University of Nottingham

What you'll study

The Black Studies PhD is a research-led programme in which you design and complete an original doctoral thesis under expert supervision. Research topics commonly cover areas such as Black British history and identity, African and Caribbean histories and literatures, diaspora and migration studies, critical race theory, decolonial thought, cultural production (music, film, visual arts), education and race, oral histories, community activism and public policy.

Your programme typically involves sustained independent research, regular one-to-one supervision meetings, participation in research seminars and workshops, and engagement with methodological and professional development training. Depending on your project, you may undertake archival work, oral-history fieldwork, ethnography, close reading of texts, quantitative analysis, or creative practice-led methods. You will also be encouraged to present work at conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and take part in public-facing events that connect research to community partners and cultural institutions.

The University’s doctoral training provision supports transferable skills in research design, research ethics, project management, academic writing and public engagement. You may also complement your research with taught research methods modules or short courses delivered by the Doctoral College or relevant school departments.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a relevant postgraduate qualification (such as a Masters with merit or equivalent) in a related discipline—examples include Black Studies, African Studies, History, Sociology, Cultural Studies, English, Education or Politics—or to demonstrate equivalent research experience. A well-developed research proposal that situates your project within existing literature and outlines methods and feasibility is essential.

Entry typically requires:

• a detailed research proposal
• a strong academic transcript
• two or more academic references
• a CV demonstrating relevant experience

International applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the University's English language requirements. Where appropriate, applicants may be asked to attend an interview with potential supervisors or to submit a sample of written work.

Funding is competitive; prospective students are encouraged to explore university scholarships, external doctoral funding, and departmental studentships and to discuss funding opportunities with potential supervisors before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Black Studies develop specialist research skills, critical thinking and public engagement experience that are valued across a wide range of careers. Common career paths include academic posts in higher education, research roles in think tanks and policy organisations, positions in museums and cultural institutions, archive and heritage work, and roles within NGOs and community organisations focused on race, education and social justice.

Other opportunities include careers in publishing, journalism, arts management, public history and cultural policy, as well as research and evaluation roles within government or public services. The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary methods and communication prepares graduates for roles that require high-level analysis, programme design and stakeholder engagement.

Why study at University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offers a supportive doctoral environment with access to experienced supervisors across humanities and social-science disciplines and structured researcher development through its Doctoral College. Students benefit from extensive library and Special Collections resources, including archival holdings relevant to African, Caribbean and Black British studies, and from opportunities to collaborate with local and national cultural partners.

The university’s interdisciplinary culture encourages cross-school supervision and engagement with related research centres and networks, enabling Black Studies researchers to position their work within broader scholarly debates. Practical support, mentoring and training for public engagement and impact help students shape research that is academically rigorous and socially relevant.

Prospective students are advised to contact potential supervisors to discuss research ideas and to make use of the admissions guidance and funding information provided by the university and the relevant school.