Earth System Modelling

Accessibility statement

Award Award	Duration Duration	Start dates Start dates	Application Application
PhD (MPhil also available) PhD (MPhil also available)	Full-time: 3–4 years Part-time: 6–8 years Full-time: 3–4 years Part-time: 6–8 years	February and October February and October	January to April January to April

Earth system modelling and integrated assessment modelling are about investigating the future of the Earth system and the response to ongoing climate change. Ultimately a key aim is testing the effectiveness of environment policies in producing desirable outcomes for society. At the OU we use a range of Earth system models of intermediate complexity to study past and future change in the Earth system and related socio-economic developments.

We are particularly interested in the quantification of uncertainty, and the long-timescale dynamics of the Earth system, including the interactions between environment and biodiversity. We also work on the development of human civilisation and the socio-economic dynamics of climate change mitigation policy. The group regularly has studies of past and future change published in Nature and Science journals.

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

We encourage enquiries from prospective students on all aspects of Earth system modelling linked to the expertise of the potential supervisors.

UK fee UK fee	International fee International fee
Full-time: £5,238 per year Full-time: £5,238 per year	Full-time: £17,175 per year Full-time: £17,175 per year
Part-time: £2,619 per year Part-time: £2,619 per year	Part-time: £8,588 per year Part-time: £8,588 per year

Some of our research students are funded via the Central England NERC Training Alliance; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

An image to illustrate the Earth system modelling research topic

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