phd history in iit

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Indian institute of technology madras, ph.d. programme.

Admission Procedure

Please apply online PhD admission here:

https://research.iitm.ac.in/

The DoHSS has a vibrant research community. Ph.D. admissions are carried out twice a year, in January and July. The range of research topics encompasses fields as diverse as Advertising, Agricultural Policy, African/American/English/Indian Literature, Discourse Analysis, ELT, Economics & Econometrics, German Studies, Health Care, Modern Indian History, History of Science, Technology and Medicine, International Relations, Linguistics, Philosophy, Policy Studies, Science, Sociology, Theatre, Film and Media Studies, Technology and Development, and Science and Technology Education.

Research in HSS – the scholars’ perspective

As researchers from the Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences situated within the interstices of a technological institute, there is a constant dialogue between questions of technology with those of society and humanity. We as researchers keenly observe critique and act as an interface between these different paradigms. We believe that as a generation of curious Social Scientists and Liberal Humanists, the need of the hour is to establish consilience among diverse academic spaces. As a department, both the members of faculty and research scholars engage in a broad spectrum of research, which is largely interdisciplinary in nature. Being a part of a technological institute of national repute provides us with immense opportunities to witness and evaluate the interaction, transformation and synthesis that occur between technology, society and humanity.

The department of Humanities and Social Sciences, has scholars who pursue research activities in multiple fields including Language testing, Gandhian philosophy, Migration, Public Finance, Development Studies, Alternative education, Film Studies, Environmental evaluation, Sociopragmatics, Dalit and Minority education, European and Chinese studies, Speech and Communication, Ecocriticism, Deep Ecology, Health Economics, Diaspora and Cultural studies.

The department provides opportunities to scholars to work in areas outside of their specific discipline, thereby opening up avenues for innovative researches of interdisciplinary nature. The specially designed courses help the scholars to pursue their specific interests and decide on their research questions. This facilitates the study to evolve over a period of time and lays a sound foundation for the beginning of research. An evaluation of the scholar’s research progress at regular intervals not only facilitates his/her research but also prepares the scholar to engage with greater focus and rigour.

The scholars of the department have been awarded several reputed fellowships like The Fulbright Fellowship, The Erasmus Mundus Fellowship, The Jenesys Fellowship and have visited various countries, with opportunities to pursue research in world class Universities. The institute provides funds for research activities and extracurricular activities and several scholars have also availed these fellowships to attend international conferences during their program of study. The scholars have also published in reputed national and international journals.

The scholars of the department organize a weekly lecture series which serves as a meeting platform for both the faculty and the scholars. This forum allows scholars to share their research interests and outputs, both with members from within the department and also from other departments in the institute. The presentations are followed by discussions.

As a community the scholars also organize informal talks, film/book reviews, seminars and conferences including an annual theater production in collaboration with the post-graduate students of the department.

Being a research scholar in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences is both an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Room No.: HSB 333 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. PIN Code: 600036

Tel-Phone: +91 44 2257 4500 Email: hsoffice[at]iitm[.]ac[.]in

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Samapika Roy, a senior research scholar of the Department, has received the Fullbright Fellowship. She will be working as FLTA at New York University, USA.

Prashant Priyadarshi, a senior research scholar of the Department, has received the Fullbright Fellowship for the session 2020-2021. He is working as FLTA at Brown University, USA.​

Dr. Nirmalya Guha was invited for ‘Series of Lectures’ by the Department of Philosophy, Fudan University, China, from 30 November to 08 December 2019.

Dr. Swasti Mishra was invited as Visiting Lecturer for ‘Short Term Lectureship’ by the Chair of Indology, University of Würzburg, Germany, from 10th to 20th November 2019

Dr. Swasti Mishra and Dr. Amrita Dwivedi were invited for final review of “Varanasi Smart City Studio-2019” project by the School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA, from 18th to 24th April 2019.

• Distinguished Visits in the Department
• Prof. Ute Husken, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany on 8th March, 2019.
• Prof. Jorg Gengnagel, Wurzburg University, Germany on 8th March, 2019
• The Department has organized a Constitution Day Awareness Program on 21st January 2020
• Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week followed by an awareness campaign on 1st November 2019.
• Department conducted the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in association with Student Counseling Services IIT (BHU) on 2nd October 2019. A Swachhata Shapath was taken followed by Cleanliness Drive

The Department of Humanistic Studies was initiated in the year 2015.Prior to its inception, Technical Writing Section was looking after the language and communication needs of the students of the institute for a little more than two decades.This department as an academic entity envisages to enhance the power of science and technology with an inspiring touch of human sensibility that our world urgently needs in the present civilizational crisis pertaining to the mindless development in the form of three dimensional projections as the hall marks of growth.. Read More

Department of Humanistic Studies

Courses The Department is running Ph D in Humanistic Studies in four areas namely History, Philosophy, Sociology, English and Computational Linguistics. This department also runs courses for Undergraduate Students, Post Graduate and PhD Students of Engineering and Pharmacy departments of the Institute. Admission (Click here to view PG Admission Portal.)

For admission in Ph D in Humanistic Studies, applicants from Engineering, Science and Humanities background are invited to apply through on-line PG Admission Portal of IIT(BHU) Varanasi. Admission is done through written test followed by interview.  Click here to view Rolling Advertisement for Faculty Positions .

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History new discipline: Spring PhD admissions (2021-22)

Attention : Department HSS, IIT Bombay is introducing History as a new discipline for Spring semester PhD admissions (2021-22). 

The details of the programme is mentioned in Spring PhD IIT Bombay admissions (2021-22) brochure."

PhD Program in Humanities and Social Sciences at IITs

• April 5, 2022
• PhD Program

  The Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at various IITs offers a Ph.D. program in different academic disciplines such as English, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology, Fine Arts, Linguistics, Policy, History, Archaeology, Political Science, Geography, Development Studies, etc. The Department’s curricula aligned with its academic vision aim to cultivate critical and innovative thinking and impart training required to carry out the highest level of multi-disciplinary research. To fulfill its teaching and research goals, the Department has competent faculty members in diverse areas who keep pace with the current developments in their fields of specialization.

Apart from the facilities made available to all students at the Institute level, at the department level, the students have access to the resources available in the Department’s Library, Computer Labs, etc. The departments also house teaching laboratories such as Language laboratory, Behavioural and Cognitive Science laboratory, Econometrics laboratory, Psychology laboratory, and more. These laboratories help students improve their language and communication skills, train students in subjects like psychology and other allied behavioral sciences, etc. A good library is always the nucleus of a vibrant research ethos. These Departments have their own library with an outstanding collection of books and journals that help strengthen the research of students and faculty members.

