The education you need. The hands-on experience you want. These fully funded PhD programs offer top research universities in the country, including UCLA, Emory, and Northwestern, guaranteed funding for three years—eliminating the financial burden of getting your PhD. Do you need information on fully funded History PhD Programs, list of history PhD programs & PhD programs in history. Worry not!

Fully Funded PhD Programs

Your PhD funding may come in the form of a variety of scholarships and scholarships that are available to international and domestic students, and there are also fully sponsored online PhD programs available to those students who are unable to do so in the study center due to their already full schedule. They can go ahead to learn at their own pace and still make their dreams come true.

With the surge in the number of doctoral-level programs, information on them can be difficult to find. Here is a breakdown on fully-funded doctoral programs that conduct research across fields that broadly fit into History. The fields are Archaeology, History of Art, History of Science, History of Music, Medieval Studies, Renaissance Digital Research, The History of Medicine and Science and Technology Studies.

List of History PhD Programs

• Boston University, Department of History (Boston, MA): All applicants accepted for the Ph.D. program will receive full funding for 5 years which includes tuition and University related fees, travel fellowships also available.
• Columbia University, Department of History (New York City, NY): Every student entering the Ph.D. program will receive a full fellowship (tuition, fees, and a stipend) upon admission. Students awarded such funding upon admission will receive five years of support (except for those entering with advanced standing, who will receive four years of support).
• Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences (Ithaca, NY): Admitted Ph.D. students are guaranteed five years of full funding from Cornell, which will cover tuition, living stipend and health insurance. This includes four summer living stipends.
• Georgetown University, Department of History (Washington DC): Stipend ($29,000 in 2019-2020) and tuition support (nine credits) for five years, two additional years of tuition support, and health insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
• New York University, Department of History (New York City, NY): History doctoral students receive full funding support for five years (four for students entering with an M.A. who choose to count those credits) fellowships cover tuition, registration, service fees for degree program, student health insurance, and a 9-month stipend towards expenses.
• Pennsylvania State University, Department of History (State College, PA): Guaranteed four to five years of funding to every student admitted and teaching lectureships offered for another two years for students in good standing to finish up their doctoral program.
• University of Notre Dame, College of Arts and Letters (Notre Dame, IN): All graduate students admitted to the Ph.D. program are guaranteed funding for full tuition and a stipend for five years. Funding is also available to support travel to present research papers at conferences and for summer research fellowships.
• University of Virginia, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Charlottesville, Virginia): Students admitted to the Ph.D. program are awarded fellowship packages renewable for up to five years, financial packages include a stipend for living expenses, tuition remission, and cover the cost of University fees and single-coverage health insurance.
• University of Washington, Department of History (Seattle, WA): Students in their first five years of study at the University of Washington are guaranteed financial support via Academic Service Employment (TA, RA, SA) that includes a stipend, tuition, and benefits at the rates set by the Graduate School.

PhD Programs in History

Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy, Duration3 years [full-time], 6 years [part-time], Entry requirements
A Bachelors (Honours) degree at 2:1 level or above (or its international equivalent) in a related subject; and
A UK Master’s degree with an overall average of 65% or higher, with a minimum of 65% in the dissertation and with no mark below 55% (or its international equivalent) in a related subject.

Any strong relevant professional experience will be considered on a case by case basis.
Full entry requirements

Stefano Locatelli, a recent succesful PhD research student in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University of Manchester presents his research as an ‘elevator pitch’.
Our History PhD programme is a three-year course of study (or six years of part-time study) that enables you to carry out a piece of in-depth research in the area that most interests you.

Our research interests stretch from the early Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century, and our geographical range includes Britain, continental Europe, South and East Asia, Africa and the Americas.

You will prepare a thesis under the guidance of two supervisors with specialist expertise. Your progress is monitored at regular meetings of your research panel (two supervisors plus a reviewer who is independent of the supervisory team), which also provides guidance on research training and career development.

The aim of the programme is to turn you into a fully-fledged independent researcher, and you are from the outset encouraged to disseminate your work at seminars and conferences and by publishing in high-quality locations.

The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation that makes an original contribution to historical knowledge.

