MPhil: minimum 12 months full time; minimum 24 months part time
PhD: minimum 36 months full time; minimum 72 months part time
Fees per academic year 2013-14
UK and EU: full time £4,320-£10,950 part time £2,160-£5,475
International: full time £14,180-£20,810 part time fees
Fees vary according to the exact nature of the research project.
More information is available about tuition fees and discounts.
We welcome enquiries from prospective students who wish to undertake research in our areas of expertise, which are: applied and fundamental aspects of the geosciences, with a particular focus on conventional and alternative energy resources; environmental sustainability; climate change; and biosphere and geosphere interactions.
Specific MPhil and PhD supervision is available in the following areas:
Petroleum-related geological research
Reservoir and source-rock geochemistry; the microbial deep biosphere of petroleum reservoirs; the origin, significance and maturation of molecular biomarker compounds in the sedimentary record; physico-chemical properties and behaviour of mudstone sequences; shale gas; the geological sequestration of CO2 ; palynofacies and organic facies of ancient and modern sediments (Dr G Abbott, Professor A Aplin, Professor I Head, Dr M Jones and Professor T Wagner).
Environment-related research
Geomicrobiology; mineral science; molecular microbial ecology; molecular palaeontology; soil biogeochemistry; waste management; bioremediation of polluted soils and waters; biogeochemical cycling of elements through Earth history; climate change during past greenhouse conditions; processes of carbon cycling and export across the land–ocean transition (Dr G Abbott, Professor A Aplin, Dr N Gray, Professor I Head, Dr A Jarvis, Dr B Jones, Dr M Jones, Professor D Manning, Dr S Poulton, Dr H Talbot, Dr D Werner and Professor T Wagner).
For further information about staff specialisms, recent projects and research opportunities please see our website.
Above all, we are looking for applicants with an enthusiasm for research to take up Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), school-, and industry-funded PhDs. All of our research programmes involve an initial three-month period of intensive theoretical and practical tuition and are designed to offer a fast, efficient and well-managed route to a higher degree.
Our Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School provides training in professional/key skills and research techniques, supports personal development, hosts postgraduate events and has links with several specialist graduate training networks.
In general you need a minimum of an upper-second-class Honours degree, or an international equivalent, in an appropriate discipline, such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, geology, Earth or environmental science, or engineering. Please contact us if you are uncertain of your eligibility.
Candidates whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for written English), TOEFL 90 (Internet-based), or equivalent.
Our INTO Newcastle University Centre can provide extra tuition to help you meet the University's English language requirements.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has rules for international students regarding minimum English language requirements.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences offers funded studentships.
International Students, consult your own government for funding. The University offers International Scholarships, and there are funding opportunities by external organisations available.
Students should consult their employers for sponsorship opportunities.
Visit our postgraduate application site.
Applications are considered throughout the year, although specific deadlines for funding may apply. UK-based applicants will be asked to visit the School for interview in March/April. Further application advice is available from the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
There are three possible start dates for your research degree:
• 7 January 2013
• 15 April 2013
• or 23 September 2013
However these dates are not mandatory and in some circumstances permission can be granted for alternative start dates.
Please note: As a formal condition of the offer to study at Newcastle University, students from outside the UK/EU are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship for their chosen programme. The deposit payment is non refundable, but will be deducted from tuition fees upon registration.
For further information please contact:
Postgraduate Research Secretary (Civil Engineering)
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 6445
E-mail: melissa.ware@ncl.ac.ukSubject Overview
This programme is within the subject area of Geochemistry.