The University of Sheffield
Department of History

Student Views


What our students think

I returned to the University of Sheffield to start my PhD after a year away from academic study, having taken both my undergraduate and MA degrees here. While I had opportunities to go elsewhere I chose to return to the Department of History at Sheffield for several reasons. The department is a friendly and supportive place to be, with plenty of activities occurring regularly, allowing me to take advantage of the many fantastic opportunities available here. This has all been aided by the large and vibrant post-graduate community, and the fact that Sheffield is a great city to live in.

During my short time as a research student here I have taught on a first year module, become a co-chair of the Imperial and International Discussion Group, presented a paper at a conference and been published. I was also lucky enough to receive travel funding from an open competition within Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield, which allowed me to go to South Africa on a research trip. All of these have been made possible by my encouraging and supportive supervisors, the helpful department´s staff and the University in general. I am more than happy that I chose to return to study at Sheffield.

Matthew Graham, Research Student (Post-colonial Africa)

I decided to start a research degree here at the Department of History in October 2008 after taking both an undergraduate and Masters degree here. My experience of the department had always been positive, and I found that at postgraduate level especially the department was very supportive and inclusive.

There's a whole range of events going on, organised by both the department and by postgraduates, which means everyone can get involved in some way, no matter how specialist or obscure their research is. The support from my supervisor and the staff in general has always been great, and the postgraduate community is very friendly. I am now two years in, really enjoying my research, and I have also had the opportunity to teach, I have co-founded a discussion group and I organised a conference last year. The combination of a supportive department, a university with a great reputation and a friendly city environment means that I am really happy with my decision to study for a PhD here.

Laura King, Research Student (Modern Britain)

I have been at Sheffield for almost five years now, and right through my undergraduate, MA and PhD so far I have found the city to be continually fresh and exciting. There's a vibrant student community centred around the union, many opportunities in volunteering, outdoor activities, and in the city a great nightlife, restaurants, theatres and arts events.

Within the department itself there is a broad range of expertise and subjects represented, giving you a broad base of experience to draw upon and a strong seminar and study group program run by lecturers and students that brings in speakers from outside the university. The staff are friendly and supportive, and provide an environment in which it is possible to grow comfortably as a researcher. The facilities provided for students across the university are of a high standard and readily accessible, with areas set aside specifically for PhD students.

Richard Scott, Research Student (Early Modern England)