History and Welsh History
Pursue original research, supervised by leading historians with expertise in a broad chronological, geographical and thematic range, spanning the medieval to the modern period across the globe.
Our MPhil and PhD degrees in History and Welsh History aim to prepare you for a variety of career options, including in research and academia, public service, teaching, and the private sector.
Our internationally recognised and internationally leading historians have a wide range of interests and expertise, enabling us to supervise you in a large array of research fields. Our postgraduate community contributes vitally to the research culture of the School and to the University's international reputation for research.
Programme aims
To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in academia, research (commercial etc), public service, teaching and related fields, and the media.
Distinctive features
- Wide range of research expertise.
- An innovative PhD Training Programme to help you achieve your research potential, and to prepare you for what comes next.
- An exciting, stimulating and supportive learning environment that actively seeks to develop its research and postgraduate culture.
- We are central to a number of research centres and study groups that operate within the University, including the Centre for the Study of Medieval Society and Culture, and the Central and East European Research Group.
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time, part-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD, MPhil |
| Full-time duration | PhD 3 years, MPhil 1 year |
| Part-time duration | Opportunities available |
History
We offer a breadth of chronological, geographical and historiographic expertise. The research interests of our historians, and the strengths of our department, are in: British and Welsh history, medieval to contemporary; North American history; modern European and Eurasian history, from France and Germany to Czechoslovakia, Russia and Central Asia; modern Asian history, including India, China, and Japan; African history; Jewish history; environmental history; the medical humanities; digital history; and theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of history and the humanities.
Our MPhil and PhD provides training and a high level of support both to enable successful completion of your degree, and to prepare you for your next career stage. You will benefit from a series of College and University postgraduate training programmes. We also provide an innovative History PhD Training Seminar that will help integrate you into our department’s thriving research culture.
Welsh history
As befits the capital city of Wales, the Department provides a thriving programme of research and postgraduate supervision in the Social, Cultural and Political History of Wales. Research in this area covers
- the social, urban and political history of Wales in the early modern and modern period
- nineteenth and early twentieth century Welsh emigration and Welsh communities outside Wales
- the construction of Welsh identities in the modern period
- the impact of industrialization on Wales
- unemployment, social policy, social and political movements particularly during the economic depression of the 1930s
- marriage, family and identity in modern Wales
- Wales and the British Empire; political and social interests of the Welsh gentry
- Wales and the Civil War and the Interregnum
- Wales within the Early Modern British state.
For more information, please see the History research pages of our website.
Information on current research projects can be found on the School website.
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
We are delighted to be part of the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
Any student who wishes to apply for a Postgraduate Research Degree in History at Cardiff is strongly advised to contact the relevant member of staff to discuss their interests and the particular potential that Cardiff can offer the student in their specialist area of study. For students who plan to apply for external funding (i.e. the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership) it is essential that they begin planning their applications in collaboration with their potential supervisor as early as possible.
If you have any queries about our postgraduate research programmes, or if you are simply thinking about undertaking a research degree in History and would like to speak with us about this, please get in touch with our postgraduate tutor, Dr James Ryan.
Suitable for graduates in history, and related humanities and social science disciplines.
Applicants should normally hold a first degree with first or upper second class Honours or equivalent in an appropriate subject field.
Welsh speakers are very welcome.
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or equivalent. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details.
Contacts
Administrative contact(s)
School of History, Archaeology and Religion Postgraduate Research Administrative Officer
Administrative contact
