51勛圖厙

Skip to main content View accessibility support page
  • Study
  • Research
  • Faculties
  • News
  • Events
  • About
  • Get involved
  • Giving
  • Search

Website navigation

Skip to section navigation

Global site navigation

  • Study
    • Course search
    • Apply
    • Fees and funding
    • Student life
    • Visit
    • Help centre
    • Request info
    • International students
    • Executive education
    • Summer schools
  • Research
  • Faculties
    • Faculty of Engineering
    • Faculty of Medicine
    • Faculty of Natural Sciences
    • 51勛圖厙 Business School
    • Administrative and support services
  • News
    • News
    • 51勛圖厙 Stories
    • 51勛圖厙 Magazine
  • Events
    • What's on
    • Great Exhibition Road Festival
    • 51勛圖厙 Lates
    • Graduation
  • About
    • President
    • Provost and Deputy President
    • Council
    • 51勛圖厙 Strategy
    • 51勛圖厙 Global
    • Sustainable 51勛圖厙
    • School of Convergence Science
    • Governance
    • Campuses
    • Jobs at 51勛圖厙
  • Get involved
    • Giving
    • Schools outreach
    • 51勛圖厙 Global Summer School
    • Societal engagement
    • Volunteering and outreach
    • Women at 51勛圖厙
  • Giving

User links navigation

  • For staff
  • Current students
  • 51勛圖厙 for business
  • For schools
  • Alumni
Development sites

