Jim Beach
Senior Lecturer in History
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:false;part_time:false;start_month:October, March;location:Waterside, Distance Learning
History MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works
Key Facts
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Duration
MPhil Full Time (on and off-site): 12 months – 3 years
MPhil Part Time (on and off-site): 30 months – 5 years
PhD Full Time (on and off-site): 2 – 4 years
PhD Part Time (on and off-site): 3 – 6 years
PhD by Published Works Part Time (on and off-site): 1 – 2 years -
Level
PostgraduatePG PhD
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See Fees and Funding
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See Fees and Funding
Updated 05/11/2025
Updated 05/11/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
If you are a graduate in a humanities subject or similar discipline, this History MPhil, PhD and PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry.
Find out more about our ongoing research activities by visiting our Centre for Historical Studies.
The closing dates for applications for the next October intake is 1 August and for the next March intake is 11 December.
Highlights
- Research expertise covering British history from the late middle ages to the present day.
- We can supervise topics including: Gender and Sexuality, Economy and material culture, Medicine and the body, Crime and the law, History of emotions, Warfare and military intelligence, and Fascism and far right.
- Opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study, including with areas such as English and Media.
- Links with a range of local and national organisations.
- Study in a supportive environment with staff who want to see you succeed.
Entry Requirements
We normally ask you to have a recognised first or upper second-class honours degree or Master’s Degree from a UK university or International equivalent in a relevant subject area.
Students with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- Successful interview by the University.
- Suitable Research Supervision Support.
For additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor, and what documents are required as part of the application process, please see our How to Apply page.
More detailed information about the research degrees is available on our Postgraduate Research Information page.
As part of your application, you will be asked to provide a 1,000 word research proposal – please view our guidance notes on how to write a proposal for a research degree for further details.
Please also contact a potential supervisor to advise on your application.
You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
- A 1,000 word research proposal – please view our research degree proposal guidance
- Two references
- Photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- Photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
- Evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
- Change of name document if your application and certificates are in different names
- Passport, if you are applying for off-site study
- A document of 750-1,000 words demonstrating a case for the published works as a coherent programme of research, making an original contribution to the present state of knowledge
- Two references
- Photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- Photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
- Evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
- A statement on the review processes of the journals (or equivalent) in which the work has been published
- A copy of the first page of each of the works
- Statements from co-authors on the extent of your contribution to the research where appropriate
- Change of name document if your application and certificate are in different names
- Passport, if you are applying for off-site study
If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English language requirement of IELTS at 7.0, with no component less than 6.5 (or equivalent). Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.
What You'll Learn
This History PhD programme is a way for you to absorb yourself a topic you are passionate about, develop a deep understanding of your chosen specialism and improve your research, written and presentation skills.
While developing and setting up a research project, you will initially receive general, discipline based and project specific training so that you can go on to conduct your research work effectively and independently. Your supervisors will guide you through the process with regular in-person or online tutorials. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within fields related to your topic, such as the heritage sector, progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.
You will be supervised throughout your project by historians who are specialist in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals.
Regular research seminars, conferences and activities led by the Centre for Historical Studies; access to the unique Searchlight Archive; specialist training in areas such as teaching in Higher Education and how to get your work published.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,700
- UK – Part Time: £2,845
- International – Full Time: £16,350
- International – Part Time: £7,640
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,600
- International – Part Time: £7,840
Please visit the funding page and our scholarships page for more details on how to fund your study.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil).
- UK – Full Time: £5,500
- UK – Part Time: £2,775
- International – Full Time: £15,950
- International – Part Time: £7,450
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,500
- International – Part Time: £7,650
Staff
Drew Gray
Head of School – Culture & Creative Industries
Tim Reinke-Williams
Senior Lecturer in History
Matthew McCormack
Head of Graduate School
Rachel Moss
Senior Lecturer in History
Caroline Nielsen
Senior Lecturer in History
Anne-Marie Kilday
Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive
Cathy Smith
Dean of Research & Knowledge Exchange
Mark Rothery
Professor in History
Paul Jackson
Professor in History
Careers and Employability
Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have moved into academic research related to their topic, while others have gone on to take up roles in heritage organisations, teaching and the media. Some have engaged in PhD level research for a retirement project.
