The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is among the leading environmental research centres in the world. It is an institute of the UK Research & Innovation - Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC) and is responsible for the UK's national scientific activities in Antarctica.

Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth and our impact on it.

Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how, BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. The UK is one of over thirty countries operating scientific research facilities in Antarctica.

In partnership with the University of Cambridge, BAS offers a PhD in Antarctic Studies. Students undertake a research project under the joint supervision of a research scientist at BAS and a University supervisor in a relevant partner Department. Students are usually based at BAS in Cambridge but will be registered for their degree at the University of Cambridge under one of the partnering departments: Archaeology, Plant Sciences, Zoology, Earth Sciences, Geography and Scott Polar Research Institute, Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or Computer Science & Technology.

Our seven Polar Science for a Sustainable Planet teams consist of Atmosphere, Ice & Climate; Biodiversity, Evolution & Adaptation; Ecosystems; Ice Dynamics Palaeoclimate; Palaeo Environments, Ice Sheets & Climate Change; Polar Oceans; Space Weather & Atmosphere.

We welcome research enquiries from those working for first degrees or Masters in earth science subjects, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and related areas. BAS is a UKRI institution, hence, our students will undertake research within the areas of the NERC funded CREATES Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA).

All research students registered at the institution have a BAS supervisor and a University supervisor in a cognate department; progression and examination requirements are as for research students in the partner department.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments: