Medieval Studies - Structured

The programme’s emphasis on languages and source studies equips students with the linguistic skills and interdisciplinary research methods required to undertake innovative research using manuscripts, primary texts, images and other material objects from the period. Students also gain some practical experience in a project-based module.



Depending on their previous qualifications, students attend core modules devoted to Palaeography and Manuscript Studies, alongside Sources & Resources for Medieval Studies during their first two years. These modules equip them with bibliographical and other research skills to find, read and interpret primary materials in multiple disciplines, as well as introducing them to the research questions and methodologies used by experts in such auxiliary sciences as diplomatic, philology, heraldry, text editing, digital humanities; a team-work project focused on digitised manuscript collections is included.



At some point students also study Latin and one or two other medieval vernacular languages (no prior knowledge of these languages is required) and might select topical modules in Archaeology, History, Late Antquity, or Literature in Old/Middle English, Old/Middle Irish, Old/Middle High German, or Medieval French (according to availability and particular interests). Students also complete a project-based module in an area like university tutoring; assisting in a research project, conference organisation or management of research resources; or reaching out to schools or local community groups.



A PhD thesis of 80,000 words is completed by the end of Year 4.



In addition to Supervisor(s), who oversee students’ thesis research and writing, their progress is monitored by a Graduate Research Committee consisting of three members of academic staff best suited to support their particular projects and selected from the full range of participating disciplines.



The Centre for Antique, Medieval, and Pre-modern Studies at University of Galway was created by colleagues in Archaeology, Classics, English, French, German, History, Irish and Old and Middle Irish as an initiative operating under the aegis of the Moore Institute.

Applicants should normally have obtained an honours BA degree (NFQ level 8) in a participating discipline (Archaeology, Classics, History, or English, French, German or Irish Language & Literature), at the minimum class of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 (or equivalent international qualification; e.g., BA with GPA of 3.3); some applicants might have been awarded an MA in one of those disciplines as well.



By the time of application, candidates will have identified a research topic and key primary sources for it in discussion with the member(s) of staff whose academic interests are most appropriate and who have agreed to serve as the applicants’ Supervisor(s). No previous knowledge of Latin or any medieval language is required.

Important: apply by mid-July for September entry.



Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

4 years Full time

Part time option available also