Environmental Humanities
- PhD
Overview
The University of Bristol has one of the world’s greatest concentrations of Environmental Humanities scholars, with expertise in fields including the energy humanities, oceanic studies, polar histories, animal studies, and creative writing. It has run an MA in Environmental Humanities since 2023, and from 2027 it will extend its offering to a PhD in Environmental Humanities – the only such programme in the UK, and one of only two globally. Students will benefit from participation within the Centre of Environmental Humanities (CEH), a research collective of over 100 members, as well as the Cabot Institute for the Environment, a university-wide organisation to which arts and humanities scholars make a significant contribution. Bristol was the first UK city to be named European Green Capital in 2015, and it is home to many organisations in the environmental sector.
PhD students will be based in the School of Humanities, whose staff members currently include world-renowned experts in History, English, Creative Writing, History of Art, Classics and Ancient History, and Religion and Theology. All PhD students will have at least two supervisors, and, given the interdisciplinary and innovative nature of Environmental Humanities research, they may wish also to seek supervision from the wider university: for example, from experts in Modern Languages, Philosophy, Geography, Film and Television, Theatre, Music, and Archaeology and Anthropology; as well as, in some cases, the sciences, law, social sciences, and engineering. Applicants should identify a potential main supervisor from the list below and to contact them to discuss possible supervisory arrangements. They are also welcome to contact the programme director in the first instance.
The programme would appeal especially to students who have completed a master’s degree in Environmental Humanities or a similar field. It is also open to those who have previously explored environmental questions in historical studies, literature, or other arts and humanities disciplines, or who have a strong track record in those fields and now wish to tackle environmental matters. It will also be open to applicants with a background in the environmental sciences who can demonstrate the capacity to conduct research within the humanities.
Programme structure
Graduates wishing to stay within the university sector would be eligible for posts across various academic departments requiring expertise in Environmental Humanities – in particular, lectureships or postdoctoral positions in departments of History and English Literature. The research skills and expertise in environmental questions gained during degree are also likely to make graduates well-qualified for roles in policy and government and in organisations in the public and private sector concerned with environmental ethics and sustainability.
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold a master's qualification, or be working towards a master's qualification, or international equivalent. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a good undergraduate degree. Applicants with a non-traditional background may be considered provided they can demonstrate substantial equivalent and relevant experience that has prepared them to undertake their proposed course of study.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
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
PhD Applicants will be eligible for the University of Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships within the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences. Applicants for these scholarships are asked to demonstrate how their proposed research aligns clearly with at least one of the University of Bristol research challenge areas, which include Climate and Environment, Social Justice, Equitable and Sustainable Health, and Culture and Creativity. Applicants will also be eligible for the AHRC's Doctoral Landscape Awards and, in some cases, the ESRC's SWDTP funded studentships. Deadlines are usually in January for a September start, but please check details for each year.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Graduates wishing to stay within the university sector would be eligible for posts across various academic departments requiring expertise in Environmental Humanities – in particular, lectureships or postdoctoral positions in departments of History and English Literature. The research skills and expertise in environmental questions gained during degree are also likely to make graduates well-qualified for roles in policy and government and in organisations in the public and private sector concerned with environmental ethics and sustainability.
Meet our supervisors
The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.
Contact us
- Contact
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
- uob-pgradmissions@bristol.ac.uk
- Faculties
- Schools