Key Information
Duration
- Full-time
- 48 months
- 3 - 4 years
- Part-time
- 96 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting September 2027
- Apply before Sep 2027, National This is an estimated deadline. The deadline applies if you have the same nationality as the university.
Language
English
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Guildford, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Sustainable Development; Environmental Economics & Policy; Environmental Sciences
Overview
The Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability PhD/EngD programme at the University of Surrey allows you to pursue research studies at doctoral level while gaining invaluable research experience in a prestigious organisation external to the University, enabling you to apply your knowledge to real-life sustainability issues.
Career opportunities
On this programme, you will further your research knowledge in the academic field of sustainability and apply this to a real challenge, spending most of your time with an external partner organisation. You’ll be based at the University for the first 12 weeks of the programme. In this time, you’ll undertake a series of sustainability modules and personal development workshops, which will equip you for your time in industry. You’ll then move to your industry premises where you’ll integrate into the company, making your applied research relevant to the company and potentially the wider sector. You’ll have two academic supervisors, one from CES and one from another relevant University department or school. You’ll also have an industry supervisor, who’ll work alongside you on a day-to-day basis. The academic role of the supervisors is to guide and help train you in becoming an independent researcher whose thesis and associated publications and conference presentations make a contribution to academic and practical knowledge. You’ll collaborate closely with your supervisors, who’ll monitor your research progress through monthly and formal appraisals. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete four specified taught modules from one of our CES masters programmes to qualify for the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) professional membership at Associate level. Completion of the PhD also gives you a strong foundation to apply for the Managerial Full IEMA membership and Chartered Environmentalist level. Depending on the focus of your PhD research, it would similarly provide a strong foundation for chartered status with other professional bodies, such as those in engineering.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Research themes
- Sustainable development policies and practices
- Energy, water and food nexus
- Behaviour change
- Waste systems
- Sustainable transportation
- Built environment
- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
- Smart local energy systems
- Social research on sustainability
- Lifestyles and resource consumption
- Resource consumption and land use
- Vertical farming
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
- GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 88 OR 4.5 (New TOEFL iBT 1-6 score (CEFR-aligned). Equivalent to the 0-120 score.)
- PTE Academic: 67
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).
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: 53,072 AUD / year (approx. 28,300 GBP / year)
Domestic
Citizens or residents: 9,823 AUD / year (approx. 5,238 GBP / year)
Additional Details
September Part-time: UK £2,619; Overseas £14,200
Living costs
Guildford, United Kingdom: 1,238-2,138 AUD / month