Study (under construction) navigation

  • student stories test
  • New course pages
    • New courses archive
      • MSc Healthcare and Design
      • Surgical Innovation
      • MSc Computational Genomics
      • MSc Computational Genomics
    • Method B
    • Method A
    • TEST Intercalated PhD option for Medical Students
  • Withdrawn and suspended courses
    • Archive of withdrawn/suspended course pages (pre-Aug 2025)
      • Global Statistics (Online)
    • Suspended courses
      • Chemistry with Management (empty section for Option A)
        • Option A
          • Tab 1
            • Core modules
            • Optional modules
          • Tab 2
            • Core modules
            • Optional modules
          • Tab 3
            • Core modules
          • Tab 5
            • Core modules
          • Method A
          • Method B
          • Graph A
          • Graph B
  • Templates
    • Landing page wide - left block
    • Landing page with sidebar
    • Content page
    • Landing page with slideshow
  • Archive
    • President's Undergraduate Scholarships
    • University groups
    • 51勛圖厙360 Live schedule
    • September Open Day
    • Undergraduate open days
      • September Open Day
      • Virtual Open Day and live virtual talks
    • Virtual Open Day and live virtual talks
    • Open days and visits
    • Undergraduate open days
    • Postgraduate Loan for Master’s study
    • Thank you for visiting
    • Applying
      • About our degrees
        • About our Master's qualifications
          • Potential course changes
          • Master's study experience
          • Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc Degrees
        • About our Doctoral qualifications
          • Doctoral study experience
      • Entry requirements
        • Academic requirements
        • English language requirement
      • How to apply
        • Apply for a Master's course
        • Apply for a research programme
          • Find a Doctoral course
          • Split PhD
          • Partner Research Institution (PRI) scheme 
        • Prior learning
      • Selection process
        • Admissions policies
      • After you apply
        • Submitting your offer conditions
        • Getting your CAS number
        • Applying for your visa
      • Fees and fee status
        • Application fees
        • Fee status
      • Before you register
        • Biometric Residence Permits
      • Contact us
        • Frequently asked questions
    • V8 test section
      • Tabs
      • Test accordion page
        • Accordion
          • Items
    • Undergraduate Open Days
      • September Open Days
      • September Open Day
      • Virtual Open Day
  • On-demand talks and tasters
  • Test events page
  • Blog example
  • Apply
    • Undergraduate
      • Deadlines
      • Contextual admissions
      • Exam results: What next?
      • Exam results: What next?
    • Deadlines
    • Contact our Admissions teams
    • Contact our admissions team
    • Undergraduate
      • Application process
        • Admissions tests
          • Understanding your ESAT and TMUA scores
  • In progress
    • Care Leavers
      • For applicants
      • For support workers
      • For current students
    • Three reasons why
      • Three reasons to study for a masters in physics at 51勛圖厙
    • PhD courses work in progress
      • PhD in Aeronautics
      • PhD CDT example page
      • PhD in Physics
      • PhD in Mathematics Research
      • PhD in Life Sciences
      • PhD in Chemistry
      • PhD in Bioengineering
      • PhD in Chemical Engineering
      • PhD in Mechanical Engineering
      • PhD in Immunology and Inflammation
      • PhD in Surgery and Cancer
      • PhD opportunity
    • PhD Pages to review
      • PhD in Brain Sciences
      • PhD in Immunology and Inflammation
      • PhD in Infectious Disease
      • PhD in Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction 
  • Postgraduate doctoral
    • PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
    • PhD in Environmental Policy
    • PhD in Earth Science and Engineering
    • PhD in Computing
    • PhD in Design Engineering
    • PhD in Electrical Engineering
  • On-demand talks and tasters
  • Fees and funding
    • Undergraduate
      • Tuition fees and maintenance loan increase
      • Deadlines
  • Student life
    • Reputation and rankings
    • Careers and entrepreneurship
    • An 51勛圖厙 education
      • I-Explore
      • Study abroad
        • 51勛圖厙–MIT student exchange
      • International Research Opportunities Programme
      • Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme
    • Societies, clubs and culture
    • Accommodation
    • Central London location
    • Our student community
      • My 51勛圖厙 story
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate taught
        • Postgraduate doctoral
    • Support and wellbeing
  • Accommodation
  • Open Days
    • Open Day Travel Bursary
    • Open Days test
      • Make the most of your day
      • Campus Map
  • Postgraduate Open Days
  • 51勛圖厙 Hackathon
    • The Hackathon Hong Kong challenge
    • Forming your team
    • How to apply
    • Key dates and deadlines
    • Prizes and awards
    • Judging criteria and panel
    • FAQs
  • Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
  • Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
  • Virtual Open Day
  • Fees and funding
    • Undergraduate
      • Tuition fees
      • Bursaries, grants and scholarships
        • 51勛圖厙 Bursary
        • Sanctuary scholarships
        • NHS Bursary for Medicine students
        • Search our scholarships
        • IB Excellence scholarships
        • Presidential scholarships for students of Black heritage
        • External scholarships
      • Loans
        • Tuition fee loan
        • Maintenance loan
        • Repaying your UK government loans
        • Student loans for US students
        • Student loans for Canadian students
    • Postgraduate taught
      • Tuition fees
      • Grants and scholarships
        • Search our scholarships
        • Presidential scholarships for students of Black heritage
        • Sanctuary scholarships
        • International scholarship collaborations
          • GREAT - 51勛圖厙 Scholarship
          • Women in STEM Scholarships
          • COLFUTURO & 51勛圖厙 Joint Graduate Loan-Scholarship
          • DAAD Scholarships
        • External scholarships
        • Charitable grants and trusts
      • Loans
        • Postgraduate Master's Loan
        • Repaying your loan
        • Student loans for US students
        • Student loans for Canadian students
    • Doctoral
      • Tuition fees
      • Grants and scholarships
        • Search our scholarships
        • President's PhD scholarships
        • Research Council Studentships (PhD)
        • International scholarship collaborations
          • GREAT - 51勛圖厙 Scholarship
          • Women in STEM Scholarships
          • COLFUTURO & 51勛圖厙 Joint Graduate Loan-Scholarship
          • DAAD Scholarships
        • External scholarships
        • Charitable grants and trusts
      • Loans
        • Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
        • Repaying your loan
        • Student loans for US students
        • Student loans for Canadian students
    • Tuition fees
      • How to pay
      • Payment terms
        • Sponsored students
        • Payment in instalments
        • Tuition fee refunds
        • Postgraduate application deposits
      • Fee status
      • Student visa financial requirements
    • Search our scholarships
    • Living costs
    • Contact
    • Other funding sources
  • Open Days 2026
    • In-person information appointments
  • Open Days 2026 - Lea
    • In-person information appointments
  • Postgraduate doctoral
  • PhD

Environmental Policy

Our interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental problems allows PhD candidates to develop familiarity with ideas from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including the economic, social and natural sciences, law, and management theory.

