School of Biological and Marine Sciences

PhD Biological Sciences

Conduct research at the cutting edge of the discipline, working alongside a team of specialist academic advisors. Our staff work in a wide range of fields, including ecology and evolution, marine biology, ecophysiology, developmental biology, animal behaviour, conservation biology and biological responses to global change. See our research group and staff pages for details.

Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject, and typically to have also completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level). If you do not have a masters level qualification, you may wish to consider an appropriate ResM such as ResM Biological Sciences or ResM Marine Sciences. Students who are making exceptional progress in a ResM programme may sometimes progress directly into our PhD programme without having to complete the masters, depending on the availability of funding.
Potential applicants for both ResM and PhD programmes should first identify a member of academic staff who may be a suitable supervisor, and contact them by email to discuss possible directions for a research proposal. The research proposal must be agreed by the supervisor before an application to study can be made. You must also ensure that appropriate funding is in place, to cover both fees, and the cost of the research.
Applicants must have discussed a research topic with a prospective University of Plymouth supervisor in advance, including agreement about possible sources of funding for the project. Find out more about our research groups, their members and interests via the School of Biological and Marine Sciences Research page before applying. The research group leaders will be happy to answer your questions about potential supervisors and research topics.
Please contact Dr Mick Hanley with any additional queries.
If English is not your first language, you must have proficiency in written and spoken English (normally a minimum test score of 6.5 for IELTS, or equivalent). Given the nature of the programme, you’ll be expected to read and engage with complex theoretical texts and debates for which fluency in English is essential.
For more general guidelines and application requirements, please visit the @research degrees applicants page.

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees. We are in Band 2 for fees purposes. You must also discuss direct research costs with your potential supervisor before applying, as these will also need to be covered.
If you are a full time student, you will pay full time fees for three years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional one year writing up period.
If you are a part time student, you will pay part time fees for four years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional 'writing up' period of up to two years.
You are responsible for meeting all of the costs related to your own research project, beyond the resources available in the department.
Please visit our postgraduate research money matters page to find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.

How to apply
In addition to completing the online application form (which includes space for a personal statement), you must also upload a research project proposal. Your research proposal should outline your research topic, your key aims and the research question/problem you are addressing, a brief literature review, your proposed methodology, and an explanation of why this topic is significant or important.
Your personal statement should briefly explain why you have chosen to apply to our programme and what you feel you can offer our research community.
Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.
Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College and we'll be happy to assist you.
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Course details

This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is usually the most appropriate research degree to undertake.
Potential applicants should first identify a member of academic staff who may be a suitable supervisor, and contact them by email to discuss possible directions for a research proposal. The research proposal must be agreed by the supervisor before an application to study can be made. You must also ensure that appropriate funding is in place, to cover both fees, and the cost of the research.
You will be guided by a small team of academic experts, led by your main supervisor (Director of Studies).
You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts, including seminars.

A PhD is assessed via submission of a written thesis and a viva voce (an oral examination).
For full details of what doing a PhD entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our Postgraduate research degrees pages.
Core modules
A relevant research skills module (following discussion with your supervisor), either
MAR513 Research Skills and Methods
or
BIO5131 Postgraduate Research Skills and Methods
If you do not already have a masters degree, you may be interested in one of our masters level research degrees – for instance, our ResM Biological Sciences (which enables a transfer directly into the PhD programme if you are making excellent progress), or else an MPhil degree. Further details about the University’s research degree awards.

Explore our research groups and specialisms

Ecology and Evolution Research Group Ecology and Evolution Research Group
 Investigating relationships between organisms and their environment to better inform scientific understanding and management of biodiversity.

Anemone  Animal Behaviour Research Group
 Studying why and how animals behave the way they do, and the implications for welfare and conservation.

Drone flight over Slapton Sands for blueCOAST Project Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG)
 An internationally recognised group of researchers, specialising in field studies and numerical modelling of coastal processes.

Getty 825546438 Seals in arctic Ecophysiology and Development Research Group
 Taking a cross-system approach to the investigation of environmental influences on the biology of individual organisms.

Environmental biotechnology induction - plant. Shutterstock. Environmental and Applied Biology Research Group
 Using molecular and cellular approaches the group aims to evaluate risks from natural and anthropogenic hazards and ensure global food security.

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.  Marine Conservation Research Group
 Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services.

RRS James Cook berthed at South Georgia during Southern Ocean cruise. ship Marine Physics Research Group
 Studying fundamental physical processes occurring within marine systems, from microscopic to oceanic scale, across a wide range of research themes.

Tractor mowing fields by the sea Sustainable Food Production Research Group
 A cross-disciplinary group of academics and their research teams who together study all aspects of food production and its impact on the natural environment.

Meet our school technical staff   

Our technical staff are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories, workshops, and the field. 

Our research environment

Our staff are world-leading experts who are passionate and committed to both their research and teaching. This expertise provides a stimulating environment in which to develop your career.
Staff in the biology subject area are affiliated with the University's Strategic Research Institutes, linking you to a network of people that will enhance your research experience, and will allow you to meet fellow research students from a wide range of disciplines.
tiger in enclosure
Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk