Geography PhD
- Full-time: 3 to 4 years
- Part-time: 6 to 8 years
- Start date: Multiple available
- UK fees: £5,350
- International fees: £23,000 for social sciences based or £30,750 for science based
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 at least two academic advisors, who may be drawn from more than one of our research groups.
Our research in the school is interdisciplinary; crossing many disciplines and adopting many research methods and analyses. It also transects across various timescales (past, present and future) and spatial scales.
The school is organised into research themes, namely:
- Earth Observation and Geospatial Data Science
- Biogeography, Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration
- Cultural and Historical Geography
- Freshwater Science and Management
- Health, Environment and Society
- Environmental Change
- Economic and Political Worlds
Course content
You must complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic advisors. You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.
Academic advisors
Full-time students should aim to meet with their advisors at least 12 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 2025 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.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
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 an academic advisorPlease make sure that we have an academic advisor 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 advisors 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 | £5,350 |
| International | £23,000 for social sciences based or £30,750 for science based |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
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
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). For more information on the equipment that you need for your studies, please visit the equipment advice.
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 an advisory team will oversee your progress.
The school also provides its own training opportunities with the support of our Postgraduate Training Officer.
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, which will 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.
The School of Geography also has a great reputation for research which made it an even more attractive place to undertake postgraduate study. It also helps that the campus is extremely beautiful. The support on the course is great, there are numerous members of staff you can go to if you are unsure of anything, in addition to your main supervisors.”
Katie Keddie, PhD Geography
Research Excellence Framework
The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
- 100% of the school's research output was found to be of international quality
- 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
- 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
- 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**
*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.
This content was last updated on 05 September 2024. 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.