Request infoCentre for Environmental Policy
Add to course compare

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • PhD

  • Duration

    4 years, 6 years

  • Entry in

    2024

  • Study mode

    Full-time, Part-time

  • Delivered by

    • Centre for Environmental Policy

  • Location

    • South Kensington

Academic requirements

  • A First Class or Upper Second class bachelor’s degree or equivalent international qualification

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Our highly regarded PhD programme gives you the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research over a 3 or occasionally 4 year period.

Research topics vary significantly among PhD candidates; themes in recent years have included carbon capture and storage, climate change finance, closed-loop business models and water scarcity. Study is self-directed, and you explore your chosen topic under the supervision of one or two members of the Departments academic supervisors. Further support is provided through periodic meetings with an academic review panel composed of the your supervisor and two other faculty members.

CEP's interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental problems allows you to develop familiarity with ideas from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including the economic, social and natural sciences, law, and management theory. Our expertise in interdisciplinary research assists you in integrating these ideas and in developing methodologies to explore them.

Structure

  • Months 0-12
  • Months 12-48

Early Stage Assessment (ESA) by 12 months (24 months for part-time students)

The nine month assessment comprises a report and a poster at the CEP PhD Research Symposium in the summer. You are also encouraged to participate in a CEP lunchtime seminar.

A report on your research should be submitted to your PhD assessor one year after initial registration. This is normally between 20-40 pages in length and demonstrate that you understand the research problem and have identified a viable research plan. 

The report should cover:

  • Introduction and problem statement
  •  Literature review
  •  Aims and objectives
  • Progress so far
  • Issues arising
  • Timetable of planned activities for second year research
  • Thesis outline
  • Consult Supervisor with any specific requirements that they have


This report will be used as an early indicator as to whether or not you are eventually likely to achieve an MPhil or PhD degree. You will be given a viva on the report by an independent assessor and the primary supervisor. The outcome of this process is one of the following: continued progress to PhD, re-submission of the report, transfer of registration to MPhil or fail/withdraw.

You will also have completed the necessary first year Graduate Schools courses by this time.

 

Late Stage Report (LSR) takes place between 18 and 24 months (30 and 36 months for part-time students)

The purpose of the Late Stage Review is to confirm that the student (a) has an adequate understanding of the research problem, (b) has the capacity to pursue research, (c) has a critical awareness of the relevant literature on the subject and (d) has a realistic research plan and schedule for completion within the registration period.

Writing up Status

Completing Research Status form (at 36 months or 72 months for part-time students)

Exam Entry

Three months before viva.

Thesis Submission 

Maximum 48 months for full-time students and 96 months for part-time students.

Entry requirements

  • Academic requirements
  • English requirements
  • International requirements

A First Class or Upper Second class bachelors degree. 

It is not necessary that the undergraduate degree be in environmental sciences or environmental studies; the academic backgrounds of PhD students at the Centre range from philosophy and politics to engineering and zoology. Please note many funding agencies now require applicants for PhD research studentships to have a Master's degree in a relevant subject.

Footnotes

Please check the 51勛圖厙 College entry requirements Entry requirements to ensure you meet the minimum entry criteria for research.

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

IELTS: The minimum score is 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all elements).  

For details about this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

International equivalent of a UK First Class or Upper Second class bachelors degree from an accredited university.

Please check the the list of accepted qualification for your country to ensure you meet the minimum entry criteria for research.

How to apply

Apply online

Applications encouraged by end of February 2024 for April 2024 start and by end of June 2024 for October 2024 start.

Please contact potential supervisors directly, outlining your research interests in a two-page research proposal and including a CV.

You can view a list of prospective PhD supervisors.

