Cultural Heritage PhD

You can undertake this degree both on-site at Edinburgh College of Art and in the field, full-time or part-time.

The programme is largely delivered through individual supervision by at least two academics with experience and expertise in your chosen field of research. Supervision meetings will typically take place monthly.

Learning outcomes

Research and enquiry: You will develop a spirit of enquiry and lifelong learning through the conception, development and execution of a self-directed research project grounded in discipline(s) relating to cultural heritage.

Aspiration and personal development: You will develop personal and Intellectual autonomy through directing your own research and through situating your disciplinary approach(es) in relation to the broader field of cultural heritage.

Outlook and engagement: You will learn how to engage diverse audiences with your research, considering how it can learn from, and contribute to not just the study of the past, but the promotion of its re-production in the present.

Interdisciplinary Research Methods for Cultural Heritage

This course brings together students from diverse disciplines to explore how their own research connects with broader issues and methodologies in cultural heritage. This course is compulsory in your first year. You will have the opportunity to attend the final research seminar for the course in your second and third years.

Assessment and progression

At the end of each academic year, you will undertake an annual review with your supervisors and another academic whose research interests or methodologies align with your research project. For the annual review, you will be required to:

• provide a written outline of research undertaken and a sample of research work
• give a presentation
• attend a meeting

To progress to the next year of study, you will need to pass each annual review.

After three years, you will prepare your final dissertation. Your dissertation will be assessed through a ‘viva voce’ examination with at least one internal and one external examiner with expertise in your field.

Some research proposals may include internships or placements. You will be offered support in establishing and implementing these opportunities.

This programme will offer you the opportunity to conduct in-depth, rigorous research on a specific problem within the appropriate disciplinary environment, under the supervision of experts in the field. The programme is structured to involve supervision, usually by two supervisors, from across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) who may come from different schools.

You will be encouraged to engage with research training in your own disciplinary area. Your self-directed research and your training needs will be reviewed annually.

Research environment

The Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) is the site of energetic postgraduate research activity, including complementary PhD programmes in Cultural Studies and Architectural History, and master’s programmes in architectural conservation, landscape, and the adaptive practices of interiors. Along with the wider Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) postgraduate community, ESALA promotes diverse research practices and models, making it the ideal place for interdisciplinary research.

Collaboration with other schools

This programme also connects with other schools and departments within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS), such as:

• History, Classics and Archaeology
• Literatures, Languages, and Cultures
• Digital Education
• Science and Technology Studies
• Anthropology
• Business

These collaborations allow you to benefit from in-depth supervisory knowledge, and to engage with broader ideas through the cross-disciplinary student community.

Alongside University-wide resources, you will have access to a range of spaces and facilities at the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) campus such as:

• study spaces (some of which are 24-hour access)
• studios
• workshops
• multimedia laboratories
• photography and exhibition facilities
• shared recording space
• recording equipment (available through Bookit, the equipment loan booking system)

There are several bookable spaces for the development of exhibitions, workshops or seminars.

You will also have access to the extraordinary range and quality of exhibitions and events associated with ECA, as a leading college of art situated within a world-class research-intensive university.

Beyond ECA, you may have access to facilities in your co-supervisors' schools, subject to approval. Other schools’ facilities may include specialist equipment as well as libraries and spaces for study.

University libraries and facilities

You will have access to the high-quality facilities of three University of Edinburgh libraries:

• the Main Library (which includes the Centre for Research Collections, where the University of Edinburgh’s historic collections are held)
• the ECA Library
• the Art and Architecture Library

The University is also home to:

• The Talbot Rice Gallery - A public art gallery and part of Edinburgh College of Art, committed to exploring what the University can contribute to contemporary art practice today and into the future
• St Cecilia’s Hall - Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, housing the Music Museum which holds one of the most important historic musical instrument collections

You will also benefit from the University’s extensive range of student support facilities, including accommodation services, wellbeing and support services and student societies.

Other research facilities in Edinburgh

In addition to the University’s facilities, you can access wider resources within the City of Edinburgh, including but not limited to:

• the National Library of Scotland
• the Scottish Studies Library and Digital Archives
• City of Edinburgh Libraries
• Historic Environment Scotland
• National Trust for Scotland

Lauriston campus redevelopment

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project on the ECA website:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art

Cultural heritage is growing internationally as a distinct academic field, leading to a growing number of openings for graduates who wish to pursue an academic career in the field.

Beyond academia, GLAM institutions (Galleries, Libraries and Museums) have traditionally employed PhD graduates as historians, historians of art, and curators.

However, this programme will provide you with more than just historical knowledge and expertise. You will also develop innovative approaches to exploring how your interests can connect with the ways the past is reproduced in the present, in areas such as:

• tourism
• cultural management
• conservation
• curation

Additionally, these innovative approaches will enable you to engage with heritage activism beyond formal institutions, working with community groups, and informal or third-sector organisations that often drive cultural heritage movements and practices on the ground.

This programme is particularly beneficial if you are interested in pursuing a career in the rapidly growing field of cultural heritage management in the Global South.

You will also develop the skills required to contribute to the implementation and development of cultural policy, preparing you to work with organisations such as:

• Historic Environment Scotland or equivalent bodies
• international organisations such as ICCROM or UNESCO
• memory institutions, including sites and museums, libraries, and archaeological units

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in all the same areas as our on-campus programmes.

The PhD by Distance allows students who do not wish to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh to study for a PhD in an ECA subject area from their home country or city.

There is no expectation that students studying for an ECA PhD by Distance study mode should visit Edinburgh during their period of study. However, short-term visits for particular activities could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For further information on the PhD by Distance option, please see the ECA website:

• PhD by Distance

(Updated 18 October 2024 to add information about the PhD by Distance study option)

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

Normally a UK Masters degree or its international equivalent. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of relevant professional experience.

You must also submit a research proposal; see How to Apply section for guidance.

If you meet all of the entry requirements, you will need to attend an online interview with potential supervisors. The interview should last 20-30 minutes. Please note that an offer to study is subject to a successful interview.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured Funding

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding