Environmental Health and Risk Management PhD/MSc (Research)

Start date
September
Duration
PhD: 3 years full-time; MSc (Research): 1 year full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Doctoral research
Fees
£4,778 FT (UK students)
£27,360 FT (International Students)
More detail

Our Environmental Health and Risk Management PhD is set in the dynamic and internationally recognised research environment of the Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management (DEHRM), which mixes pure, strategic and applied research to attract extensive funding from many sources.

Our key research areas are: air pollution and atmospheric chemistry; applied meteorology and climatology; environmental nanoscience and persistent organic pollutants.

Our research attracts extensive funding from many sources. The collaborative nature of much of our work, together with the mix of pure, strategic and applied research, provides a dynamic and internationally recognised research environment.

The Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management (DEHRM) is based in the well-equipped, purpose-built facilities of the University's Public Health Building. Our research attracts extensive funding from many sources, including the:

  • Department of Transport
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Environment Agency
  • Department of Health
  • Food Standards Agency
  • National Environment Research Council (NERC)
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
  • Leverhulme Trust
  • European programmes

The collaborative nature of much of this work, together with the mix of pure, strategic and applied research, often involving interdisciplinary teams spanning physical, biological, chemical, medical and social sciences, provides a dynamic and internationally recognised research environment.

As a young scientist and an aspiring academic, I think that Birmingham has given me ample opportunities to prepare myself for the years ahead. I have received scientific training in my field of research, organised and participated in national and international symposia and conferences, and written grant applications (albeit small ones). These, together with a plethora of other training opportunities (e.g. academic writing, conference management, public engagement and the impact of research on public policy), have enabled me to continue to pursue a career in science.

Pallavi Pant

Why study this course?

Postgraduate students joining the School benefit from a thriving research community, expert supervision, dedicated training programmes and the opportunity to participate in research seminars and discussions with academic staff. All postgraduate students are provided with dedicated workspaces and have access to excellent computing and laboratory facilities.

Fees

Fees for 2024/25

PhD and MPhil:

  • Code 6606: UK students £4,778 FT 
  • Code 6606: PhD International students £27,360 FT only
  • Code 6607: UK students £2,389 PT 
  • Code 6609: MPhil International students £13,680 PT

Learn more about fees and funding.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

The School is the lead institution for the NERC-funded CENTA Doctoral Training Centre, which funds between five and seven PhD UK/EU studentships at Birmingham each year.

For further information contact the School directly or get in touch with the Funding, Graduation & Awards via the online enquiries system.

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

Entry on to the courses requires a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline plus a relevant masters degree.

Learn more about entry requirements.

International Requirements



International Students

English language requirements

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band)


  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

For information on research interests, please refer to the Environmental Health Research Group.

Research in the Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management attracts funding from organisations including the Environment Agency, the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency. This PhD will give you the skills to work and research within organisation such as these.