Research Areas in Humanities & Social Sciences at IITs

Research in Humanities & Social Sciences at IITs covers all the areas of English, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Fine Arts, etc. The core areas of research are:

Cognitive Linguistics, Pragmatics, American Literature, Critical and Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory and Literature, Indian literature and literary theory, Translation Studies, Literary Censorship, Postmodern Theory and Literature, The Anthropocene Literature, Climate Fiction, and Cli-Fi Films, Cyberpunk and Biopunk, Critical Theory, Cybercriticism, Ecocriticism, Language Documentation And Description, Linguistic Typology, Historical Linguistics, Postcolonial Literature, Indian Writings in English, Life Writings, English Language Teaching, Applied Cognitive Linguistics, Curriculum, and Syllabus Design, Linguistics, Language Variation, History of Film Theory, Aesthetic Politics, World Cinema, Critical Theory

Visual and Media Arts, Design, Visual Culture, Frugal Innovation, Visual thinking, Art history, Graphic Art, Painting, Studio Art practices, Art History, Art Appreciation, Visual Culture, Cinema Studies, New-Media & Mixed-Media Art, Calligraphy, Oil Painting, Sculpture

  Philosophy

Logic, Formal Epistemology, General Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Aesthetics, Philosophy and Literature, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, Gandhi Studies, Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Evolutionary Epistemology, Philosophy of Science (Biology), Cognition, Creativity

Health Psychology, Social Representations, Illness Narratives, Social Cognition, Organizational Cognition, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Affective Processes, Psychological Assessment, Trauma Psychology, Applied Social Psychology, Disaster Mental Health, Qualitative Methodology, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Science, Embodied Cognition, Action, Agency, and Self

Social Demography, Rural Development, Social Statistics, Sociology of Science and Technology, Sociology of Development, Social Movements, Human Rights, Social Movements, Law and Governance, Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Law, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Work, New Media Studies (identification, everyday use), Social Geography, Sociology of Money, Environmental Sociology, Social Network Analysis

The Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at the Indian Institutes of Technology in Delhi , Bombay , Madras , Kanpur , Kharagpur , Roorkee , and Guwahati provides an outstanding research environment complemented by excellence in teaching. All other IITs also offer excellent research programs in Humanities & Social Sciences.

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Electrical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Home » PhD Admission

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a flagship programme of the department’s research. All Research Scholars (students pursuing a PhD) contribute in a significant way to the research activities of the department. They get significant flexibility in selecting their courses and research topics.

Dual MTech + PhD programme

The department offers admissions to a new, dual degree (M.Tech. + Ph.D.) programme. The programme is designed to induct bright students who have completed their B.E./B. Tech./M.Sc. degrees directly to the doctoral programme. The timelines and key milestones of this programme are aligned with the M.Tech and Ph.D. programmes currently offered.

Requirements

Specializations, teaching assistant (ta).

Limited Teaching Assistant (TA) positions are available in the department. Teaching Assistant positions through sponsored projects may also be available sometimes. These positions are called...

Research Assistant (RA)

Project Research Assistant positions may also be available through sponsored research projects being undertaken by faculty members of the department. Normally, research work leading to...

Internships, visits, and placements: PhD students must seek their thesis advisor’s and the department’s approval before availing opportunities for internships or visits to other research...

How To Apply

Eligibility conditions and schedule for the admission process for the PhD programme can be found here and various categories of PhD students are mentioned above. PhD programmes are available in all specialisations .

The admission process involves shortlisting based on prior academic performance, GATE score, and other credentials; followed by an admission test, followed by an interview. 

For Ph.D. Admissions Autumn 2024-2025 refer to this link . Note: Please open the above link on a desktop/laptop as it might not render properly on smartphones.

NOTICE BOARD

  1)  The Syllabus for Ph.D. Written Test for the Autumn semester 2024 Click here

2)  Preliminary shortlisted students list is available here Click here

3) For further updates regarding PhD admission, follow this page. Click here

Research Scholars spend their work time producing novel research. They read about the latest advances in their area, propose and experiment with novel ideas, critically analyse their results, and publish and present their findings at highly selective international conferences and journals for peer-review and information dissemination. While doing so, they develop, under the apprenticeship of their faculty supervisors, skills for critical reading, ideation, experimental design, implementation, analysis, synthesis, writing, and communication. Many Research Scholars also help their faculty supervisors in informally guiding Master’s and Bachelor’s students on smaller projects, write proposals for research funding, and actively pursue collaborations with other research groups from around the world. PhD students are expected to take their own initiative and transition to become independent researchers over the course of time. To obtain a PhD, the Research Scholars have to publish their research in reputed journals and conferences, and produce a PhD thesis (dissertation). 

PhD studies is also a time to develop a well-rounded personality by pursuing extra-curricular activities. Mumbai provides a cosmopolitan and metropolitan lifestyle, being the financial capital of India, with its experience of diverse cultures, cuisines, and industries. Most students can find accommodation in one of the hostels of the IIT Bombay campus. There are also studio apartments available for married students. The campus is well-equipped with numerous sports facilities and it has numerous student interest clubs.  .

The overall process for a successful Ph.D. includes completing the required coursework, qualifying, annual progress seminars, pre-synopsis, synopsis, provisional acceptance of the dissertation, dissertation defense, and final submission of the dissertation. 

International students

Limited seats are available for international students to pursue a Ph.D. at IIT Bombay. More information for international students can be found below.

Research Scholars, after obtaining a PhD degree from the EE department, are expected to play leadership roles in research and development in various disciplines of EE either in the industry or in academic institutes. Besides becoming faculty members at different academic institutions, several of our PhD graduates lead or work at research laboratories in private companies and government organizations across the world. Some of our PhD graduates have also started their own deep-tech startup companies that are doing quite well in their areas. Once a student joins our department, they can be put in touch with our willing alumni for mentorship and consultation through the EE ACR (Alumni and Corporate Relations) group. For testimonials from our alumni about the department and to know more about their career paths, visit this page .

IIT Bombay was established in the year 1957 and the department of Electrical Engineering (EE) has been one of its major departments since its inception.

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Minimum Qualifications for admission to Full-time PhD Programmes

Table 1 defines the minimum qualifications required for admission to full-time Ph. D. programmes at IIT Delhi. Please note:

These are Institute minimum requirements and any Department/Centre/School operating through their DRC/CRC/SRC can specify higher short-listing criteria than what is specified here.

This table includes most of the degrees, but each DRC/CRC/SRC is free to specify the qualifications and disciplines acceptable for admission to their programmes.

