Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £4,786 per year
International/EU: £17,205 per year -
How long will I study?
4 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
February 2025
May 2025
Course summary
- Undertake a period of supervised study as part of the University’s vibrant research community.
- Closely analyse ceramics, glasses or polymers – and their applications.
- Conduct your experiments in cutting-edge MERI facilities.
- Contribute to the acclaimed work of MERI researchers.
On this course, you'll undertake extensive study into 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
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 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 moreEquipment and facilities
MERI has an extensive portfolio of equipment available for students, including
- Scanning and transmission electron microscopy
- X-ray diffraction
- Infared 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
All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).
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. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.
Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.
Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with at least 6.0 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.
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 starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £4,786 per year. 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 full-time study in 2024/25 is £17,205 per year. 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 Engineering courses (PDF, 507.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
