How to apply

Our research has a global reputation. It influences policy, changes lives and helps us to understand the world so we can make it better. Our focus is on sustainability and social responsibility, and in developing a vibrant research culture with staff and students from all around the world. 

As part of our active research environment, you will receive outstanding supervision from talented academics who produce intellectually rigorous and leading research in their respective areas.

Programme duration

The standard programme length* (tuition fee-paying period) for the PhD in Management degree is 3.5 years, which reflects the duration of a typical doctoral project in management and accounts for the core and methods skills training required by most students.

*In certain cases, a three or four year period may be approved, depending on the project scope and candidate training needs. Candidates who are invited to an interview will have an opportunity to discuss programme duration as part of the interview process.

Entry requirements

• An undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a UK classification of upper second-class honours or above.
• A masters level qualification of merit or above. Professional qualifications can be influential in our decision-making but are not usually considered to be an adequate substitute for a masters degree because they do not ordinarily provide evidence of research skills, if you do not have a masters degree with a substantial research element you may want to consider our MA in Social Research.
• Our English Language requirement is IELTS at 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component or equivalent. English language requirements for postgraduates - please be aware that our entry requirements are above the standard minimum listed on these pages and completion of a first degree taught in English in a majority native English speaking country must be within three years of the start date of the course.

Find your PhD supervisor

If you know what you would like to study, it’s important to find a supervisor who is an expert in the area that can guide you through the three-year programme. The Management School hosts a broad spectrum of researchers who have expertise in a range of areas.

Use our tool to contact a supervisor or familiarise yourself with their work.

Write your research proposal

Every PhD candidate at Sheffield is required to submit a research proposal prior to acceptance onto the programme. This document is vital to the success of your application. It should be fully referenced and approximately 3,000 words (excluding bibliography) in length.

It should include:

• Title of your proposed PhD research
• The main aims and objectives of your research
• Discussion of relevant existing literature
• The proposed methods of research and a plan and timetable of work
• Any resources available and any additional ones required

Applying

You will need to complete an online application form.

There are two entry points during the academic year for the Management School PhD programme: 1 October and 1 February. The deadline to submit your application for entry on 1 October 2026 is Monday 13 July 2026 and for entry on 1 February 2027 is Monday 9 November 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for entry. 

Please note, funded opportunities may have a different date to those listed above. When applying as part of any funding competitions, you should adhere to the dates shown in the advertisement.

Before you apply, check that you meet our entry requirements

• Academic requirement: an undergraduate degree which is 2:1 or equivalent and a Masters level qualification of a merit or above.
• Language requirement: English is your first language, or you have IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
• Your research proposal is vital to the success of your application and is the best way to demonstrate to your prospective supervisor that your research has originality. Your research proposal should be around 3,000 words in length.
• Identify a member of staff as a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your proposal.

After you submit your application

We will check that you meet our entry requirements and then send your application for review by your chosen supervisor/s. If you meet our entry requirements and your chosen supervisors are interested in your proposal we will invite you to an interview, either in person or by Skype. If the interview is successful, we will offer you a place to study with us.

Offer Holders - Deferring the start of your programme

There is no automatic right to defer the start of your programme, however you can request to defer your study place under certain circumstances. 

Please note that Sheffield University Management School has specified start dates for Postgraduate Research cohorts: 1st October and 1st February. It may not be possible to defer your application to a non-standard start date.

Each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis, though there should be firm justifications for the deferral. These may include (but are not limited to):

• You have been awarded funding for your project, but the funding agreement stipulates that a later start date is required
• Exceptional circumstances have arisen in your personal life which require a later start date to allow for a resolution
• Visa complications have delayed you from commencing your studies as planned and so a later registration date is required
• You have not been able to complete a prior qualification on schedule and require additional time to complete this

Deferral requests will specifically not be granted where you have been unsuccessful in applying for funding in the current period and wish to apply again in the next cycle.

You can make your request to defer your study place by logging in to your initial application and clicking on the 'Request Deferral' link in the 'Your Applications' section. Please ensure you provide sufficient detail on the reasoning for your request in the section provided. Your request will be considered by the School and an outcome should normally be expected within 3-4 weeks. 

If there are insufficient grounds to grant a deferral request, you will be welcome to withdraw your application and reapply at a more suitable time.