PhD (Structured) Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Medieval Studies)

The PhD in Medieval Studies, delivered by a team of internationally-trained academics, is an interdisciplinary research programme normally completed in four years. Its cross-disciplinary approach encourages students to view the period from Late Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages (c. 500-1500), in Europe as well as in Ireland, in a multidimensional way, even as it allows students to focus on a particular research field.
The programme's emphasis on languages and source studies equips students with the linguistic skills and interdisciplinary research methods required to undertake innovative research using manuscripts, primary texts, images and other material objects from the period. Students also gain some practical experience in a project-based module.Depending on their previous qualifications, students attend core modules devoted to Palaeography and Manuscript Studies, alongside Sources & Resources for Medieval Studies during their first two years. These modules equip them with bibliographical and other research skills to find, read and interpret primary materials in multiple disciplines, as well as introducing them to the research questions and methodologies used by experts in such auxiliary sciences as diplomatic, philology, heraldry, text editing, digital humanities, a team-work project focused on digitised manuscript collections is included.
At some point students also study Latin and one or two other medieval vernacular languages (no prior knowledge of these languages is required) and might select topical modules in Archaeology, History, Late Antquity, or Literature in Old/Middle English, Old/Middle Irish, Old/Middle High German, or Medieval French (according to availability and particular interests). Students also complete a project-based module in an area like university tutoring, assisting in a research project, conference organisation or management of research resources, or reaching out to schools or local community groups.

Applicants should normally have obtained an honours BA degree (NFQ level 8) in a participating discipline (Archaeology, Classics, History, or English, French, German or Irish Language & Literature), at the minimum class of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 (or equivalent international qualification; e.g., BA with GPA of 3.3); some applicants might have been awarded an MA in one of those disciplines as well.

By the time of application, candidates will have identified a research topic and key primary sources for it in discussion with the member(s) of staff whose academic interests are most appropriate and who have agreed to serve as the applicants’ Supervisor(s). No previous knowledge of Latin or any medieval language is required.

English Language Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component; Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176 overall; Cambridge C2 Advanced (CPE): 180 overall; TOEFL: 88 overall (7 Listening, 16 Speaking, 18 Writing, 8 Reading); Pearson PTE: 61 overall, no less than 48 in any one component.

Important: apply by mid-July for September entry.