PhD Agriculture, Rural and Environmental Studies

This interdisciplinary programme is rooted in our internationally recognised research, offering opportunities to contribute to critical global challenges such as food and nutrition security, one health, climate change, and efficient resource usage. SRUC is in the top 25% of global universities for activities supporting the SDG's (United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals) Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Life on Land. Our research ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide for Zero Hunger and was among the top 200 institutions for Climate Action and Life on Land.

Location: Non Campus Specific
Study mode:
Subject area: Agriculture, Environment, Conservation and Sustainability, Animal and Biological Sciences, Food, Veterinary
Start date: October 2026
Agency code: PHD1

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Course overview

SRUC offers a dynamic, high-quality environment for postgraduate research and training. Our PhD programme is designed to support your growth as a researcher and prepare you for impactful careers in academia, industry, consultancy, and beyond.

What You Can Expect

As a doctoral student, you’ll:

conduct original, supervised research that tackles real-world, novel challenges
be fully integrated into your department and research team
take part in journal clubs, seminars, and collaborative group meetings
access a wide range of training opportunities to support your academic and professional development

Your Research Journey

Whether you choose a pre-defined PhD project or work with us to develop your own proposal, you'll receive expert guidance every step of the way. Our supportive environment fosters innovation, collaboration, and the confidence to take your ideas forward.

Learn more about SRUC's Research.

Additional information

Informal enquiries about the project and your application should be addressed to the project supervisor. Funded PhDs outline the project supervisor in the project advert on Postgraduate research opportunities. For your own research project, please identify and contact a supervisor from PURE: Find Profiles - PURE, SRUC.

After you have approached the project supervisor and discussed your application with them, you should:

Complete the online application through the 'apply now' link on this page. Make sure you attach your academic transcripts and certificates.
Download and send the Academic Reference Form to your two academic/professional referees, and ask them to submit the references directly to Doctoral.College@sruc.ac.uk

Please note that to account for visa processing times, international applicants should apply no later than June for an October start.

If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, don't hesitate to contact us at Doctoral.College@sruc.ac.uk

Applicants are expected to have at least one of the following:

An undergraduate degree, usually at 1st or 2:1 class level, or equivalent in a relevant subject; or
A relevant master’s qualification or equivalent evidence of prior professional practice.

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland

What you'll learn

By the end of your doctoral journey at SRUC, you'll be equipped with the skills, confidence, and expertise to thrive as a researcher and thought leader in your field. You'll be able to:

Design and deliver original research that pushes boundaries, responds to emerging challenges, and contributes new knowledge at the cutting edge of your discipline.
Critically engage with literature and theory, applying key concepts and principles to your own research context with depth and insight.
Master advanced research techniques and professional skills essential for high-level academic enquiry and real-world impact.
Create and interpret new knowledge, driving forward innovation and scholarly understanding.
Think independently and analytically, evaluating complex information and forming evidence-based judgements with confidence.
Communicate your findings effectively to a range of audiences—whether in academic journals, public forums, or professional settings.
Develop as a reflective and professional researcher, with a strong sense of purpose, self-awareness, and academic integrity.

Share and Celebrate Your Research:

Each year, the SRUC Doctoral College Postgraduate Research Conference brings our research community together. It’s a vibrant opportunity for you to showcase your work at each stage, connect with fellow researchers across disciplines, and gain valuable feedback in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Training plan:

Introduction to Research (core)
Research Culture: Ethics (core)
Reviewing Literature: Research Data (core)
Reviewing Literature: Creation (core)
Good Practice for Presenting (core)
10 Week Presentations (core)
Training Wrap-Up (core)

SRUC Postgraduate Research Conference (core)
Specialist Research Skills Training (elective)
Opportunities to Participate in Research Events (elective)

SRUC Postgraduate Research Conference (core)
Thesis Planning (core)
Career Planning (core)
Research Funding (elective)

Admissions process

When and how you will receive a decision on your application:

You will be notified via email when a decision has been made on your application. We aim to reply to independently or sponsored applications no later than 8 weeks from submission of your application. You may be invited to interview for your project, depending on the project proposal provided. Competitive-funded applications will follow a different timeline, as updated in the applications timeline below.

All competition-funded PhD applications to SRUC usually go through the same process:

Application submission - this includes sending your application form provided by the project advert on Postgraduate research opportunities and providing all information in the application form, including all degree certificates and transcripts and two references from academic/professional referees.

The PhD shortlisting process has 3 stages.

Stage 1: The project supervisor will nominate one candidate from their list of applications to go forward for shortlisting.

Stage 2: Our panel will then consider all nominated candidates and shortlist them for interviews.

Stage 3: Interviews – interview criteria will be provided to each candidate via email.

Please ensure to read the project advert for full details on how to apply.

2025/26 Competitive PhD Applications Timeline:

All funded studentship offers have now been provided for the 2025/26 academic year.

International applicants

International students and candidates from non-English speaking countries will need to meet the minimum language requirements for admission onto a programme of study.

Test results must be less than two years old prior to admission. International students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in English may not be required to submit an English Language certificate – the International Compliance Lead can advise on this.

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to provide evidence of their written and spoken English abilities. SRUC will normally accept as evidence:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - 6.5 (with no score lower than 6.0 in any section
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language - 92 (with no score lower than 20 in each section)
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) - Grade C
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) - Grade B

You may be eligible for an exemption or alternative evidence. Full details can be found here: SRUC International students | English language requirements

All international applicants require a visa to study with us. You may also require an ATAS certificate, depending on the subject area of your research project. Further information can be found on our Student Visa page.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course (per year) are:

Scottish students: £5,006
RUK students: £5,006
International students: £18,000

More information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page. Fees are per academic year. Bench fees may incur depending on the project – these are confirmed after candidates are successful in their application.

Funding available:

Researching and applying to postgraduate research funding sources can be a long process and we recommend allowing plenty of time to find the funding route that best suits you. Most funding sources are dependent on you already having an offer to study your PhD at SRUC; meaning you should have an idea of where you will apply to for funding while submitting your PhD application.

Government Funding (England or Wales)

If you're domiciled in England or Wales, you may be eligible to apply for a doctoral loan from your regional body:

English students can apply for a loan of up to £29,390 from Student Finance England.
Welsh students can apply for a loan of up to £28,655 from Student Finance Wales.

Loans cannot be offered in conjunction with Research Council funding, NHS funding or other direct Government funding. More information is available via FindaPhD.

Employment

If your degree is directly relevant to your work, you should think about speaking with your employer. They may give you paid leave for study or even pay for part of your tuition fees and associated costs.

Bursaries

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships – for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. Find out more here.