PhD, MPhil Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

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Research Opportunities
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Research opportunities

Culture, Heritage, and Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary field within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, drawing on expertise from history, modern languages, translation studies, English, education, and related disciplines. 

At Strathclyde, you can undertake:

  • MPhil (full‑time, 1 year)
  • PhD (full‑time, typically 3 years)

These postgraduate research degrees provide rigorous training for students interested in advancing critical, theoretical and practice‑based approaches to culture, heritage and museums.

Our expertise

We offer research opportunities in the following areas:

  • museum studies
  • material culture 
  • Memory Studies
  • bio/cultural heritage
  • oral history
  • heritage and migration 
  • decolonisation of heritage
  • digital heritage 
  • intangible heritage
  • cinematic heritage 

The Place of Useful Learning

UK University of the Year

Daily Mail University of the Year Awards 2026

Scottish University of the Year

The Sunday Times' Good University Guide 2026

View our current research opportunities

Life on Mars: reconstructing the welfare of boys admitted to the TS Mars, 1869 to 1929

This project is based on the records of the TS Mars. It will address questions including: what light can data shed on the welfare of children on the TS Mars? What light do these records shed on child & adolescent growth patterns since the mid-19th century? What light does the Mars shed on the relationship between the statutory & voluntary sectors in the management of welfare institutions? What role did the Mars play in the history of care & reformation in 19th and early 20th century Scotland?

Deadline:

Funding:

unfunded

Diamond Jubilee Research Scholarships for home students (Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences)

As part of its longstanding commitment to growing its population of excellent postgraduate researchers, the Faculty is offering six Diamond Jubilee Research Scholarships for UK candidates. These awards will cover the full tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students, commencing study on 1 October 2026. The award will apply for each year of study, up to a maximum of 3 years for full-time study and 6 years for part-time study.

Deadline:

13 May 2026

Funding:

Funded

Diamond Jubilee Research Scholarship for international students (Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences)

As part of its longstanding commitment to growing its population of excellent postgraduate researchers, the Faculty is offering one Diamond Jubilee Research Scholarship for an International candidate. The award will cover the full tuition fee for an International postgraduate research student, commencing study on 1 October 2026. The award will apply for each year of study, up to a maximum of 3 years for full-time study.

Deadline:

13 May 2026

Funding:

Funded
THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

Research Degrees in Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

MPhil and PhD students in Culture, Heritage and Museum Studies are expected to undertake research that results in a thesis which contributes to the wider literature in the field, thereby making an original contribution to current knowledge. All projects are different, and exact word counts will be tailored to particular projects, usually dependent on the form of the work. 

Throughout your studies, you will develop a strong portfolio of transferable and professional research skills, including:

  • advanced research design and methods
  • academic writing and communication
  • presentation and engagement
  • project organisation
  • subject specific and interdisciplinary expertise

A PhD in Culture, Heritage and Museum Studies at Strathclyde may incorporate more than one of the following areas:

  • undertaking the critical study of current practice and policy in museums and heritage institutions
  • using methods including archival research, oral history, or digital methodologies to develop new approaches to heritage and/or museums
  • studying intersecting in/equalities in current heritage and museum practice
  • advancing understanding of audience and access to heritage and museum spaces 
  • assessing and evaluating approaches developed in and across different disciplinary traditions

PhD

To be awarded a PhD you would undertake a piece of independent and original research that results in a significant contribution to a field of knowledge in a specific area. You must write a thesis of 100,000 words in length and defend your findings in an oral examination (viva).

During the 3 years of research and writing the thesis, you will gain a range of professional skills in research methods, communications, presentation, organisation and other academic specialisms.

A deep passion and an enquiring mind are critical to successfully navigating a PhD.

MPhil

MPhil degrees are suitable for recent graduates and also for those with demonstrably good writing and research skills as this programme involves a substantial project undertaken over one year. 

You may also be required to undertake research skills training in Research Methods.

To be awarded an MPhil, as with the PhD, you will undertake a piece of independent and original research cumulating in a dissertation of 30,000 words in length, to be submitted at the end of the duration of study, which may or may not require an oral examination.  

In certain circumstances, successful completion of the first year of an MPhil allows direct transfer to second year PhD.

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Fees & funding

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.

The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year. This cap will apply to fees from 2026/27 onwards, which will not increase by more than 10% from the previous year for continuing students.

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Scotland

£5,238

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£5,238

Republic of Ireland

If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process.
International

£20,950

Funding

Take a look at our funding your postgraduate research web page for funding information.

You can also view our scholarships search for further funding opportunities.

Postgraduate research opportunities

Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities

Additional costs

International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.

Supervisors
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Supervisors

Supervisors for this programme have worked with:

  • Museums Galleries Scotland
  • David Livingstone Birthplace Museum
  • HMS Unicorn
  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
  • Ulster American Folk Park
  • Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow
  • Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Historic Environment Scotland
  • international institutions such as:
    • National Science Centre in Poland
    • Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum
    • Smithsonian

All MPhil/PhD students have two supervisors, and the supervisory team may be comprised of colleagues from different subject areas or departments within the faculty. Interdisciplinary applications, with a supervisor from another faculty within Strathclyde, are strongly encouraged.

Culture, Heritage and Museum studies is a growing research area at Strathclyde, spanning traditional disciplinary areas. The staff listed below are interested in supervising postgraduate research in this field within the specialist areas listed.

