The University of Liverpool has pioneered the study of the ancient world for more than 120 years. The University established the first centre in the UK dedicated to studying the methods and practices of Egyptology and archaeology and continues to enjoy an international reputation for teaching and research excellence in these subject areas.
Egyptological research at Liverpool covers a comprehensive range of the topics studied within the discipline of Egyptology, in one of the largest hubs for the academic study of the human past in the UK.
Our publications on the material culture, language, literature and documentary texts of ancient Egypt, as well as the social history and archaeology, are at the forefront of research in these fields. Our graduates hold academic and museum posts worldwide.
Alongside our interdisciplinary research, training is available in a wide range of ancient languages, including Egyptian (Middle and Late), Coptic, Greek, Latin, Sumerian and Akkadian.
We particularly welcome research proposals that involve:
We also welcome interdisciplinary projects focusing on relations between Egypt and the Near East, and Graeco-Roman Egypt.
The Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology is internationally reputed for its world-class interdisciplinary research in diverse fields ranging from the origins of humanity and Old-World prehistory to the cultures, languages and texts of the late antiquity and the archaeology of the historical periods.
Our Egyptology research group provides a dynamic forum for the exchange of new concepts and cutting-edge knowledge produced by staff and postgraduate researchers. This is achieved through a dedicated seminar series which provide opportunities for academic staff and postgraduate researchers to present their work, develop their research profile, and interact with leading figures from the UK and abroad, who participate in departmental research events as invited speakers.
Potential supervisors for this PhD include:
View the staff list for the Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology for details of potential supervisors across the department.
If you’d like any help finding a supervisor, please email HLC-PGR@liverpool.ac.uk.
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £24,600
Part-time place, per year - £12,300
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
Are you a UK student submitting a research proposal for our Egyptology PhD and you'll be commencing the programme in academic year 2025/26? You could be eligible to apply to have your tuition fees paid for up to three years of full-time study. One award is available.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
A key focus of our research activities is the Garstang Museum of Archaeology, one of the most important collections of antiquities in the UK. The museum includes objects excavated in Egypt, the Aegean, Sudan and the Near East. We also maintain research collaborations with other important Egyptological collections in the North-West, as well those hosted by the Liverpool World Museum and the Manchester Museum.
The archaeological science facilities also include the Elizabeth Slater Archaeology Research Laboratories and a dedicated research microscopy suite. These facilities support departmental staff and student research in archaeobotany and anthracology, archaeozoology, archaeomaterials, human remains and stable isotopes, lithics and ceramics, post-excavation analysis, geographic information systems applications, experimental archaeology and archaeological photography.
Postgraduate researchers are supported by specialist library collections which include extensive digital resources, bibliographical tools, online reference materials, subject-oriented search engines, and specialist books and journals held in the University libraries. You’ll also be allocated shared office space with networked PCs.
These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.
Want to find out more about studying a PhD with us? Chat with our postgraduate research student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.
We typically require a UK master’s degree and 2:1 undergraduate degree, in subjects relevant to the proposed field of research, or equivalent academic qualifications from non-UK institutions. Your master’s degree should preferably be a Pass at 65% or above, or equivalent.
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.