History by Distance Learning PhD

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom, Nottingham

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109

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University of Nottingham

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 36 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,750 / year(s)

Next Intake October-2026

History by Distance Learning PhD

About

Research overview

At Nottingham, we have a large Department of History, with over fifty research-active academics. You will benefit from:

World-leading research supervision

Ranked 7th in the UK for research power (2021), according to Times Higher Education
90% of the department’s research is classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Watch our staff discussing their research expertise

Extensive chronological supervisory expertise

Our staff have broad research interests, covering all historical periods from the early middle ages (c.500-c.1500), through the Early Modern era (c.1500-c.1800) and the modern period (1789-1945) to the contemporary history of present day (post-1945).

Wide-ranging geographical scope

Our research scope includes the UK and Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia, China and Japan, South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and North America.

A range of historical approaches and genres

Our academics specialise in a range of historical methodologies across all periods, including:

Black studies
Colonial and diplomatic history
Cultural history
Economic and urban history
Histories of conflict and protest
Histories of the environment
Histories of sexuality and gender
Medical and disability history
Political history
Religious history
Social history

And many others…

This is your opportunity to explore your research interests with expert guidance, and change the way we understand the past!

Next steps

Alumni and career profiles

Undertaking doctoral study at Nottingham provides a wide range of transferable skills. Read testimonials from recent alumni.

Dr Bethany Marsh (2019) - Impact and experiences of victims of violence and conflict in Britain and Ireland during the early modern period
Dr Jon Rowson (2020) - Modern Russian social and economy history
Dr Freddie Stephenson (2020) - The cultural history of health under British imperialism in colonial China
Dr Matt McGinn (2023) - Football and national identity in modern Galicia (Spain)

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Qualification	PhD
Degree	2:1 (or international equivalent) preferably in history, and a masters in history at Merit level or above

Qualification	PhD
Degree	2:1 (or international equivalent) preferably in history, and a masters in history at Merit level or above
International and EU equivalents	We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
IELTS	7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
English language requirements	As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

English Program Requirements

IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element) IELTS:

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

English language requirements:

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Career

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Completing a History PhD will give you a range of key transferable skills, including:

written and oral communication skills
archival research skills
data analysis skills
teaching skills
research collaboration skills

As a result, our graduates have moved onto:

full-time academic posts
post-doctoral work
the public or private heritage and museum sector
policy work for HM Government

"My current role greatly benefits from the soft skills I nurtured during my PhD, such as communication skills honed during conference presentations, time management techniques, and adaptability."

- Jon Rowson, 2020 graduate