The Environmental Science PhD/MPhil at Liverpool offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary research experience led by the Ecology and Marine Biology group. With access to world-class field sites and facilities, you’ll explore real-world environmental challenges and develop cutting-edge solutions in conservation, ecology and climate change.
The Environmental Science PhD/MPhil programme at the University of Liverpool provides a multidisciplinary platform for addressing pressing environmental issues through research. Led by the Ecology and Marine Biology group, the programme combines expertise in ecology, conservation biology, ecosystem management, animal behaviour and food web ecology. You’ll benefit from a strong network of academic, industry and non-governmental organisation (NGO) collaborators, as well as access to state-of-the-art laboratories and global field sites.
The programme emphasises real-world impact, with projects tackling challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Research skills are developed through supervised projects, with training in data collection, modelling, critical analysis, presentation and scientific writing. You’ll be encouraged to publish peer-reviewed journal articles, with many of our postgraduate researchers completing their degrees having authored multiple papers. You’ll graduate equipped with a broad and transferable skill set, positioning you for successful careers in academia, research and environmental sectors worldwide.
The Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences fosters a vibrant and inclusive research culture that brings together postgraduate researchers and academics from diverse scientific backgrounds. Research is collaborative and interdisciplinary, with a strong focus on tackling real-world environmental issues.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll be fully integrated into research groups, contributing to high-impact projects and benefiting from a supportive academic community. Regular seminars, workshops and conferences provide opportunities for professional development, knowledge exchange, and networking with peers and external collaborators. The department’s global fieldwork opportunities further enhance the student experience.
View the staff list for the Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences for details of potential supervisors in this area.
If you’d like any help finding a supervisor, please email envspgr@liverpool.ac.uk.
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees for a full-time place on this programme in academic year 2025-26 are:
Tuition fees for a part-time place on this programme in academic year 2025-26 are:
Please note, the tuition fee you pay will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others, for example if you’re required to undertake laboratory work. You’ll be informed of the fee for your intended PhD in your offer letter.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The department is based in the University’s Roxby Building. Postgraduate researchers have access to world-class facilities including the Liverpool Isotope Facility for Environmental Research (LIFER) lab, biogeochemistry lab, and advanced microscopy and rock deformation labs.
Research is supported by global field sites and computational infrastructure. Ecology and marine biology research is backed by a wide range of specialist equipment and field capabilities, enabling a diverse and hands-on research experience.
These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.
Want to find out more about studying a PhD with us? Chat with our postgraduate research student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.
The typical minimum entry requirement is a Bachelors degree (with Honours) at 2:1 level or above, in an appropriate field of study, or equivalent.
Individual consideration is given to mature students with significant and relevant experience and with professional qualifications.
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.