The Universities of Exeter, Bristol, Bath, Plymouth and UWE Bristol have created the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) which draws together the established research excellence of academic and research staff at the five institutions. As part of the MPhil/PhD Sustainable Futures programme you will have supervisors from more than one discipline and more than one institution. Your home institution will be wherever your lead supervisor is based. Thus you will be able to benefit from the expertise of staff from a much wider base than is usual.
As a student of this programme you will undertake research that explores the interface between security, energy and the environment through engaging the latest critical thinking on risk management, critical infrastructure, public regulation, policy studies and the environmental sciences. Students on this programme could undertake research in the following areas: understanding the impacts of living with environmental change, the uncertainties of environmental change for energy and food security, and the diverse responses needed to foster behaviours, practices and policies that promote sustainability and resilience.
You will have access to numerous sessions, activities and resources through the SWDTP such as summer schools and advanced training events. In addition, you will have the opportunity to engage with events offered within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, including reading groups and research seminar series. Further skills development is encouraged through our Researcher Development Programme.
Sustainable Futures falls under the umbrella of Human Geography (for fee information)
To learn more about modules, assessment methods, facilities and our staff research expertise please visit our course page.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
University of Exeter - Penryn Campus, Cornwall
University of Exeter - Streatham Campus
Study options
PhD • Full-time • 4 Years
MPR • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
09/2026
01/2027
04/2027
How to apply
Fees and funding
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This is in addition to the UK Government’s Postgraduate Loan Scheme. For information on how you can fund your postgraduate degree at the University of Exeter, please visit our course page.