Full-time study for the PhD degree entails three or a maximum of four years' independent research, culminating in the writing of a thesis of not more than 100,000 words. Part-time students complete the same programme in five, or a maximum of six years. After submission of the thesis, the student attends an oral examination conducted by an internal examiner, from the University of London, and an external examiner, normally from another British university.

There is no formal coursework, but PhD students are expected to participate in the Director’s weekly seminar on Work in Progress and to present a paper every year from their second year onwards. In their first year they are required to attend a fortnightly class on Techniques of Scholarship; they may take language classes and other research training courses as necessary. They are encouraged to participate in the regular seminars held at the Institute during the academic year.

The Institute will accept suitably qualified students provided that their topic can be supervised by a member of the academic staff. Broadly speaking the area covered is cultural and intellectual history in the period 1200–1700; specific research interests of members of staff are indicated in the section below on Information for Applicants. Current dissertation topics include: Tastes and attitudes to the art of the past in Italy between 1550 and 1800, the persistence of Catholicism in Denmark after the Protestant Reformation 1535-1629, the notion of imagination in Ficino’s Commentary on Plotinus.

The normal minimum entry requirement is a good second-class honours degree from a British university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard; but applicants should note that the MA course described on this site is a particularly suitable preparation for doctoral research in the areas covered by the Institute. In accordance with regulations all students will be registered for the MPhil degree in the first instance. All students whose first language is not English must provide recent evidence that their written and spoken English is adequate for postgraduate study. A list of acceptable qualifications is given here and in the side bar under the heading of English Language Competency. Upgrading to PhD is considered in the second year for full-time students and in the third or fourth year for part-time students.

Candidates applying for research towards the PhD degree should submit with their application form a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words. Provided that the applicant appears to have the necessary qualifications and that the topic can be supervised by members of academic staff, the candidate will be asked to submit a piece of written work and, if they are in the UK, may be invited for an informal discussion with the potential supervisor(s). If the Institute wishes to take the application further following these initial procedures, candidates in the UK will be invited for interview by members of academic staff; those outside the UK will be offered a Skype or telephone interview. Depending on the nature of the primary sources relevant to the area of research, candidates may be asked to undertake a translation test (with dictionaries).

All applicants will be required to demonstrate that their competence in English is sufficient to enable them to write a thesis of 100,000 words. Candidates will normally receive an initial response to their application within ten days. Those who have been formally interviewed will normally be informed within one week as to whether they are to be offered a place.

Note: in accordance with regulations research students will be registered for the MPhil degree in the first instance. Upgrading to PhD will be considered in the second year for full-time students and in the third or fourth year for part-time students’.