Geography and the Environment (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The DPhil in Geography and the Environment is a research-based degree focused on original work in areas such as climate systems, biodiversity, political geographies, and environmental interactions.

The DPhil is an advanced research degree which is awarded on the basis of a thesis and oral examination (assessment of other work is not taken into consideration). You are required to work independently, to take the initiative in exploring a line of research and to acquire new skills in order to carry out your research. The course provides support and an intellectual environment to pursue your own independent research.

The department has seven research clusters. You will be a member of one of the clusters and are encouraged to attend and participate in the organisation of the research seminars organised by each cluster:

• Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Conservation

• Climate Systems

• Landscape Dynamics

• Economy, Society: Transformations and Justice

• Environmental Interactions

• Political Worlds: Place, Power, Politics

• Technological Life: Environments, Bodies, Mobilities.