As a postgraduate researcher in the History department, you will join a large and lively research community. We have over 40 established members of staff engaged in research, often in ways that help to re-shape their fields, and there are also many historians working in other departments and research institutes across the University.

The University is committed to investing in History, which has recruited 20 new staff in the last four years.

Open days
Find out what it’s like to study at Manchester by visiting us on one of our open days .

Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2021, the tuition fees are as follows:

PhD (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £4,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £19,500
PhD (part-time)
UK students (per annum): TBC
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Please note for the majority of projects where experimentation requires further resource: higher fee bands (where quoted) will be charged rather than the base rate for supervision, administration and computational costs. The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a limited number of bursaries and studentships on a competitive basis, details of which can be found via the links below.

Please note that while we do not have closing dates for programme applications, all funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

You may also be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the government. Find out more about this and other sources of funding on the funding opportunities page.

ESRC North West Social Science DTP (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 2021-22
AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 2021-22
President’s Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 2021-22
School of Arts, Languages and Cultures PhD Studentships 2021-22
China Scholarship Council – The University of Manchester Joint Scholarship for PhD Study in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 2021-22
Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2021-22
The Wellcome Trust and the University of Manchester PhD Studentship
Contact details
School/Faculty
School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
Contact name
Rachel Corbishley
Email
PhDSALC@manchester.ac.uk
Website
http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/history/postgraduateresearch/research/
School/Faculty

Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.

Best Funded PhD History Programs

There are several history PhD programs that offer full funding for students for a total of five years. This funding usually comes in the form of a fellowship that includes a tuition waiver and a stipend and may require that PhD students act as graduate teaching assistants or research assistants. History PhD programs are intensive, requiring students to complete coursework, research, exams, and a dissertation, and below you can explore some course topics that are representative of certain historical areas.

Historical Research and Writing

To prepare you to conduct research for and write your dissertation, you usually take one or more courses that center on techniques for academic research. These courses could focus on how to source and evaluate historical documents and materials through the lenses of different critical theories, such as deconstruction or feminist theory. Some courses might also teach you to then combine your knowledge of how history texts are written with your primary research skills to develop your own dissertation.

American History

One area of history you can concentrate your PhD studies in is American history, which could include classes about American history dating from the early colonial times, the post-1865 era, and modern times. You could also study African American history, including slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Other topics you could learn about are the civil rights movements, Native American history, and America during War World II.

African and Middle East History

Another field you could choose is that of African and/or Middle East history, which is a wide-ranging field that could cover topics that date back to the 16th century and earlier. The coursework you may take could center on everything from early Christianity and Islam to the current Israel/Palestine conflicts. Other classes could focus on the African Diaspora, the history of the Ottoman Empire, and the Crusades.

European History

The European history area also allows you study a diverse set of historical topics that span Ancient Greek times to modern European history. Some sample courses and topics include medieval studies, such as medieval Christianity and the Renaissance, imperial Russia and the Soviet Union, and the history of Jewish society. You might also take courses on War World II and fascism.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In this historical area of study, you can focus on different geographical areas of Latin America, such as the Caribbean, Mexico, or South America. Specific course topics could include the study of Mexican history dating back to the Aztecs, the Spanish inquisition, and the modern history of Central America. You might also study topics like the Cuban revolution, early Caribbean history, and post-colonial history.

Entrance Requirements for History PhD Programs

To apply to a PhD program in history, you need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in history or the humanities. However, some programs require that applicants hold a master’s degree in history, as programs that require only a bachelor’s degree, generally, allow students to earn a master’s degree on their way to the PhD. Most PhD programs also require you to submit GRE scores. Other application materials may include a writing sample, letters of recommendation, a CV, and a statement of purpose.

History Career Outlook

Historian

Historians use their knowledge and research skills to uncover, analyze, and preserve the past. They can work in a range of different organizations, including for the government, historical societies, private businesses, or nonprofits. Historians who work in research-focused positions in academia or government generally need a PhD.

History Professor

History professors work in universities or community colleges where they teach courses that center on their area of historical expertise. Along with teaching duties, professors also must conduct their own research, do work for their department, and mentor students outside of the classroom. To become a history professor at a 4-year university, you need a PhD.

