Agriculture MPhil, PhD
Agriculture MPhil, PhD
MPhil - full time: minimum 12 months, part time: minimum 24 months
PhD - full time: minimum 36 months, part time: minimum 72 months
Profile
MPhil and PhD supervision covers a number of research topics supported by research active academic staff. Our range of research areas relate to crop science, soil science, ecological (organic) agriculture, and agricultural water management.
Crop science
Genes and physiological traits, such as:
- resistance to crop pests and diseases
- molecular-assisted selection and breeding methods
- plant environment interactions and their relationships to stress biology
- physiological basis of crop yield and quality
- biotransformation of synthetic compounds and natural products in plants
- herbicide selectivity in cereals and competing weeds
Soil science
- soil ecology and the contribution of soil biodiversity to soil quality
- soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics
- interpretation of soil and landscape processes to improve understanding of recent and historical environmental change
- land degradation processes and their control
Ecological (organic) agriculture
- functional biodiversity for control of pest, disease and weed pressure
- long term factorial systems comparison experiments for in depth study of different aspects of conventional and organic farming systems
Agricultural water management
- irrigated agriculture
- interactions between land-use and hydrological response in a semi-arid environment
- soil hydrological processes affecting management of salinity in irrigated land
Quality and Ranking
We rank in the top 150 for Agriculture and Forestry - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019
Delivery
Delivery
We offer a number of different routes to a research degree qualification, including full-time and part-time supervised research projects. We attract postgraduates via non-traditional routes, including mature students and part-time postgraduates undertaking study as part of their continuing professional development. Off-campus (split) research is also offered, which enables you to conduct trials in conditions appropriate to your research programme.
Facilities
Farms
Our multi-purpose farms provide demonstration facilities for teaching purposes, land-based research facilities (especially in the area of organic production) and they are viable farming businesses.
Cockle Park Farm is a 262ha mixed farm facility that includes the Palace Leas Plots hay meadow experiment and an anaerobic digestion plant that will generate heat, electricity and digestate - an organic fertiliser - from pig and cattle manure.
Nafferton Farm is a 300ha farm with two main farm units covering conventional and organic farming systems. The two systems are primarily focussed upon dairying and arable cropping. Both also operate beef production enterprises as a by-product of their dairy enterprises, although the organic system is unique in maintaining a small-scale potato and vegetable production enterprise.
Laboratories
Our modern laboratories provide important teaching and research environments and are equipped with analytical equipment such as HPLCs, GCs, CNS analyser, centrifuges, spectrophotometers and molecular biology equipment. Our specialist research facilities include:
- tissue culture laboratory
- plant growth rooms
- class II laboratory for safe handling of human biological samples
- taste panel facilities and test kitchen
- thin section facility for soils analysis
We operate closely with other schools, institutes and the University's Central Scientific Facilities for access to more specialist analytical services. For work with human subjects we use a purpose built Clinical Research Facility which is situated in the Royal Victoria Infirmary teaching hospital and is managed jointly by us and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In the news
You will receive a tailored package of support from the University to ensure you maximise your research and future career. There are also opportunities to undertake your research at Newcastle within a Doctoral Training Centre, Centre for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnership.
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme and Student Support
Our Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme is a community made up of postgraduates from the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
It will help you to develop the skills and experience that the UK Research Councils expect you to have, or to develop, during your research degree.
Our programme will help you to:
- complete a training needs analysis, so that you know what your current skills are and where you need help and development
- use your training needs analysis to create your personal development plan
- identify appropriate workshops or other events that will help you most and best address your development needs
- gain the personal and professional key skills development for the successful completion of your research degree
Postgraduate Research Student Support
Our Research Student Support Team will provide support and advice throughout your studies. The team can help you on a variety of issues from registration to producing your transcripts.
Doctoral training centres and partnerships
Being part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) means that you can benefit from the research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics. You'll also be studying alongside a cohort of other PhD students.
These centres are often interdisciplinary, combining expertise and training from multiple subject areas. You may also be able to collaborate with an industrial or commercial organisation.
Your PhD will be funded. Normally the fees are covered and you'll receive a tax-free stipend or living expenses. Additional funding is sometimes available to cover things such as conference attendance and research materials.
The centres/ partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area.
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
Entry Requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
We usually expect research experience and/or a postgraduate qualification, such as a MRes or MSc, for PhD study. Please contact us if you are in any doubt.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
English Language Requirements
Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.
Please email us at international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
You may need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate. You'll need to get this before you can get your visa or study on this programme. We'll let you know about the ATAS requirement in your offer letter.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step by step guide can help you on your way.
You should get in touch about our research degrees before you apply.
You can apply for funded and non-funded PhD opportunities in Natural and Environmental Sciences.
Interview
You'll be invited for an interview as part of the application process. The supervisor will arrange this with you.
Start dates
The course starts in September, but we consider January and April start dates on an individual basis.
There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you live outside the UK/EU you must:
- pay a deposit of £1,500
- or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.
Contact
Gavin Stewart
Director of Postgraduate Research
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3593
Email: snes.pgr.enquiries@ncl.ac.uk