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Climate Change, Sustainability and Society PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

Explore environmental change and the diverse responses needed to foster behaviours, practices and policies which promote sustainability.

In this interdisciplinary pathway, you will investigate sustainability topics using insights and perspectives from multiple disciplines, with a primary focus on social sciences (e.g., psychology, policy studies, political science, development studies, education, economics, social geography, sociology).

Department of Psychology

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

This programme is available through the which provides Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded studentships. Applicants must apply for admission to the Â鶹´«Ã½ and complete the SWDTP studentship application process. Applications normally open in October each year.

The current competition deadlines, eligibility criteria and application requirements are published on the Â鶹´«Ã½ and funding webpages.

The SWDTP assesses applicants’ previous qualifications and research-methods training to determine the appropriate training route. Successful applicants may be offered a PhD studentship, a studentship that includes an appropriate research master’s, or a PhD studentship with additional research-methods training. Any required training, and the associated funding and study period, will be specified in the studentship offer.

If you are interested in a PhD on this topic but not through the DTP, then please apply for a PhD in any Humanities and Social Sciences Department.

You can start this programme in September or October.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Registration
  2. Induction
  3. Candidature
  4. Confirmation
  5. Research
  6. Writing up
  7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
  8. Submission for examination
  9. Examination (Viva Voce)
  10. Examiners report
  11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
  12. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Supervisory team

Research content

Sustainability topics can be wide-ranging, with the content of your research determined with your PhD supervisory team. However, in line with the goals of this PhD programme, your thesis will have a primarily social science focus.

The lead supervisor must be based at an SWDTP partner university that offers the pathway to which the applicant is applying. Applicants are expected to identify a prospective lead supervisor and obtain their support before submitting a studentship application. The lead supervisor or their institution is responsible for arranging a suitable second supervisor, who may be based at another SWDTP partner university and does not need to be named at the point of application. The supervisory team must meet the requirements of the SWDTP and the regulations of the institution at which the student is registered.

For interdisciplinary pathways, we encourage, but do not require, supervisory teams from across disciplines, and, for all pathways, we invite cross-institutional supervision across the doctoral partnership.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

If you wish to study for both an MRes and a PhD (the 1 + 3) you should apply for the PhD but indicate on the Application Form, that you also wish to study for an MRes.

Where a studentship includes a research master’s, progression to the PhD research phase is subject to satisfactory completion of the required training and the conditions specified in the studentship offer. The ESRC’s requirements for appropriate master’s-level research training include an average of at least Merit (60%) in both the taught units/modules and the dissertation component. Any additional requirements of the relevant MRes programme and the University’s progression regulations will also apply.

Candidates are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:

  • A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or
  • A master’s degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent)

English Language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.

You’ll need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:

  • Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Speaking 120, Writing 130, Reading 120, Listening 115
  • Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any component
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 100 overall with no less than 24 in any element
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 5.0 overall with no less than 4.5 in any component

See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.

You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:

  • you're a UK national
  • you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by , and you’ve lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
  • you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date

References

Two references are required for this programme (at least one of these should be an academic reference from ypur most recent place of study).

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Climate Change, Sustainability and Society PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all Â鶹´«Ã½ students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

If you don’t already live in Bath, you will need to pay your own relocation costs and, if you require a visa to study in the UK, you will also need your own private funds for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare surcharge (IHS).

How to pay

Funding options

Successful SWDTP applicants receive funding for tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for the duration of their award, subject to the applicable ESRC and SWDTP conditions. The standard PhD funding offer is normally three years and three months, plus three months of ringfenced funding for Research in Practice, excluding any additional master’s-level or other required training. Part-time awards are offered pro rata. Students are expected to submit their thesis within or at the end of their funded period.

Students undertake an ongoing Development Needs Analysis and have access to training and professional development opportunities across the partnership. Research in Practice normally includes a three-month full-time-equivalent placement, internship or equivalent activity. Additional funding may be available for eligible activities, such as overseas fieldwork, difficult language training and overseas institutional visits, subject to the relevant application and approval processes.

This programme is only available through the and fees for successful students will be covered for the duration of their ESRC studentship awards.

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For further information, see our institutional guidance on studying as a South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) student at Bath and on applying for ESRC funding.

Applying for SWDTP funding

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

Applicant profile

A competitive applicant profile will show:

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
  • A clear understanding of the proposed research project, its intended methods and its aims
  • Alignment between the applicant’s research interests/experience and the supervisor’s or department’s research priorities

Application guidance

Your proposal should address a problem or question with strong links to the themes of this pathway.

Prior to applying, please contact and gain agreement to supervise you from an academic staff member (who will become your lead supervisor), as well as your additional supervisor(s), as their agreement to supervise is critical for acceptance into the PhD programme. Your lead supervisor may be able to advise on the most suitable additional supervisor(s). Gaining feedback on your proposal from your potential supervisors prior to submission is strongly encouraged.

The proposal itself should include;

  • a brief review of relevant background literature (to contextualise the issue)
  • a core research question or theme
  • an outline of the possible methods that could be used to address this question.
  • how your research will draw on interdisciplinary perspectives

See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study and applying for ESRC funding for further documents required.

If you wish to study for both an MRes and a PhD (the 1 + 3), you should apply for the PhD but indicate on the Application Form that you also wish to study for an MRes.

Selection process

When your application is received, it will be forwarded to your intended supervisor(s). If they are interested in pursuing your application, they will ask the Doctoral Admissions team to review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status, checking that your application is complete and confirming that you meet the minimum entry criteria as quoted in the ‘Entry requirements’ section above.

The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff.

Following the interview, your intended supervisory team will decide if they wish to put you forward within the competition. There are further stages of institutional and then cross-institutional shortlisting before the final awards are decided.

It is important to remember that PhD places are competitively awarded and your application will be considered as a whole including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience/potential.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Programme enquiries

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