Overview
Pursue your research degree with an internationally known institute that works with influential partners, including government and industry.
Supervision and support
We can accommodate many research proposals. Our researchers come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, geography, international relations, psychology, sociology, environmental social science, communications, mathematics and computer modelling.
Our supervisory staff are recognised experts in their fields. Feel free to contact a member of our academic staff with an informal enquiry.
The GSI staff are joined by visiting fellows – and we can call on the expertise of specialists throughout ARU to support the interdisciplinary aspects of your work.
You can find out more about our postgraduate opportunities (MSc, PhD, ProfDoc), including links to PhD topics which would complement current research across our themes.
Where you'll research
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at ARU. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students, 2025/26 (per year)
£5,005
UK students, 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
£2,502.50
International students, 2025/26 (per year)
£16,700
International students, 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
£8,350
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2025/26 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,300
- £2,300
- £4,700
- £9,300
PhD by Published Work
Initial registration: £1,600
Full registration: £4,700
Writing up fees 2025/26
£1,300
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.
Funding
For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
Visit aru.ac.uk/global-sustainability-institute-gsi/research for further information about current research at the Institute.
Careers
Our students are closely involved in the Institute’s activities, including team meetings, our annual summer away day and winter strategy day, contributing to our So What? magazine, and our own PhD support group.
All of this training and engagement supports our PhDs in future career pathways, whether within academia or beyond. Previous PhD researchers in the GSI have worked for think tanks, consultancies, industry, and local government, and become lecturers and researchers at various universities including ARU, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pan Atlantic University in Nigeria, and the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities, please email [email protected] or visit the GSI postgraduate degrees page.
Entry requirements
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelor degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Master degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.
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January 2027, April, September 2026