shared with our Undergraduate student community. The Student Research Room contains nine collections of books from previous class libraries and special collections donated to the School over many years.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Have a question about postgraduate study?

Postgraduate enquiries

Academic contact

Dr Meha Priyadarshini

Programme Director

Contact details

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