Ranking
10th
in the UK
Ask us a question
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
Course overview
Our Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution PhD with Integrated Study has been developed to provide a new route to the internationally-respected British PhD degree by incorporating subject knowledge, research training and the development of transferable skills.
The course typically lasts for four years and combines a broad foundation in atmospheric science and air pollution through taught and assessed coursework. With the full research training and experience of a traditional PhD, you will pursue your own research interests in a tightly-focused area.
The campus has a lovely green environment to study in and a wide range of study spaces if I fancy a change from my office. I have access to BlueBEAR the University's supercomputer, which has been an invaluable resource to my research! Also, the University Graduate School holds many events for PGR students so there's always lots to get involved in!
Join our mailing list
Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our latest events, scholarships and subject news.
Course highlights
This course is shaped by the research strengths of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. You'll benefit from the expertise of teams working in applied meteorology, climatology, and air pollution—linked to the UK’s largest university-based air pollution research group.
- Join a long-established school ranked highly for research excellence
- Be part of a research community with an international reputation
- Take part in seminars featuring world-renowned speakers
- Gain the full range of PhD skills, under the guidance of active researchers
- 10th
in the UK
QS World University Rankings 2027
- 68th
in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- Top 2
We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers
High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report
Course delivery
The traditional PhD focuses solely on research and a thesis, while the PhD with Integrated Study combines research with taught modules, allowing you to deepen your subject knowledge and develop transferable skills for careers in education, research, and leadership roles in various sectors.
Lecture
Seminar
Projects
1:1 Supervision
Lectures and Seminars
Unlike traditional research-focused PhDs, our course includes taught modules where you will benefit from knowledge and understanding from a broad foundation of subjects within atmospheric sciences and air pollution.
1:1 Supervision
You will receive personalised 1:1 supervision from your supervisory team which consists of world-class academics, ensuring you receive tailored guidance and focused academic support.
Assessment Methods
This course uses a variety of assessment methods, including, for the major independent research project, a 50,000 word PhD Thesis (dissertation), which is assessed by an oral viva examination."
Module information
The course combines taught modules (taken during years 1 and 2), in the areas of meteorology and air pollution, selected to match your background, interests and research topic, with independent research work (performed predominantly in years 3 and 4), leading to the award of a PhD degree.
Year 1
Year 1
Every year, you are expected to attend a monthly progress meeting with your supervisory team where you will discuss your progress/research. All year 1 PhD students (or year 2 if part-time) will be required to submit a report for their end of year review that provides a reasonable basis for assessment of progress. This should consist of 3,000-5,000 words although there is flexibility in the format. In the first year of your PhD, you will typically focus on writing a literature review and undergoing methodological training, tailored to the needs of your research project.
Year 2
Year 2
During your second year, you will focus on data collection to support your research methodology. This may involve primary data analysis in our world-class facilities. You will also meet regularly with your supervisory team to discuss the progress of your research.
Years 3 and 4
Years 3 and 4
In the final phase of your PhD, you will conduct a detailed analysis of your findings and progress to synthesising the results, culminating in the completion of your thesis.
To be awarded a PhD, students must submit their final thesis and defend it in an oral examination (assessed according to the University's regulations).
Student will choose 110 credits from across List A and List B modules with a minimum of 20 credits from each.
List A. Choose at least 20 credits from the following:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Air Pollution Chemistry | 20 |
| LM Causes and Effects of Air Pollution | 20 |
| LM Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation | 20 |
| Research Methods | 10 |
List B. Choose at least 20 credits from the following:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Physical Climatology, Climate Change and Applications | 20 |
| Theoretical Meteorology: Atmospheric Composition and Physics | 20 |
Research projects
At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.
Find an Advertised PhD
Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
Find a supervisor
If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.
When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.
Members of the Environmental Health Sciences Group can offer supervision in a range of areas including:
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution
- Meteorology and Climate
- Environmental Nanoscience
- Persistent Organic Pollutants
We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff in the Department, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying.
Research themes
Our Environmental Health Sciences research group encompasses diverse research areas and boasts outstanding facilities. Key research areas include (but are not limited too): Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution, Meteorology and Climate, Environmental Nanoscience and Persistent Organic Pollutants.
The Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA)
The Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) distinct approach will be to leverage Birmingham’s comprehensive, interdisciplinary research expertise; and apply/translate ideas, skills and influence into wider engagement and action on climate change and broader sustainability matters.
The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR)
The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) aims to provide fundamental science, social science and cultural research of direct relevance to global forested landscapes. This includes research from the BIFoR Free Air Carbon Dioxide (FACE) facility.
Entry requirements
- 2:1 Honours degree
in a relevant discipline
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 a PhD without having completed a taught Masters degree.
Research proposal
If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use. The broader importance of this project for society, policymakers and businesses should also be covered.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
International entry requirements
Fees and scholarships
- £5,400
Full-time
Funding options
Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship
You devise your own PhD topic, find and consult with a potential supervisor, explore funding opportunities, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would strongly encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
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.
Career opportunities
This programme provides students with professional skills required for careers in professional education and research, and for senior positions in public and private sector organisations.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.
Careers Support
At Birmingham, we prepare our researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.
You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
We are consistently one of the top universities targeted by graduate employers
We are one of the most consistently targeted UK universities by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2026). Read more about the achievements of our alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll have a variety of choices of accommodation. Stay with us in our dedicated postgraduate halls or explore a wide range of private accommodation close to campus.
Birmingham: a city built for students
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.