Geography and Environmental Sciences PhD/MPhil: University of Briminghum

Geography and Environmental Sciences has a strong international reputation for interdisciplinary research in hydrology, ecology, climate and atmospheric sciences, environmental health and risk management, economy, enterprise and development, urban forms, culture, politics, service worlds and emerging regions. Earth Sciences is particularly known for its work in geophysics, hydrogeology, palaeobiology, and tectonics and basin studies.

The School provides significant opportunities to build upon and develop research within the three disciplines, and particularly to foster interdisciplinary research.

They offer facilities for postgraduate study leading to degrees in science, social science and arts. There are about 40 full-time teaching staff with research interests in most branches of the subject, as well as a flourishing postgraduate section with more than 50 research students from the UK and overseas. Students are accepted for research in most aspects of geography according to staff specialisms.

They have excellent computer and laboratory facilities. Appropriate training is an integral part of their research activity, and is organised by a separate research committee. All research students participate in a formal training programme, which includes workshops covering aspects of the philosophy and methodology of geography, and attendance at and contribution to research seminars held on a regular basis throughout the year.

Research interests of staff

• General environmental issues of pollution and climate change; the application of understanding the fluorescence properties of substances found in the environment to climate and pollution problems.
  Contact: Dr Andrew Baker
  Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8133
  Email: a.baker.2@bham.ac.uk
• Cultural and political geography; the symbolic role of space and nature in the construction of nationhood and national identities, particularly in Russia, Germany and the United States; the history and current renaissance of geopolitics; space and neo-conservatism after the Cold War; the political aesthetics of landscape representation in the visual arts; landscape as a genre in Stalinist Socialist Realism (1930s–1950s).
  Contact: Dr Mark Bassin
  Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3878
  Email: m.bassin@bham.ac.uk

English language requirements

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk...

Entry requirements

The normal entrance requirements for MPhil or PhD study are a first degree of at least good UK upper second-class Honours standard, an appropriate standard of English and adequate financial support. The requirements also allow for entry based on comparable ability, as indicated by a good UK MSc performance or a lower first degree performance plus substantial relevant experience.

For more information about Entry requirements visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/entry/

How to apply

Online applications

If you submit an online application, please write your ID number on your supporting documents when you send them to us. You will receive an ID number by email on the day after you submit your application (apart from applications submitted on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when the email will arrive on Monday).

If you send in your supporting documents before completing the online application form, please make sure that you write your full name, date of birth and the programme you are applying for on all the documents.

Paper application form

If you apply using the paper application form, please include, where possible, your supporting documents with the application.

Where to send supporting documents

• Address: Admissions
  Aston Webb Building
  University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK

Tuition fees and costs

The University charges an annual tuition fee. This covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students. Fees are payable at the start of your programme.

When you accept the offer of a place, you are also accepting responsibility for the payment of your tuition fees, even if you are sponsored or in receipt of an award and the sponsor fails to pay. It is therefore very important that you have sufficient funds available to you. Unfortunately, if you fail to pay the fees, you will not be permitted to continue your studies.

For more information about tuition fees visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/finance/fees.shtml

For general information about open days

• 3 December

Their Postgraduate Open Day is the ideal opportunity to visit the University and find out more about the research areas or programmes that interest you.

• Contact person: Steve Allmark
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5430
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email: pgopenday@contacts.bham.ac.uk

For more information about other tours and visits:

• Contact: Student Recruitment and Outreach Office
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Email: schools-liaison@bham.ac.uk

Contact details

Main University Switchboard

• Postal Address: University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Postgraduate Admissions

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5488
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 6378
• Email: admissions@bham.ac.uk

International Applicant Enquiries

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3694
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email: international@bham.ac.uk

Financial Support Office

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6720
• Fax: + 44(0)121 414 7926
• Email: financialsupport@bham.ac.uk