87 PhD programmes in Area & Cultural Studies in United Kingdom

Develop your own original research in an environment with a strong transnational and transcultural perspective. We offer a Critical Theory and Cultural Studies degree at University of Nottingham. 

In the Modern Languages and Cultures programme from the University of Glasgow, we have expertise and supervision in language, culture, sociolinguistics, literature and history for the subjects of French, German, Hispanic, Italian and Slavonic Studies, alongside a strong postgraduate community in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies.

The PhD in Caribbean and Latin American Studies at University of Buckingham enables graduate students to pursue in-depth research under expert supervision on the history, culture, social anthropology, and politics of this area. 

Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex engages critically with the study of everyday life – with the ‘deep ordinariness’ of the world.

The DPhil in Area Studies (Japan) is a research-based course exploring Japan through interdisciplinary approaches, covering topics such as history, politics, sociology, language, and the labour market. The Area Studies (Japan) programme is offered at University of Oxford.

The Area Studies (Russia and East Europe) programme offered by University of Oxford is a research-based course exploring the region through interdisciplinary approaches, covering politics, culture, religion, and political economy, with opportunities for fieldwork.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic award for which a student can be registered. This Cultural and Media Studies (Distance Learning) programme at the University of Huddersfield allows you to explore and pursue a research project built around a substantial piece of work, which has to show evidence of original contribution to knowledge.

This Black Studies PhD programme from the University of Nottingham is a place for the study of the history, literature and culture of black people (variously defined) in North America, as well as through their historical, cultural and political links to Africa, Britain, and other global sites.

Through the Lusophone Studies MPhil/PhD programme from The University of Exeter all students have a primary and a secondary supervisor who provide regular, high quality advice, support and direction in their academic endeavours. You will work closely with your supervisors to develop, investigate and write-up a project at the cutting edge of research.

As a PhD student in Languages, Cultures and Religions at the University of Stirling you’ll contribute to a research culture that cuts across the disciplinary units of English, Modern Languages, Global Cinema and Religion, and foregrounds their intersections.

The Cultural and Social Psychology (CUSP) research strand at The Open University UK brings insights from cultural and social psychology to real-world issues.

The University of Liverpool has pioneered the study of the Egyptology for more than 130 years and has an international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. 

The Cornish Studies MPhil/PhD programme from The University of Exeter staff in the History department 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.

In the Gaelic Studies programme from University of Aberdeen we offer leading research and teaching in Gaelic literature, society and culture.

Literature, Culture and Thought at University of Cambridge supports interdisciplinary projects that by virtue of their design clearly transcend or stand outside any one Section in the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics. 

​​This Cultures and Creative Practice programme from University of Nottingham will be particularly relevant to creative practitioners from a broad range of fields who wish to utilise the time and resources offered by doctoral study to develop and critically reflect on their practice and enhance their careers in a relevant creative sector.

The DPhil in Area Studies (Middle East) is a research-based course exploring the Middle East through interdisciplinary approaches, covering politics, history, religion, literature, and social anthropology. The Area Studies (Middle East) programme is offered at University of Oxford.

The Culture, Media and Creative Industries Research programme offered by King's College London examines cultural production, media systems, and creative sectors through interdisciplinary and globally oriented perspectives.

The Social Science programme at University College London (UCL) is a research degree for experienced professionals from education and related fields who would like to extend their professional understanding and develop skills in research, evaluation and high-level reflection on practice. 

Undertaking a PhD in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries at University of Leeds will allow you to become an expert in a specialist area.