Physical Geography, Ph.D. / M.Phil.

Top 100 in the World (Shanghai Ranking Subject Rankings 2024)

Californian trees

Course Overview

Start dates: PhD/MPhil - 1st October, 1st January, 1st April & 1st July.

You will undertake an individual physical geography research project over two years (MPhil) or three years (PhD), supported by our widely respected academic staff:

  • Predicting and mitigating water pollution risk from wildfire ash – Professor Stefan Doerr is a leading authority on wildfire impact.
  • Predicting ice rifts - Professor Adrian Luckman received international press coverage for his research on the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica and his predictions of its calving. 
  • Professor Siwan Davies’ work focuses on establishing why climate has changed dramatically and abruptly in the past 100,000 years. Siwan recently made a television documentary on the effects of present climate change in Uganda, Costa Rica and California.
  • Professor Tavi Murray, the first woman to be awarded the Polar Medal by HM queen for outstanding service to polar research.
  • Professor Peter North who received global media coverage for his work with NASA on the Amazon and Climate Change.

 Our current research groups include:

  • Environmental Dynamics
  • Glaciology
  • Global Environmental Modelling and Earth Observation
  • Migration, Boundaries and Identity
  • Social Theory and Urban Space

In the latest Research Assessment Exercise, 95% of Geography research at Swansea was judged to be of international quality, and 60% was regarded as world-leading or internationally excellent.

We are ranked:

  • Top 100 in the World (Shanghai Ranking Subject Rankings 2024)
  • 90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • 100% of the environment was rated as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • Top 201-250 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Swansea Science Doctoral Training Centre fosters a growing vibrant community of PhD students