Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £8,865 per year -
How long will I study?
3 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Course summary
- Undertake a period of supervised study as part of the University’s research community.
- Closely analyse ceramics, glasses or polymers – and their applications.
- Conduct your experiments in cutting-edge MERI facilities.
- Join a vibrant research community, including 100 PhD students.
On this course, you'll undertake a supervised, extensive study on a relevant subject within ceramics, glasses or polymer topics. At MERI you'll benefit from expert tutelage, cutting-edge facilities and a supportive environment. Your finished work will stand alongside widely acclaimed MERI publications – a large proportion of which have been considered 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
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How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
As this is a research course, most of your work will be carried out independently. You’ll benefit from the support and expertise of your supervisory team – including a Director of Studies and a second supervisor who have specific interest in your chosen subject area.
This may include auxetic materials, biomaterials, bullet-proof and abrasion-resistant ceramics, energy reduction in glass manufacture, medical devices, nuclear waste containment, polymers and composites, and thermoelectric oxides.
You learn through
- independent research
- mentoring with your supervisory team
- laboratory training
- research and teacher training
- ethical research training
- participation in the MERI Research Colloquium – presenting posters and oral presentations
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Francis Clegg
Senior Research FellowDr Francis Clegg is a Senior Research Fellow at the Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University.
Applied learning
Work placements
A number of the PhD projects involve close cooperation with industrial partners, which may require periods of activity at their premises.
Live projects
When required, you can apply to national facilities to carry out large-scale, sophisticated experiments.
Networking opportunities
You’ll be able to participate in the MERI Research Colloquium each year – presenting a poster in your first year and an oral presentation in your second year. You’ll likely have similar opportunities to present at research conferences in the UK and abroad.
Future careers
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- Unilever
- Diamond Light Source
- Schlumberger
- Akzo Nobel
- GSK
- Pfizer
- Fisher Scientific
- Agilent
- Sheffield Hallam University
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Engineering and Maths Facilities Tour
Take a look around the Engineering and Maths facilities at Sheffield Hallam University.
Equipment and facilities
MERI has an extensive portfolio of equipment available for students, including
- scanning and transmission electron microscopy
- x-ray diffraction
- infrared and raman spectroscopy
- thermal methods of analysis
- mechanical testing
- tribological testing
- infinite focus microscopes
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
Please contact the relevant research area or centre to enquire about the entry requirements for this MPhil. Where English is not your first language, you must also show evidence of English language ability.
All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.
You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Find out more about the University’s research areas and staff or search for members of staff by keyword.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa). An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.
Doctoral student loans
Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Engineering and Built Environment (PDF, 142.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
