PhD Sustainability in North East England

Sustainability is an extremely relevant and versatile degree choice, which outlines the way we can mitigate our impact on the environment by adopting regenerative and sustainable practices to support ecological and economic health. It is a future-focussed field and studying it at PhD level offers a highly interdisciplinary learning experience with the option to specialise in a huge variety of professional environments.

To gain admission onto one of the 25 UK-based PhD degree programmes, you’ll first need to hold a strong postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area, and typically will need to demonstrate a significant amount of professional experience. Additionally, a clear research project proposal is usually required as part of the application process, and this will determine the work you do for a large part of your studies.

What to expect

You can expect to engage in advanced training in research methodologies, critical analysis, and the development of solutions for sustainable practices. You will study the environmental and human impact of mass industry and energy systems; the effect of sustainable practices of different types of communities; the life cycle of products and the technologies which can be integrated into our lives to find a more sustainable way of living.

As a doctoral candidate, you’ll conduct original research, contributing new insights to the field. The programme serves as excellent preparation for careers in academia, research institutions, policy development or leadership roles in organisations dedicated to advancing sustainability goals. Graduates are currently in high demand, and this demand is likely to only increase in the future as sustainability is one of the fastest-growing global employment sectors.