History (PhD)

At Cornell University, the tuition fee is 29,500 USD per year.

This doctoral program in History is designed with flexible general requirements, emphasizing a structured path through graduate seminars, language proficiency, research, and examinations. Students actively engage in coursework, demonstrate language skills, complete a research paper, pass qualifying and candidacy exams, and undertake a teaching assistantship before producing and defending their dissertation.

Focus areas include African history, American history, Ancient history, History of science, Public history, Modern European history.

The program structure includes seven graduate-level seminars and a minimum of six semesters of full-time study. Key milestones involve completing a research paper, passing qualifying and candidacy examinations, fulfilling a teaching assistantship, and culminating in a dissertation defense.

Applicants must meet Graduate School requirements, including English language proficiency. Required materials include three recommendations and a writing sample of approximately 50 pages. Admission is for Fall only, with a deadline of December 15.

This is an in-person program located in Ithaca, NY, typically requiring a minimum of six semesters of full-time study. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.