Research Degrees

The department welcomes proposals for research within our areas of expertise:

• Medieval art and architecture in Britain, Insular art, Scottish architecture (Professor Jane Geddes)
• Renaissance Italy and Northern Europe (Dr Tom Nichols)
• Baroque painting, particularly Italy, France, the Netherlands and Malta (Mr John Gash)
• Scottish Painting, British painting (19-20C) (Dr John Morrison)
• Modern Eastern European Art (Dr Amy Bryzgel)

M.Litt Research Degree (one year)

Students with exceptionally high qualifications or previous research experience may proceed with an M.Litt by research only. This option is only available for students with independent finance, whose work is not regulated by the requirements of a funding body. Students proceeding via this route should complete an M.Litt thesis at the end of one year, or two years part-time.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Doctoral students in the History of Art at the University of Aberdeen draw on a 500 year tradition of advanced scholarship which now includes this comparatively recent study area.

The degree of Ph.D. is the highest awarded by the University, and the standard of achievement is correspondingly rigorous: successful candidates must complete a research project showing evidence of originality and critical analysis. The thesis is a maximum of 100,000 words. The degree is ordinarily designed to be completed by full-time students in three years, and from the day they matriculate candidates work closely with their supervisor to meet this aim. While it is normally expected that candidates will complete their degree at the University in that time, they may also be permitted work for part of the period outside Aberdeen where this is desirable for the prosecution of their research. UK/EU candidates may also enroll for part-time study, in which case the period of research is five years.

In addition to regular meetings with his or her supervisor, doctoral students participate in research seminars with fellow students and staff, in an inter-disciplinary context. These seminars provide a forum for students to engage with leading scholars from outside of Aberdeen, to debate cutting-edge issues within their field and to present the results of their own research for peer review.

Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission as a research student for the degree of Ph.D. is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, and a relevant master’s qualification. Applicants will generally be admitted initially as candidates for the degree of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and, if their research progresses satisfactorily, be transferred to candidates for the degree of PhD without any loss of time. Applicants of outstanding ability may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. programme.

The Library, University Museum and Historic Collections provide outstanding resources of original material for study.

Making an application

Applicants must submit the following supporting documents alongside their application form:

• Copies of degree certificates from their previous academic studies
• Academic transcripts - The transcript, which lists all of the classes taken and marks gained, must be requested by the student and sent to us. You should therefore get in touch with the University where you gained your degree, and they will tell you what you need to do and will arrange to produce and send us the transcript.
• Two academic references; either submitted online with your application form, scanned and sent to dhp-pgs@abdn.ac.uk by your referees or please provide the details of the referees on the application form. Applicants may also send the reference letter, in a signed sealed envelope, directly to the school at the address below.
• Your research proposal

If you have any queries about making your application, please contact the Postgraduate Secretary

Postgraduate Applications Secretary
School of Divinity, History and Philosophy
50/52 College Bounds
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen AB24 3DS
Scotland, UK
Email dhp-pgs@abdn.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272890
Fax: +44 (0)1224 273750

Please explore the areas of supervision and staff research interests for the PhD in History of Art

International students should note that there is an application deadline at the end of June, so that visa applications can be completed in time for Autumn arrival; EU students may apply later.

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• Taught programmes
• Research degrees
• Information for Applicants