Geology and Geophysics PhD

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: Earth, Environmental and Ecological Sciences

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Part-time
  • PhD | 6 years | Start date: multiple dates
Full-time
  • PhD | 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

School location

Multiple campuses

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About the degree programme

The PhD programme in Geology and Geophysics draws on the expertise of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Research Institute (EPS) at the University of Edinburgh.

Earth and Planetary Sciences Research Institute (EPS)

During your programme, you will conduct original research leading to the submission and examination of your thesis. You will be assigned a supervisor and an adviser and may have additional co-supervisors.

We provide laboratory, field and workshop facilities with high-precision instrumentation. Our intensive research in geographical information systems (GIS), climate modelling, and satellite data analysis is supported by computing resources and supplemented by access to national and international facilities.

How to apply

Please see our step-by-step guide to applying for a research degree in the School of GeoSciences. Applications that do not follow application guidelines will be placed on hold and eventually rejected as incomplete.

Application process

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

How to apply

Finding a supervisor

Before applying for the programme, it is essential to identify a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with your research interests. Supervisors play a crucial role in your research journey, so finding a good fit is important.

We recommend you to contact potential supervisors to discuss your research proposal and determine if they are interested in supervision. Before applying, they might ask to see your draft proposal and offer feedback. If a supervisor confirms they are willing to work with you, you can include their name in your application as a proposed supervisor.

Explore our staff profiles and contact staff whose research interests align with your project. 

Teaching and Research staff in the School of GeoSciences

When to apply

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will need to complete immigration processes in order to be able to study with us, then we strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide supporting information and documents, such as the following:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit two, preferably academic, references with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once your application is submitted, it will be processed by our team. Please log in to your Applicant Hub regularly to find out if we need further information or additional documents. Applications without a proposed supervisor and a research proposal will be classed as incomplete and will be put on hold until the information is provided.

When a decision on your application is made you will be notified by email. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us. Please log in to your Applicant Hub regularly to track the progress of your application.

Funding

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Part-time
Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Costs

Additional programme costs

This programme has a minimum additional cost of £1,000 per year (for full-time students).

This is to support your research project, by covering costs for activities and resources such as:

  • fieldwork
  • conference attendance
  • books
  • subscriptions

Further research costs may be required, depending on your project requirements.

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained 

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a related subject.
 
We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 92 with 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 4.5 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Research profile

This programme draws on the expertise of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Research Institute, which brings together over 100 researchers united by a drive to understand the composition, structure and history of the Earth, as well as the processes which continue to shape the world in which we live.

Research expertise

The breadth of our expertise tackles questions from atomic to planetary scales and spans:

  • geology
  • geophysics
  • geochemistry
  • geodynamics 

Our expertise allows us to lead the way in developing innovative interdisciplinary solutions to the biggest questions in Earth Science, enhancing our understanding of how the subsurface works, from atoms to plates and on timescales from seconds to billions of years.

Research techniques

A great attraction of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Research Institute's work is the diversity of techniques we employ, including:

  • fieldwork
  • satellite imaging
  • laboratory studies
  • numerical computation

When not in Edinburgh, our staff can be found all over the world, measuring seismic tremors to predict volcanic eruptions, drilling into the seafloor to recover the sediments which will unlock the secrets of ancient climates or finding dinosaur footprints at home in Scotland.

Research topics

Our subject is much more than an intellectual challenge; many of the greatest challenges facing humanity require Earth Science for their solution. Our scientists are leading the way in developing solutions in fields such as clean energy, natural hazards and climate change. This is reflected in our success in attracting research funding from both government and industry sources.

Our research community

As a research student, you will have the opportunity to engage fully with our scientific community. We host a weekly seminar series alongside smaller research group meetings. Every year, we hold an institute symposium at which we present the latest results and discuss the next great challenges to be tackled.

Support

As a postgraduate research student at Edinburgh, you have access to an exceptionally wide range of training courses offered by the many interdisciplinary researchers across the School of GeoSciences, and more broadly across the University.

You will receive guidance both from your supervisory team and the postgraduate research office on appropriate training specific to your research needs and requirements. Additionally, an academic adviser, separate from your direct supervisory team, is always available to help support you and track your progress and welfare throughout your research degree.

