Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the primary funder of ExaGEO (and will often be referred to as “the funder”), along with our institutional and industry partners. The funding from NERC is called a Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA), which aims to provide funding opportunities to train the next generation of researchers in technical and professional skills applicable to a diverse range of careers. 

Please note that NERC sits under the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) umbrella, and as such they, and by extension ExaGEO, are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. 

ExaGEO is a partnership between three institutions:

1. Universality of Glasgow (lead institution)
2. University of Edinburgh
3. Lancaster University

You can apply to undertake projects at any of the three institutions, however the institutional affiliation of the Principal Supervisor on a project will determine the host institution, i.e., the institution where you will be enrolled and the institution who will award your PhD qualification. Please note, you will be required to live within a reasonable distance from your host institution, as this is a requirement of funding. 

Applications for all projects, regardless of the host institution, must be submitted through the University of Glasgow’s online application system. 

You must apply for three projects. These projects can be at any of the three partner institutions (including a mix of all three), i.e., University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh and Lancaster University. The host institution will be determined by the Principal Supervisor’s institutional affiliation. 

Each project has two teaser projects, i.e., two variations of the same project with a slight shift in the research focus and/or methodology. If successful, you will work on both teaser projects during your first year, under the same supervisory team at the same institution, selecting one of the teaser projects to become your final PhD project. This process is designed to give you choice and flexibility in your research focus.

A stipend is a tax-free payment, made monthly (usually in advance), to each PhD student to cover their living costs and the basic expenses associated with study during the length of their PhD, i.e., 3.5 years. Students are not required to pay back their stipend. For further information on stipend amounts, please click here. 

ExaGEO studentships typically run for 3.5 years. However, if you undertake an internship or placement during your PhD, your studentship may be extended by up to six months, resulting in a total duration of up to four years.

Part-time study is possible with a minimum of 50% full time equivalent (FTE), however, due to the funder’s terms and conditions, remote study is not possible, i.e., students will be required to live within a reasonable distance from their host institution, as this is a requirement of funding.

To determine if you hold the equivalent international qualification to that of a UK first-class or second-class honours (2.1) degree, please visit the University of Glasgow’s website here, navigating to the section titled, “International Entry Requirements – Choose your country/region”. Next, choose the relevant country from the options available (drop-down list) before selecting, “Postgraduate taught entry requirements” to view the relevant information. If you are still unsure whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements, please contact the University of Glasgow’s Admissions Team here for further assistance.

You will need two references; one must be academic, however the other can be either academic or professional.

There are two options as to how you can submit references via the University of Glasgow’s online application system, i.e., you can upload a reference as a supporting document, or you can enter your referee’s contact details and the University of Glasgow will contact them to request a reference. Please note that you can provide your references via a combination of these two options.  

Option 1: Uploading as part of your application

You can upload references via the online application system, along with the rest of your application documentation. Your reference(s) should be on official headed paper and should be signed by the referee(s). 

Option 2:  Entering contact details as part of your application

You can enter your referee(s) contact details (email address) via the online application system, and the University of Glasgow will email them requesting they submit a reference on your behalf (this happens automatically only once you have fully submitted your application). When the referee provides a reference you will be sent an email to confirm the University of Glasgow has received this. Before you provide your referee(s) contact details, please ensure you have sought agreement from them in advance, advising them that they will need to provide your reference(s) by 24th February at the latest (one week after applications close). 

Application will go through initial eligibility checks based on the information provided by applicants via the University of Glasgow’s online application system, and within the applicant’s Application CV. Eligible applications will then be reviewed anonymously, i.e., the ExaGEO Review Panel will review and assess the answers provided within the Application Statement only. If your application is shortlisted or not, you will be notified on 17th March 2025, with interviews taking place during April 2025 (the exact dates when interviews will take place will be confirmed in due course). Following the interviews, offers will be made by mid-May 2025. 

If you are experiencing difficulties accessing the University of Glasgow’s online application system, please contact the University of Glasgow’s Admissions Team here for further assistance. If you are experiencing an issue using a particular web browser, please try using an alternative such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.