Name  Areas of expertise 
Eleanor Bell
  • postwar Scottish literary and cultural heritage
  • Scottish literary archives
  • little magazines and literary archives
Sharon Deane-Cox
  • museums and heritage sites 'as translations' that mediate the past, present and future through representational choices
  • interlingual understandings of those sites 'in translation' where written and audiovisual texts, as well as human guides, function to open up access to wider audiences
Catriona Ellis
  • museums of childhood and the material culture of childhood, especially ‘imperial childhoods’ Decolonising imperial museums; 
  • museums and memories of children in empire, including British forced migration schemes and residential schooling
Jordan Kistler
  • the use of arts and humanities methodologies in science and history museums
  • the literary representation of museums
  • the history of museum formation; and questions of widening access to heritage spaces
Yvonne McFadden
  • oral history 
  • gender history 
  • social & cultural history of twentieth-century Britain & Scotland 
  • feminisms in Scotland
  • housing 
  • social class & social mobility 
  • labour history 
David Murphy 
  • Anti-colonialism in Africa
  • French Colonial History
  • Colonial Troops and the First World War
  • The History of Cultural Festivals (particularly in Africa)
Charles Pigott
  • biocultural heritage (the relationship between cultural and ecological heritage)
  • linguistic heritage (such as endangered or minority languages)
  • intangible heritage (such as oral literature, verbal art)
  • indigenous cultural heritage in the Americas
John Young
  • the Scottish Covenanters
  • Scotland and Ulster
  • the Scottish Parliament
  • history of Glasgow
  • the 1707 Act of Union

Co-supervisors

Name  Areas of expertise 
Derek Bryce
  • personal heritage and ancestral tourism in amongst Scottish diaspora visitors (such as but not confined to 'Scots' from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
  • production and consumption of ancestral identities amongst diaspora communities in destinations of migration (such as but not confined 'Scots' resident overseas)
  • the integration of the cultural heritage of 'the other' within a European context: Ottoman heritage in the Balkans
  • return of the 'Noble Savage' construct in the representation of 'indigenous peoples' in museums and other media
Perla Innocenti
  • digital preservation for libraries, archives, and museums
  • digital libraries and repositories
  • information practices of marginalised groups
  • information practices, traditions, and wellness in heritage routes, from walking pilgrimages to hiking routes and urban walks
Cassandra Kist
  • the effect of algorithms and cultural influencers on heritage and memory practices
  • AI and its relation to 'synthetic' and 'authentic' heritage
  • AI and its potentials/consequences for the sustainability of intangible heritage
  • information behaviour of citizen historians in the age of AI

 

Postgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School

The Strathclyde Doctoral School offers a vibrant, student-centred research and training environment, dedicated to supporting both current and future research talent.

Bringing together all four of our faculties, it is committed to enhancing the student experience, increasing research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring that training is delivered at the highest standard.

As a postgraduate researcher, you will automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.

Find out more about the Doctoral School

Support & development
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Support & development

The Graduate School

The Graduate School is a friendly and supportive study environment for research students studying subjects within Humanities & Social Sciences.

Our staff will support you through your studies and you'll become part of a community of students who get involved with our workshops, seminars and competitions.

Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)

Our PgCert RPD programme aims to ensure you get the most out of your current research activities at Strathclyde and helps you prepare for your future career as a researcher.

We'll help you recognise and develop your transferrable skills that'll have a positive impact on your research, now and in the future.

PgCert Researcher Professional Development

Careers

The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation. Take a look at our careers service pages to get more information.

Student support

From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

Visit our international students' section

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Entry requirements

For a PhD a first-class or upper second-class UK Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a related subject is required. We also require a Masters degree with a minimum of merit, or overseas equivalent, in a related subject. For a MPhil we require  a first-class or upper second-class UK Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a related subject.

The application process

Stage 1

In the first instance, prior to making a formal application, you should explore the supervisors’ areas of expertise to identify a potential supervisor whose research interests align with your proposed research study.

Stage 2

Thereafter, you should email a draft research proposal, academic CV and your suggested supervisor’s name to hass-hum-pgr@strath.ac.uk to introduce yourself. Further information on writing a research proposal.

The University is aware of the temptation to use Generative AI (including ChatGPT), however, these tools do not always generate accurate and up-to-date information. Our academics, who are experts in their field, are very good at identifying when text has been generated in this way and expect your research proposal to be written in your own words. We need to know that you have the academic skills required to write a thesis and can only support you on your journey when we see your own work.

Stage 3

If the Postgraduate Research panel are able to identify a potential supervisory team (minimum of 2 supervisors required), you will be advised to make a formal online application.

During your application you will be asked for the following:

  • your full contact details
  • CV
  • transcripts and degree certificates
  • proof of English language proficiency if English is not your first language. 
    English language requirements which is IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 5.5) – taken within 2 years prior to start date
  • two references (of which one must be academic)
  • information on how you intend to fund your study
  • research proposal of 1500 words for PhD or 1000 words for MPhil 

Stage 4

Once you have submitted your application, you will be invited to attend an interview/discussion with the Postgraduate Research panel regarding your application and proposal.

If your interview/discussion is successful, your application will progress to an offer being issued. Once all conditions have been met, your application will be finalised.

Unsuccessful applicants will be advised and if appropriate signposted to a more suitable pathway.

Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

PhD
full-time
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Apply now

Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

PhD
part-time
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Apply now

Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

MPhil
full-time
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Apply now

Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Culture, Heritage & Museum Studies

MPhil
part-time
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027

Apply now
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Contact us

Programme enquiries

Email: hass-hum-pgr@strath.ac.uk

Application enquiries

Email: hass-pgr-applications@strath.ac.uk