Preparing your Thesis

Ideally, by the end of your third year you should already be preparing your PhD thesis for submission.

The University encourages PhD candidates to submit their work within three years, as most PhDs are only funded for this amount of time. However, the University does recognise that an additional (unfunded) year for thesis writing purposes may be required. PhD candidates are registered for 4 years in case of this eventuality.

If you continue into your fourth year of study, you must pay a continuation fee to the University. For 2023/24 this is £492, but will likely increase for future years.

If you enter your fourth year you should have prepared a clear plan towards completion of the thesis. This should be submitted to your supervisors for agreement. 

Preparation of Thesis

The University has some specific guidance on the preparation of the thesis, which can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/rs/code/preparation, as well as details on Thesis Formats, and the formatting and binding of your thesis. These resources should all be consulted prior to submission of the thesis.

You may also find it useful to look at alumni theses, for help with formatting. These can all be accessed at White Rose eTheses Online.

If you're having trouble getting on with writing, the Think Ahead blog has some useful tips, and the Think Further team have articles on:

• Reviewing Literature & Reference Management

• Critique and Synthesis

• Writing Style and Structure

• Writing Problems and Practice

• Review, Editing and Feedback

• Publishing - where, what and how

Extension to Time Limit

If, towards the end of the year it becomes apparent that additional time is necessary you will need to make a formal application to extend your time limit. This will only be granted in truly exceptional circumstances. Do not count on this being approved. The form can be downloaded here. Forms should not be submitted earlier than three months before the time limit

Discussion regarding an extension should occur with the student, supervisor and PGR tutor not less than one month before the current time limit is to expire.

This form requires:

• checking at which stage the thesis currently stands

• reasons for non-completion

• timetable of work to be carried out

• statement of support from the supervisor

Recommendation of extensions is generally the responsibility of the PGR Tutor, in certain cases this may be deferred to the Head of Department. Final approval of extension applications is made at Faculty level, and will require the student to meet with the Head of the Engineering Graduate School to discuss the reasons for non-completion.

If you are studying on a Tier 4 visa, this may also have implications for your visa status, and ATAS clearance. You should contact International Student Services for further information in this case.