Postgraduate Research

Offered research disciplines and degrees

The Department of Earth Sciences is recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its research, with expertise across a wide range of geoscientific disciplines, including environmental geology, geochemistry, solid-earth geophysics, micropalaeontology, petroleum geosciences, petrology, sedimentology, seismology, stratigraphy, structural geology and tectonics.

The Department offers three levels of postgraduate research degrees and we welcome enquiries from suitably qualified applicants in all of these research areas:

• PhD (3 years full-time study)
• MPhil (2 years full-time study)
• MSc by Research (1 year full-time study)

Part-time degree programmes are normally twice the length of the equivalent full-time programme. Please note that the Department does not currently offer a taught Masters programme.

Postgraduate studentship funding opportunities for 2012-2013

 Throughout the year, several new postgraduate studentship opportunities arise. A list of funded or potentially funded scientific research project are provided here. This list might also be useful for those who have (in part) their own funding,  whether through a government scholarship, industrial sponsorship or private sources. In addition, various funding opportunities may be listed at the Faculty of Science postgraduate funding page.

If you have a project in mind that is not listed, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Secretary (see below) in the first instance.

Minimum entry requirements

An Upper Second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Environmental Sciences or related subjects)

OR A Masters degree in a relevant subject

AND Suitable references (normally two academic references or, where an applicant has been out of education for some time, one academic reference and one employer's reference)

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. This is normally an IELTS score of 6.5 or above with no category less than 6.0. Thresholds for equivalent English language qualifications (e.g. TOEFL) are given here. Alternatively, we may accept applicants who have successfully completed a recognised course at a UK university within the past five years. If you do not meet these criteria, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Secretary [link below] who will be pleased to advise you.

It is the University's policy to consider each application on its merit and without discrimination related to disability. More information about the Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities (DUSSD) can be found here.

Click here for further information on how to apply.  

Admissions Enquiries

Postgraduate Admissions Secretary

Department of Earth Sciences,
Science Laboratories,
Durham University,
South Road,
Durham,
DH1 3LE, UK

Telephone: +44 (0)191 334 2198