PGR FAQ
What is the first step when applying for a PGR degree at Exeter?
The first thing to do is to approach a potential supervisor, check they are taking on students, and that they are happy to supervise you. They will likely ask for a CV and a draft research proposal, or at least a more detailed summary of your likely research area, so you should attach these to your email if they are available. If they are happy to supervise you, you will then work with them to develop your research proposal. Please consult the online staff profiles which give detailed overviews of everyone’s expertise and research interests – https://arch-history.exeter.ac.uk/history/academic/ – and contact the individual you feel is the best fit for your project.
Can I contact more than one potential supervisor at a time?
We would advise you to contact one Exeter supervisor at a time. If there are two supervisors who would make a great supervisory team then by all means please do write to them both, but in most cases, it will make sense to contact the individual you feel is the best fit. If a colleague cannot for whatever reason supervise you, they may recommend someone else in the department who could be interested. Please try to avoid sending separate emails to multiple members of staff at the same time.
How do I apply to Exeter?
All the details for how to do this are here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/degrees/history/. You will need to have identified and agreed a supervisor (or supervisory team), written a research proposal, assembled academic references, transcripts, and previous degree certificates, and arranged an example of sample work. You should check also that you meet the department’s minimum entrance requirements.
What funding is available for Exeter Archaeology/History PGR students?
There are several funding schemes for Exeter PGR students. The usual pattern for studentships is that they are advertised in November, with deadlines to follow in January/February, for a start the following September. This means that funding schemes for a September 2025 start have mostly closed. For a September 2026 start, studentships will be advertised in November 2025 with deadlines falling in January/February 2026. The main schemes are:
- AHRC South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (SWWDTP). This is for projects that fall within the Arts and Humanities, and there are more details here: https://www.sww-ahdtp.ac.uk/prospective-students/how-to-apply/
- ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), and in particular the Economic and Social History pathway, appropriate for students working on economic and social history; historical research with a significant quantitative element; or historical research that uses social science methodologies to a significant degree. More details here: https://www.swdtp.ac.uk/prospective-students-and-fellows/how-do-i-apply-for-a-studentship/
- HASS Faculty Studentships: these include studentships across for students across the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences for ‘Home’, ‘Home Global Majority’ and ‘International’ students, advertised in November each year.
- China Scholarship Council: these are open to all disciplines for candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China and intend to return to China upon completion of studies at the University of Exeter. Further details available here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/csc-scholarships/
- Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities PhD Studentship. The research project must fall within the broad subject area of ‘history, literature and languages’, and further details are available here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5317
- There are other opportunities advertised through the year so do keep an eye on the Faculty funding page (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/funding/phdfunding/fundingbyfaculty/hass/).
Who can I contact with any concerns or queries?
If you have any questions about the process or funding, please contact the departmental Director of Postgraduate Research (see https://arch-history.exeter.ac.uk/about/leadership/)
