Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research and to make an original, positive contribution to learning in Medieval Studies. Home of the cross-disciplinary Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the University of Edinburgh has one of the largest communities of medieval and Renaissance specialists in the world: upwards of 70 researchers across the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Our research interests are wide-ranging and global, and include history, languages and literatures, history of art and architecture, music, divinity, archaeology, law, Celtic and Scottish Studies, and Islamic, European, and Asian Studies. Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of two experienced and well-published supervisors. We encourage PhD theses crossing boundaries between disciplines and subject areas, and support this through the allocation of supervisors in different, relevant, subject areas where appropriate.

Over the course of your PhD, you’ll be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of between 70,000 and 100,000 words. You will be awarded your doctorate if your thesis is judged to be of an appropriate standard, and your research makes a definite contribution to knowledge.

This programme includes training in palaeography and codicology, theoretical approaches to medieval society and culture, and sources of medieval history. Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), partner Schools in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Careers Service and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you’ll find a further range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills. You will also have access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.