Candidates applying to an advertised project

If you are interested in applying for a PGR project that you have seen advertised and the project has already been developed by the supervisors, you will need to fill in the University of Sheffield online application form for PGR degree candidates.  This should be linked in the advertisement. 

Please make sure you check the eligibility criteria carefully and ensure you provide all the necessary information, including filling in any additional forms. Check what type of funding is in place, if any.  Much of the information you need to fill in part 2 of the University online application form will already be available in the advertisement, such as the supervisor's name and project details. In addition, they may have details on specific skills or qualifications that are essential or desirable, so make sure you look out for these and highlight these attributes in your application. 

Projects that are fully funded are likely to receive a high number of applications, and so it is important that you make your application as competitive as possible. Highlight any skills and attributes that would make you particularly suitable for the project and try to give supporting evidence wherever possible, such as receiving a high mark in your project dissertation, or any prizes you may have been awarded. Also, make sure you highlight any experience you have gained - this does not necessarily have to be during your academic career. Think about how you can make your application stand out from others.

If you are applying to a project that is advertised for self-funded/sponsored students, it is important to note that these projects do not come with any funding. You will need to have funds in place to cover tuition fees and living expenses as well as any additional running costs for the project (or fee enhancement). Ideally,  you should start planning and investigating funding opportunities at least a year before you want to start your studies. Some information on PhD scholarships can be found here. You will still need to provide evidence that you are eligible to study for a PGR degree as well as your suitability for the project.

If you are interested in looking for advertised PhD projects, you can find these on FindaPhD, and some opportunities can also be found here.