We are internationally recognised for our holistic and interdisciplinary approach to research, integrating physical, chemical, biological and social sciences to understand the Earth, its life and its people and the interactions between them. We are committed to tackling the environmental challenges facing society and securing a sustainable future for our world. Our postgraduate researchers are at the heart of active research teams, challenging boundaries and making real advances.

Research in the School of Environmental Sciences (ENV) addresses four overarching themes: 

• Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Sciences
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Social Sciences
• Geosciences

ENV postgraduate researchers work in these areas:

• Atmospheric and ocean sciences, polar sciences, autonomous vehicles
• Biological oceanography, marine biology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, sediment ecology
• Climate science and climate change science
• Climate solutions: decarbonisation and net zero, adaptation and resilience
• Ecological economics and ecosystem services
• Ecology, conservation ecology, tropical ecology, movement ecology, host-parasite co-evolution, land-use change
• Environmental biology, conservation biology, genomics
• Geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, catchment science, natural hazards and resources
• Green economy, low carbon energy transitions
• Hazard risk communication, adaptation and disaster risk management
• Human and physical geography of the environment
• Science, society and sustainability

We also host international centres of research excellence spanning these themes as well as state-of-the-art research facilities for exploring the environment.

The minimum academic requirement for entry to a doctoral degree and MPhil degree is a UK upper second class undergraduate honours degree and a Master's degree, or equivalent.