Start Date:
September 2025
Administrative Unit:
Department Geography
Email: geography@sta.uwi.edu
Phone: 1(868) 662 2002 ext. 84129
Programme Overview
This programme provides high-quality research training in multi-disciplinary geographical research methods, to facilitate candidates to conduct research in areas of regional importance and international significance, and to produce graduates capable of developing and leading their own research projects, either in academia or industry.
Candidates admitted to the PhD programme in Geography will join a rapidly expanding and dynamic interdisciplinary research community, investigating regional problems of geographic nature, to the benefit of the region.
Programme Breakdown
PhD students should complete at least 9 credits of courses.
Appropriate courses for the intended area of research will be assigned by the Head of Department in liaison with the supervisory team.
All students are normally required to complete the following course during their first year of study:
GEOG 6000 Philosophy and Practice of Research in Geography
PLUS 6 additional approved credits.
Candidates must pass the appropriate examinations for assigned courses before being allowed to submit a thesis.
In addition, as per Faculty regulations, all postgraduate research students are required to present at least two seminars at the MPhil level and three seminars at the PhD level. These seminars are assessed components of the programme, and candidates are required to formally register. The course codes for such courses are as follows:
GRSM 8000 Graduate Seminar – PhD
GRSM 8001 Graduate Research Seminar I (mandatory – no credit)
GSRM 8002 Graduate Research Seminar II (mandatory – no credit)
GSRM 8003 Graduate Research Seminar III (mandatory – no credit)
THESIS
PhD degrees are examined by thesis and public oral examination (thesis defence) as per the University regulations. MPhil and PhD candidates must register for and complete either GEOG 8010 (PhD Thesis – Geography). The degree will be awarded upon completion of the programme, which includes the successful completion of all the required courses, seminars and the submission and successful defence of the PhD thesis.
Entry Requirements
For entry to the PhD programme, candidates with any of the following qualifications will normally be eligible for admission:
- Holders of MPhil degrees awarded from recognized Institutions in Geography or related disciplines;
- Applicants with taught MSc degrees in Geography or related disciplines with GPA of B+ from recognized Institutions, provided that the MSc programme included a research project worth at least 6 credit hours;
- Students registered in MPhil programmes of the UWI in Geography who have met the requirements for upgrade in accordance with stipulated guidelines by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research;
- Applicants possessing such other qualifications and experience as the Board for Graduate Studies and Research may deem acceptable.
NOTES:
Acceptance of applicants DIRECTLY INTO THE PHD PROGRAMME must be approved by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research in accordance with Regulations for Graduate Diplomas and Degrees. Previous experience in research (e.g. through an undergraduate or MSc project) will be given special consideration in assessing a candidate’s suitability for admission.
Candidates are expected to develop a research proposal as part of their application, in conjunction with academic staff members in Geography.
Applicants with weak undergraduate qualifications or limited exposure to the subject matter in the area of interest for specialization, may, under exceptional circumstances, be required to pursue and complete qualifying courses recommended by Head of Department as a pre-requisite to admission.
Admission to the Geography PhD programme may be subject to an interview by a panel to include the potential supervisor(s) and Head of Department. Only candidates with both the academic ability and appropriate aptitude will be admitted to the programme. Where there is more than one suitable applicant for a particular project, admission will be granted on a competitive basis to the best candidate only.