PhD programmes

• Develop your unique voice and make an original, positive and lasting contribution to scholarship in the arts and humanities
• Share your passion and expertise with a supportive community - one of the largest and most diverse Schools in the University of Edinburgh
• Join reading groups and work-in-progress seminars, hear from in-house and visiting speakers, and publish in online journals
• Gain further training in research skills and methods and benefit from the Careers Service and Institute of Academic Development
• Study at the historic heart of Scotland's capital and explore fantastic libraries and collections, on campus and in the city

Over the course of your PhD, you will be supervised by at least two members of academic staff with expertise in your area of research. 

You do not need to approach a potential supervisor before you apply to study with us. Our Departmental Postgraduate Research Directors have a good overview of all our supervision expertise and can advise you who might be the best supervisory fit for your thesis. 

Departmental Postgraduate Research Directors will also be able to advise you about supervision expertise beyond your main subject area or discipline, including in other Schools at the University of Edinburgh. This is particularly useful if your research is interdisciplinary.

Selected departments also publish information and guidance on what to do before applying, including writing a research proposal for your programme.

Links in our table take you to:

• PhD programme - the University's Degree Finder listing for each programme where you can find out more and apply
• Departmental Postgraduate Research Director - an email to the staff member or team you should contact about finding a supervisor
• Pre-application guidance - subject-specific information on what to do before applying

For further guidance on what to do before applying for a PhD, we suggest that you read the University's guide to applying to study at Edinburgh.

Read the guidance on applying to study at Edinburgh

See what our current PhD students are up to. Look at their thesis title is and find out who is supervising them.

Once you have been in touch with us to find a supervisor and discuss your research proposal, you apply for your programme through the University of Edinburgh’s online Degree Finder and its associated application service, EUCLID.

To increase your chances of being eligible for a range of scholarships and other awards, you are strongly encouraged to apply for your PhD as early as possible. 

Applications to start a PhD programme in September 2026 are now open.

Visit us... virtually

Thinking of joining us? Explore what it's like to live and study in Edinburgh.

• Join us for an online Open Day

Get in touch

Many of us work on a hybrid basis - a mixture of on-campus and digitally.

Our working hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (UK time).

Please email us in the first instance, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Related links

Research centres and networks in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

The Institute of Academic Development resources for doctoral researchers