Candidates in the final year of their programmes and who expect to complete all their qualifying degree requirements before the date of registration are also eligible to apply for admissions. For short-listing purposes, their performance until the preceding semester (preceding year if their programmes are year based) would be considered but their admission would be provisional, subject to their meeting the minimum eligibility criteria after their final qualifying examination results are announced. In any case, all admissions are provisional at first and it is confirmed only after all certificates and previous records are duly checked and verified, a process which may take a few weeks into the starting semester.

Table 1: Minimum Qualification for Admission to full-time PhD Programmes

Exemptions, relaxations and clarifications:

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (S. No. 1 & 2 in Table 1) is relaxed from 60% to 55% (CGPA relaxed from 6.00 to 5.50).

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (Sr. No.3 in Table 1) is relaxed from 70% to 65% (CGPA relaxed from 7.00 to 6.50).

Qualifying degree performance is computed by aggregating performance over all the semesters/years of the qualifying degree, as per the credit or weightage system approved in the institution/ board where the degree has been completed.

Requirement of qualification in GATE / National Exam is waived for the following categories of applicants:

Currently registered students in Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) pursuing B.Tech./B.E./ Integrated M. Tech/ Integrated M.Sc. Programmes (or any other programme of minimum four year duration, admission to which is on the basis of JEE), who have completed 6 semesters or more, and have CGPA of 8.00 or above (on a 10 point scale). Such students must obtain a CGPA of 8.00 or above at the time of graduation, and before they formally register for the Ph.D. programme (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

Graduates of CFTIs (in the programmes marked under (i)) with a final graduation CGPA of more than 8.00 (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

M.A or M.Sc. graduates from IITs with CGPA 8.00 or above.

For purposes of shortlisting, the primary method of evaluation (i.e., CGPA/CPI, or aggregate percentage, whichever is appropriate) followed by the institution where candidate has obtained his/her qualifying degree will be used by IIT Delhi for determining whether the candidate meets the final shortlisting requirements.

For assistantship purposes only (and not for qualification), candidates with M.B.B.S. qualification will be considered equivalent to M. Tech., for admission to Ph.D. programme in Centre for Biomedical Engineering;

For candidates with M.A. degree in English, a 5% relaxation in marks or 0.5 relaxation in CGPA may be permitted for admission to the Ph.D. programme in Humanities and Social Sciences;

Candidates holding an MBA degree are eligible for applying to the Ph.D. programme in the Department of Management Studies.

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Doctor of Philosophy in History Top Colleges, Admission, Syllabus, Books, Jobs and Scope 2024

Sushil Pandey

Senior Content Specialist

PhD History or Doctor of Philosophy in History is a 3 years full-time doctorate course which is the study of written events and records of humanity. It explains a broad view of social, cultural, religious, political, and economic developments from the prehistoric times. It grants students to study some of the world's most historical people, events, and cultures. The minimum duration of this program is three years and the maximum duration is five years.

This PhD History program focused on providing knowledge in advanced studies in history in depth. Coursework covers the areas of political study, gender & sexuality, and training imparts knowledge in vast areas. The program is designed for students to develop skills in conducting research work in original and equips them with varied methodologies. The training offers an intensive course and introduces them to theoretical aspects of history and historical practice.

Admission to the PhD History course is based on an entrance test followed by an interview conducted by the various Universities. Candidates who have UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF), UGC-NET (including JRF), SLET, GATE, teacher fellowship holder or have passed M.Phil. The program is exempted from the Entrance Test but is required to appear for the Interview.

To be eligible for undertaking the study of PhD History, candidates must be a qualified graduate with History as their Honors subject. Candidates having passed the postgraduate level are also eligible for this extensive study.

Table of Content

PhD History: Course Highlights

Phd history: what is it about.

2.1   Why Study?

PhD History Admission Process

3.1  Eligibility

3.2  Entrance Exam

PhD History Top Colleges

4.1   College Comparison

PhD History Syllabus

5.1   Books

• Course Comparison
• PhD History Job Prospects

7.1   Future Scope

History is the study of the past with primary attention to the activities of human beings over time. PhD History is an extensive academic degree awarded by many universities for hardcore research in any specific piece or detailed information of history.

• In a few countries, PhD History is regarded as one of the highest degrees that any person can earn as it requires an extensive amount of study for long durations of time along with research on those happenings in concern.
• The format of awarding the PhD History degree to any candidate varies from place to place. Whereas a few colleges/ universities may ask for detailed evidence of the study done to achieve the degree, some may ask for the thesis only and proof of the research work done.
• There is simply no specific order of awarding the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy. Usually, the fund required for the research in this field is provided by the university or college from the student’s welfare fund.
• PhD History narrates a broad view of religious, political, social, cultural, and economic developments from the prehistoric times. The lessons generally include an introduction viewpoint of the people's movements and the important events of those periods around this world.

Why Study PhD History?

Students who want to know about research and analyze historical facts and data in great depth are a good suit for the course. They also possess qualities like the capacity to think objectively and approach problems and new situations with an open mind. Candidates also should possess the ability to construct an argument and communicate findings in a clear and persuasive manner, both orally and in writing.

Some of the popular reasons why PhD History must be pursued is as follows:

• A Doctor Degree course in History seeks to establish themes and patterns in human History to expose meaning and common causality.
• Professionals with degrees in history can lead careers as historians, educators, and archivists.
• They can also find employment in museums and at historical sites, teaching visitors about the historical significance of exhibits.
• Candidates also should possess the ability to construct an argument and communicate findings in a clear and persuasive manner, both orally and in writing.
• After passing the course, they can also go for teaching areas both for permanent and that of private.

These top schools providing this doctoral program are unique in multiple ways, such as the areas of study offered, applicant requirements, and more. The PhD History program has an average annual course fee which ranges between INR 4,000 - 3 Lakhs depending upon the institute offering the course.

PhD History graduates can choose their profession as professors or lecturers in schools, colleges, universities after completion of this course or they can join any historical group who carry out research and publish their works on a global scale and they also can continue personal research if they intend to. The average annual salary offered for the PhD program ranges between INR 2 - 12 lakhs depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.

Most colleges and institutes offering PhD History courses admit students based on the graduate degree level examination marks. However, there are some institutes which do conduct entrance examinations to judge a candidate’s capability.

The following are the two major pathways through which PhD History admissions takes place:

• Merit-Based Admission: Most private universities that offer PhD History courses usually admit students based on the marks secured at the master’s graduate degree. Besides that, these colleges may conduct a Personal Interview or a small Written Test to further know the candidate’s skills.
• Entrance Exam Based: Top PhD Colleges like Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Madras, etc. offer admission in the PhD History program through entrance examinations that usually consist of MCQ based questions related to Historical ethics and events, helping the college to screen the deserving candidates for admission.

