Research degrees: After you apply
What happens next?
After we receive your application, we will create an applicant record for you. When this is ready we will send you an email containing your application and choice numbers. You should receive this email within two working days. Please make sure that your email account knows to trust messages coming from @shef.ac.uk and @sheffield.ac.uk addresses. We will then send your application to the academic department for consideration.
If you applied using our online application form, you can check the progress of your application simply by logging back into your form.
Waiting for a decision
It normally takes academic departments around six weeks to make decisions on research applications. Sometimes decisions can be delayed if the academic department requires further information from you. If this is the case, they will contact you to request it. You can then either send the information to them directly, or upload it to your online form.
If you have not received a decision on your application after eight weeks we recommend that you contact the academic department directly. Their contact details can be found via our Research Areas webpage:
When a decision has been made
When a decision has been made, we will send you an email confirming what this is. If you have been made an offer of a study place, we will also send you an official letter. The offer letter will include any conditions of entry and the amount payable for the tuition fees.
If you have not been successful and you require feedback on this decision, you should contact the academic department directly in writing. Their contact details can be found via our Research Areas webpage.
Offer types
If you are made an offer, it will be either Conditional or Unconditional.
A Conditional offer means that there are requirements that you need to meet before you can start the course, for example a certain English language score, or a minimum grade in your current studies.
An Unconditional offer means that there are no further requirements that you need to meet.
Conditional offers
If you have been made a Conditional offer, the conditions will be stated on your offer letter. When you have met these conditions you should upload documents proving this to your online application. When you have met all the conditions of your offer, we will send you a new, Unconditional offer letter.
If you are not able to attach particular documents to your online application, you can send them to us by post:
Admissions Service
The University of Sheffield
Level 2, Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield S10 2TN
UNITED KINGDOM
Please ensure that you write the application and choice numbers on all documents that you send to us.
Please be aware that if you have provided your documents electronically, you will need to show us the originals before you are allowed to register. Admissions staff will be available at registration to verify your qualifications.
Unconditional offers
An Unconditional offer has no conditions. You just need to let us know whether or not you wish to accept or decline our offer of a study place.
Replying to your offer
In most cases you can accept or decline the offer of a study place via your online application. If you are not able to do this, please let us know your decision by emailing us at shefapply@sheffield.ac.uk.
Please note that you can only accept one Unconditional offer of a place. If you have been made Unconditional offers for more than one courses, you will need to choose which course to accept. You should then decline the other offers.
If you choose to accept an Unconditional offer, you must bring your official Unconditional offer letter with you when you come to Sheffield, as you will need to show this to us when you register.
Withdrawing your application
If you wish to withdraw from the application process you should email the Admissions Service at shefapply@sheffield.ac.uk. We will then update your application record.
Deferrals
If you have been made an offer of a study place, and for unforeseen circumstances you cannot attend at the start of your course, you may ask to defer your place to the next admission point. Most postgraduate taught courses have one admission per year, at the start of the autumn semester in September.
To request a deferral you should contact the academic department. Their contact details can be found via our Research Areas webpage. Please also note that a change of start date is at the discretion of the Admissions Selector. It is not automatically given and you may be asked to apply again.
Further information sent by the University
Accommodation
Once you have accepted your Conditional or Unconditional offer you will be able to apply for accommodation. You will be notified by email how to apply online for accommodation from April onwards. You can view the full range of accommodation available for postgraduates on our webpages:
Accommodation and Commercial Services
Please note that you can only apply for accommodation once you have accepted an offer. If you are unsure about your current status, please log back in to your application.
Induction and Registration – Welcome to Sheffield Pack
If you have accepted your Unconditional offer you will be sent a Welcome to Sheffield pack about six weeks before the start date of your course. It contains information about Registration and student life in Sheffield. Please make sure you read this and complete all the relevant online steps before you arrive.
If you have not received your Welcome to Sheffield pack by four weeks before your course starts then please email us at commsenquiries@sheffield.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
You can find answers to hundreds of frequently asked questions via our Ask Sheffield service.