PhD Sustainable Futures

Qualifications and durations

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme comprises a significant piece of research which will enable you to contribute to the academic community through a large written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words). You can complete your PhD in 2 to 4 years (full-time) or up to 6 years (part-time).

Overview

This interdisciplinary pathway generally explores the interface between security, energy and the environment through engaging the latest critical thinking on risk management, critical infrastructure, public regulation, policy studies and the environmental sciences.

This pathway considers the impacts of living with environmental change and the diverse responses needed to foster behaviours, practices and policies which promote sustainability and resilience.

Recent collaborations between the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath and the Geography Department at Exeter University include the study of ecological citizenship and volunteering and public reactions to alternative energy generating sources (e.g. wind farms and tides). Other potential collaborations drawing on the strengths of the Department of Psychology include empirical studies of interventions to reduce energy consumption in the home, transport psychology, green investing and the evaluation of personal carbon trading schemes, risk perception and management challenges of environmental change around tree health and animal disease.

South West Doctoral Training Partnership

This course is accredited by the Economics & Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of the larger South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP).

If you wish to study for both the MRes and the PhD (the 1 + 3) you should apply for the PhD but indicate on the Application Form, that you also wish to study for the MRes.

Progression from the MRes to the PhD stage is dependent on achieving an acceptable level of achievement (typically an overall average of 60% on at least the taught component of the MRes).

Research proposal

Your proposal should address a problem or question with strong links to the themes of this interdisciplinary pathway. Wherever possible you should try and match your research interests with those of a potential lead supervisor.

The proposal itself should include;

• a brief review of relevant background literature (to contextualise the issue)
• a core research question or theme
• an outline of the possible methods that could be used to address this question.

Interdisciplinary approaches are very much welcome, which seek to approach a common question by drawing on methods and approaches from different disciplinary perspectives.

View further guidance on developing your research proposal.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• A good first degree in a social science subject, or
• an equivalent degree in another subject, together with substantial relevant work experience.

Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry.

English requirements

• IELTS 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four components)
• PTE Academic of 69 with no less than 62 in any component

Financial information

Costs

• Tuition fees
• Estimated Living Expenses including a Sample Budget Guide
• Cost of Printing final Soft-, and then Hard-Bound theses

You will find details of available University postgraduate research funding opportunities by checking the funding pages. We also welcome applications from candidates who are able to self-fund or who have funding from elsewhere.

Unique funding opportunities

• This is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised programme, suitable for ESRC-funded 1+3 awards or subsequent +3 applications.

ESRC-funded students are able to claim (during their studies) for three additional allowances:

• Overseas Fieldwork Allowance
• Difficult Language Training
• Overseas Institutional Visits

For more information on these allowances please see the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide. Please note that if you anticipate such activities you should outline the details in your application.

How to apply

Applications must be made online.

Two references are required for this programme (at least one of these should be an academic reference).

Contact

Email: doctoraladmissions@bath.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1225 385949