PhD in Applied Geosciences - Rock Mechanics, Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology

The Doctor of Philosophy is our main research degree. The PhD is awarded on the basis of a thesis (300 pages or 100,000 words) and examiners must be satisfied that you have discovered, interpreted and communicated new knowledge through original research, worthy of publication in international and national peer reviewed journals, which might reasonably be expected from a competent, hard-working student after three or up to four years of full-time study (five years or up to seven years for part-time or split-site study).

Within the Rock mechanics, engineering geology and hydrogeology group (RMEGH) we investigate the geomechanical, geotechnical and geoenvironmental behaviour of the ground (rock and soil) and groundwater, mainly focusing on the interaction between the ground and infrastructures and/or man-made projects. Our aim is to expand the boundaries of the current knowledge in specific areas of rock mechanics, engineering geology (and hydrogeology) and geotechnical areas. We have specialist expertise in rock mechanics and tunnelling engineering as well in engineering geology, landslide mechanics, slope stability and weathering and hydrogeology of fractured rocks, hydrogeophysics and contaminant biodegradation.

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a 2.1 honours degree, or equivalent, in a subject relating to your proposed area of research, or a good performance in a Masters level course in a relevant subject. A first class honours degree (or equivalent) is usually required to be competitive for scholarship funding and a Masters degree is also a valuable asset.

IELTS- 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all components.
TOEFL IBT (Internet-based TOEFL)- 87 with a minimum score of 20 in listening and reading, 21 in writing and 22 in speaking.