Professional development opportunities

Multiple professional development opportunities are available to you throughout your studies to develop your transferable skills, including:

  • communicating ideas to the public, such as the 3-Minute Thesis competition, and the annual Postgraduate Research Conference
  • project management
  • teaching on the School’s undergraduate programmes in Earth Sciences, Ecological and Environmental Sciences, and Geography

Facilities

Facilities are an essential asset for our research and teaching. GeoSciences has an extensive range of analytical, laboratory, field and workshop facilities and equipment, all of which are available to postgraduate students. These include facilities for sample preparation and for analysis of a large range of natural and synthetic materials, including inorganic and organic material:

  • Rock, mineral and fossils
  • Soil and sediments
  • Plant and other organic material
  • Water/aqueous samples
  • Gaseous samples

Dedicated facility technical and research staff provide training in the use of equipment and can help you identify the most relevant methods for your research projects, including developing new techniques and methodologies. 

National facilities

The School hosts and manages a number of UK national facilities on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC):

  • Ion Microprobe Facility
  • Geophysical Equipment Facility
  • Field Spectroscopy Facility

Instrumentation

A unique cluster of state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron probe micro-analyser (EPMA) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instruments enable imaging, chemical and isotopic analysis of solid materials to 1 micron resolution.

Our X-ray µCT instrument enables micron-resolution 3D and 4D imaging of natural materials and experimental samples.

The Cosmogenic Nuclide Facility enables isotopic analysis of rocks and sediments to understand landscape evolution.

Our Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Laser Ablation facility enables high precision elemental and simultaneous isotope ion analyses for a wide range of liquid and solid materials.

A suite of stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) instruments for isotopic characterisation (N, C, O) of organics, seawater and carbonates.

X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence instruments for detailed characterisation of bulk elemental composition and mineralogy of solid materials, including high-throughput analysis of large sample sets.

Analytical and organic chemistry facilities housing equipment and instrumentation for extraction, separation, identification and quantification of a range of organic and inorganic material, including elemental, nutrient, and particle size analysis.

UK Biochar Research Centre (UKBRC)

GeoSciences also hosts the UK Biochar Research Centre (UKBRC) laboratory and pyrolysis facilities, which produce the 'UKBRC Standard Biochars', a set of research-grade biochars now used by over 100 research groups worldwide, and enable production and characterisation of biochar.

Airborne Research and Innovation, and support for field studies

We have a range of equipment and facilities which support field work, including ground-based field instrumentation and a boat for work in rivers, lakes and coasts. 

Our Airborne Research and Innovation facility boasts an Eco Diamond HK36 small aircraft and an array of UAVs, supporting research in:

  • ecology
  • atmospheric chemistry
  • micrometeorology
  • forest studies
  • geomorphology
  • agricultural science
  • archaeology
  • palaeontology

Additionally, a mechanical workshop and Instrumentation and Design Facility support the development and production of equipment which support collection of field data.

Laboratory Facilities

GeoSciences houses a number of research facilities for replicating planetary conditions and processes, including experimental aqueous geochemical laboratories, a rock physics laboratory, high temperature furnaces, high pressure/temperature experimental equipment, and applied geoscience laboratories focused on research and sustainable utilisation of subsurface low-carbon energy applications. Facilities are supported by a dedicated mechanical workshop.

Computing facilities

Computing-intensive research in geographic information systems (GIS), meteorological and climate modelling, geophysics, and analysis of space and satellite data is supported by access to our in-house GIS suite and software licences, and the Edinburgh Computer and Data Facility parallel computing and DataStore facilities. Specialist training for research staff and students in using these facilities and in High Performance Computing is provided by Information Services and the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre.

National and international facilities

Complementing our in-house facilities, GeoSciences research students and staff have access to national and international supercomputing, laboratory, experimental and field facilities. We are regular visitors to X-ray synchrotron facilities in Europe and the USA for research on many themes.

Finally, and as you might expect, one of our most important facilities is planet Earth itself. Our students and staff use field stations and facilities worldwide for research projects in the Antarctic, Arctic and tropics, on research ships in the world’s oceans, through aircraft sampling the atmosphere and via remote sensing data from satellites.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Postgraduate Research Office

School of GeoSciences
Grant Institute
The King's Buildings Campus
Edinburgh
EH9 3JW

pgrsupport.geos@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5854

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