Ranking
17th
in the UK (QS Rankings 2025)
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Course overview
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.
I have really enjoyed my time so far at the University of Birmingham studying for a PhD in Extratropical cyclones. 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!
Course structure
This course is designed to be completed in 3-4 years on a full-time basis. Each PhD within the department is unique and doesn't adhere to a fixed structure. While we can't provide a specific framework, here is an overview of the expected assessment process during your PhD.
Within 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 be a 3,000-5,000 word written piece 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.
Course highlights
The Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution course takes advantage of the research experience of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Within the Environmental Health Sciences research group, Climate and Atmosphere research specialises in applied meteorology and climatology, and links closely with the Air Pollution research group in the Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, which is the largest air pollution research group in any UK University.
- 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
- 17th
in the UK
QS World University Rankings 2025
- 92%
of our research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
REF 2021
Course delivery
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.
Tutorial
Practical assignments
1:1 Supervision
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.
Research themes
Our key research areas are:
- air pollution and atmospheric chemistry
- applied meteorology and climatology
- environmental nanoscience
- persistent organic pollutants
The Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA)
You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with The Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA). We offer a collaborative platform to nurture expertise and develop partnerships to tackle global sustainability challenges.
Entry requirements
- 2:1 Honours degree
in a relevant discipline plus a relevant 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.
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.
Fees and scholarships
- £5,006
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 once you have an offer
You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. 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 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
Careers Network
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the 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.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
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.
Living in Birmingham
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.