Agricultural Sciences (james hutton institute) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

A PhD in Agricultural Sciences is a unique research project that aims to uncover new knowledge about agriculture, and its impact on the environment and global population.

What's it like to do a PhD in Agricultural Sciences?

With such a vast scope, a PhD in Agricultural Sciences has the potential to make a significant impact on the world. You could be developing new pesticides and herbicides to help the agriculture industry, researching the impact of climate change on food security, or using big data to improve food production and waste management.

In addition to the main research aim of your programme, you'll also likely be asked to complete doctoral training modules, which will help you develop key transferable skills such as research methodology, presentation of your research, and professional and life skills.

You'll usually be required to submit an 80,000-word thesis to be defended during your viva examination, which is part of your doctoral training.

Entry requirements for a PhD in Agricultural Sciences

The minimum entry requirement for a PhD in Agricultural Sciences is usually a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject, although a Masters may sometimes be required.

PhD in Agricultural Sciences funding options

The main body funding PhDs in the UK is the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Projects are funded by a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. Some projects have a guaranteed funding option, but most will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.

You may be able to apply for tuition fee waiver if you're an EU student. If your project has a guaranteed funding option, you'll automatically be considered for a tuition fee waiver, however if it's a case-by-case basis, you'll have to separately apply for one.

Outside of government funding, you may also want to consider asking your university if they offer graduate teaching scholarships or graduate research assistantships.

PhD in Agricultural Sciences careers

Agricultural Sciences is an incredibly diverse field, with career options including policy and regulation, environmental management and conservation, food production and quality, and biotechnology. With such a wide scope of research, there are plenty of opportunities to put your skills to use post-doctoral research. You may choose to work in the public or private sector, or you may even decide to continue your research and teaching at a university.