When the Entrance Exam results will be out then colleges may further conduct a Personal Interview Round of the qualified candidates to know their interest in the course, skills, and career.

PhD History Eligibility

The common PhD History eligibility criteria to be successfully admitted into a college offering this course is as follows:

• Any aspiring candidates should have passed an M.Phil Degree and a Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PH candidates) or an equivalent grade from a University or a recognized institution of higher training.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline with minimum 55% (50% for SC/ST/PH candidates) or an equivalent grade from a university or a recognized institution of higher learning and five years of teaching/industry/administration/professional experience at senior level.
• For Students without M.Phil - Pass in Post-graduation in History with 50% aggregate marks for direct admission into the Ph.D. program. They must complete the Part I examination. The minimum duration of the period for submission of the thesis is 3 years.
• For Students with M.Phil - Pass in a Master’s Degree in History with M.Phil in History. These students are exempted from the Part I examination. The duration for submission of the thesis is 2 years.

The above-stated eligibility criteria are the basic eligibility criteria. Each college will have its criterion on which prospective candidates are judged.

PhD History Entrance Exam

Some colleges that offer PhD History programs require their candidates to sit for an entrance examination.

Listed below are some of the popular PhD History entrance exams.

• CSIR-UGC NET for JRF Entrance Exam : CSIR UGC NET is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to shortlist candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or lectureship in Indian universities and colleges.
• UGC NET Entrance Exam : The UGC NET for JRF, also known as National Eligibility Test (NET) or NTA-UGC-NET, is the test for determining the eligibility for the post of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Asst. Professor award in Indian universities and colleges.
• JMI Entrance Exam: Jamia Millia Islamia offers various research programs offered in M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses. The Ph.D. programs require the candidates to hold a Master’s Degree as the basic requirement. The admission is based on the Entrance test conducted by Jamia Millia Islamia for each course

How to Prepare for a PhD History Entrance Exams?

• The syllabus for PhD History entrance exams will vary from institute to institute. However, most exams concentrate on History related to current affairs subject knowledge and skills.
• The entire entrance exam in most of the subjects is a maximum of 100 marks and the duration of the test is two hours or in some cases, it could be three hours.
• The question paper of the PhD entrance test is divided into two parts out of which: one part contains the objective type (MCQs) and another part contains subjective type questions related to the concerned subject.
• Candidates must follow the previous year’s PhD entrance test question papers   and see the pattern of the papers

Students should consider buying study material and practice material of Ph.D. (History) entrance exams so that they prepare well for the same.

How to get admission in a good PhD History college?

To get admission in top PhD History colleges, the following points must be kept in mind:

• The application process for most of the institutes starts in January every year and the classes begin in August.
• The Colleges shortlist candidates through respective entrance exams followed by an interview.
• The best way is to appear for CSIR-NET and UGC-NET exams to get a good college for PhD and some of the colleges' GATE is also used as a prerequisite.
• Getting into a good college for the admission in PhD History program, candidates need to score well in the respective entrance exams.

The table below shows the best PhD History colleges   and universities that offer the course in a full-time mode.

PhD History College Comparison

The tabulation below shows the comparison made among the three top PhD History Colleges in India.

Source: College Websites

Although the PhD History course curriculum varies from college to college, it mostly consists of some common foundation courses that students can select based on his/her interests.

The table below shows common subjects that are included in the structured PhD History syllabus and subjects included in it:

PhD History Books

Tabulated below are some of the PhD History subject books that can help students to have a broader and better understanding of the course. The books mentioned below will also help the students in cracking various PhD History exams.

PhD History Course Comparison

PhD History vs. PhD Ancient History

Both PhD History and PhD Ancient History   have a bright future in the field of research and analyze historical facts and data. There are many colleges in India who prefer both of the courses in their academic structure.

Check the table below for more comparative details:

The eligibility and admission criteria for both these degrees are the same. In terms of Career and Salary, both PhD History and PhD Ancient History have great career prospects and job opportunities, and individuals can earn an average salary of around INR 2-12 LPA or more in some cases depending upon candidate's skills, knowledge, and experience.

PhD History Job Prospects and Career Options

In India, PhD History is one of the top career choices in Arts made by students who opt to research and analyze historical facts and data. There are lots of job opportunities available in India as well as in foreign countries for History graduates.

• After earning the degree of PhD History, people can start as professors or lecturers in Universities or join any historical group who carry out research and publish their works on a global scale and they also can continue personal research if they intend to.
• Having a PhD History degree and a postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies, they could be a curator.
• If graduates want to be in an administrative position likewise in the other sectors this course will be required.
• A lot of museums and galleries have so many vacancies and they will be looking for graduates with teacher training experience rather than there will also be support roles for unqualified people.
• The National Department has a large number of heritage sites that not only manages historic buildings but also vast acreages of grounds which will require traditional agricultural and horticultural management.

The table below shows some of the most common PhD History job profiles and career prospects after completing the course is as follows:

Source: Payscale

PhD History Future Scope

Students having a PhD History are importantly serving the education industry and due to the laws of UGC one position of Head of Department is always secured for Ph.D holders only.

• Candidates with this degree can find a wide range of opportunities in varied sectors across the globe in educational institutions, libraries, archives, archaeological department’s museums.
• In this field, the job positions include as a data analyst, analyst, journalist, lecturer, library facilitator, educator, researcher, writer, producer, project officer, research assistant, professor, chief operation officer, project manager, communication coordinator, marketing assistant.
• Education careers in history can also lead on to broadcasting careers or writing, providing outlets for historians to share their expertise with public audiences and/or readerships.
• Libraries, galleries, museums, and other historical archives all provide opportunities to pursue history careers in archiving and heritage

Ques. What are the top colleges for PhD History?

Ans. The top institutes and colleges for PhD History are Banaras Hindu University, University of Madras, Loyola College, Utkal University, IIT BHU, among others.

Ques. What are the subjects in PhD History?

Ans. Some of the subjects taught in PhD History are Indian history, ancient history, modern India, etc.

Ques. Which job profiles are available for a PhD History?

Ans. Students of PhD History can work as a Tutor, Researcher, History teacher, corporate historian, Historical Writer, Researcher, etc.

Ques. What is the annual average tuition fee charged for the PhD History program?

Ans. The annual average tuition fee at the top PhD History colleges is between INR 5,000 to INR 3 Lakh.

Ques. What is the scope after PhD History?

Ans. Students can choose a wide range of opportunities in varied sectors across the globe in educational institutions, libraries, archives, archaeological department’s museums.

Ques. What is the average salary in PhD Mathematics?

