Studying for a PhD at the Medieval Studies
Why read for a PhD at the CMS?
Put simply, the CMS is one of the few institutions in the world where postgraduate students undertake interdisciplinary research in Medieval Studies. And they have been doing so very successfully since 1967.
What can I study?
Students taking the PhD and MPhil 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 and French).
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
What skills can I learn?
Tuition
can be offered in medieval languages (Medieval Latin, Old English, Old
French and Old Norse). Palaeography is taught by specialists in the
early, high and late Middle Ages. Modern language teaching can be
provided by the university's
Languages for All centre.
Many PhD students take the opportunity in the second or third year to
gain some undergraduate teaching experience in their area of interest.
What if I want to specialize in one discipline?
Students
who prefer to specialize in only one discipline are very much part of
life at the Centre (and their supervisors are often based there).
They will be registered with one of the departments whose staff make up
the CMS, so they will need to apply directly to the Archaeology,
English, History or Art and Architectural History departments
themselves.
What's research life like at the CMS?
PhD and MPhil students at the CMS are active contributors to the research life of one of the most vibrant community of medievalists in the world , whether they are registered at the CMS itself or in one of the individual departments.
They convene research groups where they share their research in the company of teaching staff and fellow students, participate in the regular research seminars, and frequently attend talks given by visiting speakers.
Outside supervisions, research groups and seminars, research students have frequent and informal contact with members of staff and fellow students to discuss areas of mutual interest.
PhD students are provided with a dedicated workroom, with desks and PCs. Many students appreciate the supportive environment it provides while working on their projects.