PhD Study
Information on PhD study, including how to apply, supervision and tuition.
As part of our active research environment you will receive outstanding supervision from talented academics producing intellectually rigorous and leading research in their respective areas.
You will also be joining a vibrant postgraduate community offering a stimulating, friendly and supportive study environment.
This combines to offer you the ideal setting to further your own interests and broaden your field of knowledge alongside developing your research skills and preparing for the future.
Discipline-specific information
For more information about studying a PhD in your chosen field, including entry requirements, academic staff and exciting opportunities within your discipline, visit:
How does the PhD work?
The key feature of the PhD is that it is yours: the topic, planning, motivation, and thinking come from you. In other words our research degrees offer a truly exciting opportunity for you to push forward the boundaries of knowledge, and to become an authority in your chosen field.
You will be supported by your supervisor who facilitates your progress along the way. During the course of the PhD, you will pursue a course of research training which will helps you to shape your research, writing and how you deliver your findings to a wider audience.
The PhD is usually examined by a thesis of around 75,000 words, the research and writing of which usually takes three to three-and-a-half years depending on your funding provider. Your work will culminate in an oral examination (a viva) on your research.
Our PhD programme is available both full-time and part-time. Part-time students will usually have twice as long to complete their research and writing.
We are also able to consider applications from students who wish to undertake their research away from Sheffield.
Our vibrant research community
The School is a thriving research community and we actively encourage our PhD students to make the most of their time at Sheffield by getting involved in our research activities and events, as well as organising their own through the Postgraduate Forum.
This vibrant research culture and postgraduate community helps to disseminate research-led findings and facilitate lively and exhaustive debate.