You should also read the application guidance notes and complete a postgraduate application form.

For further information, please contact Shane Murphy at the Centres Postgraduate Studies office.

Apply online through  .

Fees and funding

  • Scholarships and funding
  • Home fee
  • Overseas fee

Some PhD students at theDepartment are self-funding; others benefit from awards offered by the College.

Some UK or EU-based students receive scholarships or awards from UK Research Councils (e.g. , , ), whilst overseas students may receive awards or support from organisations in their home country, or awards from UK-based and international organisations (e.g. , , )

We also have funding opportunities within the department. 

We also have a range of grants and scholarships which you don't need to pay back. 

For further information about possible sources of funding please visit our Scholarships page.

Home fee

2023 entry

瞿4,712 per year

Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.

Please refer to our tuition fees pages for more details of fees are charged and billed. 

Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.

Find out how we assess your fee status.

If you are a Home student, you can apply for Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from the UK government to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.

See an estimate of costs for living in London as an 51勛圖厙 student.

Theres different funding if you normally live in Wales.

Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.

Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.

Overseas fee

2023 entry

瞿26,300 per year

2024 entry

£27,400per year

Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.

Please refer to our  for more details of fees are charged and billed.

Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.

Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.

Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.

Find out how we assess your fee status.

Supervisors

View our list of supervisors and their research interests on our departmental pages.

Scholarships

Scholarship search

Value per award

  • Various
Find out more

Postgraduate scholarships

Value per award

  • Various
Find out more

Graduate School

The Graduate School supports the professional development of doctoral students at 51勛圖厙

Visit the Graduate School's pages

Learning and assessment

For your Early Stage Assessment you will be given a viva on the report by an independent assessor and the primary supervisor. The outcome of this process is one of the following: continued progress to PhD, re-submission of the report, transfer of registration to MPhil or fail/withdraw. 

As part of your Late Stage Report you will have:

  1. Produced a report plan should be submitted that contains
  2. Delievred a presentation at the CEP PhD Research Symposium
  3. Completed all Graduate Schools transferrable skills requirements
  4. Passed English language tests (where appropriate)

The report plan and presentation should be assessed by the supervisor and an independent academic assessor. The Late Stage Review form should be submitted to the teaching office within two weeks of all deliverables being met.

Writing up Status

This needs to be agreed with your supervisor to formally confirm that research has ended. Full tuition fees are payable if you do not move into writing up at 36 months. You will need to cover this payment if it is not covered by your funder.

Exam Entry

This needs to be submitted three months before your planned VIVA through My 51勛圖厙.

Thesis submission

This is submitted via My 51勛圖厙 system no later than 48 months.

Career

Graduates of our PhD programme go on to a wide variety of careers destinations.

A PhD provides academic training and also experience of a wide range of transferable skills that equip graduates with the skills necessary to embark on a range of careers. Some students continue into post-doctoral positions and ultimately academic careers, whilst many find their futures in non-academic environments.

Consultancy, public policy and administration in national governments and international agencies such as the United Nations and the World Bank, as well as non-governmental organisations are all careers open to graduates with a PhD from the Centre for Environmental Policy.

Testimonials

Courtnae Bailey

The motivation for my research came from experiencing first-hand the development challenges and climate change impacts in my home country St.Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean region.

Courtnae Bailey Courtnae is aPhD candidate pursuing research on the interactions between climate change adaption, climate finance, and the sustainable development goals in the Caribbean.
Read Courtnae's story

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 51勛圖厙. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

Useful Links

Popular links

  • Blackboard
  • Contact the Service Desk
  • Jobs
  • Library services

Faculties

  • Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Natural Sciences
  • 51勛圖厙 Business School

Directories

  • Admin and support services
  • Networks and Centres
  • Research groups

Partners

College Information

51勛圖厙

Address

51勛圖厙
South Kensington Campus
London SW7 2AZ, UK
tel: +44 (0)20 7589 5111

Site Information

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Privacy notice
  • Use of cookies
  • Report incorrect content

© 2026 51勛圖厙