Subject overview

Specialist facilities

We have constant-environment rooms, green-houses, facilities for chemical analysis of contaminants, and facilities for studying and culturing social insects including a molecular lab, ant room and apiaries (Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI), Social Evolution Research Group, Insect Navigation Group). 

The School of Life Sciences has one of the largest concentrations of researchers in the world studying social insects – insects such as ants, bees and wasps that live in a colony with queens and workers. Our research investigates a wide range of questions, including how individual ants find their way back to the nest after foraging trips using olfactory and visual cues, how the many individuals in a bee colony co-ordinate their activities and communicate, how wasps resolve their conflicts over who works and who lays eggs, how bees overcome diseases, how they defend their colony and exclude intruders, and how sociality evolved in insects. In addition, a wide range of applied issues are studied, including the conservation of bumble bees and honey bees, improved beekeeping methods, crop pollination, bee foraging preferences, and the environmental challenges faced by bees in urban areas and agricultural land. 

Our campus, surrounded by the South Downs National Park, gives ready access for practical work in a variety of habitats and protected areas. We also conduct overseas fieldwork at field sites around the world such as Brazil, Fiji, Malaysia and Spain, and we run field modules in Ecuador, Portugal, England and Scotland.

Programmes

• PhD in Biology
• PhD in Environmental Science
• MPhil in Biology
• MPhil in Environmental Science

The School of Life Sciences welcomes you to join a vibrant international research community. Research in the School ranges from studies on the most basic chemical building blocks of life to studies on how the brain generates behaviour or how insect societies are organised. We offer PhD/MPhil degrees and welcome projects falling within our research interests. 

Evolution, behaviour and environment at Sussex focuses on how organisms evolve and interact with their environments. We address basic and strategic questions in both field and laboratory settings across a wide range of study taxa, and also use theoretical approaches. 

Major themes are: 

• sexual conflict 
• the role of natural selection in molecular evolution 
• co-operation, conflict and organisation in social insect colonies 
• mechanisms underlying animal behaviours, including navigation, visual perception, escape behaviour and collective decision-making 
• ecology and conservation of animals and plants in tropical rainforests, temperate grasslands and pollinators 
• policy-relevant global analyses 
• the measurement of environmental contaminants, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and their effects on human and animal health. 

Our expertise encourages interdisciplinarity and we hold two regular Evolution and Development seminar series. We have also established ties with other research groupings at Sussex, such as those in Informatics and Neuroscience, and collaborate with scientists in a wide range of external organisations, including formal links with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

Student progress and support

Throughout your studies, you are expected to take part in laboratory meetings, journal clubs and to attend a weekly seminar series. All students are encouraged to attend, and present their work at, national and international scientific meetings. You are also encouraged to attend weekly School seminars. 

The School offers full support to all research students throughout their research period by monitoring their research progress in the form of annual reviews, informal meetings, mid-year reports (Year 1) and active participation in the Postgraduate Research Colloquium. The aim of the Colloquium is to bring research students and faculty together for a wider discussion of the ongoing research projects within the School. All third-year research students give a talk on their research, and all second-year research students submit a poster depicting the key aims and objectives, methods and findings of their research project. 

We aim to ensure that you have the best possible research experience. The relationships between supervisors and research students are often among the most rewarding academic partnerships in the School. We also host a monthly Coffee Morning and a Beer Hour for our students to mingle with their peers and supervisors across various disciplines. We take student feedback very seriously and PhD student representatives form an integral part of our Student Experience Committee. 

Supervision

All our research students are assigned at least two supervisors, typically a main supervisor and a co-supervisor. Progress is monitored by informal meetings and annual reports.

Entry requirements

MPhil in Biology

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research.

Overseas entrance requirements

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Country	Overseas qualification
Australia	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China	Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus	Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany	Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana	Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India	Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran	Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan	Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia	Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria	Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa	Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia	Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea	Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan	Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam	Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Additional admissions information

If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.

