What is a PhD?

A PhD is an opportunity to delve deep into your subject area and become a true world expert. You will have the opportunity to perform cutting edge practical or theoretical experiments and present your work to leading engineers and scientists from across the world at academic conferences. You will be supported throughout by the world class researchers (both staff and students!) in the department.

Because you will be at the sharp end of engineering research, it is impossible to say exactly what your whole PhD will look like on day one. Some of your experiments will work, some won't, and the ones that work may yield unexpected results! The University of Sheffield has a series of checks in place to help you through your PhD and make sure you're on the right track. Your supervisor and departmental PGR support team will help you with these when the time comes and there are instructions in the Key Dates & PhD Progression section of this website. The first steps are to discuss your PhD vision with your supervisor and complete the tasks listed in the Arrival Checklist in this handbook. Beyond that, this guide will help you to access the support provided by the department and the university, both for your studies and your wellbeing.

We wish you good luck as you push the boundaries of human knowledge!

The PGR support team