Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,725 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?
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Course summary
- Undertake a period of supervised study as part of the University’s research community.
- Learn important engineering technologies, processes and techniques.
- Gain hands-on experience of various advanced surface analyses.
- Graduate as an employable specialist engineer.
- Contribute to the acclaimed work of MERI researchers.
On this course, you'll undertake intensive study into a specific area of plasma surface engineering. You'll benefit from expert tutelage, cutting-edge facilities and a supportive research community. Your finished work will stand alongside widely acclaimed MERI publications – a high proportion of which have been considered 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
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 a second supervisor who have specific interest and expertise in your chosen subject area. These may include high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) plasma chemistry, study of thin growth mechanisms and the development of specific coatings to several applications.
You learn through
- independent research
- mentoring with your supervisory team
- laboratory training, including in advanced processes and machinery
- research training, including mandatory ethics and integrity sessions
- teacher training
- close tutelage in academic writing
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
You’ll be part of the university's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and university-wide presentations, training and conferences.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- research
- coating technology development engineering
- sales
- management of coating centres
- work for surface engineering companies
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- the University of Sheffield
- the University of Manchester
- the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
- the DIAMOND Source Centre
- the Advanced Forming Research Centre
- the University of Strathclyde
- Richter Precision
- Trumpf Huetting Elektronik
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
On this course you work with
- an industrial size HAUZER 1000-4
- K.J. Lesker UHV, Von Ardenne Anlagen Technik Cluster coating deposition systems
- energy-resolved mass spectroscopy
- atomic absorption spectroscopy
- plasma probe analysers
- analytical equipment for characterisation of the mechanical, tribological, high temperature, corrosion and corrosion-erosion properties of thin films
- the microelectronic materials and sensors group at the Thin Films Research Centre (TFRC), operating a range of electrochemical and chemical deposition systems as well as specialised coating characterisation analytical equipment.
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 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 full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 per year. There will be a final writing up fee of £500. 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.
