Course summary
The Department of Geography is in the top tier of UK departments and has consistently been identified as one of the highest performing in successive research assessments (most recently, ranked 2nd in REF2014). We have over 30 members of academic staff and notable research concentrations in Quaternary science, social, cultural, and historical geography, the GeoHumanities, geopolitics and security, development studies and sustainability. Ours is a vibrant postgraduate community of over 120 students, including some 80 PhD candidates, drawn from across the world. Subject to eligibility criteria, students can access funding from AHRC, ESRC, NERC, and EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships and Centres. PhD students sit at the heart of our research culture and are supported in their work by world-leading academics and a dedicated team of technical staff. PhD students enjoy access to well-equipped laboratory and computing facilities and benefit from the exceptional range of partnerships the department has developed with charities, NGOs, industry, government departments, museums, and the creative sector. The department’s research environment is driven by a number of well-established research centres and groups:
- the Centre for the GeoHumanities
- the Centre for Quaternary Research
- the Geopolitics, Development, Security and Justice research group
- the Social, Cultural and Historical Geography research group.
Assessment method
PhD researchers are ordinarily assessed on the basis of a written thesis of monograph form and of not more than 100,000 words in length. Alternatively, for students engaged in practice-based research, Royal Holloway is one of the few geography departments internationally to offer assessment on the basis of a substantial body of performance or creative work, together with an accompanying written submission of 30,000–60,000 words. This mode of assessment may be particularly appropriate for candidates within the field of GeoHumanities. It is also possible, with permission, to submit a thesis that comprises a collection of papers, brought together via an introduction, methodology, critical evaluation and conclusion.
Entry requirements
The Department would ordinarily expect applicants to hold a UK 1st- or upper 2nd-class undergraduate degree (or a recognised international equivalent) together with a relevant Master’s degree (at Pass level or higher). Professional experience, particularly in the case of applicants wishing to pursue a practice-based PhD, will be considered in the absence of a Master’s degree. English language requirements We accept the following internationally-recognised English language qualifications: IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5. Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51. Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C. TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £23400 | Year 1 |
| International | £23400 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX