Geography and Earth Science research degrees

These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, annual increases apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page.

Postgraduate research programme structures

PhD

• Full-time: 3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
• Part-time: 5 years of research, with up to 20 months of writing up if required

Masters

• Full-time: one year of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
• Part-time: 2 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required

Writing-up and thesis submission

A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up. Part-time is five years plus up to 20 months writing-up if needed. Full-time standard Masters programmes are comprised one year of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up if needed; and part time Masters programmes have two years of research with up to two years of writing-up.

For full-time students, the writing-up phase typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing-up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum writing-up period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover the writing-up phase.

If you need to move into the writing-up period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.

The fees for the writing-up period for 2022/23 are:

Full time

• Writing-up fee £330
• Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
• Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
• Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Part time

• Continuation Fee £165
• Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
• Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
• Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Thesis submission timelines

It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:

Masters degrees

• Submission by one year and 3 months full-time.
• Submission by 2 years and 6 months part-time.

Doctoral degrees

• Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
• Submission by 5 years and 6 months for part-time.

Doctoral Loan

UK students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £26,445 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.

EU students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Additional costs

There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:

• Student visas (international students).
• Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
• Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
• Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
• Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
• Professional-body membership.
• Graduation (gown hire and photography).

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few.