or
Continue with FacebookLooking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
Other PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
We have 97 Other PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
PhDs in Geography are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of geography.
Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of physical landscapes, human-environment interactions, and the impact of geographical phenomena on societies.
Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Geography, Environmental Science or Urban Planning. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.
Why study a PhD in Geography?
Develop Skills and Knowledge
A PhD in Geography allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Geography, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:
- Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating geographical theories and practices to address challenges.
- Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.
Further Career Development
If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.
After completing your PhD in Geography, a potential career option might be employment as a Lecturer. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, a Lecturer earns an average of £40,476 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.
Improve Employability
Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 83% of Geography PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.
What do prospective Geography PhD students think about study?
We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Geography PhD students in 2023:
- 74% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
- 83% preferred on campus learning, 5% preferred online/distance learning, and 12% preferred a blended approach.
- 10% were interested in part-time study.
- In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
- Subject interest
- Career progress
- Challenge
If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!
Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.
Ticks as vectors of Lyme disease and other bacterial pathogens in the North of Ireland
Research Group:
Geography and Environmental Studies
Background. For humans Lyme borreliosis is the most frequent vector borne bacterial infection in the Northern hemisphere (1). It is spread by indigenous hard bodied ticks with a broad range of potential host species inc. Read more
The role of visual art in engaging with and communicating scientific data and theory in the context of the ocean and water related issues
Research Group:
Art and Design
A Collaborative project between Geography and Environmental Sciences and Fine Art. Read more
Reconstruction fashion’s plastic transition in the lake sediment record to inform a greener fashion future (Ref: CENTA2025-LU11)
Microplastic fibres (MFs) are the most abundant microplastic shape in the environment. Released from the production, day-to-day wear and laundry of garments, MFs have been identified in aquatic sediments dating to the mid-twentieth century. Read more
Environmental Change in High Arctic Lakes: from the Holocene to the Anthropocene (Ref: CENTA-2025-LU10)
Over the last century, the High Arctic has experienced rapid warming, with the Arctic warming four times as fast the global average since 1979. Read more
PondChart: harnessing spatial information and earth observation to map and predict occurrence of multiple stressors on mini-wetlands
This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details, and for a full list of projects offered under this programme, please visit: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/. Read more
ACCE+ DLA programme: Exploring ‘collapse structures’ as a hitherto unidentified component of glacier mass loss
The ACCE+ DLA is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. Read more
Sustainable Integration of Low-Carbon Production and Consumption within the Food System
As the world transitions to low carbon systems across all sectors, dramatic changes will be required across our society to reach our net zero targets. Read more
Seismic noise sources and background seismicity in London
Local geology and seismic hazards are generally investigated through the analysis of seismic data. In urban environments, estimating back-ground seismicity and seismic imaging is complicated by high levels of anthropogenic seismic noise, i.e. Read more
Developing a multi-source remote sensing and AI based methods for automated monitoring of illicit crops and their drivers.
This project will develop novel remote sensing technologies using AI methods to monitor illicit crop production. . Illicit crops, such as opium poppies, coca, and cannabis, mostly used in drug production, are a major funding source for criminal and terrorist activity. Read more
ESRC-Funded PhD Studentships in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University (NINE25/EE/GEO/KCKJ)
The NINE Doctoral Training Partnership is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and supports 50-55 studentships per year across seven universities in Northern Ireland and north-east England. Read more
Predicting Large Wood Transport in Rivers, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5416
Supervisors. Lead Supervisor Diego Panici, University of Exeter, Geography. Additional Supervisors. Georgie Bennett, University of Exeter, Geography . Read more
Large Wood in Rivers: Blending social knowledge with large wood dynamics in river restoration practice, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5410
Supervisors. Lead Supervisor Roger Auster, University of Exeter, Geography (Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water & Waste). Read more
Investigating the spatiotemporal oceanic uptake and redistribution of Anthropogenic Carbon and Excess Heat in the Southern Atlantic using biogeochemical and transient tracers., NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5409
Supervisors. Lead Supervisor Marie-Jose Messias, University of Exeter, Geography . Additional Supervisors. E. Malcolm S. Read more
Improved extreme climate indices for food security risk analysis, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5405
Supervisors. Lead Supervisor Dan Bebber, University of Exeter, Biosciences. Additional Supervisors. Peter Falloon, Bristol University & Met Office, Biosciences . Read more
Impact of small-magnitude volcanic eruptions on historical climate change. NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5404
Supervisors. Lead Supervisor Thomas Aubry, University of Exeter, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Additional Supervisors. Read more