Archivist

An archivist is someone who examines and evaluates historical materials and documents. Usually, they preserve materials, create classification systems, and organize collections. Although archivist positions generally only require a master’s degree in history, archival studies, or a similar field, a PhD may help you specialize in one area of history or help develop your research skills.

JOB TITLE	MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY (2019)	ESTIMATED JOB GROWTH (2018-2028)
Historians	$63,680	6%
History Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,170	6%
Archivists	$53,950	9%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

There are several PhD programs in history that offer full funding to students for five years through a fellowship that may require teaching or research duties. PhD students are able to specialize in one historical area, such as American history or African history, and may pursue careers that include historian, archivist, and professor.

fully funded art history PhD programs

1. Fulbright Scholarships For Norwegian Students, 2018: Fulbright Scholarships For Norwegian Students, 2018 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Fulbright for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Norwegian StudentsThis Masters, PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Fulbright Scholarships For Norwegian Students, 2018. This scholarship can be taken at Universities in USA . The scholarship application form can be seen hereCheck out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Fulbright.
2. Xiamen University Scholarships For International Students: Xiamen University Scholarships For International Students is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Xiamen University for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to international applicants. This Bachelors/Undergraduate, Masters, PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered by the Xiamen University. 21 Apr is the deadline to send applications for Xiamen University Scholarships For International Students. This scholarship can be taken at Xiamen University, . The scholarship application form can be seen here. Check out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Xiamen University.
3. King’s-USP Joint PhD Scholarship: King’s-USP Joint PhD Scholarship is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Kings College London for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to applicants of BrazilThis PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Any Subject that fall within the remit of the King’s Brazil Institute. 01 Mar is the deadline to send applications for King’s-USP Joint PhD Scholarship. This scholarship can be taken at Kings College London, . The scholarship application form can be seen here. Check out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Kings College London.
4. Doctoral Scholarships In Transcultural Studies: Doctoral Scholarships In Transcultural Studies is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Heidelberg University for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to selected countries. This PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Transcultural studies. 15 Mar is the deadline to send applications for Doctoral Scholarships In Transcultural Studies. This scholarship can be taken at Heidelberg University, . The scholarship application form can be seen here. Check out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Heidelberg University.
5. Doctoral Research Fellow In Philosophy: Doctoral Research Fellow In Philosophy is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the University of Oslo for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to applicants of NorwayThis PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Philosphy- Thought and Sense. 15 Mar is the deadline to send applications for Doctoral Research Fellow In Philosophy. This scholarship can be taken at University of Oslo, . The scholarship application form can be seen hereCheck out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by University of Oslo.
6. Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarships: Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarships is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Macquarie University for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationalsThis PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Courses offered at the university. 31 Jul is the deadline to send applications for Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarships. This scholarship can be taken at Macquarie University, . The scholarship application form can be seen here. Check out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Macquarie University.
7. University of Edinburgh – William R McFarlane PhD Scholarships in UK, 2020: University of Edinburgh – William R McFarlane PhD Scholarships in UK, 2020 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the University of Edinburgh for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals. This PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in History. 24 Feb is the deadline to send applications for University of Edinburgh – William R McFarlane PhD Scholarships in UK, 2020. This scholarship can be taken at University of Edinburgh, . The scholarship application form can be seen hereCheck out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by University of Edinburgh.
8. SUT PhD Scholarship Program For ASEAN Countries (Phase II): SUT PhD Scholarship Program For ASEAN Countries (Phase II) is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Suranaree University of Technology for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to selected countriesThis PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Sciences, Engineering, Agricultural Technology and Social Technology. 31 Jan is the deadline to send applications for SUT PhD Scholarship Program For ASEAN Countries (Phase II). This scholarship can be taken at Suranaree University of Technology, . The scholarship application form can be seen hereCheck out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Suranaree University of Technology.
9. Postgraduate Scholarships At Manchester Metropolitan University in UK, 2019: Postgraduate Scholarships At Manchester Metropolitan University in UK, 2019 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Manchester Metropolitan University for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationalitiesThis Masters, PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered by the University. . Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Postgraduate Scholarships At Manchester Metropolitan University in UK, 2019. This scholarship can be taken at Manchester Metropolitan University, . The scholarship application form can be seen hereCheck out other international scholarships, fellowships and grants offered by Manchester Metropolitan University.
10. PhD In Social Sciences At University Of Amsterdam: PhD In Social Sciences At University Of Amsterdam is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the University of Amsterdam for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to applicants of NetherlandsThis PhD scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Social Sciences. 15 Apr is the deadline to send applications for PhD In Social Sciences At University Of Amsterdam. This scholarship can be taken at University of Amsterdam, . The scholarship application form can be seen here.

