Key Features:
- Rated second in the UK and 17th in the world for the impact of our research, the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York offers an outstanding, dynamic and multidisciplinary environment in which to carry out PhD research. Our current PhD students come from many countries around the world and are funded via research councils, charities, industry, government grants, and private resources.
- Use the find a supervisor tool to search for a PhD supervisor with expertise in a particular area or staff profiles to view individuals’ research interests. We particularly welcome applications that connect with our research themes and groups.
- You should contact potential supervisors early on. They will be happy to give you advice on the feasibility of your research ideas and offer feedback on a draft proposal. For each academic year, we also offer a number of funded studentships to exceptional applicants. Please see the funding section and the list of current PhD projects for more information.
- The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), a leading global environmental policy institute, has one of its largest centres embedded within the Department of Environment and Geography. This unique arrangement allows postgraduate researchers to gain a research degree from the department, while simultaneously benefiting from SEI’s strong links to global policy makers such as UNEP and the World Health Organisation, and international connections with other SEI centres in Stockholm, Bangkok, Nairobi, Oxford, Tallinn, Bogota, and offices in the US.
Programme Structure
Modules include:
- Tropical ecosystem response to environmental change
- Reconstructing Quaternary environments and sea levels
- Managing consequences of climate change
- Glaciology and characterising glacial terrain
- Ecosystem modelling
- Soil systems and biogeochemical cycles
- Environmental change and sustainable societies
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
TOEFL iBT: 79 OR IELTS: 6
Other requirements
General requirements
We prefer applicants to MPhil/PhD programme to have a relevant Masters degree. Those without should consider first taking one of the Department’s taught MScs, a pass in any of which would satisfy minimum entry requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD. International: 58,952 AUD / year (approx. 30,950 GBP / year). Domestic: 9,977 AUD / year (approx. 5,238 GBP / year).
Living costs
York, United Kingdom: 1,230-2,141 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships are available. You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – U.S. government – Grant Various benefits – Deadline 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship – ServiceScape – Grant 1000 USD – Deadline 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships – ACES Education Fund – Grant 3500 USD – Deadline 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility – OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation – Grant Various benefits – Deadline Not specified – Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students – Junhua Li – Grant 19000 GBP – Deadline Not specified – Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Boustany Foundation – Grant Various benefits – Deadline 28 Feb 2027 – Merit-based
- Royal Geographical Society - Dudley Stamp Memorial Award in UK – Royal Geographical Society – Grant 500 GBP – Deadline 23 Nov 2026
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – IvyPanda – Grant 1000 USD – Deadline 31 Oct 2026 – Merit-based
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – Voice Talent Online – Grant 1000 USD – Deadline 01 Mar 2027
- Women Scholarship for International Students – educations.com – Grant 5000 USD – Deadline 28 Aug 2026 – Merit-based
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – Admit Lab – Grant 10000 USD – Deadline 01 Sep 2026 – Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – Salvado Law – Grant 1000 USD – Deadline 13 Jan 2027 – Merit-based
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – Anonymous Hope Fund – Grant 3000 USD – Deadline 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – Grant 22500 GBP – Deadline Not specified
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria – Leopold Figl Foundation – Grant Various benefits – Deadline 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – IELTS from 6 to 9 – Grant 1500 USD – Deadline Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – Grant 12000 USD – Deadline 11 Jan 2027
