University of California

What you'll study

The programme focuses on cultural, intellectual and material histories of Europe from the late antique period through the early modern era. Core training emphasises primary-source literacy—manuscript studies, paleography and diplomatic—alongside historiography and theory. You will take advanced research seminars in topics such as medieval religion and ritual, early modern print culture, book history and manuscript cultures, visual and material culture, urban and social life, gender and family, and the history of ideas.

Students pursue a combination of taught seminars and independent research. Typical course components include:

• Research seminars in specialised chronological or thematic fields (e.g. medieval monasticism; Renaissance intellectual networks)
• Methodology and professionalisation modules covering archival methods, digital humanities approaches to cultural sources, and public history practice
• Language training and source skills in languages relevant to your research (Latin and one or more vernaculars, and, where appropriate, palaeography and codicology)
• Comprehensive examinations or major research papers to establish fields of competence
• Dissertation research under the supervision of one or more faculty advisors, including archival or field research abroad when required
• Teaching experience through graduate teaching assistantships or supervised instruction

Supervision and interdisciplinary links

Supervision is offered by faculty with strengths across cultural, religious, literary and visual history of medieval and early modern Europe. You can draw on resources and cross‑disciplinary collaborations with departments and centres such as art history, comparative literature, religious studies, classics, and material culture or book history programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally hold a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in history or a closely related field, with a strong record of coursework and preparation for advanced research. Typical application materials required include:

• A detailed research statement or proposal outlining the intended dissertation topic and its significance
• A writing sample demonstrating familiarity with primary sources and historiographical debate (often a master’s thesis chapter or seminar paper)
• Academic transcripts showing prior relevant study
• Letters of recommendation from faculty who can assess research potential
• A curriculum vitae listing relevant language, research and archival experience

Competence in relevant languages (for example, Latin and one or more vernacular European languages) is expected; some entrants already demonstrate reading knowledge while others complete language training early in the programme. Some campuses request or consider standardised test scores as part of the application package; check the specific campus admissions guidance for details.

Career prospects

Graduates typically pursue a range of careers that draw on advanced research, language and source-handling skills. Common paths include:

• Academic positions (postdoctoral research fellowships, lectureships and faculty posts in history and related fields)
• Museum, archive and special-collections work, including curatorial and conservation roles
• Public history and heritage management, including roles in cultural organisations and historic sites
• Publishing, scholarly editing and editorial work for academic presses or journals
• Digital humanities and research data curation, applying coding, TEI/XML and digital edition skills to cultural sources
• Policy, education and cultural consultancy roles that benefit from deep historical expertise and research communication skills

The programme’s emphasis on languages, primary-source methods and teaching experience prepares graduates for both scholarly and public-facing careers.

Why study at University of California

Studying this PhD within the University of California system gives access to large and complementary library and special‑collections holdings, dedicated medieval and early modern manuscript collections, and extensive archival networks. The system’s size supports a broad range of faculty specialisms, enabling close mentorship in narrow fields of study and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and research centres.

Graduate students benefit from funded research and teaching opportunities, structured professional-development offerings, language training, and technical support for digital humanities and conservation projects. The cohort model and regular colloquia foster a vibrant community of scholars working on connected themes across the medieval and early modern periods.