history doctoral programs online

Earning an online PhD in history often requires attention to time and culture, research practices and biases, as well as writing and rhetoric. Students accepted into these intensely self-motivated, time-consuming programs typically commit to building something original out of historical documents and contributing to the fellowship of historical scholars. After being accepted into a program, doctoral students can expect to deepen their understanding of a specialized field through extensive research and a dissertation. From application to graduation, see what a typical three-year timeline for an online PhD in history looks like below.

Application Process

Online history programs usually look for students who know what they want to get out of their PhD. Applicants who have chosen a specialized area of study, completed preliminary research and know why they want to study a particular subject are more likely to be accepted.

• Completed Master’s Degree and Transcripts
  Online PhD programs usually expect an applicant’s previous degree to be in the field of history they intend to study at a doctoral level, and the degree should typically be earned through an accredited institution. Applicants are usually required to have all higher learning institutions that they attended send official transcripts to their prospective doctoral programs.
• Letters of Recommendation
  Programs will often ask for a certain number of letters of recommendation, usually three, from sources familiar with the history PhD applicant’s academic work. Prospective PhD students should consider asking history professors from their time in a master’s program, employers who are linked to the field and members of the community who are familiar with the applicant’s passion for history.
• Resume or CV
  An online PhD program in history often considers a student’s previous employment, extracurricular activities, community service, education and academic or professional honors, so these should be included on a résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Statement of Purpose
  Applicants can elaborate on their future plans in their history PhD’s statement of purpose. They should be specific about their reasons for choosing the online history program they are applying to and cite relevant academic, professional and personal experiences that influenced their decision to pursue a PhD in history.
• Writing sample
  The sample of writing an applicant chooses should demonstrate research skills using primary sources and pertain to the specialized field of history the applicant is interested in pursuing. History PhD programs may ask for a sample between 25 and 35 pages in length.

Year 1 Milestones

Students may have to take a basic knowledge course to establish an online program’s expectations for students in the history PhD program. They will typically spend most of the first year researching, reflecting, writing and exploring their chosen history concentration.

• Language Requirements
  Online history PhD programs often require students to have reading competency in at least one language aside from English. Language requirements may vary depending on what area of history a student has chosen to study.
• Research and Writing
  Students typically learn how to work with and analyze primary sources, how to build a bibliography and how to apply their knowledge in an area of history, including foreign language experience if documents are not in English.
• Reading
  Programs will usually introduce students to major historical problems and walk them through the principal literature, common interpretations, relevant bibliographies and important issues historians are currently exploring.

Year 2 Milestones

While continuing to build experience with primary sources, academic writing and research as they did in their first year, students in their second year of online history doctoral study often begin to prepare for their dissertations. They should be familiar with the faculty in their chosen area of history studies and be able to select an advisor who can help them succeed academically.

• Narrow Down a Possible Thesis
  History PhD students usually select the area of history they would like to explore as a potential dissertation topic during the second year of study. Typically, the earlier they choose a specialization to focus on, the faster they will be able to begin work on their dissertation and earn their degree.
• Choose a Faculty Advisor to Help Define a Course of Study
  After deciding on an area of concentration, a PhD level history student should select an appropriate faculty advisor who has experience with the student’s chosen topic. This faculty member will usually be their dissertation supervisor and help them choose courses, seminars, fields of study and a dissertation topic.
• General Exam
  Before students can start working on their dissertation, some online PhD programs require them to demonstrate that they have completed all writing, language and course requirements for the past few years of study. There may be only a written exam, but some doctoral history programs may require both a written and oral exam, depending on the technology an online program uses.

Year 3 Milestones

Online history PhD students typically spend the majority of their time in the program researching for their dissertation. They often draw on primary materials, established discussions and other academic discourse, but ultimately, they will be expected to draw their own conclusions and create new work in the field.

