Postgraduate training

We have approx 40 PhD students at any one time (about 30 of them based primarily at the institute and the others linked with us but based in other institutions usually the host university). These cover all aspects of our work on sustainable land use and natural resource use, involving work in the environmental, social and economic sciences.

The main opportunities are usually advertised early in the New Year and come through:

• Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) on any topic that is proposed by institute staff in conjunction with University of Aberdeen staff. Each year approximately 10-12 projects are advertised with 5-6 awards funded between the two institutions.

• Macaulay Land Use Research Institute core (Scottish Executive) funds support an additional 3 studentships per year researching more generic themes within the Scottish Executive Programmes (for example, Responding to Climate Change). Selection is on a similar basis - projects proposed by institute staff, in conjunction with staff of any UK university are sifted. Approximately 6-8 are advertised, with awards going to the best students.

• Other studentships won by staff e.g. from the research councils NERC, BBSRC, etc. These tend to be more ad hoc and therefore advertised at various times.

• Studentships either wholly funded (sometimes co-funded) by Government Departments, Agencies and NGO’s. These tend to be more ad hoc and therefore advertised at various stages.

Stipends are guaranteed at the NERC/BBSRC level with university fees and some research expenses.

View examples of our students' work.

If you wish to know more, please email us.

Currently we have no Studentships