Research profile
Join our growing community of doctoral researchers and benefit from supportive individual supervision, a carefully crafted programme of research training in the social sciences and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Human Geography at Brunel University London is part of the multi-disciplinary Department of Social and Political Sciences which spans interests in Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Politics, History, Criminology, Media and Communications and Journalism.
This interdisciplinary environment provides valuable opportunities for collaboration across fields.
We work with others within and beyond the department as part of a Human Geography Research Group that meets to discuss research on a monthly basis. Brunel University London’s physical geographers are based in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and conduct more applied research.
Research impact
Join a community of geographers who engage in research with real world impact.
We have contributed our expertise to:
- collaborating with the Museum of London to ensure their move to Smithfield is sensitive to the needs of the area
- partnering with grassroots activist organisations in Nepal challenging anti-trafficking initiatives
- working with teacher training institutions to prepare teachers for rural schools
- working with artists and theatre creators to develop and perform a drama about climate change
- advising a local charity supporting people on a suburban estate experiencing redevelopment
- influencing EU policymaking on New Genomic Techniques and advising Scottish government agencies on flooding
Research community
Our areas of expertise include:
- geographies of global development
- international migration
- children and youth
- political geography
- political ecology
- urban change
We work in contexts across the UK, Western Europe (Spain, Germany, France, Belgium), Africa (Malawi, Lesotho) and Asia (India and Nepal).
We adopt a critical geography approach and seek to innovate methodologically, involving research participants closely in different stages of our research.
Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups
Find a supervisor
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
As a PhD student at Brunel, you’ll be guided by two experienced supervisors who will support you throughout your research. Regular meetings make sure you receive ongoing feedback and help refine your work. We encourage you to contact potential supervisors directly to discuss your research interests.
PhD topics
While we welcome applications from students with a clear direction for their research, we can also provide you with some ideas. Search for PhD topics for your chosen field of research.
Research journey
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Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.
Research support
Research support
Excellent research support and training
The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.
Library services
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.
Find out more: Brunel Library
In addition to the doctoral training programme provided by the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Brunel’s Graduate School offers a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme.
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day. Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library (400,000 books), we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues. Doctoral researchers have access to desks in a selection of study rooms across the campus.
Find out more: Brunel Library
Careers and your future
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.
UK entry requirements
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/5 entry
International
£23,615 full-time
£11,805 part-time
UK
£4,786 full-time
£2,393 part-time
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
Some courses incur additional course related costs. You can also check our on-campus accommodation costs for more information on living expenses.
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.
