Course summary
The GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership (DLTP) comprises the University of Bristol, University of Bath, Cardiff University, University of Exeter, British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership provides a multidisciplinary training environment for postgraduate students in NERC sciences. Due to the nature of the funding, this programme is open primarily to UK students. There will be a limited number of studentships available to international students - including those from the EU. This NERC-funded doctoral landscape training partnership programme offers studentships for 42 months within four research themes: Climate Change and Risk, Earth Science and Hazards, Science for Environmental Solutions, and Evolution and Biodiversity Through Space and Time. As part of your PhD studies, you will be offered training that equips you with a range of skills for future employment in many different working environments. You will be expected to attend training during your PhD and are encouraged to take up work placements. Details of training can be found on the NERC GW4+ website: https://www.nercgw4plus.ac.uk/ PhD projects are available in earth and environmental science topics within the Schools of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Geographical Sciences. New projects are advertised annually from October on each school's webpage: School of Biological Sciences: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/courses/postgraduate/phdstudentships/ School of Chemistry: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/pg-vacancies/phd-studentships-chemistry/ School of Earth Sciences: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/earthsciences/postgraduate/research-projects/ School of Geographical Sciences: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/geography/courses/postgraduate/physphd.html
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/phd-gw-dltp-nerc.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries.
Entry requirements
An upper second-class degree or higher (or international equivalent) in a discipline related to the PhD project for which you are applying, such as geology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, chemistry or geography. Some projects may be suitable for those with computing, mathematics, engineering and physics degrees. Applicants with additional relevant experience and/or a master's degree are encouraged to apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
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.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Sponsorship information
UK Funding Full studentships including the tuition fee will start in September 2026. This will cover tuition fees, research and training support grant of £11,000, a training budget of £1000 and a maintenance stipend of £19,237 each year. International applicants (including EU) There are a limited number of full studentships for international students. Although international students are usually charged a higher tuition fee rate than 'home' students, those international students offered a NERC GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership full studentship starting in 2026 will only be charged the 'home' tuition fee rate (which will be covered by the studentship). International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to undertake a PhD. The budget for project costs is £9,000 which can be used for computer, lab, and fieldwork costs necessary for you to conduct your research. There is also a conference budget of £2,000 and individual Training Budget of £1,000 for specialist training. Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU