Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
- - 3-4 years
- Part-time
- 60 months
- - 5-7 years
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting January 2027
- Apply before Oct 2026
- Starting April 2027
- Apply before Jan 2027
- Starting July 2027
- Apply before Apr 2027
- Starting October 2027
- Apply before Jul 2027
More details
- For international students wishing to start in October please submit your application by the end of May to allow time to process visa application.
Language
English
English requirements
- TOEFL® IBT: 90 TOEFL iBT® is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.
- PTE Academic: 69 PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.
- IELTS: 6.5 The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Geography; Urban Planning
Overview
The school offers Postgraduate Research (PGR) degrees. These principally include our PhD degree in Geography and Planning from Cardiff University, as well as the possibility to pursue an MPhil degree.
As a Russell Group university, we welcome applications from high-calibre candidates committed to pursuing innovative, cutting-edge research that will contribute to academic and policy debates, nationally and internationally. Visit the programme website for more information
What we offer
- We attract graduate talent who aspire to become future research and community leaders. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop their postgraduate research project in a vibrant and collaborative School at the cutting edge of research and impact. You will be supervised by two supervisors, who are leading the development of their discipline nationally and internationally; and one reviewer, who will assess written work and help prepare you for the viva examination.
- The school has a tailored induction programme that develops the academic skills necessary for the successful implementation of your research project. Throughout your PhD project, you will be guided to prepare yourself for a successful academic career, as well as to acquire skills and knowledge for non-academic careers, including developing industry-focused relationships and collaboration activities. Postgraduate research students are supported to develop publishing skills and publish academic research independently or in collaboration with their supervisors.
- The school also provides postgraduate research students with paid teaching opportunities in its undergraduate and MSc programmes and supports PGR students in acquiring teaching qualifications.
Programme Structure
Research themes include:
- Environment
- Social and Cultural Geography
- Spatial Planning and Analysis in City Environments
- Economic and Political Worlds
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL® IBT: 90 TOEFL iBT® is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.
- PTE Academic: 69 PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.
- IELTS: 6.5 The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).
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Other requirements
General requirements
Applicants should normally hold a First or Upper Second Class Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) or a Master’s degree in human geography, planning or a related social science discipline, with a minimum average grade of 60% in both the taught course units and your dissertation (or international equivalent of 60%).
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International (Non-residents): 50,857 AUD / year (≈ 26,700 GBP / year)
Domestic (Citizens or residents): 9,535 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
Additional Details
- Part-time tuition fees: £2,503
Living costs
Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,196-2,030 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Geography and Planning.
In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.
What is your nationality? ... When do you want to start studying?
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
Available Scholarships
- Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship — Provided by university. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: 07 Oct 2026. Merit-based. Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
- Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship — Provided by university. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based. Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Independent provider. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: 07 Oct 2026. U.S. government.
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: 1000 USD. Deadline: 30 Nov 2026.
- ACES Scholarships — Independent provider. Grant: 3500 USD. Deadline: 15 Nov 2026.
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Independent provider. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based. OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Independent provider. Grant: 19000 GBP. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based. Junhua Li.
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: 28 Feb 2027. Merit-based. Boustany Foundation.
- Royal Geographical Society - Dudley Stamp Memorial Award in UK — Independent provider. Grant: 500 GBP. Deadline: 23 Nov 2026. Royal Geographical Society.
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: 1000 USD. Deadline: 31 Oct 2026. Merit-based. IvyPanda.
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: 1000 USD. Deadline: 01 Mar 2027. Voice Talent Online.
- Women Scholarship for International Students — Independent provider. Grant: 5000 USD. Deadline: 28 Aug 2026. Merit-based. educations.com.
- The PhD Prep Fellowship — Independent provider. Grant: 10000 USD. Deadline: 01 Sep 2026. Merit-based. Admit Lab.
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: 1000 USD. Deadline: 13 Jan 2027. Merit-based. Salvado Law.
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Independent provider. Grant: 3000 USD. Deadline: 31 Dec 2026. Need-based. Anonymous Hope Fund.
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Independent provider. Grant: 22500 GBP. Deadline: Not specified. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Independent provider. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: 31 Dec 2026. Need-based. Leopold Figl Foundation.
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Independent provider. Grant: 1500 USD. Deadline: Not specified. IELTS from 6 to 9.
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Independent provider. Grant: 12000 USD. Deadline: 11 Jan 2027. The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme.