Geography PhD
- Full-time: 3 to 4 years
- Part-time: 6 to 8 years
- Start date: Multiple available
- UK fees: £4,625
- International fees: Up to £26,500 per year
Research overview
A leading centre of postgraduate teaching and research, the School of Geography has internationally recognised strengths across the discipline.
Our PhD programme enables you to conduct original research across a wide range of geographical research areas.
Our students are an integral part of our wider research and teaching community. Individual projects may cut across research areas, for example, in fields such as environmental management. You will also be supported by two academic supervisors, who may be drawn from more than one of our research groups.
Our research areas include:
Shaped by, and shaping, wider developments in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Sub-themes include:
- Cultures of landscape
- Historical geographies of empire, environment and health
- Histories of geographical and environmental knowledge
Analyses contemporary economic phenomena. It is characterised by the development of innovative theoretical approaches that are attuned to the cultural, political and social dimensions of economic life. Sub-themes include:
- Money
- Knowledge
- Bodies
- Value
Encompasses research around environment-society relationships. Sub-themes include:
- Health, environment and society
- Climate change, environmental risk and resilience
- Environmental knowledge, governance and politics
- Environment, culture and sustainability
Leading research in earth and environmental systems over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Sub-themes include:
- Biogeography
- Environmental reconstruction
- Informatics
- Water resources
Course content
You must complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.
Supervision
Full-time students should aim to meet with their supervisors at least 10 times each year. This would be at least six times in the same period for part-time students.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2022 entry.
| Degree | Masters (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, with an average of 60% or above; applicants with a 2:1 (or international equivalent) or other suitable qualifications and/or at least two years of relevant professional experience also considered |
| Degree | Masters (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, with an average of 60% or above; applicants with a 2:1 (or international equivalent) or other suitable qualifications and/or at least two years of relevant professional experience also considered |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| IELTS | 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
Meeting our English language requirements
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.
Applying
Find a supervisorPlease make sure that we have a supervisor who shares an interest in your proposed area of research before applying.
Individual projects may be based within one of the research themes or cross over between research groups, and you may have supervisors drawn from more than one group.
Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.
How to applyFees
| Home / UK | £4,625 per year |
| International | For science based research, the international fee will be £26,500 per year. For social science based research, the fee will be £20,000 per year. |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you will pay international tuition fees in most cases. If you are resident in the UK and have 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will be entitled to 'home' fee status.
Irish students will be charged tuition fees at the same rate as UK students. UK nationals living in the EU, EEA and Switzerland will also continue to be eligible for 'home' fee status at UK universities until 31 December 2027.
For further guidance, check our information for applicants from the EU.
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Additional costs
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.
Funding
There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.
Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.
Postgraduate fundingSupport
Department specific support
You will join a vibrant postgraduate community within the School of Geography and a supervisory team will oversee your progress.
Research seminars
During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in our research seminars. These talks from visiting speakers, and internal research workshops given by members of the school including postgraduate research students, provide you the chance to enrich your knowledge.
Researcher training and development
The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.
Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.
Graduate centres
Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.
Each space has areas for:
- studying
- socialising
- computer work
- seminars
- kitchen facilities
Student support
You will have access to a range of support services, including:
- academic and disability support
- childcare services
- counselling service
- faith support
- financial support
- mental health and wellbeing support
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
Students' Union
Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.
There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:
- international students
- black and minority ethnic students
- students who identify as women
- students with disabilities
- LGBT+ students
SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.
Where you will learn
Library facilities - Geography
The Hallward Library stocks all of the major geography publications and journals. Our library facilities open long hours and include areas for group work, individual and silent study.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
School facilities - Geography
In addition to University IT services, you will be provided with your own desk space and laptop, and will have access to photocopying and telephone facilities. The school also has a number of specialised facilities, depending on your needs or research area.
Where you will learn
Library facilities - Geography
The Hallward Library stocks all of the major geography publications and journals. Our library facilities open long hours and include areas for group work, individual and silent study.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
School facilities - Geography
In addition to University IT services, you will be provided with your own desk space and laptop, and will have access to photocopying and telephone facilities. The school also has a number of specialised facilities, depending on your needs or research area.
Where you will learn
Library facilities - Geography
The Hallward Library stocks all of the major geography publications and journals. Our library facilities open long hours and include areas for group work, individual and silent study.
Research Excellence Framework
We are ranked 8th in the UK for research power (2014). The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system used by UK higher education funding bodies to assess research quality in universities.
- 75% of the school's research output was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
- More than 97% of research at Nottingham is recognised internationally
- More than 80% of our research is ranked in the highest categories as world-leading or internationally excellent
- 16 of our 29 subject areas feature in the UK top 10 by research power
This content was last updated on 15 October 2021. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.