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
- Benefit from and contribute to a thriving, collegiate research environment.
- Join a research centre ranked in the top quartile of UK institutions and the highest ranked post-1992 University.
CRESR is one of the UK’s leading policy research centres seeking to understand the impact of social and economic disadvantage on places and people. In Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 86 per cent of our research was judged as being world leading or internationally excellent. We have a strong commitment to academically rigorous applied policy research, providing a particularly enriching environment for doctoral scholars. As a research student at CRESR you will join a lively research community offering the best possible support and training.
PhD proposals are welcome across CRESR's five core research themes: Housing and Place, Inclusive Economy, Sustainable Futures, Voluntary and Community Sector, and Policy Research and Evaluation.
Please note: We offer three enrolment periods each year: October, February, and May. For the October intake, international and home applicants should apply by the end of June. For the February intake, international applicants should apply by the end of October and home applicants by the end of November. For the May intake, international applicants should apply by 20 December and home applicants by the end of February. For further information contact: Social-economic-pgr@shu.ac.uk.
How you learn
You will 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.
We recognise that doctoral researchers arrive with a diversity of skills and experience. Therefore, we provide flexible training and development opportunities covering a range of research-related skills. Indicative areas include transferable skills, research ethics and integrity (mandatory), data management, teaching skills and career planning. Your development needs are identified and agreed with your supervisory team at the start of your degree, and reviewed and updated as appropriate.
Within CRESR you will take part in the monthly PhD forum to provide an opportunity to present and discuss your own work and to benefit from the experience and advice of external speakers on a range of topics including, for example, doing 'difficult' interviews, preparing for the Viva and finding an academic job.
Networking opportunities
PhD researchers in CRESR also benefit from the Centre's involvement with the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership. This partnership provides a range of training, collaboration and networking opportunities for PhD researchers. Candidates will therefore become part of cross-institution cohorts of high-achieving postgraduate researchers with similar research interests.
Course leaders and tutors
Will Eadson
Professor of Urban and Regional StudiesWill has worked in environmental, economic and social policy research and teaching since 2004, on a wide range of research projects for local, regional and national … Read more
Applied learning
Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and one or more second supervisors with expertise and interest in your research area. However, much of the work for your degree will be carried out independently, and you will need the initiative, motivation and commitment to succeed.
Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.
You learn through
- Independent research
- Mentoring with your supervisory team
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- Academia
- Policy
- Practice
PhD researchers are provided opportunities to engage with teaching and CRESR research projects, and benefit from the Centre's wide range of partners in policy and practice.
Employability guidance and training is also provided in CRESR, the SHU Doctoral School and CRESR's partners in the White Rose DTP.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- NHS England
- Shelter
- The Building and Social Housing Foundation
- Sheffield Hallam University
- The University of Sheffield
- The University of St. Andrews
- The University of Nottingham
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 moreEntry requirements
All students
All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit and above).
Application
To apply, candidates must submit a fully complete online application including:
- A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.
- A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question, and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you.
- What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
- How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
- What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
- Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).
- Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.
- Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
- Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.
All suitable candidates are invited to an interview which can take place in-person or online. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. 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.
International Students (Additional Information)
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:
1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.
Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.
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.
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.
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 Sociology courses (PDF, 336.9KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
