Research Degrees
The buildings, staff and facilities of the Nottingham Geospatial Institute provide a model environment to conduct world-leading research.According to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), more than 98% of research within the Faculty of Engineering is of international quality, with 85% graded as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
The diversity of research areas combined with our state-of-the-art facilities and technical expertise means that our institute is at the forefront of research and teaching in Geospatial Engineering and Geospatial Science.
The institute offers suitably qualified graduates excellent opportunities to study for PhD and MPhil degrees within one of the research themes below, depending on their specialism, but may involve working in cross-disciplinary teams with researchers from across the University.
Research projects and themes
The institute is working on a range of research projects under four primary research themes:
Associated with these are a number of cross-cutting application themes, currently:
- Disaster response and mitigation
- Environmental monitoring
- Global food security
- Integrated transport
Funding opportunities
PhD studentships are available through University-funded and externally funded sources.
We are looking to recruit postgraduate students from a diverse range of scientific disciplines, including civil engineering, computing, electronic engineering, geodesy, GIS and remote sensing. The institute has a dynamic, vibrant and highly stimulating teaching and research environment, which is achieved through an international blend of students and researchers who are committed to innovative learning, scientific innovation and discovery. We welcome applications from home and international students for our postgraduate research programme
Academic support
Throughout your research degree you will be supported by the University, faculty and institute, ensuring that you benefit from a high standard of education and training, enabling you to become an independent researcher with a range of specialist and transferable skills.
To this end, all postgraduate students are enrolled into the University's Graduate School, based in the Trent Building on the University Park Campus. This offers excellent facilities including social and study spaces, computer facilities and seminar rooms. The Graduate School training programme comprises over 60 courses, covering a range of skills identified as essential transferable skills in the research councils’ joint skills statement. These include communication and presentation skills, and research, time and career management.
The faculty provides the services and amenity of the Engineering and Science Graduate Centre for all postgraduate students, with the aim of improving postgraduate employability through career and personal development.
The University has also instigated an early skills audit and training programme, to address any professional, research management and research methods, and technical needs.
The institute makes short taught courses from its masters programme available to new entrants, to augment or update existing knowledge, from a range of geospatial subjects
Nottingham life
The University of Nottingham offers the opportunity of a busy and exciting social life - thanks to the diversity of our postgraduate student population, the fabulous sports and leisure facilities available, together with nursery and creche facilities, and the support of the Students' Union and the Postgraduate Community. Best of all, the wide range of activities means that there's something to suit every personality.
The University also provides modern, comfortable and lively residences that are perfect for integration into postgraduate student life. The University's Accommodation Service will guarantee to offer you a room in university managed halls of residence for at least one year.