Medical History

Through the Medical History PhD programme from The University of Exeter, you will work closely with your supervisors to develop, investigate and write-up a project at the cutting edge of historical research.

The Medical History Medical History PhD programme from The University of Exeter The University of Exeter staff research political, economic, social, cultural, religious, medical, maritime, military, humanitarian, environmental and international history. We range in time from the early medieval period to the late 20th century. We have particular strengths in the history of Britain and continental Europe, but also focus on the history of the United States, Africa, India, China and Latin America. Our PhD programmes are taught at both Streatham and Penryn, and supervision can be offered across both campuses.

Key facts

• Our research centres are focal points of our research environment for both staff and PGR students, organising seminar series, workshops and research events throughout the academic year where postgraduate students meet with staff and peers to learn, discuss and present research.
• A summary of our main areas of research are listed below. The History Research webpages provide more comprehensive details about current research projects. Details on individual staff research interests and publications can be found on the History staff profiles pages.
• Our PhD students are funded by organisations including the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Commonwealth Scholarships, University of Exeter Global Excellence Scholars China Scholarship Council, and doctoral scholarships attached to major research grants.
• The Medical History programme from The University of Exeter is committed to ensuring you receive high quality research supervision to maximise your potential and prepare you for a rewarding career.
• Our postgraduates go on to successful careers, both within and beyond academia. Recent graduates have won major ESRC and UKRI Future Leader research grants, Leverhulme and international postdoctoral awards, and gone straight into permanent lectureships. Others have applied skills gained through their PhDs to move into careers in education, business, marketing, publishing and other fields.
• Postgraduate students have access to the wide range of support offered by our Career Zone. In addition, postgraduate research students can access our Postgraduate Researchers’ Programme, which covers a range of topics to help you to succeed during your research degree and to act as a springboard for your research career.

Courses include:

• English medical history, 1500–1800

• environment and medicine in the modern period

• gender and the family

• occupational health and industrial diseases

• history of psychiatry

• history of sex and sexuality

• history of stress

• history of global public health and family planning