Key Information
- Duration: Full-time, 36 months
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting September 2027. Apply before June 2027.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round, but if you wish to start in September, you should apply by 1 June.
English Requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score: 4.5)
- PTE Academic: 64
- IELTS: 6
Overview
The Earth Sciences doctorate from the University of Birmingham is a vibrant research and postgraduate teaching department with staff working on a broad range of research projects.
Explore the dynamic processes shaping our planet through a research-intensive PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This programme offers the opportunity to work alongside world-leading experts on projects that address some of the most pressing environmental and geological challenges of our time.
Career Opportunities
PhD students have received funding from research councils, the petroleum and water industries, the EU, Nirex, the British Council, and various governments.
This PhD will prepare you to work with these organizations.
Programme Structure
Research theme includes:
- Hydrogeology
- Palaeobiology
- Palaeoenvironments
- Palaeoclimatology
- Subsurface structure and properties
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English Requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score: 4.5)
- PTE Academic: 64
- IELTS: 6
Other Requirements
- Entry on to the courses requires a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject plus a relevant masters degree.
- If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It's a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 55,875 AUD / year (≈ 29,310 GBP / year)
Domestic: 9,985 AUD / year (≈ 5,238 GBP / year)
Additional Details: UK: £2,619 part-time; International: £14,665 part-time
Living Costs
In Birmingham, United Kingdom: 1,458-2,162 AUD / month
Funding
Scholarships are available. Below you will find PhD scholarship opportunities for Earth Sciences.
Available Scholarships
- Tackling Health Inequalities in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation – University of Birmingham – Deadline: 07 Sep 2026 – Various benefits – Merit-based
- Birmingham Marshall Scholarship – University of Birmingham – Deadline: 24 Sep 2026 – Various benefits
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – U.S. government – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 – Various benefits
- ServiceScape Scholarship – ServiceScape – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026 – 1000 USD
- ACES Scholarships – ACES Education Fund – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026 – 3500 USD
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility – OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation – Deadline: Not specified – Various benefits – Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students – Junhua Li – Deadline: Not specified – 19000 GBP – Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Boustany Foundation – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 – Various benefits – Merit-based
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – IvyPanda – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 – 1000 USD
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – Voice Talent Online – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 – 1000 USD
- Women Scholarship for International Students – educations.com – Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 – 5000 USD – Merit-based
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – Admit Lab – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 – 10000 USD – Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – Salvado Law – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 – 1000 USD
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – Anonymous Hope Fund – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – 3000 USD – Need-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – Deadline: Not specified – 22500 GBP
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – IELTS from 6 to 9 – Deadline: Not specified – 1500 USD
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027 – 12000 USD