Economic & Social History

We are internationally recognised for research excellence in modern economic and social history, with exceptional strengths in business and financial history, the history of medicine, social and gender history.

• PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words

Economic and Social History represents the historical approach to the social sciences.  As such, it encompasses a wide array of intellectual approaches and brings the particular rigour and demands of historical enquiry to a range of social science methodologies.

As a PhD student, you will be undertaking your project as part of the largest group of Economic and Social Historians in Scotland. We are internationally recognised for research excellence in modern economic and social history, with exceptional strengths in

• business and financial history
• the history of medicine
• social and gender history

These are reflected in the projects currently undertaken across our postgraduate research (PGR) community of around 20 PhD students. This includes full-time and part-time students, from international and local backgrounds, and supported by funding from a variety of organisations including the ESRC and AHRB.

The University of Glasgow is a large, multi-disciplinary university, providing excellent opportunities to engage with a broad spectrum of postgraduate and research activities within the School of Social & Political Sciences; the College of Social Sciences (eg. the Adam Smith Business School) as well as in other areas of the university (eg. History within the College of Arts & Humanities).

PhD:  3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.

Our research degree applicants will usually possess a good Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent), with a significant component in economic and social history.

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government , the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

• 96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

• 98 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 24; Writing 24
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

• 66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 59; Speaking 59; Writing 74
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
• Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

• Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• ST Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

• UK: £5,238
• International & EU: £27,720

Fees are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Tuition fees for part-time study will be charged at half the full-time annual fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

• Fee status and policies

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Postgraduate research projects in Economic & Social History have received funding from a variety of sources including:

• The ESRC via the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science pathways. If you are interested in making an application you can discuss this with the SGSSS pathway convenor for ESH: Dr Angus Ferguson

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Studentships  
• James McCune Smith (JMS) PhD Scholarship
• China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarships
• College of Social Sciences (CoSS) PhD Scholarships
• Sanctuary PhD Scholarship

Postgraduate research students will have regular opportunities to participate in the research culture of the subject through:

• subject seminars, with external guest speakers
• WIP (work-in-progress) sessions where research staff and students can discuss work at different stages of development
• writing retreats designed to support productivity through structured writing sessions
• an annual one-day conference where every student can present their work to peers within the subject area.

Individual reviews take place each year with supervisors and postgraduate research convenor.  Where each student may reflect on development to date and set goals for the next year.

There will also be opportunities to develop research training and skills across the social sciences Researcher Development Programme .  And to gain experience in teaching and assessment eg. as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA).

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search .

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

• If you have any questions about your application: contact our Admissions team
• Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

• Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found on our International student pages