Ans. The salary ranges from INR 2 – 12 LPA as per the job profile.

Ques. What are the areas of employment in the PhD History field?

Ans. Several areas of employment are there such as students can work at Museums, art galleries, historical sites, national parks, archaeological surveys of India.

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Placement experience.

Placement and training cell is working hard and providing quality on-campus placements in good companies. Focus on the skills, that will definitely help you out in achieving goals. If you can work hard, you can always win the race. The college provides an internship with a monthly stipend of around 7000.

Campus Life

The college organizes various cultural events, conferences, seminars, and workshops college provides the students with a sports complex with adequate facilities for sports activities. The one-day university-level workshop, a national workshop, are regularly conducted in the college.

Ph.D. (English)

Ph.d. (economics), m.phil. (english), ph.d. (hindi), ph.d. (sociology), ph.d. (history) colleges in india.

IIT Madras - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITM]

Amity University

Lovely Professional University - [LPU]

Jamia Millia Islamia University-[JMI]

Banaras Hindu University - [BHU]

Loyola College

Presidency College

Vellore Institute of Technology - [VIT University]

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• Lewis College of Science and Letters /
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• Doctor of Philosophy in Technology and Humanities

72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including:

• Core curriculum (30 credit hours)
• Electives (minimum of 15 credit hours)
• Dissertation research (minimum of 24 credit hours)
• Additional electives or dissertation research (as needed to achieve total of 72 credit hours)

Examinations

• Qualifying examination
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation (final thesis) examination

Transfer Credits

Students who have already earned master’s degrees or undertaken graduate work in relevant fields may transfer credit hours toward the doctoral degree (up to 36 credit hours for graduate coursework in relevant fields at Illinois Institute of Technology, up to 30 credit hours for graduate coursework in relevant fields at other institutions).

Minimum degree credits required: 72

Students exceeding the allowed 36 credit hours of research will be denied further study and will be removed from the program.

Technology and Humanities Areas of Concentration

Communication and media studies.

Linguistics

Technical Communication

Elective Courses

Up to 15 credit hours of any 400- or 500-level coursework with adviser approval. A maximum of nine credit hours of 400-level courses may be used.

Additional Courses

Additional coursework or dissertation research sufficient to meet the requirement of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. All work for a doctoral degree should be completed within six calendar years after the mandatory doctoral advising meeting; if it is not, then the student must re-pass the qualifying examination.

The Qualifying Examination assesses a student’s analytical ability, writing skills, and research potential. The exam must be taken by the end of the student’s third semester in the Ph.D. program. Each student prepares a brief statement of research interests and a qualifying paper—a sole-authored research paper of at least 5,000 words, demonstrating original analysis and familiarity with existing research.  The examining committee consists of three Category I faculty, at least two from the technology and humanities program. Based on exam results, the committee may recommend changes to the student’s plan of study. If the student fails the qualifying examination, the committee may recommend a re-examination. The second attempt at the exam is regarded as final.

The Comprehensive Examination assesses a student’s expertise and ability to apply the literature in three research areas. The exam should be taken by the end of the student’s third year in the Ph.D. program. The examining committee consists of three Category I faculty from the technology and humanities program and one from a Ph.D.-granting academic unit at the university other than the Department of Humanities. The student works with the committee to select research areas and develop a reading list for each one. Areas and reading lists must be approved by all committee members prior to the exam. A timed, written exam requires the student to respond to one or more questions in each area. The committee may recommend a re-examination over any area(s) that the student fails. The second attempt at the exam is regarded as final.

The Dissertation Proposal is a detailed written plan for original research that will culminate in the dissertation. The proposal is typically presented within one semester after the student has passed the comprehensive examination. The proposal is developed under the guidance of the student’s major adviser and typically addresses:

• the research problem or issue to be investigated
• its significance to the field
• a thorough review of relevant research
• a detailed description of and rationale for the research method(s) to be used
• a plan of work
• a statement of anticipated results or outcomes

The proposal review committee consists of four Category I faculty: three from technology and humanities and one from a Ph.D.-granting academic unit at the university other than the Department of Humanities. The committee must formally approve the proposal before the student begins further work on the dissertation. As part of the review process, the committee may request one or more meetings with, or presentations by, the student.

The Final Thesis Examination is an oral defense of the dissertation. The dissertation committee consists of four Category I faculty: three from technology and humanities and one from a Ph.D.-granting academic unit at the university other than the Department of Humanities. A student who fails the exam may be re-examined after 30 days. The second attempt at the exam is regarded as final.

The Dissertation should constitute an original contribution to scholarship in technology and humanities and may address areas of interaction between technology and humanities and other disciplines (e.g., history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, and rhetoric/composition). The research topic and method may be empirical (perhaps employing the facilities of the Humanities and Technology Lab or Speech Analysis Lab), pedagogical, historical, or theoretical.

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• History, Theory, and Criticism Specialization

As an architecture school within a science and technology-rich university, the College of Architecture, our faculty, and Ph.D. students are committed to fostering an environment of interdisciplinary inquiry

Illinois Institute of Technology offers the only Ph.D. program in architecture in Chicago, a metropolis characterized by a dynamic architectural culture, supportive research institutions, and renowned firms.

• Academic Programs
• Architecture (Ph.D.)

Founded in 1996 as a laboratory for applied research and scholarship, the Ph.D. program attracts graduate students from around the world who converge on our landmark Mies-designed campus.

As an architecture school within a science and technology-rich university, the College of Architecture, our faculty, and Ph.D. students are committed to fostering an environment of interdisciplinary inquiry. The research that our Ph.D. students in the History, Theory, and Criticism specialization produce utilizes different methodologies to explore questions related to architecture and engineering as well as allied disciplines such as design, landscape architecture, and urbanism.

Direct admission into the Ph.D. program is preferred, but admission via the master of science program is also an option. Funding opportunities are available in the form of teaching assistantships, and students can benefit from our relationships with large architecture and engineering firms based in Chicago.

Program Overview

The research that our Ph.D. students in the History, Theory, and Criticism specialization produce utilizes different methodologies to explore questions related to architecture and engineering as well as allied disciplines such as design, landscape architecture, and urbanism.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in architecture typically pursue academic careers in universities, obtain positions in research institutions, or return to professional practice.

This 84-credit hour degree program consists of lecture and seminar courses, special problems, and research credits to help students complete their doctoral research projects. Each student has a committee with a chair that supervises this process.

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Admissions Requirements

The applicant should meet all entrance requirements of Illinois Institute of Technology's Graduate College, plus a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, a minimum revised GRE score of 144 in quantitative reasoning, 153 in verbal reasoning, and analytical writing of 4.0, and a TOEFL score of 577/90 (paper-based/internet-based test), or a minimum IELTS score of 6.

