PhD in History

Programme Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History is a rigorous research degree aimed at developing scholars capable of generating new knowledge and critical insights into the past. The programme provides advanced training in historical theories, methods, and historiography, enabling candidates to investigate complex historical questions with depth and originality. Graduates will be equipped to contribute significantly to academic scholarship, heritage preservation, and public discourse about historical processes, memory, and identity.

Programme Objectives

The PhD in History aims to:

  1. Advance theoretical and empirical knowledge in historical scholarship and historiography.

  2. Equip candidates with advanced research skills for independent, original investigation of historical phenomena.

  3. Promote critical analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary sources.

  4. Foster ethical and socially responsible historical research practices.

  5. Prepare graduates for teaching, leadership, and research roles in higher education and related fields.

  6. Encourage interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to studying the past.

Programme Outcomes

Graduates of the programme will be able to:

  • Demonstrate mastery of historical theories, research methods, and analytical frameworks.

  • Conduct independent, original research that contributes new perspectives to historical knowledge.

  • Critically analyze and interpret historical events, trends, and narratives.

  • Communicate complex historical arguments clearly and persuasively through publications and presentations.

  • Engage with ethical questions in the collection, preservation, and presentation of historical evidence.

  • Contribute to curriculum development, academic mentorship, and scholarly leadership in higher education.

  • Apply historical insights to inform public policy, heritage preservation, and cultural understanding.

Research Focus Areas

Candidates in the PhD in History may pursue research in areas such as:

  • African history and decolonization

  • Colonial and postcolonial studies

  • Political and economic histories

  • Social and cultural histories

  • Gender, identity, and historical change

  • Oral history and indigenous knowledge systems

  • History of science, technology, and medicine

  • Conflict, memory, and peace studies

  • Intellectual and ideas history

  • Environmental history

  • Urbanization and historical development

  • Heritage and museum studies

  • Comparative and transnational histories

Supervision Framework

The PhD supervision framework is structured to provide candidates with high-quality support and mentorship:

  • Supervisory Panel: Each candidate will have a principal supervisor and at least one co-supervisor with relevant expertise.

  • Regular Supervision: Scheduled meetings (typically monthly) to discuss progress, address challenges, and plan future research tasks.

  • Progress Reviews: Annual progress reviews to assess milestones, provide feedback, and support the candidate’s timely completion.

  • Research Development: Candidates will have access to workshops and seminars on research methodology, historical writing, archives management, and academic publishing.

  • Ethical Oversight: All research will undergo ethical review to ensure compliance with professional and institutional research standards.

  • Professional Development: Supervisors will encourage participation in teaching, conferences, public engagement, and collaborations to build academic and professional profiles.

  • Feedback and Support: A clear communication and conflict-resolution framework will be maintained to ensure a positive, supportive supervisory relationship.

Employment Prospects

Graduates of the PhD in History will be well-prepared for a range of fulfilling careers, including:

  • University lecturer, researcher, or departmental leader in history or heritage studies

  • Archivist, records manager, or heritage site manager

  • Museum curator or collections specialist

  • Cultural programme coordinator in government, NGOs, or international organizations

  • Policy advisor on culture, heritage, and education

  • Writer, editor, or public historian contributing to media or publishing

  • Historical consultant for documentaries, exhibitions, or public memorial projects

  • Research fellow or senior analyst in think tanks and cultural institutions

The PhD in History equips graduates with deep analytical skills, historical consciousness, and research leadership abilities to shape academic, professional, and public understanding of the past.