Physical Geography

Overview

Themes include future prediction and modelling, present-day observation, monitoring and modelling, and reconstruction of past environments and environmental changes.

You will by supervised by world leading academics with very strong reputations for research quality. 

Geography in Manchester was ranked 8th in the world by the 2014 QS world university rankings. In the UK research assessment exercise 2008, 94% of our outputs were considered internationally recognised, with an exceptionally high proportion (65%) judged to be internationally excellent or world leading.

Our Physical Geography staff members hold editorial positions with leading research publications, including major journals such as Journal of the Geological Society, Geoarchaeology and Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers and also serve on various panels of the UK Natural Environmental Research Council.

Recent PhD graduates have been appointed to positions at leading universities around the world, while others now work in government agencies and research institutes as well as conservation organisations. 

Many graduates have gone on to work in environmental consultancy in both the public and private sectors. Our graduates also have a strong track record in the energy and mining sector, including renewable energy, oil, gas, aggregates and minerals.

Career opportunities

As a postgraduate researcher at The University of Manchester, you'll have access to a dedicated Researcher Development Team who will support your professional development throughout your PhD journey and beyond.

Our researcher development programme will enable you to become more aware of your developing researcher identity, equipping you with the skills you need during your PhD and prepare you to integrate into the researcher community.

At every stage of your career, you'll receive relevant, effective and comprehensive professional development opportunities.

We offer training sessions to build your skills and confidence in writing and presenting, with specific sessions on viva preparation, thesis submission and preparing for your Review Panel.