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• September 2024
• Foundations

In Search of FACS: The History of Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting

In the middle of the 20th century, science disciplines collided and set the stage for a technology that changed cell research..

Shelby is an assistant editor for The Scientist. She earned her PhD from West Virginia University in immunology and microbiology and completed an AAAS Mass Media fellowship.

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ABOVE: FACS allows scientists to separate cells of interest from a population by labeling them with fluorescent markers. © istock.com, Olique

I n the early 1960s, Mack Fulwyler joined the lab of Marvin Van Dilla at the Los Alamos National Laboratory as an engineer to study the effect of fallout radiation from nuclear weapons testing on biological material. However, following the ban on atmospheric nuclear weapons testing in 1963, this project shut down, and Fulwyler assisted other scientists on their projects. 

One project was studying the applications of the Coulter counter, a device used to count cells and estimate their size based on changes in electrical impulses that created a distribution histogram. A data disagreement led to a technology that completely altered biological research. 

The Start of Cell Sorting

One day, Fulwyler observed Clarence Lushbaugh , a pathologist also at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, adjusting the settings on the counter while investigating a blood sample. The change caused a shift in the distribution of a small population of red blood cells from the main distribution of cells. Lushbaugh concluded that the altered volume indicated that the cells were immature. Fulwyler disagreed with the scientist’s conclusion on the grounds that Lushbaugh was not using the device correctly. 1  

Fulwyler thought that if he could separate this cell population and reanalyze them, he could disprove Lushbaugh’s conclusion. He wanted to modify the cell counter so that after it measured a cell, that cell could be tagged in some way and sorted.

The original devices that you use to capture the fluorescence distribution, that’s straight out of nuclear physics.  —Joe Gray, Oregon Health and Science University

Luckily, he came across a paper from Stanford University researchers who developed a new technology for ink printers ; the instrument vibrated to break a jet of liquid ink into individual droplets, then charged them individually and deflected them. 2 Combining this droplet-making and charging technology with that of the Coulter counter, Fulwyler built the first cell sorting apparatus , which separated cells based on volume by applying electrical charges to the droplets. 3

This device laid the foundation for flow cytometry and cell sorting. Alongside Fulwyler’s cell sorting development, other members in Van Dilla’s group explored incorporating DNA dyes and light scatter into early flow systems, albeit without sorting at first. 4,5 The combination of fluorescence with cell sorting came about because of one scientist’s tired eyes. 

Merging Fluorescence with Cell Sorting

In the mid-1960s, Leonard (Len) Herzenberg , an immunologist at Stanford University, studied antibody responses. At that time, studying antibody-producing cells required fractionating bulk samples and manually counting cells. “Len’s trouble was he had very poor vision in one eye, and not such good vision in the other eye,” recalled Leonore Herzenberg , a geneticist at Stanford University and Leonard Herzenberg’s wife and colleague.

“He kept thinking there must be a better way of counting cells,” recalled Stephen De Rosa , who was a postdoctoral researcher in the Herzenberg laboratory in the late 1990s and is currently an immunologist at the University of Washington.

Leonard Herzenberg was interested in sorting live cells, but he wanted to do it using fluorescence. In 1967, he visited Fulwyler to study his instrument, and ultimately asked him for its design plans. Herzenberg recruited engineers at his institution to help him adapt the cell sorter to separate cells based upon fluorescence . 6 In 1969, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) was born. 

 “[Leonard Herzenberg] had the concept of FACS and developing it further. And that was not something I would have done,” Leonore Herzenberg said. “But once he brought me there, I was doing that as well as everything else.” 

“Ultimately, I took over from him,” Leonore Herzenberg said. “Len would only stay with something for about two or three years and then he was off into something new,” she joked. 

In the subsequent years, lasers replaced the arc lamps that Herzenberg originally used, and soon groups coupled multiple lasers with light scatter information to make more measurements . 7,8 “A lot of the early work was just trying to learn how to measure more cool things about cells,” said Joe Gray , a systems biologist and professor emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University who worked as an engineer building cell sorters at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Although the Herzenbergs developed FACS to sort antibody producing cells, the method also became popular to study DNA and sort chromosomes . 9,10  

“The whole tree of the development of the immunological system was really worked out with the help of the flow sorter,” said Donna Arndt-Jovin , a molecular cell biologist at Max Planck Institute who helped advance flow system instruments in the 1970s. Before FACS could lend this help, though, the instruments needed to get into research laboratories, and that was a challenge. 

FACS Goes Commercial

When biologists like Leonard Herzenberg wanted to incorporate cell sorting into their laboratories, they had to build these instruments from scratch. “Who would you hire to build a cell sorter? A particle physicist,” Gray said. “The original devices that you use to capture the fluorescence distribution, that’s straight out of nuclear physics … I literally took the same electronics that I was using in physics and installed those on the cell sorter that we built.” 

For cytometry, and especially FACS, to become more applicable in research, the instruments needed to be more readily available to consumers. “Len had reached out to Becton Dickinson, and they really commercialized it,” said De Rosa. Bernard Shoor , then a manager at Becton Dickinson, today BD Biosciences, saw the potential for Herzenberg’s instrument and the company began manufacturing them. The partnership between Herzenberg and BD Biosciences was crucial for expanding FACS into laboratories far and wide. “It really was a collaborative effort with this commercial company with an academic scientist,” De Rosa said. 

In 1974, BD Biosciences released the FACS II as the first commercial fluorescent cell sorter. The same year, another company, Technicon Instruments Corporation, released a sorting instrument specific for blood samples that differentiated leukocytes, which used a halogen lamp instead of lasers like FACS instruments. 11 BD trademarked the term FACS in 1985. Today, scientists commonly use the term FACS to refer to cell sorting with fluorescence, just like it was when Herzenberg first coined it in 1973. 

Cell Sorting Gets an Upgrade

New lasers and dyes , as well as the introduction of monoclonal antibodies labeled with fluorescent markers, opened the floodgates to the potential for characterizing cells. 12-14 “It just grew out of these things in the sense that people saw the use of it, they wanted … to have more parameters, more possibilities to look at this or that or the other thing,” Arndt-Jovin said.

As researchers added more fluorescent parameters to their samples, they also had to add more detectors and introduce compensation (i.e., correction for possible spectral overlap). 15 Computers helped make the complicated and rapid calculations needed to sort cells, but computer memory was limited at that time. 16,17 “You just can’t imagine how little memory there was and how expensive it was,” explained Arndt-Jovin. “And there was no capacity. Your cell phone has more than the computers we were using.”

