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Discover the future of sustainability
Study a postgraduate research degree with the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources at University College London
Globally, we need to rise to the challenges of the climate crisis and create a more sustainable, equitable world. We believe a better future is possible.
Located in London, we are home to four leading research institutes with a mission to create sustainable solutions for people and planet across the built environment, energy, resources, and heritage. Our MPhil/PhD students work alongside our academic teams to create impactful research that supports sustainable transitions around the world.
We are ranked #1 in the world for Built Environment studies according to the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024. Within our faculty 91% of research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ (REF 2021).
- Explore our MPhil/PhD opportunities
Energy MPhil/PhD
Most energy problems are multidisciplinary in nature, spanning science, engineering and the social sciences. UCL Energy Institute brings together different perspectives in energy demand, energy supply, and energy systems research, transcending boundaries between academic disciplines to create world-leading research and policy support on the challenges of climate change, energy security, and social justice.Environmental Design and Engineering PhD
The UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering pursues a deeper understanding of the interactions between the built environment and human wellbeing, health, productivity, energy use and climate change. Our multidisciplinary research programme and strong industry links provide an excellent foundation for MPhil/PhD study.Sustainable Heritage MPhil/PhD
Sustainable heritage studies the management and conversation of heritage as well as exploring how heritage can be a catalyst for social, economic, and environmental sustainable development. These ideas have quickly gained recognition and value in the worlds of management, physical and natural sciences and the heritage sector. The UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage delivers sustainable solutions to real-world problems concerning heritage, and works with external partners on ground-breaking, cross-disciplinary research and innovative teaching for future heritage leaders.Sustainable Resources MPhil/PhD
The interdisciplinary UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources provides evidence, expertise and training to respond to climate change, and to support sustainable transitions for people and planet. Our strong links with industry, policymakers and other academic institutions provide an excellent foundation for PhD study. PhD students at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources work on a range of research projects relating to the sustainable use of the world’s resources – including energy, food, minerals and ecosystems. Using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods, our research analyses natural and human systems, on global, regional, and local scales.
Are you ready to start your PhD/MPhil? Register your interest in studying with us today to receive updates from our faculty, along with invitations to upcoming open days and taster sessions.
Funding opportunities
We understand that students wishing to study with us may need some financial assistance with their studies, and with PhD scholarship season upon us, we share here a range of financial awards aimed at assisting PhD students with their studies. With deadlines approaching in January 2025, we urge prospective applicants to visit the respective scholarships webpages for full information on eligibility, application requirements and deadlines, and to submit their applications imminently.
We also occasisionally have fully funded PhD studentships available to research particular projects in our fields. Register interest to get email notifications of when these are available, along with updates from our faculty and more.
- Explore funded studentship opportunities
EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) provide funding to UK universities, including 50 fully-funded PhD studentships at UCL for the 2025-26 academic year. Across our four sustainability-focused Institute’s at The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, we have proposed 12 research topics for PhD students to join us from 2025, including:
- A machine learning aided high-fidelity urban building modelling approach for energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-responsive buildings
- Benchmarking Environmental Building Data for Enhanced Performance and Improved Insights
- Energy-aware Transport Digital Twins: Real-time Calibration and Update
- Enhancing Net-Zero Carbon Cities with Photovoltaic and Green Roof Integration for Adaptation to Extreme Climate Events
- Humidity Benchmarking for Optimal Indoor Comfort and Cognitive Performance (HOPE)
- Investigating Acoustic Interventions to Inhibit Mould Growth in Buildings
- Modelling system flexibility and renewable generation surplus: A key to enable investment and achieve a Net Zero electricity system.
- Non-Destructive Testing and Hygrothermal Simulation for Sustainable Retrofit Design
- Real-World Performance of Domestic Photovoltaics (RP-PV): Self consumption, flexibility, storage and long-term performance
- SNIFF (Smell-based Novel Investigation for Fungal Findings)
- Systems, Decision-making and Transdisciplinary in Climate and Health Policy Implementation
- The impact of climate change and inequalities on indoor environments within retrofitted dwellings in deprived English settings
Applications close 28 January 2025.
- Explore scholarship opporunities
The Bartlett Promise PhD Scholarship
The Bartlett Promise aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment to pursue a PhD at The Bartlett and is available to students with home (UK) fee status that also meet additional criterion of financial need, Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, disability, and care leaver status. The four scholarships offer four years of support with full fees, a stipend of £19,600 per year and research support funds. Students must submit their application to the scheme by 19 May 2024 and must have a formal offer of a place at UCL by this date.UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship
The UCL Research Opportunity Scholarships are reserved for permanent UK residents from certain Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. The five scholarships offer three years of support with full fees, a stipend of around £21,000 per year and research support funds. Students must submit their application to the scheme and also a full PhD application by 10 January 2025.China Scholarship Council-UCL Joint Research Scholarship
The China Scholarship Council-UCL Joint Research Scholarship (CSC) aims to expand the educational, cultural and technological co-operation between the UK and China and is thus only available to Chinese students. There are five scholarships for whichour applicants are eligible and these are applied for via the UCL Research Excellence scholarship scheme, so the deadline is 10 January 2025.UCL Research Excellence Scholarship
UCL Research Excellence Scholarships (UCL-RES) offer three years of support with full fees, a stipend of around £21,000 per year and research support funds. These are available to all students irrespective of their background, including existing students. Students need to apply in conjunction with a supervisory team and they will also need to submit a full PhD application by the deadline. The 40 studentships are awarded purely on academic merit (students with strong distinctions and prizes tend to be successful – our students been awarded one scholarship in each of the last two years). All projects are eligible. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2025.
Register your interest
Do you want to recieve updates from our faculty, along with invitations to upcoming open days, taster sessions and more? Complete the form below to register your interest in studying with us, selecting your subject of interest as 'Environmental design and engineering', 'Sustainable heritage', 'Sustainable resources' or 'Energy' .