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The School of Agriculture, Policy and Development has a long-established track record for research, working with a variety of industrial and academic partners to achieve significant social and economic benefits.
We are internationally recognised for our research excellence and are highest placed UK University for Agriculture and Forestry at 20th in the world (QS World Rankings by Subject, Agriculture and Forestry, 2025).
Funded PhD opportunities training a new generation of environmental scientists to become interdisciplinary experts with strong quantitative skills, creative thinkers, and leaders in sustainability and inclusivity. Such knowledge and skills are critical in delivering the ambitious Net Zero, adaptation and restoration plans adopted by governments and businesses worldwide.
The DTP is developing bioscientists with in-depth knowledge and technical expertise of food systems and biological processes across the agri-food system, from pre-farm to post-fork, to transform the food value chain and address sustainability challenges.
We currently offer the following PhD programmes:
If you are considering a PhD in International and Rural Development, you may be eligible for a fully funded scholarship from the new SEDarc Doctoral Training Programme. We also offer a number of specific PhD projects, which are listed in the Find a PhD section.
Find out more about how to prepare a research proposal and apply for a PhD
We want to ensure that your time spent with us is as rewarding as possible.
To allow you to explore your various options, here's a list of some of our currently available PhD opportunities. We do, however, offer many more options, so please contact us for further information.
Our PhD by Distance programme allows you to benefit from the expertise of a Reading-based supervisor, while conducting your research in a different location.
Part-time PhDs are available as well as full-time, so you can choose a mode of study that suits your circumstances.
We offer several routes to a doctoral qualification, so you can find the one that suits you and the topic you wish to study.