Program Overview

Environmental Sciences PhD/MPhil/MRes

Overview

The Environmental Sciences PhD/MPhil/MRes program at the University of Nottingham is a research-based degree that allows students to explore various aspects of environmental science, including climate change, ecology, and conservation.

Research Overview

The program focuses on two main research areas:

• Climate Change: Understanding how climate has varied over time, what has caused this variation, and how it has impacted on plants and animals, shaping evolution.
• Ecology: Studying a wide range of topics in applied ecology, from microbes to insects to elephants, and contributing to the theoretical and empirical study of natural ecosystems.

Course Content

The program offers three different degrees:

• PhD: An independent in-depth research project, with regular meetings with a supervisor and an annual review.
• MPhil: A shorter research degree, with a research project over one to two years, and a supervisor to support the student.
• MRes: A one-year course that includes an original independent research project worth 160 credits, and 20 credits of taught modules.

Entry Requirements

• Home / UK students: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, or 2:2 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject with a Merit at masters level.
• EU / International students: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, or 2:2 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject with a Merit at masters level.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element), or other English language qualifications.

Fees and Funding

• Home / UK students: £5,006 (PhD), £5,006 (MPhil and MRes).
• International students: £32,400 (PhD, low-cost projects), £35,750 (PhD, high-cost lab-based), £44,000 (PhD, technically intensive or specialised projects), £56,400 (PhD, exceptional technically intensive or specialised projects), £32,400 or £38,400 (MPhil and MRes, depending on the nature of the project).

Support

• Researcher training and development: The Researcher Academy provides training and support for postgraduate researchers.
• Student support: 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, and welfare support.
• Students' Union: The Postgraduate Students’ Network and the dedicated Postgraduate Officer provide support and representation for postgraduate students.

Careers

• Careers advice: Expert staff provide careers advice and support, including one-to-one appointments, online courses, and workshops.
• Graduate immigration route: International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course.

Facilities

• Sutton Bonington Campus: A countryside location with world-leading laboratories, student services, a library, sports centre, and places to eat.
• Environmental Sciences: The Hounsfield Facility houses x-ray computed tomography and laser ablation tomography, and the Gateway building is designed around ecological and soil-based research with specialised soil-processing labs, chemistry, ecology, and microbiology facilities.