University of Warwick

What you'll study

The MPhil/PhD in Caribbean Studies is a research degree structured around an individually negotiated thesis under the guidance of one or more supervisors. Projects commonly address themes such as colonial and post‑colonial histories, migration and diaspora, literature and cultural production, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, political economy and development, environmental and island studies, and popular and visual culture.

Students follow a programme of advanced research training rather than taught modules. Typical components include:

• Development of an extended research proposal and literature review leading to a doctoral thesis.
• Methodological training in qualitative and quantitative approaches, oral history, archival methods, ethnography, and critical theory.
• Disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars with staff and visiting scholars from departments such as History, English Studies, Politics, Sociology, and Film & Theatre.
• Language training where relevant to the project (for example Spanish, French, Dutch, or local Creoles) and training in archival languages and palaeography when needed.
• Fieldwork and archival research, with students supported to plan and carry out research in the Caribbean, diasporic communities, and relevant archives in the UK and Europe.
• Regular progress reviews, research training workshops, and presentation opportunities at conferences and departmental research forums.

Duration and assessment

Research degrees are assessed on the basis of a substantive thesis and an oral examination (viva voce). Candidates typically register initially for the MPhil and may transfer to PhD status following a formal upgrade assessment. Exact candidature lengths follow university regulations and depend on whether study is full‑time or part‑time.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a good master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Caribbean Studies, History, English, Anthropology, Politics, Sociology or Cultural Studies, with a record of strong academic performance. Exceptional candidates with a strong undergraduate degree plus relevant research or professional experience may also be considered.

Applications must include a research proposal that demonstrates a clear research question, familiarity with key literature and methods, and a feasible plan for data collection and analysis. You will also need academic references and a curriculum vitae. If your first language is not English, you must meet the university’s English language requirements.

Prospective students are encouraged to identify potential supervisors and make contact with academic staff whose expertise aligns with the proposed project before applying. Admission is competitive and decisions take into account the quality of the proposal, availability of supervision and resources, and the applicant’s academic record.

Career prospects

Graduates from doctoral programmes in Caribbean Studies move into a wide range of careers. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers in universities and higher education, including research and teaching positions.
• Roles in cultural heritage and museums, including curatorship, collections management and public history projects.
• Work with non‑governmental organisations, international development agencies and policy institutes focusing on migration, development, social justice and cultural policy.
• Publishing, journalism, and media roles that require specialist regional knowledge and research skills.
• Positions in archives and libraries, oral history projects, and community heritage initiatives.
• Consultancy, education and outreach work in museums, cultural centres and arts organisations.

The research, analytical, language and project management skills developed during a PhD are also valued in government, diplomacy, and the private sector.

Why study at University of Warwick

The University of Warwick offers an interdisciplinary environment with staff working on Caribbean topics across several departments, providing students with broad intellectual resources and cross‑disciplinary supervision. Warwick’s central research training provision for doctoral students supports methodological development, professional skills and public engagement, while the university’s library and archival services, including specialised collections and the Modern Records Centre, facilitate primary research.

Doctoral researchers benefit from regular research seminars, workshops and opportunities to present at conferences, as well as access to postgraduate networks and funding advice. The university’s emphasis on rigorous supervision, transferable skills training and placement of graduates in academic and non‑academic careers makes it a supportive setting for sustained research on the Caribbean and its diasporas.