PhD programmes

Choose from a range of PhD programmes in Asian Studies and related disciplines.

What can I study?

PhD in Chinese

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors.

Before you apply, please take a look at the interests and expertise of our potential supervisors, then get in touch with Professor Natascha Gentz (Postgraduate Research Director for Asian Studies) to discuss your proposed topic and supervisory team.

Email Professor Natascha Gentz

Potential supervisors

Staff memberResearch interests and expertise
Professor Natascha GentzMedia, politics and cultural studies
Professor Dr Joachim GentzHistoriography, philosophy and religion
Professor Aaron MooreTransnational and comparative social history 
Dr Daniel HammondPolitics and society
Dr Xuelei HuangCinema, print culture, drama and literature in modern China
Dr Yuqing LiuPoetry and language culture
Dr Mark McLeisterAnthropology, Christianity in China
Dr Christopher RosenmeierModern literature

Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)

Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

PhD in East Asian Studies

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors.

We have particular strengths in: ancient philosophy and religion; the comparative politics of Asia; classical and modern literature; East Asian media and films; imperialism; colonial rule and decolonisation; political and economic transformation.

Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)

Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

PhD in Japanese

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors.

We have particular strengths in: Japanese performing arts, both traditional (especially Japanese drama of the Tokugawa period), and contemporary; Japanese/Chinese relations; media and politics; the history of Japanese religion (especially Zhenyan or Shingon Buddhism); the Meiji period and empire studies; traditional and modern Japanese literature.

Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)

Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

PhD in Korean Studies

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors.

We have particular strengths in: history; society and culture; economics; urban studies; security; public policy; political science; international relations.

Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)

Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

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Where to next?

Take me to all postgraduate study options in Asian Studies

Take me to all PhD options in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures