Climate Change, Sustainability and Society
- PhD
Overview
The PhD Climate Change, Sustainability and Society is designed to cultivate a new generation of researchers equipped to tackle the urgent social challenges of sustainability in the context of global environmental change.
Sustainability research asks how ecosystems and human wellbeing can be maintained and enhanced in the long term, given rising populations, limited natural resources and a fragile environment. Rooted in social sciences, the field is applied and policy-oriented, with a strong focus on future-directed, strategic solutions.
The programme requires a broad, interdisciplinary approach, drawing on disciplines such as economics, law, politics, psychology of sustainability, geography, and demography. Students are exposed to diverse perspectives to build the knowledge and skills required to work collaboratively across disciplines. We welcome students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.
You will typically be registered in the school of your first supervisor, which may differ from the school handling your application.
Programme structure
PhD students will follow the structure of the school of their primary supervisor and attend any mandatory units, unless exempted, by applying for Recognised Prior Learning.
ESRC/SWDTP students may be required to take additional credits as determined by SWDTP.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree from a social sciences or law discipline, and a master's qualification, achieving at least a merit (or equivalent) with appropriate research training.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
This admission statement is for 2026 entry. The 2027 entry admission statement will be available in the Autumn.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £5,343 per year
- Home: part-time
- £2,672 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £22,500 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
The Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences has an allocation of MSc/MRes + PhD and PhD only ESRC scholarships.
The PhD Climate Change, Sustainability and Society falls under the SWDTP pathway "Climate Change, Sustainability and Society" and the PhD can be combined with MSc degrees under this pathway within the Faculty, as outlined on the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) website.
The length of these scholarships will be dependent on training needs and can vary, with the shortest generally being three years and six months (for PhD only).
For details on applying for ESRC funding, please visit the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) website.
Please visit the school's fees and funding web pages for further information.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Choosing the PhD Climate Change, Sustainability and Society from the University of Bristol prepares you for a range of careers, including:
- academia
- public sector roles in government, national and international agencies
- private sector roles in consultancy or environmental management
- civic sector roles in environmental NGOs and development bodies.
Meet our supervisors
The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.
Research groups
The pathway draws on expertise from institutes and research centres at the Universities of Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth, Exeter and Plymouth Marjon the University of the West of England (UWE).
University of Bristol Research Centres
- University of Bristol Law School and its research Centre for Environmental Law and Sustainability
- Global Insecurities Centre
- The Cabot Institute (which draws together environmental research from across the University).
Key research interests
You will have two supervisors from different disciplinary perspectives. Your supervisors convene joint meetings regularly and attend an annual one-day workshop for all pathway students.
Contact us
- Contact
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
- uob-pgradmissions@bristol.ac.uk