Program Overview

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Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution PhD

The Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution PhD with Integrated Study is a program designed to provide a new route to the internationally-respected British PhD degree. This program combines subject knowledge, research training, and the development of transferable skills.

Course Overview

The course typically lasts for four years and combines a broad foundation in atmospheric science and air pollution through taught and assessed coursework. With the full research training and experience of a traditional PhD, students will pursue their own research interests in a tightly-focused area.

Course Highlights

• Join a long-established school ranked highly for research excellence
• Be part of a research community with an international reputation
• Take part in seminars featuring world-renowned speakers
• Gain the full range of PhD skills, under the guidance of active researchers

Course Delivery

The traditional PhD focuses solely on research and a thesis, while the PhD with Integrated Study combines research with taught modules, allowing students to deepen their subject knowledge and develop transferable skills for careers in education, research, and leadership roles in various sectors.

Lectures and Seminars

Unlike traditional research-focused PhDs, this course includes taught modules where students will benefit from knowledge and understanding from a broad foundation of subjects within atmospheric sciences and air pollution.

1:1 Supervision

Students will receive personalized 1:1 supervision from their supervisory team, which consists of world-class academics, ensuring they receive tailored guidance and focused academic support.

Module Information

The course combines taught modules (taken during years 1 and 2), in the areas of meteorology and air pollution, selected to match the student's background, interests, and research topic, with independent research work (performed predominantly in years 3 and 4), leading to the award of a PhD degree.

Year 1

• Every year, students are expected to attend a monthly progress meeting with their supervisory team where they will discuss their progress/research.
• All year 1 PhD students (or year 2 if part-time) will be required to submit a report for their end of year review that provides a reasonable basis for assessment of progress.
• Students will choose 110 credits from across List A and List B modules with a minimum of 20 credits from each.
  • List A:
    • LM Air Pollution Chemistry | 20 credits
    • LM Causes and Effects of Air Pollution | 20 credits
    • LM Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation | 20 credits
    • Research Methods | 10 credits
  • List B:
    • LM Physical Climatology, Climate Change and Applications | 20 credits
    • Theoretical Meteorology: Atmospheric Composition and Physics | 20 credits

Research Projects

At Birmingham, students can apply for an advertised PhD or propose their own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.

Research Themes

Our Environmental Health Sciences research group encompasses diverse research areas and boasts outstanding facilities. Key research areas include:

• Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution
• Meteorology and Climate
• Environmental Nanoscience
• Persistent Organic Pollutants

Entry Requirements

• 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline
• Applicants for a degree by research should have at least a good Honours degree (minimum: upper second-class or equivalent).
• Students are not normally admitted to a PhD without having completed a taught Masters degree.

Fees and Scholarships

• £5,181 (full-time)
• A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants.

Application Process

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, students will need to submit their application and supporting documents online. If applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

Career Opportunities

This programme provides students with professional skills required for careers in professional education and research, and for senior positions in public and private sector organisations. Many research students are aiming for academic careers, and the University recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for them to be involved in teaching and tutorial work, without compromising their obligations as research students.

Related Courses

• Environmental Health and Risk Management PhD
• Earth Sciences PhD / MPhil

Student Experience

At Birmingham, students will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills, and make friends for life. The University offers a huge variety of accommodation options, exciting activities to get involved in outside of studies, as well as all the support and advice needed.