PhD in Human Geography
University of Bristol PGR Scholarship
South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) ESRC
All PhD programmes in Bristol are delivered via the Bristol Doctoral College and general information can be found on their website and please also see the University's Postgraduate study pages.
PhD students in Human Geography generally align with the research groups in the department, Historical and Cultural, States, Economies & Societies and Quantitative Spatial Science, although many students cross groups depending on the needs of their specialist topic. Within Human Geography we have international expertise in a wide range of methodological approaches include advanced quantitative modelling, qualitative analysis and documentary approaches.
We regularly admit students who already have funding or are willing to self-fund their studies. For applications we ask that prospective students provide a research proposal on a topic they are interested in studying. For examples of topics that are currently being undertaken see our Scholarships page.
This list is not exhaustive, so if you have another idea or project in mind, please contact potential supervisors or the postgraduate admissions tutors to discuss and develop further.
You must have listed 2 (or more if relevant) supervisors on your application before applying. Please make sure to contact potential supervisors before applying to confirm their support for your application.
University of Bristol PGR Scholarship.
For September 2025 the School of Geographical Sciences has a number of University of Bristol Scholarships for both home and overseas students commencing their PhDs in 2025/26. These can be awarded on a full-time or part-time basis.
These scholarships, available for a period of up to 4 years, cover tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI amount. There is also an allocated amount of funds for research and training expenses per year.
Please make sure to read the admissions statement and other application information on the website before applying.
The deadline for applications is 12.00 Friday 31st January 2025. We regret that we cannot consider applications for funding received after the deadline.
Please select 'University of Bristol Scholarship' under the funding options of your application.
South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) ESRC
Human Geography are currently involved in two major UK research council doctoral training programs within the ESRC funded South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) and recruit through the annual SWDTP annual funding competition.
- ESRC Human Geography 1+3 SWDTP Scholarships.
- ESRC Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) 1+3 SWDTP Scholarships. The programme within the School of Geographical Sciences is named Geographic Data Science.
Please see the SWDTP website for more information about funding options.
The application deadline for the University of Bristol is 12.00 Monday 9th December. We regret that we cannot consider applications for funding received after the deadline. Please note you must apply to the University and secure an offer before applying to the SWDTP.
Please select 'Economic and Social Research Council' under the funding options of your application.
If your application to the University of Bristol is successful you will then be required to apply for funding through the SWDTP. More information can be found on their website and you will work with your supervisor throughout this process.
The deadline to apply for SWDTP funding is 12.00 Tuesday 14th January 2025.
PEATSENSE: Diverse Knowledges and Sensing Practices in Peatlands for Inclusive Climate Futures
2 studentships are available as part of the PEATSENSE Project, both run through the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol.
The wider project sets out to analyse the sensing practices and multispecies relationships play in peatlands across a set of case studies under transformation via large-scale climate mitigation interventions and to implement a participatory decision-making process in and beyond the case study areas to inform future policymaking.
These scholarships, available for a period of up to 3.5 years, cover tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI amount. There is also an allocated amount of funds for research and training expenses per year.
Please make sure to read the admissions statement and other application information on the website before applying.
The deadline for applications is 12.00 Tuesday 1st April 2025. We regret that we cannot consider applications for funding received after the deadline.
| Project Title | Supervisor |
|---|---|
| Cultural-Historical Geographies of European Peatlands in Changing Climates | |
|
Geographies of Expertise in Climate Mitigation Futures: Exploring the Transformation of Latin American Peatlands |
