PHD Education Part-time 2027 | Sheffield Hallam University

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• Courses
• Teaching, education and childhood studies
• PHD Education
• Part-time
• 2027/28
• Part-time
• Full-time
• 2025/26
• 2026/27
• 2027/28

Everything you need to know...

• Tuition fees Home: £2,619 per year - Fee TBC for 27/28 International/EU: £9,765 per year

Tuition fees

• Course duration 7 Years

Course duration

• Study location City Campus

Study location

• Start date October 2027 February 2028 May 2028

Course summary

This research degree allows you to conduct independent and supervised studies of significant academic worth, and attain either a MPhil or PhD award. With 69% of submitted outputs judged world-leading or internationally excellent, we actively seek ambitious and talented students whose interests are related to our own current areas of research. You'll undertake advanced research into an educational topic of your choice and present your results as a written thesis, graduating with exceptional qualifications and prospects.

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: doctoralschool-ssa-pgr@shu.ac.uk.

• Carry out supervised research into a wide range of educational topics that address global issues.
• Develop personally and academically, while attaining an advanced qualification
• Work with the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), whose education research was assessed as amongst the highest ranked post-1992 Universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

How you learn

This course is aimed at both experienced educational practitioners looking to improve academically, and well-qualified graduates looking to extend their research skills and apply them at doctoral level.

You'll train in advanced research methods and carry out supervised research - a systematic high-level study and the written presentation of its results.

Supervision is available in various research areas including

• education policy studies
• TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages)
• pedagogy and practice
• pedagogy and new technologies
• social inclusion
• education and disability
• autism
• early years education
• language and literacy in education
• mathematics education
• leadership and management in education
• higher education

Future careers

Your research degree equips you with the skills to develop a career as a researcher in education and related fields.

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 is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations. City Campus map | City Campus tour

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour

Howard Street Sheffield S1 1WB

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Entry requirements

• All students
• Additional information for EU/International students

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:

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.

• 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).
• 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.

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
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £2,619 per year - Fee TBC for 27/28

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 2027/28 is £9,765 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa).

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

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations .

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

Teaching

Rated Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and graduate outcomes

Industry links

Gain hands-on experience through our extensive network of over 600 schools, colleges and educational institutions

Outstanding

We are rated Outstanding by Ofsted for our initial teacher training courses across all age phases (March 2024)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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Research areas