Environmental Science PhD / MPhil

The Environmental Science PhD/MPhil programme is led by the Ecology and Marine Biology group. We offer a multi-disciplinary research programme for PhD students, combining aspects of community ecology, animal behaviour, conservation biology, ecosystem management and food web ecology in marine and terrestrial systems.

Why study with us?

  • 96%

    of all activity is 'world leading' (4*) or internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

  • 9th

    in the sector for 4* and 3* research overall in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

  • 100%

    of our research impact and environment is 4* and 3* in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

Overview

The Environmental Science PhD/MPhil programme brings together world-leading researchers based at the University of Liverpool and collaborators across industry, charitable organisations and other research institutes. Our research combines cutting-edge theory with a strong focus on real-world issues such as conservation and climate change. We employ field, experimental, analytical and modelling techniques to answer fundamental and pressing research questions.

Our state-of-the-art research facilities enable experimental studies, mass spectroscopy, microscopy and new technologies to be developed. Combined with our well establish field-sites around the world, from the tropics to the poles, our group is ideally placed to support a wide range of PhD projects.  We combine our expertise in a broad range of subject areas to provide an integrated degree programme and our mixed skill set ensures graduates have a range of specific and transferable skills. Training high quality postgraduate researchers is a key priority and the success of our past students evidences this.  We encourage and train students to write and publish academic papers. It is not unusual for our students to complete their PhD programme with 2 or more papers published in international peer-reviewed journals.

 We aim to produce researchers who are internationally recognised in their own fields and understand current environmental and academic research problems, and who also have strong, transferable research skills.

You’ll develop your research skills primarily by completing a project under supervision. These skills include:

  • data collection and management;
  • data interpretation and modelling;
  • critical analysis;
  • analysis and discussion of literature;
  • presentation skills, through international conferences;
  • paper writing skills, through writing manuscripts.

We encourage and train you to publish academic papers. It is not unusual for our students to complete their PhD programme with 2-3 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals.


Study options and fees


The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year

MPhil / PhD Duration UK students International Students
Full time 2-4 years £4,786
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B)
Part time 4-6 years £2,393
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B)

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.


Entry requirements

For all taught and research degree programmes the typical minimum entry requirement is a Bachelors degree (with Honours) at 2:1 level or better and in an appropriate field of study. Equivalent overseas degrees together with an acceptable English language qualification are also accepted. Individual consideration is given to mature students with significant and relevant experience and with professional qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT Overall 6.5 no band below 5.5
TOEFL iBT requirement Minimum 88 overall with L 17 W 17 R 17 and S 19
C1 Advanced CAE requirement Overall 176 with no less than 162 in any paper
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II)ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components
Cambridge IGCSE as a First LanguageGrade C
Cambridge IGCSE as a Second LanguageGrade B
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency)Overall 176 with 162 in components
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 176 with 162 in components
Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 176 with 162 in components

How to apply

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

Applications are open all year round.

More about applying for research degrees

Apply online

Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal


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Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects


Find a scholarship

We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.

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