Research degrees
Join us
Being part of our postgraduate community means you’ll join our friendly, supportive and diverse researchers who come from all around the world. Discover more about on-campus support, and living and working in Leeds.
Apply for a PhD
The easiest way to apply for a PhD is online, which will allow you to track your application at each stage of the process. Follow our step-by-step guidance.
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Fully funded PhDs
Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) are funded PhDs that train researchers to address science related problems for the benefit of society. Explore our DTPs.
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Guidance and support
From day one, you’ll benefit from a strong support network to guide you through your PhD. Find out more about support offered to postgraduate researchers.
MoreHear from our postgraduate researchers
Our postgraduate researchers work together across disciplines to tackle challenges in sustainability, health and the environment at the forefront of global agendas. Learn more about what they have to say.
Keiran Suchak is studying for a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) programme in Data Analytics and Society, alongside Leeds City Council. He said:
“Many of the PhD projects run by the CDT for Data Analytics and Society are run in conjunction with external partners; in my case, my project is run with Leeds City Council.
“Leeds City Council is the local authority for the City of Leeds, and is responsible for the provision of education, social services and much more. The Council’s interest in the project stems from the potential benefits that may be achieved using real-time pedestrian simulation methods.”
Haruko is conducting her PhD research as part of the Spatial Modelling and Dynamics research group at Leeds. Haruko’s research focuses on ‘shared mobility,’ which is the concept of sharing transportation modes for economic benefit, a very hot topic nowadays. She is also very interested in studying how uncertainty can influence a transport system, to tackle potential obstacles.
She said: "I ultimately hope to propose a strategic model that helps to understand the impact of new transport services in the mobility system. I want to contribute to the system to advocate a shift towards a more desirable direction."
Anya Schlich-Davies focuses on glacier modelling using climate data from the Khumbu region of Nepal for her funded PhD research. She calculates how glaciers and the South Asian monsoon, both vital sources of water among communities, may change in the future as a result of a changing climate.
She said: "Glaciers in this part of the world act as vital water resources to downstream communities, as does the South Asian monsoon, and so calculating how both of these may change is really important."
Catherine Okafor is studying for a PhD in Food Science and Nutrition as part of the Functional Biopolymers for Food and Health research group. Her studies are funded by Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund). Through her PhD research, Catherine aims to minimize food waste by turning banana waste into a novel food product.
She said: “The goal of my research is to minimize banana waste in the producing areas. They are wasted during the ripening process, as many bananas which do not meet market standards are rejected even though they are edible."
Ashar Aslam is a postgraduate researcher on the Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science (SENSE CDT). He said:
“As a result of my experiences, I knew I wanted to do a PhD linked to tropical meteorology and/or climate model analyses,” said Ashar. “It was quite difficult to find PhDs on African severe weather, which my Master’s project focused on. However, I found this PhD with focus on Southeast Asia through academics I contacted at Leeds, and given it still had a basis in tropical weather, I felt it was for me.
“I chose Leeds more specifically as I knew through the MOAP that there was a hub here and therefore a strong research group in atmospheric science and meteorology – I guess that’s what brought me here today!”
Our climate plan
The University’s Climate Plan will see £174 million invested over the next decade, more than £150 million of which will be put towards achieving the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Research impact
Our academic researchers lead and facilitate research that has real-world results. Here are some examples of impactful academic research pioneered by our academic community.
Global sustainable food challenges
Our researchers collaborate with food producers, policymakers and businesses worldwide to develop sustainable food systems in the face of the Earth’s changing climate.
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Pioneering climate solutions
Our experts are shaping policy and developing scientific interventions to help humanity adapt and respond to climate change and its pressing global challenges.
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Insights into urban communities
Our urban analytics experts work with key decision makers, public bodies and businesses to drive a smarter future for urban life.
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