Scottish History (Research)

The PhD in Scottish History offers you the opportunity to explore Scotland’s past at an advanced level through independent research.

The University of Edinburgh has one of the largest concentrations of scholars interested in the Scottish past. Our research expertise in Scottish history within the School ranges from late medieval kingship and saints’ cults to the Reformation, the witch hunt, government and finance, the Highlands in all periods, Scotland’s diaspora and external relations and its place in the Union.

Colleagues in archaeology and classics also have Scottish interests and these scholars are supplemented by academics in other areas of the University, including:

• Celtic and Scottish Studies

• Social and Political Sciences

• Geography

• Education

• Divinity

• Scottish Literature

The breadth of expertise in the School and in the wider University makes it possible for us to supervise a very wide range of topics.

Each student is allocated at least two supervisors, allowing us to combine thematic, chronological and, if appropriate, disciplinary expertise in the supervisory team.

We also have close links with external organisations, such as National Museums of Scotland, and may be able to include external partners in supervisory teams.