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Geography PhD (Urban and Regional Studies)

Start date
September
Duration
PhD: 3 years full-time equivalent
Course Type
Postgraduate, Doctoral research
Fees

£4,778 FT (UK students)
£21,360 FT (International Students)

More detail

Our Geography (Urban and Regional Studies) PhD is offered by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS), which has ESRC recognition for its research training programmes. The course may include a coursework element and can be taken on a full- or part-time basis.

This PhD is offered by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS). The PhD degree may include a coursework element and can be taken on a full- or part-time basis.

Prospective applicants are invited to apply, outlining their research interests. We have ESRC recognition for our research training programmes.

Students will be awarded a PhD from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Degrees may include a coursework element and can be taken on a full- or part-time basis. Prospective applicants are invited to apply, outlining their research interests.

Fees

Fees for 2024/25

  • Code 2498: UK students £4,778 FT
  • Code 2498: International students £21,360 FT only  
  • Code 2499: UK students £2,389 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

We are eligible to receive studentships from ESRC ('1+3'. ‘+3’ and CASE/ESRC) and AHRC. We also offer a number of our own postgraduate studentships, available to both home and overseas students. 

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.

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

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

Applicants for a degree by research should have at least a good Honours degree (minimum: upper second-class or equivalent). Students are not normally admitted to an MPhil or PhD degree without first having completed a taught 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

Please contact Staff who follow your area of interest, to discuss any possible topics of research.  See areas of research within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

We help research students to produce publications arising from their work and encourage them to publish as single authors when appropriate. Many research students are aiming for academic careers and we recognise the importance of providing opportunities for them to be involved in teaching and tutorial work, without compromising their obligations as research students.