MPhil / PhD Research

The Greenwich Maritime Institute welcomes applications from qualified students wishing to undertake research leading to MPhil and PhD degrees in maritime related subjects. Together with other Schools in the University, it offers expert research supervision in the fields of maritime policy, maritime labour, maritime history, maritime business, maritime safety, cargo handling and storage, and coastal environment.

As a specialist centre within London , which is staffed by world-class active researchers with strong international links, the GMI offers an exceptionally supportive and stimulating environment. It benefits from many opportunities for contact with those who share their interest in the maritime sector.

Programme of Study

The PhD system in Britain requires that students research independently under the guidance of a supervisor on an agreed topic. They then present a thesis, usually of 100,000 words in Social Sciences or the Humanities, which is orally examined by experts, at least one of whom will be from a University other than where the student is registered.

There are no taught courses to be taken and passed, so no programme as understood in the United States or Canada - though a student will normally be expected to have completed an MA which has included some research training. Registration is normally at first for a MPhil, which would be a shorter thesis, with transfer to PhD registration once the Research Degrees Committee is satisfied that sufficient progress has been made.

Mode of Study:

PhD via transfer from MPhil registration

Full-time minimum of 36 months, maximum 60 months

Part-time minimum of 45 months, maximum 72 months

Entry Requirements

There are two requirements which a British University will require to be met before acceptance for MPhil/PhD registration. The first is that the applicant has sufficient qualification to undertake postgraduate research in the field. The second is that the University has on its staff an individual with sufficient expertise in the field to supervise the student. There has then to be a good match between the choice of thesis topic and the University's areas of competence.

Much therefore will depend on the area in which you intend to undertake your research. Your application should therefore provide as much detail as possible about your chosen topic.

Current Research

Current GMI Staff Research Projects:

•    Running the River Thames: Researching London, Stakeholders and the Environmental  Governance of the River Thames, 1960-2010

•          Projects on the History of the Greenwich Hospital

•    The Unknown War with Spain: 1727-1729

 Recently Completed Staff Research Projects:

•          Thames Governance: Oral Histories 1960-2010 

The thesis titles that our MPhil/PhD students are currently working on are:

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