History
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Academic Year of Entry:
2025/26
(PhD) Doctor of Philosophy
History
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Doctorate
Full-time
PHD V100FA
07/05/2025
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
You will need a Masters degree, or equivalent, in history or a related subject. A well-developed research proposal is also essential.
You will normally be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, then we will require you to have IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
External Examiners for research degrees are appointed student by student due to the highly specialised nature of the awards. The names and institutions of External Examiners for research degrees are therefore not published on the programme specification. Supervisors discuss with students appropriate External Examiners and nominees are appointed in accordance with the University’s Ordinances. More information can be found in the Principal Regulations for Research Degrees and the accompanying Code of Practice.
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open
until Monday 26 January 2026 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.
Key
|
|
|
| Core |
You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail. |
Exit awards
A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken;
or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement
of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit
awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.
Programme aims
Due to the individualised nature of Postgraduate Research Degree’s, project aims and outcomes are usually determined during the research proposal stage, and adapted as necessary throughout the research period. Students will be supported through discussions with their supervisory teams and during Supervisory Panels, using the published milestones as a framework for their research journey.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Learning methods
Assessment methods
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
C: Practical skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
D: Key skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
Note
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes,
for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of
key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery
of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour
to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the
Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the
University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
Contact
If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.
If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.
If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.