Doctoral Training Centres

You can also apply for a PhD at one of the Doctoral Training Centres and Partnerships that work with the Graduate School for the Environment. All vacancies are also advertised in the Funded PhD section.

  • Centre for Global Eco-Innovation

    Eco-innovation delivers the goals of sustainable and equitable societies and economies, including sustainable development. This is achieved through commercially viable approaches to global issues.

  • Envision

    The Envision Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) brings together a powerful group of UK researchers with industry and non-governmental organisations’ partners to provide a new generation of environmental scientists with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to take on the challenges of a changing world.

  • STARS

    The STARS Centre for Doctoral Training is a consortium of 8 organizations, comprising 4 universities and 4 research institutes who are collaborating to offer training to PhD students in soil science.

  • ECORISC

    ECORISC draws together a critical mass of internationally recognised scientists from the universities of York, Cardiff, Exeter, Lancaster, Sheffield, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) who are ranked among the best in the UK in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Environmental Science.

  • NorthWestBio

    The NWB DTP is a new BBSRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) delivered between the Universities of Glasgow, Lancaster, Queen’s Belfast and Strathclyde. Each partner has proven expertise in research that addresses global challenges and provides access to outstanding research facilities and infrastructure.

  • Waitrose CTP

    Waitrose is leading a £2m collaborative training partnership with Lancaster University, University of Reading, University of Warwick and Rothamsted Research to address global food security.

  • North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership

    The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) is a consortium of the Universities of Central Lancashire, Keele, Lancaster, Liverpool, and Manchester. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), it supports postgraduate studentships and training in the social sciences in the North West of England.

Other methods of applying for a PhD

Studying for a research degree is a highly rewarding and challenging process. You'll work to become a leading expert in your topic area with regular contact and close individual supervision with your supervisor.

  • Develop your own self-funded PhD proposal

    If you have your own research idea, we can help you to develop it. To begin this process you will need to find a PhD Supervisor from one of our research groups, whose research interests align with your own.

  • Apply for a funded PhD position

    Every year we offer a range of PhDs funded by a number of different sources, including research councils, industries or charities. Browse the list of latest funded opportunities here.

  • PhD Student Stories

    Our PhD students are engaged in cutting-edge research, in locations across the globe. Take inspiration from some of our current PhD students.