Program Overview

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Global Challenges PhD

Research Profile

Addressing Global Challenges with locally owned solutions is a key priority for Brunel University London. Research informed by the needs of society, delivered through research programmes co-created with the intended beneficiaries and stakeholders, is at the heart of their approach. The Global Challenges research objective is to create new knowledge and drive innovation to develop more equitable access to sustainable development.

Research Groups

• African Studies
• AI Social and Digital Innovation
• Arts Health and Social Change
• Circular Food Forum
• Comedy Studies
• Equitable Development and Resilience
• Global Lives
• Harm and Justice Research Group
• Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifecourse
• Human Geography
• Institute of Communities and Society
• Institute of Digital Futures
• Institute of Health, Medicine and Environments
• Living avatars
• Media, Culture and Politics research group
• Migration, Asylum and Law
• Open data analysis in social and political science
• Pollution Research and Policy
• Religion research group
• Social Justice
• South Asia Studies
• Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains
• Sustainable Plastics

Find a Supervisor

Researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

PhD Topics

While applications are welcome from students with a clear direction for their research, some ideas for research topics include:

• Design fictions, supervised by Joseph Giacomin
• Design for meaning, supervised by Joseph Giacomin

Research Journey

This course can be studied 3 years full-time, starting in January, April, or October. Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study.

Research Support

Excellent research support and training are provided through the Graduate School, including workshops, online training, coaching, and events. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in areas such as progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development.

Library Services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost È2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs.

Careers and Your Future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year.

Entry Requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). An interview will be required as part of the admissions process.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)

Fees and Funding

2025/6 Entry

• International: È22,320 full-time
• UK: È5,006 full-time

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase. Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses, or both.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• Brunel Graduate Discount
• Doctoral Researcher / PhD Studentships
• Doctoral Researcher Funding Opportunities

Location of Study

The university is located in Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH.