- Degree awarded
- PhD
- Duration
- 3 years
- Entry requirements
-
- Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
- Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent)
- How to apply
Apply online (select PhD Geography, then PhD Physical Geography)
Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Deadlines
For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 20 January 2025.
If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.
- For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025
- Sustainable Development Goals
Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:
- Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Programme options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Y | Y | N | N |
Programme overview
- Become part of a stimulating and supportive research community at one of the top 5 Geography departments in the UK (THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
- Undertake research on a topic of your choice, supervised by an expert in that field.
- Join a department with a 125-year history of geographical studies.
Open days
Our virtual week took place October 2024 – to find out about future sessions to explore postgraduate research opportunities across the university, please visit our study fairs and events page.
To stay up-to-date with future events and recorded sessions in the Faculty of Humanities, please join our postgraduate research email update list .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
PhD (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £6,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £22,000 -
PhD (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £3,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £11,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Your fees will cover the cost of your study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and graduation (excluding graduation robe hire).
Payment of tuition fees will also entitle you to membership of The University of Manchester library, the Students' Union and the Athletic Union.
Scholarships/sponsorships
There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.
To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Environment, Education and Development studentships is 20 January 2025.
All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.
You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.
For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.
- School of Environment, Education and Development Postgraduate Research Studentships 2025 Entry
- China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2025 Entry
- Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2025 Entry
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States) - Competition Closed for 2025 Entry
- President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards 2025 Entry
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
- School of Environment, Education and Development Enhancing Racial Equality (SERE) Studentship 2025 Entry
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Contact name
- Humanities Doctoral Academy Admissions
- Telephone
- +44(0)161 275 1200 OPTION 1
- hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: The School .
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.