Entry requirements

All our postgraduate research activity is targeted to doctoral level. As with most British universities, it is usual to register initially for an MPhil degree. Students then transfer to PhD registration subject to satisfactory progress.

To undertake postgraduate research in Geography, you will need to be able to demonstrate your interest in your chosen area, as well as a commitment to at least three years of research activity.

We actively look for evidence of this in your application and references through, for example:

• your interest in, and enthusiasm for an undergraduate project
• your experience of research relating to your proposed area of study
• your work experience in a laboratory (for example Nuffield summer studentship)
• your laboratory, research and/or fieldwork experience (for mature students who narrowly fail to meet academic criteria).

Academic criteria

There is a minimum requirement for all students, whether funded by Research Council studentships or from other sources including self-funding. In all cases, prospective students should have either:

• a minimum of an upper second class honours (2:1) degree, or
• an equivalent set of qualifications, for example a lower second class (2:2) honours degree, plus an MSc.

English language

If English is not your first language, you will need to have already reached a satisfactory standard in an approved test in English, such as  IELTS* at level 6.5

* IELTS qualification must include the Academic Reading and Writing modules. Though overall grade is stated, the minimum grade required in each component is 5.5. Some programmes may require higher grades for specific listening, reading, writing and speaking components. The official IELTS website offers students useful information needed in preparing, taking and understanding results for an IELTS test.

References

With your application, you will need to provide satisfactory references from two academic referees.