When you think about being able to sort multiple directions at the same time, it’s really good for conserving cells.  —Stephen De Rosa, University of Washington

“Both microscopy and cytometry have always come along at the rate that the information processing technology allowed,” Gray said. However, microprocessor advancements in the 1980s improved the ability to acquire, store, and process data on cell sorters. 18  

It was around this time that the Herzenberg group began studying immune responses to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although tandem dyes like phycoerythrin (PE) and allophycocyanin (APC) expanded the capabilities of characterizing cells, Mario Roederer , who joined the Herzenberg lab in 1988 as a postdoctoral researcher, wanted to investigate more parameters simultaneously. 19,20  

Roederer led the team down the road of creating probes that conjugated indotricarbocyanine, commonly known as Cy7, to PE and APC dyes, and incorporated other recently developed conjugated dyes into their panels. 21,22 “We pushed our capabilities from three or four colors to eleven colors , meaning that we could measure eleven different things on each cell, quantitatively and uniquely, as they went through the flow cytometer and then make sort decisions based on those different parameters,” said Roederer, who is now an immunologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 23  

However, increasing the cell sorting capacity required overhauling the current sorters to accommodate more detectors. 24 In order to analyze their data, Roederer and a colleague, Adam Treister , a scientific programmer at Stanford University at the time, also wrote software code that could parse multiple variables. “We needed software that could analyze data that was very complex and generate the publication quality graphics necessary for generating reports and presentations,” Roederer explained.

The software was FlowJo, which Roederer and Treister licensed to other interested users through Stanford University. “It [was] really the first time that people had access to how they analyzed the data over time, and then reapply that as a template or as a mode to analyze new data as it came in as well,” Roederer said. 

With more labels and better analysis software, the next big leap for FACS was in the sorting itself. The majority of instruments deflected charged droplets . 25 While four-way sorting was described in the early 1980s, this option only gained popularity in the early 2000s after companies built four-way sorters . 26-28 Today, instruments can sort into six distinct populations. 

Future Advances in FACS and Flow Cytometry

Today, scientists often use FACS in parallel with other methodologies to study cell populations and their functions. In addition to his work at the University of Washington, De Rosa leads the flow cytometry laboratory at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, where his team and others use FACS to identify rare antigen-specific T and B cells. “It’s absolutely critical,” he said. For example, his team uses FACS to sort vaccine-induced B cells to do B cell receptor sequencing. “When you think about being able to sort multiple directions at the same time, it’s really good for conserving cells.”

MSt in History (Intellectual History)

• Entry Requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The MSt in History (Intellectual History) will give you the opportunity to study thinkers and ideas from the fourth to the twenty-first centuries, in diverse transnational geographical contexts.

The MSt is designed to improve your practical and intellectual grasp of research processes, ability to conceptualise and engage with historical problems, and enlarge your understanding of the historical and historiographical context in which your own research is set. The course can serve as either a free-standing graduate qualification, or as a springboard to doctoral study. Students wishing to proceed to doctoral study will be encouraged to develop their doctoral proposals during the first few months of the MSt. Skills training and option-choice are flexible and open-ended, to allow you to gain the knowledge and training needed to complete your research project. Taking a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to Intellectual History, with both chronological and global reach, you will have the opportunity to study thinkers and ideas from the fourth to the twenty-first centuries, in diverse transnational geographical contexts. The course is designed to encourage students to work in and between areas such as Global Intellectual History, the History of Scholarship, the History of Science, the History of Art, Historiography and the History of Political Ideas.

Oxford is home to one of the largest communities of intellectual historians in the world, with expertise in every major area of Intellectual History, supported by world-class resources. Further information about Intellectual History research and activities can be found through the faculty website.

You are encouraged to engage with the faculty’s lively research culture of seminars, workshops, and discussions groups , which are programmed throughout each week, and sessions often involve leading international scholars. The faculty also runs the Oxford History Graduate Network , which fosters conversations and collaborations between graduate students. Interdisciplinary activities are available through The Oxford Centre for Research in the Humanities (TORCH) .

Course structure

You will take two compulsory core courses and an optional subject course, as well as undertake an original research project. These courses are supported by a skills programme for general historical or field-specific training. This structure gives access to a wide range of both general and specialised training within the field of history.

Core courses

1. Sources and Historiography

This is a weekly 1.5 hour seminar in Michaelmas term. This course will introduce you to the philosophical background and methodological approaches to Intellectual History. You will study a combination of key thinkers for example, Michel Foucault, Arthur Lovejoy, and Quentin Skinner, along with new approaches to the discipline such as comparative, feminist and global intellectual history. Part-time students will take this course in year one.  2. Theory and Methods

The format is a 1.5 hour weekly seminar in Michaelmas term. It will cover current methodological and theoretical approaches. Students and course tutors will choose six of these from a syllabus of nine. Part-time students will take this course in year two.

Optional subject course

Options are taught in a tutor-led, group setting in Hilary term. You will choose one option course from a list and this will be taught in six weekly two-hour classes during Hilary term. Part-time students will take an option course in year one. Options particularly relevant to Intellectual history include:

• The Twelfth-Century Renaissance 
• The dawn of the Global World, 1450-1800: Ideas, Objects, Connections
• Selfhood in history: 1500 to the present
• Creating the Commonwealth: Politics and Religion in Grotius, Hobbes and Locke
• The Enlightenment, c. 1680-1800: Ideas and the public sphere

More information on options is available through the Faculty website. Not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year.

Research Project

You will work on original research project throughout the course, under the guidance of your supervisor. Students are expected to commit the Easter vacation and Trinity term to archival research and writing. You will be invited to present and receive feedback on your work-in-progress at a workshop specific to this course at the start of Trinity term. If studying part-time, you will be expected to complete the dissertation at the end of Trinity term in year two.

Skills Provision

Additional lectures, classes, and tutorials take place in Michaelmas and Hilary terms to provide general and specific training. You will discuss what training you need to undertake your research project with your supervisor. Training available includes document and object handling, palaeography, oral history, text analysis software, GIS software, and statistical analysis. Language training is also available, with the faculty organising special courses for historians in French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Other modern language courses are available through the University’s Language Centre. Courses in Latin and other medieval languages are also available. Further details on language learning can be found on the faculty website. 

The course can be studied full-time or part-time with both modes requiring attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the  University's Residence requirements.  Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.

Full-time students will complete the course in nine months. 

Part-time students will complete the course in eighteen months and are not subject to residence requirements, but are required to attend the faculty in person for classes, skills training, research activities, and supervision. You should expect to be in Oxford for up to two days a week in term time. Distance learning is not available.

