Research away from the University – Joint Location
The University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to study for a full-time MPhil or PhD of the University through work carried out at Sheffield and at an approved overseas location.
The scheme is designed to enable candidates to divide their period of research between Sheffield and another place of study.
A minimum of one year must be spent in Sheffield (either as a single block of time or spread across the whole period of research).
1. Qualifications
To qualify for consideration for admission to the Joint Location Scheme candidates must satisfy all of the following criteria:
- be an International or European Union (EU) student
- meet the normal entry requirements for MPhil or PhD students at the University of Sheffield
- accept adequate supervisory arrangements for the research scheme acceptable to the relevant Faculty of the University
- prove access to the necessary library, computing and other research facilities required to successfully undertake the programme of research within the required period
2. Application procedures
Interested applicants should submit an application using the online application form. This will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
If the department is able to provide a supervisor for the proposed research, and a candidate's entry qualifications are acceptable, the candidate will be invited to discuss and agree the proposed programme of research.
The applicant and academic department will develop a proposal outlining the arrangements for supervision and access to facilities, which will then be submitted for University approval.
The University will not issue a formal offer of a place until the necessary approval has been gained. Formal offers will be made via the Admissions Service and not by any other authority within the University.
3. Restrictions
Joint Location study can only be undertaken through full-time candidature, subject to academic approval.
Approval to study as a Joint Location student can only be sought during the application process and will not be given to individuals who are already registered as full-time or part-time students of the University.
4. Registration and Examination
Joint Location students will registered for the degree of MPhil in the first instance.
They must spend at least 12 months undertaking their period of study in Sheffield.
The student's progress will be formally reviewed after approximately 12-18 months and, providing that both student progress and the arrangements relating to supervision have been satisfactory, the student may then be recommended for the upgrading of candidature to PhD.
As part of the upgrading process, the student may be required to undergo an oral assessment.
As part of the final examination of the PhD degree, they will be required to undertake a viva voce (oral) examination.
The costs associated with attendance at these assessments or examinations, which must be held in Sheffield, will be borne by the student.
The period of registration will be determined by the University during the application process. The normal period of registration will be three years whilst studying towards a PhD qualifications (or two years if studying towards the qualification of MPhil). This normal period which will be confirmed in the University's offer letter, sets the period for which students are liable to pay full tuition fees.
Failure to meet the full tuition fees for the term of the registration period detailed in the offer letter will result in the University withholding the award of the degree.
5. Student Progress
Throughout the programme of research, both at Sheffield and at the joint location site, the student will be subject to the University's Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, and Regulations.
The student's academic progress, along with the effectiveness of the supervisory arrangements will be monitored and evaluated at regular intervals. The supervisor will be required to submit formal progress reports to the relevant faculty on a regular basis, at least every 12 months.
Students on a Joint Location programme will be required to complete the University's minimum Doctoral Development Programme (DDP) requirements in full. This should be taken into account when deciding on how you will fulfil the minimum requirement of spending one year in Sheffield. Any claims for exemption from the DDP will be judged on the same basis as other full time students.
The frequency with which students will meet with their primary (Sheffield) supervisor will be agreed in the application process. It is expected that regular student-supervisor contact is maintained, at least on a monthly basis, via meetings, email, telephones, and other correspondence.
During the programme of study, the University reserves the right to call a student to Sheffield or, alternatively, in some cases it may be necessary for the supervisor to visit the student in the overseas location. Should either prove necessary, the cost of the visit will be borne by the student.
Students should maintain a file of all correspondence, including copies of all e-mails, between the student and supervisor. This file must be made available to the University upon request.
6. Costs
A Joint Location student studying on a full-time basis will be required to pay the appropriate fee for each academic session in which they are registered.
Fees are calculated according to the amount of time spent at each research location, with students charged an equal proportion of the total (adjusted for inflation) each year. The exact fee for the programme of research will be specified in the University's offer letter.
The tuition fees for the 2013-14 session are calculated based on the figures shown in the table below, but you will be charged an average fee in each year of your study. For example, an International student studying on an Arts-based course who spends two years overseas (£4250 x 2) and one year in Sheffield (£12760 x 1) will pay one third of the total fee each year (£21260 ÷ 3 = £7080). Fees will increase in future years and you should budget for between 5% and 8%.
Annual Tuition Fees
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The fees for EU students for 2013-14 are still to be confirmed. The 2012-13 fees are £1915 per year while based overseas and £3828 per year while in Sheffield (for all areas of research).
Please note that the above fees are the standard tuition fees in the relevant faculties. However, there are exceptions to the fee level for some departments and a range of tuition fees in others (dependent on the research project). In all cases, International students should refer to their offer letter for the exact fee. In addition, students will be liable for any direct costs associated with their academic progress as outlined above.
7. Sponsorship
Joint Location students will not be considered as eligible for any University awards, nor for entry as part of the University's Overseas Research Studentship competition quota. University awards with stipends (maintenance costs) are only open to those students who are studying in situ at Sheffield.
8. Further information
Applications should be submitted using the University's online application form.
You can find full details of how to apply, funding and other frequently asked questions by visiting www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate.