Martin Pugh graduated in modern history and politics in 1969 and then spent the years 1969–71 on Voluntary Service Overseas as lecturer in European history at the Aligarh Muslim University in India. After returning to Britain, he completed research for his Ph.D. at Bristol University and the Institute of Historical Research, London University, from 1971 to 1974. He taught at the University of Newcastle from 1974 to 1999.