MPhil in Environmental Science

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in environmental science, chemistry, geography, geology, biology or related subjects.

Overseas entrance requirements

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Country	Overseas qualification
Australia	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China	Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus	Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany	Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana	Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India	Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran	Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan	Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia	Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria	Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa	Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia	Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea	Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan	Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam	Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

PhD in Biology

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research.

Overseas entrance requirements

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Country	Overseas qualification
Australia	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China	Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus	Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany	Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana	Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India	Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran	Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan	Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia	Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria	Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa	Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia	Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea	Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan	Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam	Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Additional admissions information

If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.

PhD in Environmental Science

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in environmental science, chemistry, geography, geology, biology or related subjects.

Overseas entrance requirements

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Country	Overseas qualification
Australia	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China	Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus	Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany	Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana	Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India	Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran	Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan	Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia	Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria	Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa	Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia	Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea	Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan	Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam	Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Related subjects

• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Chemistry
• Genome damage and stability
• Neuroscience

Fees and funding

Fees

MPhil in Biology

Home UK/EU students: £3,900¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,900²
Overseas students: £16,200³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

PhD in Biology

Home UK/EU students: £3,900¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,900²
Overseas students: £16,200³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

MPhil in Environmental Science

Home UK/EU students: £3,900¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,900²
Overseas students: £16,200³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

PhD in Environmental Science

Home UK/EU students: £3,900¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,900²
Overseas students: £16,200³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Faculty interests

Professor Jonathan Bacon Development of neural circuits underlying insect escape behaviour. Pheromone signalling co-ordinating ant foraging.  

Professor Tom Collett Insect navigation reveals how smart behaviour involving learning and vision may be accomplished using modest neural resources. 

Professor Adam Eyre-Walker I am an evolutionary biologist studying the rates, patterns and fitness effects of new mutations using bioinformatics methods. 

Professor Jeremy Field The evolution of social systems in the wild, especially the fundamental question of how and why sociality evolves in wasps and bees.  

Professor Tim Flowers I want to know how some plants can live on salt marshes when our crops are killed by salt – as salinity is a major problem for agriculture in many countries. 

Professor David Goulson Ecology, behaviour and conservation of bumblebees; conserving biodiversity and pollination services in farmland; assessing impacts of pesticides on wildlife. 

Dr Paul Graham I am interested in the efficient computational mechanisms that enable insects to produce sophisticated visual learning and navigation despite their small brains. 

Professor Elizabeth Hill My research involves investigating the nature of complex mixtures of chemical contaminants present in the environment and how they affect human and wildlife health. 

Professor William Hughes Sex, symbionts and societies: the evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology of sociality, symbiosis, animal behaviour and sex. 

Dr Ted Morrow The two sexes share a single genome but use it for different things. Our research asks: do the resulting compromises cause disease? 

Professor Daniel Osorio Animal vision: colour, communication and camouflage.  

Dr Mika Peck Conservation ecology and sustainable livelihoods – from conserving endangered species to addressing global change on ecosystems. 

Professor Francis Ratnieks I carry out research on honey bees, stingless bees, ants and other social insects, and on social behaviour and evolution. 

Dr Jörn Scharlemann I quantitatively assess impacts of environmental changes on biodiversity to identify policy-relevant strategies for sustainable life on earth.  

Dr Alan Stewart Understanding the processes driving insect population and community ecology, in Britain and tropical forests, to conserve biodiversity and control insect pests. 

Careers and perspectives

Career development is an important part of our PhD training. The development of research and transferable skills is supported by the Sussex Postgraduate Skills Programme, which runs a large number of short skills modules, including interview skills, time management, oral presentations and thesis writing. All postgraduate research students complete a skills assessment and choose a personalised set of modules. 

Many of our graduates have gone on to careers in research, for example as lecturers at universities or scientists at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Others have followed a variety of careers in areas such as conservation, agriculture or applied biology. 

School and contacts