Resources to support your study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

You will be able to draw on the specialist resources offered by the Bodleian History Faculty Library which provides dedicated support and training courses for all graduates. You can also access the many college libraries and college archives which  house significant collections of personal papers as well as institutional records dating back to the middle ages.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of History and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Offers will only be made if appropriate supervision is available.

It is usual practice that MSt students have one supervisor, but a co-supervisor will be appointed if additional specialist knowledge is required. One supervisor must be a member of the Faculty of History, but a co-supervisor can be appointed from a different department.

Your supervisor(s) is there to provide advice, guidance, and support throughout. You should arrange to meet your supervisor(s) early in your first term to establish a clear framework for your research and writing, and identify any skills training needed to undertake your research. There is no set timetable for the frequency of future meetings, but it is recommended that you arrange to meet your supervisor several times each term, to discuss progress of your research and writing. You should also agree a timetable for the submission and return of drafts of your dissertation.

If you contact a potential supervisor prior to submitting your application, any indication made by an academic that they may be willing to supervise a potential project, is not a guarantee that you will be offered a place, or that the supervisor in question has capacity to supervise you in that particular year.

The core courses are assessed by a Methodology Essay and you must also submit an annotated bibliography and dissertation proposal, all to be submitted in January. 

The optional subject course is assessed according to the regulations for that course, usually an assessed essay or exam, at the end of Hilary term.

The research project is examined by a 15,000-word dissertation that is submitted at the end of Trinity term.

Graduate destinations

About a quarter of master’s students proceed to doctoral work at Oxford; others continue academic study at other institutions. Other career destinations are as diverse as, but broadly in line with, undergraduate history career destinations: law, finance, management consultancy, civil service etc.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation) in a relevant discipline in the humanities or social sciences.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, successful candidates normally have a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Applicants are not expected to have a previous degree in history, but are expected to have experience of working historically. You will need to ensure that you link your proposed dissertation topic with your previous expertise, explain why you want to switch to study history, and show that you have already done some background research.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• In the case of mature students/intended career changes professional experience in cognate areas may compensate for shortcomings in the formal academic record.
• Publications are not required.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

Assessors may get in touch with an applicant by email in case of any queries, but this is very rare.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Evidence of ability to study for employed part-time applicants 

If you are applying for part-time study and are currently employed, you may be asked to provide evidence that your employment will not affect your ability to study and that you can commit sufficient time to fulfil all elements outlined in the course description. You may be asked to provide details about your pattern of employment and obtain a statement from your employer confirming their commitment to make time available for you to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

History in Oxford stretches from c 300 to the present, and embraces in addition to its British and European heritage an exceptionally broad range of World history. It comprises an active research community of up to 800 senior academics and graduate students, all contributing to a range of research seminars, lectures, academic societies, and personal contacts.

Research in the faculty is organised around historical periods and research centres, or in collaborative and individual research projects, and you will always be welcome at seminars, workshops and conferences across all periods and themes.

You will be encouraged to make use of these opportunities as widely as possible without endangering your own degree work. Striking the right balance between intellectual curiosity and temptation and intellectual discipline, and remaining focused without becoming blinkered, should be an integral part of a successful graduate career. The Oxford environment provides all the ingredients for this.

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For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible,  use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool  to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including  a range of external funding ,  loan schemes for postgraduate study  and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on  our fees, funding and scholarship search tool .

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:

Select from the list:

Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Further information about funding opportunities  for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2025-26

Full-time study.

Part-time study

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for full-time study

For the 2025-26 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the  costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (assuming that dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).

Living costs for part-time study

Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford is between £1,425 and £2,035 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.

Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the  cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (assuming that visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs , which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . 

If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide. 

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• Somerville College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to contact anyone in the faculty before you apply and you are not responsible for finding your own supervisor. However, you are strongly encouraged to familiarise yourself with the research expertise within the faculty when preparing your research proposal, to make sure that there is a supervisor available in the same area as your proposed project. Offers will only be made if appropriate supervision is available. The faculty determines supervision arrangements, taking due account of the workload and commitments of its academics. If you are made an offer, a supervisor will be assigned to you, and identified in the offer letter.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

It is not necessary for you to identify a potential supervisor in your application.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

References should generally be academic, though if you are returning to study after extended periods of non-academic employment then you are welcome to nominate professional referees where it would be impractical to call on your previous university tutors.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, ability to work in both a group environment and sustained individual and self-motivated investigation.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose and research proposal: A minimum of 500 to a maximum of 1,000 words in total

The statement of purpose and research proposal should be written as one combined piece.

You should convince the faculty that you have the right intellectual qualities, academic knowledge and skills to undertake the course, focusing on how you see the course as building upon your previous study

You should discuss what kinds of problems and issues you hope to engage with; what the current state of your knowledge and understanding of these is, and how you hope to advance that.

You should include a preliminary research proposal and title for your intended dissertation. This should supply a research question identifying the central issue or problem with which you intend to grapple, some account of the current state of scholarship in this area and an indication of the kinds of sources you hope to use.

You may also include what you hope to do with the qualification you gain.

Your statement and research proposal must be written in English. A bibliography may also be provided and is not included in the word count, though any footnotes should be included.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

It is anticipated that your ideas will change and develop once you have begun the course and have been exposed to new approaches, sources and methods. However, students applying to this course are expected to have a clear sense of the kind of research they wish to undertake.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
• the coherence of the proposal, the ability to present a reasoned case in English
• commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
• reasoning ability
• ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace
• your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description if you are applying for part-time study. 

Written work: An academic writing sample of no more than 4,000 words in total length

Written work should be from your most recent completed qualification, but does not need to relate closely to your proposed area of study. Extracts from a longer piece of work are welcome, but please include a preface which puts the work in context.

The work will be assessed for your:

• understanding of problems in the area
• ability to construct and defend an argument
• powers of analysis
• powers of expression.

It must be submitted in English (if this work has been translated, you must indicate if the translations are your own, or what assistance you had in producing the English text).

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document. Any footnotes should be included in the word count. A bibliography may also be provided and is not included in the word count.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice .

Apply - Full Time Apply - Part Time Continue application

After you've submitted your application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will  not  be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can  find out more about our shortlisting and selection process  in our detailed guide to what happens next.

Find out how to manage your application after submission , using our Applicant Self-Service tool.

ADMISSION STATUS

Open to applications for entry in 2025-26

12:00 midday UK time on:

Tuesday 7 January 2025

Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2025-26

† Combined figure for all History MSt courses, except for TS_HJ1, TS_LVBY1 and TS_HR1 *Three-year average (applications for entry in 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of History

• Course page on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff
• Faculty research
• Humanities Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0) 1865 615000

Application-process enquiries

Application guide