PhD in Medieval Studies

Combine creative thinking with interdisciplinary academic study, and develop key skills for your career in the field, academia or research.

Year of entry: 2026/27

Our research

	Length	Start dates (semester dates)
Medieval Studies PhD	3 years full-time 6 years part-time Apply for PhD Distance learning available	January April July September

Length

Start dates (semester dates)

Medieval Studies PhD

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Apply for PhD

Distance learning available

January
April
July
September

York is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the study of the medieval period, with a wealth of history and access to wide-ranging resources.

Your research

The focus of your work will be an independent research project. We provide training which will equip you with skills in a wide range of research methods to support your growing expertise. The PhD requires a dissertation of up to 90,000 words.

Related links

Our students work on research projects that cross-disciplinary boundaries. Subject areas include Archaeology, Art and Architectural History, History (social, economic, political, cultural, ecclesiastical, and intellectual) and Literature (including Old and Middle English, Old Norse, Latin, Italian and Arabic), Natural Sciences, Gender and Sexuality, Viking Studies, Islamic Cultures, Codicology and Palaeography.

Tuition is offered in medieval languages (Arabic, Latin, Old English, Old French and Old Norse). Palaeography and Diplomatic are taught by specialists in the early, high and late Middle Ages. Modern language teaching is provided by the university's Languages for All centre.

Join a vibrant community of medievalists, participate in research groups and share ideas, and attend talks given by visiting speakers.

Distance learning

We also offer the option of enrolling in a PhD in Medieval Studies by distance learning. You'll have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world.

We'll work with you to assess the feasibility of your distance learning degree, including any facilities and resources you may need to complete your studies. We'll discuss your training requirements and an associated timeline, which will need to be in place before you start your course.

If your research topic requires use of specialised equipment and facilities, we will discuss available options with you to ensure these needs can be met for the duration of your degree. You must visit York for at least two weeks per year, with a compulsory visit at each annual progression point. In addition, you must attend a two-week induction period in York at the beginning of your degree.

Four times the expertise

Work with specialists from the Departments of Archaeology, English, History and History of Art for a truly interdisciplinary experience.

A city of history and heritage

York is a contemporary student-friendly city. It's rich in history and heritage, and one of the best places to study.

Access to extensive resources

We offer access to extensive historical archives and collections, including the Borthwick Institute for Archives, and the JB Morrell and Raymond Burton, and York Minster libraries.

Funding

Explore funding for postgraduate researchers.

Supervision

We'll help match your research interests to our supervisory expertise. Explore the expertise of our staff.

Training and support

Your progress throughout your degree will be continually guided by your supervisor, who will help you to hone your focus and deliver specialised research.

Alongside regular meetings with your supervisor, you'll attend a Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP), consisting of at least one member of staff in addition to your supervisor. You'll meet twice a year (once a year for part-time students) to discuss your research project, including more general professional development and career training.

Careers and skills

Your PhD will help to extend your qualifications, giving you the ability to use research and critical thinking to shed light on historical problems and communicate this knowledge with others. You'll develop communication skills, data analysis, archival research and collaboration, offering a range of career opportunities.

We are committed to enabling you to gain skills in languages and palaeography, whatever your starting point. These will allow you direct access to primary sources.

Careers guidance

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.

Career opportunities

University academic lecturer/professor/researcher
Publishing
Broadcasting
Museums and heritage careers (English Heritage/Historic England)
School teaching
Library and archives careers

Course location

You will be based on Campus West. Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here, but your research may take you further afield.

Distance learning students can study from anywhere in the world, but are expected to attend events and training in York several times per year.

Entry requirements

A Masters degree with the equivalent of a distinction or very high merit, or equivalent experience.

If you have any questions about the suitability of your qualifications, please contact us.

If you are applying as a mature student, or are entering Higher Education without standard academic qualifications, please give details of your relevant experience and your goals, as well as any relevant academic and/or professional qualifications.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Check your English language requirements

Applying

Identify a supervisor

You should identify a potential supervisor in the faculty whose area of research overlaps with yours. We encourage you to contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply.

You should note your preferred supervisor in your application.

Find a supervisor

Your research proposal

As an applicant to postgraduate research courses, you'll be asked to submit a clear, well-structured research proposal.

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply.

Submit your application

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start, save, and finish it later.

We will respond to your application in a timely manner. You may track the status of your application and view any official correspondence online.

If you wish to study by distance learning, we will ask for justification for taking the DL option and will then assess the feasibility for this research programme.

Apply for the PhD in Medieval Studies

Apply for the PhD in Medieval Studies (distance learning)