Climate Change, Sustainability and Society

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second class honours degree from a social sciences or law discipline, and a master's qualification, achieving at least a merit (or equivalent) with appropriate research training.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The PhD Climate Change, Sustainability and Society is designed to cultivate a new generation of researchers equipped to tackle the urgent social challenges of sustainability in the context of global environmental change.

Sustainability research asks how ecosystems and human wellbeing can be maintained and enhanced in the long term, given rising populations, limited natural resources and a fragile environment. Rooted in social sciences, the field is applied and policy-oriented, with a strong focus on future-directed, strategic solutions.

The programme requires a broad, interdisciplinary approach, drawing on disciplines such as economics, law, politics, psychology of sustainability, geography, and demography. Students are exposed to diverse perspectives to build the knowledge and skills required to work collaboratively across disciplines. We welcome students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.

You will typically be registered in the school of your first supervisor, which may differ from the school handling your application.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

The Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences has an allocation of MSc/MRes + PhD and PhD only ESRC scholarships.

The PhD Climate Change, Sustainability and Society falls under the SWDTP pathway "Climate Change, Sustainability and Society" and the PhD can be combined with MSc/MRes degrees under this pathway within the Faculty, as outlined on the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) website.

The length of these scholarships will be dependent on training needs and can vary, with the shortest generally being 3 years and 6 months (for PhD only).

For details on applying for ESRC funding, please visit the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) website.

Please visit the school's fees and funding web pages for further information.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.