Archives and Records Management PhD / MPhil

Our innovative, international and interdisciplinary approach has established us as a leading centre for archival education and research. With expertise in archival science, digital curation and information governance, the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies attracts researchers and students from diverse disciplines and places to tackle the problems of creating and preserving records and archives as evidence and sources for a range of endeavours, such as law, science, history and the arts.

Why study with us?

  • 1947

    - offering postgraduate education and training in archives and records management.

Overview

With expertise in archival science, digital curation and information governance, the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies attracts researchers and students from diverse disciplines and places to tackle the problems of creating and preserving records and archives as evidence and sources for a range of endeavours, such as law, science, history and the arts.

Our research interests include:

  • Public sector information management (regulatory environments, systems and practices)
  • Access to information (cultures of secrecy and openness, Freedom of Information, open data, privacy, information activism)
  • Displaced archives and shared archival heritage
  • Postcolonial archives (postcolonial theory, imperial and Commonwealth administrative history)
  • Intellectual history of archival science (concepts connected with appraisal, classification, description, access, etc).

Facilities

Libraries

As a Russell Group institution, the University of Liverpool offers superb library facilities for studying and researching archival studies.

Museums and galleries

As well as our own Victoria Gallery and Museum, you can take advantage of our strong links with the Museum of Liverpool, International Slavery Museum and Walker Art Gallery.


Study options and fees


The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year

MPhil / PhD Duration UK students International Students
Full time 2-4 years £4,786
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B)
Part time 4-6 years £2,393
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B)

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.


Entry requirements

Applications are welcome from well qualified graduates who wish to undertake research programmes leading to a PhD on either a full or part-time basis. For research we similarly expect candidates to normally hold a UK first degree in the first or 2:1 class in a relevant subject, and most successful candidates will also have an academic or professional master’s qualification. 

English language requirements

IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT Overall 6.5 no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT requirement Minimum 88 overall with L 19 W 19 R 19 and S 20
C1 Advanced CAE requirement Overall 176 with no less than 169 in any paper
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II)ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components
Cambridge IGCSE as a First LanguageGrade C
Cambridge IGCSE as a Second LanguageGrade B
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency)Overall 176 with 169 in components
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 176 with 169 in components
Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 176 with 169 in components

How to apply

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

Applications are open all year round.

More about applying for research degrees

Apply online

Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal


Find a supervisor

View supervisors in this area

Dr Margaret Procter

Ms Victoria Stobo

View staff list

Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us


Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects


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Find a scholarship

We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.

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