PhD in Susan Leedham

At University of Plymouth, applications for the Sep 2027 intake close on Aug 31, 2027; tuition fees are 17,800 GBP per year.

Engage in a Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) that bridges the gap between academic research and public heritage, offering a unique opportunity to embed your scholarship within professional cultural institutions. This programme is designed for researchers who wish to move beyond isolated study and instead contribute directly to the curation, interpretation, and public accessibility of significant historical archives.

Researching the Cottonian Collection

By partnering with organisations such as the Plymouth City Council Arts and Heritage Service, candidates gain access to primary source materials that have often remained underexplored. The programme facilitates a dual-mentorship model, where students benefit simultaneously from the rigorous academic guidance of University supervisors and the practical, industry-specific expertise of museum curatorial staff.

• Real-world integration: Apply theoretical frameworks to live projects, including exhibition curation, gallery display development, and public engagement initiatives.
• Professional development: Gain four years of hands-on experience within a curatorial department, ensuring research findings have a tangible, lasting impact.
• Unique access: Access rare, nationally designated historical collections and archives, positioning your PhD at the forefront of specific humanities fields.

This pathway is ideal for those seeking a career in the heritage sector, public humanities, or academia, providing the necessary skills to communicate complex historical narratives to diverse public audiences.

University of Plymouth, situated on England’s southwest coast, is a modern, student-centred university with around 18,000 students and a welcoming international community. The campus blends contemporary facilities with strong industry links, particularly in marine science, health, engineering and business. Plymouth emphasises practical learning and employability, offering placements, internships and project-based modules that connect students directly with employers and local partners.

International students find Plymouth attractive for its supportive campus services, range of student societies and manageable city scale that balances urban amenities with coastal lifestyle. The university provides pre‑arrival guidance, English language support and dedicated international student teams to ease transition and help with accommodation, visas and wellbeing. Teaching approaches combine lectures, labs and applied projects, while research-active staff bring real-world problems into the classroom.

Graduates from Plymouth benefit from strong regional and national employer engagement, which can lead to placements, graduate roles and entrepreneurial support through incubators and career services. The city’s quality of life, lower cost compared with larger UK cities and emphasis on hands-on learning make Plymouth a practical choice for students seeking a balanced academic experience and strong prospects for work or further study after graduation.