This programme enables you to study cultural phenomena, practices and texts at an advanced level, critically engaging with theories and methodologies of transdisciplinary cultural research.

Research community

Your project will benefit from the diverse research expertise of staff from the Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture (ESALA), from our collaborative exchanges with academic colleagues and research students across the University, and a broad range of contacts with local and international research networks, cultural and heritage institutions and archives.

Assessment and progression

The PhD is a major work of independent research, preparing you for a future in academic scholarship or a research career at cultural and heritage institutions or government organisations. As a student, you will have two supervisors with whom you will work closely throughout the research period. In the first year of your studies, you will be required to take a research skills and methods course selected in consultation with your superiors. In addition to regular meetings with your supervisors, you will participate in postgraduate seminars and conferences and have opportunities to experiment with publications and curatorial projects.