How to apply

What is a PhD?

A PhD is an independent piece of research and writing that presents an original contribution to existing knowledge within a given discipline. The thesis is usually around 80,000 words.

You will usually be allocated two supervisors who will facilitate your progress throughout the PhD. The PhD will be the most challenging type of academic work you have ever done, but it should also be the most rewarding.

We offer PhD study on a full and part-time basis. The full-time PhD programme runs over three years and part-time runs over six years.

Entry requirements

Academic qualifications

If you're applying for a PhD place, you should usually:

• hold at least an upper second-class honours degree (or its equivalent) in a relevant discipline; and
• hold or expect to obtain a masters degree (Merit or Distinction) in a relevant discipline

We select research students based on academic ability, alongside the strength of your research proposal and your match with our supervisory expertise. We may also/instead consider professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

English language

Students whose first language is not English must have passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - (minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in any component).

More information about other English language qualifications the University will accept

We also offer a bridge programme with the English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC), which aims to help selected applicants gain the required academic skills to produce a successful application proposal and familiarise themselves with what it means to do a doctorate in the UK Higher Education system.

PGR Bridge Programme for international applicants

Submission guidance

The School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations receives a large number of PhD applications every year. The following guidelines aim to help you submit a high quality application that is targeted to the research strengths of staff in the school.

In order to consider your application for a PhD, we require you to submit a research proposal.

Research proposal

Applications for admission to a research degree cannot be dealt with unless they contain a proposal.

Please add your research proposal within the 'Supporting Documents' section of the Postgraduate Applications Online System.

How to write a research proposal

Application process

Initial enquiries

You're welcome to enquire about applying to complete a PhD at any time of year. (Don't worry about this stage of the process if you feel you have sufficient information about the school.)

Before you apply for postgraduate research, please consult our research webpages for more details and information about the research areas that we can offer supervision on. You might find it helpful to use the university’s central Find a PhD Supervisor tool or to browse the profiles of our academic colleagues. We would encourage you to email potential supervisors directly to enquire whether they may be interested in supervising your project before applying, however you are welcome to submit your application directly and your research proposal will be shared with potential supervisors for consideration.

spr-pgr-support@sheffield.ac.uk

Professor Simon Rushton has shared some tips on how to approach a potential supervisor.

Application form

You can apply for a PhD at any point in the year - we strongly recommend applying so that you can begin your studies at the start of the new academic year (in October).

You should apply through the University's online application form. You need to provide standard information about yourself and your past academic performance - ensure that you complete this information thoroughly.

If you are an international student, please include details of the grading/marking scheme used in the assessment of your qualifications.

You'll need to provide two references (preferably academic). At least one of your referees should be from your most recent place of study. You'll also need to provide a CV and - if you are an international student - evidence of your English language ability.

University of Sheffield Online Application Form

Interview

If we consider your application to have potential, we will ask you to attend a short online interview with the potential supervisors.

Funding your studies

You should leave yourself plenty of time after applying,  to make arrangements to come to Sheffield if we make you an offer, particularly if you are an international applicant and will need to arrange a student visa.

Information about fees and funding

If you plan to apply for a scholarship, you need to obtain an offer of a place on the PhD programme first, to enable you to submit your application for funding. As such, we strongly recommend starting your application to the programme early in the autumn semester, so  that you can make any funding applications by the winter break.

EU, EEA and Swiss students

Information for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

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 the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations 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.