Online history PhD degree programs provide excellent options for graduate study in European, North American, global and public comparative history. Those pursuing this degree program can build foundational writing, research, and communication skills. Moreover, they will gain the fundamental training necessary to make a career in teaching, research, government service, public history, a career as a museum director, and several other areas. An online history PhD program is flexible and more affordable. However, there are only a few universities offering this course. Nevertheless, there are several distance learning courses you can enrol in. This blog covers everything you need to know about online history PhD programs.
University | Degree |
Liberty University Online | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History Online |
University of London | PhD at the Institute of Historical Research |
University of Leicester | History PhD |
University of York | PhD in History (by distance learning) |
University of Birmingham | History PhD/MA by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning) |
University of Edinburgh | History PhD |
Indira Gandhi National Open University | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PHDHIS) |
This Blog Includes:
Online History PhD Programs You Must Know About
Only two universities offer online history PhD programs. These 100% online programs do not require you to visit the campus. We have included the course fees, duration, and other details.
Liberty University Online
Liberty University offers one of the leading online history PhD degree programs. The degree program includes 8-week courses that you must complete. The university has the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation. The course is 100% online, and you can transfer up to 50% of the degree total. What makes this degree program distinctive from the other online courses is that a Christian worldview of history studies is provided.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 8 courses |
Fees | Full time- $595/Credit, Part-time- $650/Credit |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website: https://www.liberty.edu/online/arts-and-sciences/doctoral/history/
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University of London
You can pursue PhD at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London. The course is available both online and on-campus in London. You can also choose between a part-time (6-8 years of study) or full-time (4 years of study). By enrolling in this course you can gain access to the Wohl library (access 200,000 history books and periodicals), attend history seminars, and research training programmes, and join a scholarly community. The curriculum covers topics like Mediaeval British history, History of the First and Second World Wars, British Commonwealth and British decolonisation, etc.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 3-4 years (full-time); 5-6 years (part-time) |
Fees | £15810 (full time), and £7905 (part-time) + Phd write up fee of £900 (full time and part-time learners) |
Degree certification | Yes |
History PhD Distance Learning Programs
Apart from the online history PhD programs you can also enrol in a distance learning program. A distance learning course is different from an online degree. An online degree would mean you do not have to visit the campus even once, receive all resources online, and get the degree while sitting at home. On the other hand, as a distance-learning student, you can learn independently and visit the campus to take examinations. Here are some excellent Phd history distance learning programs.
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. You can learn this distance education course under the guidance of a supervisory team. You will have to complete an independent research project. Both part-time and full-time options are available. For this degree program, you are supposed to conduct active research and complete a writing-up period. After the thesis submission, you will have to clear a viva voice (oral) examination as well.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 4 years full-time / 7 years part-time. |
Fees | Starting in 2024/25 academic year: £28,150 total course fee |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website:https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/history
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University of York
York University does not offer an online history Phd course. However, a distance learning program is available. You can pursue a PhD in history either part-time or full-time. You can complete an independent research project on a topic you like. Moreover, you will receive expert research guidance. You can start the course either in January or September.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 3-4 years full-time, 4-6 years part-time |
Fees | Full-time: £22,200, Part-time: £11,100 |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website: https://www.york.ac.uk/history/study/postgraduate-research/phd-history-distance-learning/
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham offers History PhD courses by distance learning. This is a full-time course that you must complete within 3 years. As a student, you will receive research support. For example, you can access the university’s library and other archives, and receive academic research, writing, and career development support. You can also take part in seminars, and workshops and learn from expert instructors. The history department of this university is ranked 8th in the UK.
Level | PhD |
Duration | Full time PhD – 3 years |
Fees | International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only) |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website:https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/research/history/history#CourseDetailsTab
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh offers a distance learning program that does not require you to visit the campus! However, you are encouraged to visit Edinburgh to meet their supervisors if it is convenient. The University of Edinburgh offers expertise in several areas of History. These research interest areas are British and Irish history, Mediaeval history, US (American) history, European history, African history, Asian history, and Latin American and Caribbean history. Part-time and full-time options are available. Training and support is available and are provided by two supervisors.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 3 years full-time and 6 years part-time |
Fees | £26,300.00 (full-time) and £13,150.00 (part-time) |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website:https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&edition=2024&id=158
Indira Gandhi National Open University
The Indira Gandhi National Open University also provides a history PhD in distance learning mode. This is one of the cheapest online history degrees you can find. The course is available both part-time and full-time. You must have secured at least 55% in the Master’s program to take up this course. If you are from non SC/ST/OBC categories you only need 50%. There is no age bar to take this course. UGC recognises this university and you need to clear the entrance examination at a national level to start this course.
Level | PhD |
Duration | 3 years full time and 6 years part-time |
Fees | INR 16,800 |
Degree certification | Yes |
Website:https://www.ignou.ac.in/ignou/aboutignou/school/soss/programmes/detail/91/2
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Admission Criteria for an Online History PhD Course
The following are the admission criteria for an online history PhD course. Note: the requirements can vary depending on the university you are applying to.
- You need to fill in the Online application form
- Next, you need to provide academic transcripts. You must have secured a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to enrol. (the marks required can differ depending on the university).
- You must have completed a Master’s degree from a recognized university
- Send in any extra academic document required by the university
- Additionally, you must have cleared the TOEFL or IELTS examination.
FAQs
Liberty University and the University of London offer the best online phd history programs. You can complete the degree program either online or on campus.
IGNOU’s PhD course is the cheapest history degree. However, this is a distance education course and not an online program.
Liberty University offers the best online Phd history programs in the USA. History is taught from a Christian perspective, and you will have to complete 8 courses.
Hope this blog provides you with all the important details. For more information about such courses, visit our online courses page.
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