Research Training Guidelines: Registration

The Department accepts students to study on a full-time or part-time basis for MPhil and PhD degrees. The Graduate Research office's Guidebook indicates the minimum, normal and maximum periods of study for these two types of research degree.

PhD

For a PhD, the minimum period for full-time study is two years (four years part-time), the maximum period of full-time registration is four years (eight years part-time), and the normal or expected period of registration is three years full time (six years part-time).

MPhil

For the MPhil, these figures are generally reduced by one year for full-time study (by 2-3 years for part-time study).

Schemes for Overseas Students

Overseas applicants may register to study for the MPhil or PhD degrees on a full-time basis while resident in Sheffield. Part-time registration while resident in the UK is not permitted. However, the University of Sheffield offers two other kinds of registration for overseas students.

Joint Location and Remote Location study arrangements are available for overseas students not wishing or able to be resident full time in Sheffield for the duration of their research degree registration. Under a Joint Location scheme, students are classified as full-time, but may study for most of the time from home. Over the normal period of three-years full-time registration for the PhD degree, for example, they must spend at least 12 months in Sheffield. This can be completed as a single block of 12 months or in several blocks of time of shorter duration. The precise schedule is agreed between the student and supervisor.

Under the Remote Location scheme, students are registered on similar terms to UK part-time students. There is no minimum Sheffield residency requirement, though it is hoped that students may visit the UK at least once a year for a short spell to meet with their UK supervisor(s).

Under both the Joint Location and Remote Location schemes, students must arrange for a local tutor in an academic institution in their homeland to provide direct supervision and access to facilities to support their studies. It is the Sheffield supervisor's responsibility to obtain evidence from the student of the suitability of their local supervisor and facilities at home in the context of the research they propose to do. The local tutor will liaise with the student's Sheffield supervisors to ensure that the student receives the necessary support. The student and Sheffield supervisors will remain in contact primarily via ordinary mail, e-mail and telephone links.