• Dissertation Prospectus and Approval
  Programs usually require students to submit a proposed course of research for their dissertation. There may be classes that prepare students to write this research outline, but typically, all history PhD candidates must have their dissertation approved before they can proceed in the program.
• Training Modules
  Because history involves human participants, students may choose to interview living people about historical events. Online history PhD programs may provide human research training to students interested in pursuing this kind of research.
• Dissertation Research
  PhD students generally spend the rest of their graduate careers preparing for their dissertations and presentations. Faculty advisors can help find sources and discuss avenues of study, but students are often required to complete original work on their dissertations.
• Final Public Examination Application
  Before students graduate, they typically need to apply for and schedule a final public oral exam. The format for this differs across online history PhD programs, but a student will generally have to defend their work in front of a committee of program academics.

Graduation Requirements

Online history doctoral programs typically have only a few large graduation requirements instead of many small requirements for students to meet. Online PhD programs may vary in how they address and enforce these final requirements before a student receives their PhD, so be sure to refer to your desired program to discover specific requirements.

• Language Exam
  History PhD candidates typically need to prove they have completed an online program’s language requirements. Programs usually require reading fluency in at least one language aside from English.
• Dissertation
  A student’s final history dissertation should meet doctoral level writing requirements and be polished to the point where it could be published. Length requirements are often flexible and depend on the program, but the dissertation should typically be the length of an article, a series of articles or a book.
• Final Examination
  Students will likely be quizzed on the area of study they wrote about in their dissertation. In a standard history PhD program this is intended to be a public, oral examination of a student’s expertise, but formats for online program final exams may vary.

Best Online PhD Degrees in History

A recent American Historical Association study states earning a PhD in history from a top institution improves the odds of making it onto the tenure track at a research university. Students can begin researching the perfect PhD program by taking a look at the following list of top-ranked schools for a PhD in history. Sort student-to-teacher ratio, cost and graduation rate to discover what puts each at the top of their class.

Kansas State University
The Department of History at Kansas State University offers a PhD in a number of advanced fields. Its areas of emphasis/expertise at the doctoral level are in Military History and 20th Century Studies, Agricultural and Environmental History, and Religious History. Kansas State’s Military History PhD includes options for interdisciplinary studies in conjunction with the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. KSU’s Chapman Center for Rural Studies is host to the doctoral program in Agricultural and Environmental History with a focus on the historical contexts of Kansas communities. The doctorate in religious history is supported by KSU’s annual Parrish Colloquium.

• In-State Tuition$9,034
• Student Population24,146
• Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid57%
• Number of Students per Instructor19

After Your Degree: What to do With a PhD in History

While some graduates from an online history doctoral degree program may go on to teach college-level history, studying and publishing papers in their field, this career is not the only one available. Institutions teaching about history range from museums to archives to state and local governments, and graduates can even often find work outside of the field of history if they choose to leverage their research, communication and critical thinking skills.

Browse PhD in History Careers

Anthropologist

Historians typically work in the state and local government or with research firms, though they may also work in museums, archives and historical societies. They usually research, preserve, analyze and interpret historical documents, relics and other sources of information on early humans or human origins. They often present and preserve records and other information on human culture, behavior and development.

Job Growth (2014-2024)4%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015)$61,8220

Interpreter or Translator

Extensive knowledge of languages and cultures can easily evolve into a career converting language as a translator or interpreter. From work for governments and diplomats to international private sector consulting, translators or interpreters work in all facets of spoken and written languages, and many work as self-employed contractors.

Job Growth (2014-2024)29%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015)$44,190

Sociologist

Sociologists typically study behaviors within larger social structures, including what kinds of people and ideas exert social influence, how and why social groups form and how a certain law may affect a specific section of the population. They most often work with research organizations, colleges and state and local governments.

Job Growth (2014-2024)-1%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015)$73,760

Archivist, Curator or Museum Worker

Archivists typically examine, value, catalog and preserve historically valuable documents. Curators usually oversee collections of artwork and historical artifacts and may come up with public programming around exhibits. Museum technicians and conservators often prepare and restore a museum’s collection of items and documents. All of these positions usually find employment in museums, historical sites, colleges or corporations.

Job Growth (2014-2024)7%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015)$46,710