Program Overview
Environmental Sustainability PhD
The Environmental Sustainability PhD program is based at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, Dumfries Campus. The staff are experts in many areas of environmental sustainability, including sustainable tourism, environmental risk, community resilience, hydrology, and environmental stewardship.
Overview
The Environmental Science and Sustainability research group covers a broad range of environmental science topics, such as:
- Environmental impacts of tourism
- Hydrological modelling
- Marine pollution
- Environmental chemistry
- Environmental education
All research students have two supervisors, providing complementary expertise. Training is provided in Dumfries, and additional training opportunities are available in Glasgow for:
- Research Design
- Qualitative Methods
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
- Applied Qualitative Methods
- Generalised Linear Models
Study Options
- PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.
- Final assessment involves the submission of a thesis of between 70,000 and 100,000 words and an oral examination (viva voce).
The program welcomes research proposals in the areas of:
- Ecology
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Ecosystems and ecosystem services
- Environmental education
- Embedding sustainability within the curriculum
- The ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics and other novel contaminants
- The formation and distribution of microplastics
- Ecological restoration
- Community land ownership
- Upland management
- Sustainable rural tourism
- Resilience of coastal and deltaic social-ecological systems
- Water pollution and risks to people and ecosystems
- Climate extremes and water hazards
- Hydrological modelling and forecasting
- Hydrologic deep learning
- Groundwater and surface-water interactions
Entry Requirements
Applicants typically require a first or upper second degree or equivalent with research components. Demonstrated academic proficiency and a commitment to the core research themes of the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability are necessary.
English Language Requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training): 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
- TOEFL (ibt, my best or at home): 96 overall with Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
- Pearsons PTE Academic: 66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 59; Speaking 59; Writing 74
- Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
- Oxford English Test: 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8
- LanguageCert Academic SELT: 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70
- Password Skills Plus: 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
- Trinity College Tests: Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
Fees and Funding
Fees
- 2026/27:
- UK: To be confirmed [25/26 fee was Ł5,006]
- International & EU: Ł27,720
- Fees are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Tuition fees for part-time study will be charged at half the full-time annual fee.
Alumni Discount
A 20% discount is offered to University of Glasgow alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes.
Possible Additional Fees
- Re-submission by a research student: Ł540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work: Ł1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship: Ł790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs.
Support
The College of Social Sciences Graduate School provides a range of research programmes based on thorough training in research methods. The Graduate School Researcher Development Programme supports students in planning their professional development over the course of their PhD and ensures employability.
Research Environment
The University supports and develops postgraduate researchers through various seminars, conferences, and events. Modern library and IT services, as well as a wide range of support services, are available.