Higher Doctorates
The University of Sheffield offers a number of Higher Doctorates according to different faculties. Applicants are, in the main, very senior members of academia or industry and should be Sheffield graduates of a specified number of years (see specific Faculty Regulations) or a member of the academic staff of the University with at least 6 years continuous service with the University.
Prospective applicants should first ensure that they refer to the University's Regulations for Higher Doctorates.
Regulations for Higher Doctorates
How to apply - informal stage
Prospective applicants are advised that before making a formal submission, they may enquire into the strength of their case. The opinion of senior academic members of staff of the University who are experts in the applicant's field of expertise is sought. Please note: this is an option not a requirement and is one chosen by the majority of prospective applicants. If an informal opinion is required, the applicant should submit, to the appropriate Faculty contact in Research & Innovation Services, a brief CV and a list of the titles and reference to the published work which will comprise the higher doctorate submission (only work which has actually appeared in print is eligible for inclusion). It must be stressed that this is an informal assessment by senior academics at the University as to whether a case for submission exists – in no way should the assessment, if positive, be interpreted as a guarantee that a higher doctorate degree will be awarded. Research & Innovation Services submits the list of publications and brief CV to the relevant Head of the Department, i.e. where the applicant's previous degree(s) was awarded or where the applicant is employed and the Head of Department is asked to consult with senior colleagues to determine whether or not there is a case for submission. At this stage, if the informal opinion is positive then the Head of Department is asked to nominate two or three possible suitable external examiners.
How to apply - formal submission
Where an applicant subsequently proceeds to make a formal submission, this should be directed to the Registrar and Secretary, together with the examination fee (£1,950 for 2013/14), but submitted to the appropriate Faculty contact in Research & Innovation Services. Cheques should be crossed a/c payee and made payable to the University of Sheffield. Three sets of the published work should be submitted together with three copies of a statement indicating precisely the share which the applicant has taken in any collaborative work. Three copies of the list of publications should also be submitted. If any of the work submitted has been presented for another degree of any university, this should clearly be identified.
How to apply - the examination process
Following a formal higher doctorate submission, two external examiners are appointed, on the recommendation of the Head of Department. It is expected that the examination process for a higher doctorate submission should be completed within six months. There is no oral examination involved in this process. The external examiners are each asked to independently assess the submitted work and to write a detailed report which should clearly state whether or not the examiner recommends the award of the higher doctorate. In the event of conflicting recommendations, a third external examiner is appointed.
Further enquiries
Potential applicants should direct any further enquiries to the relevant Faculty contact in the Research Degree Support Team in Research & Innovation Services, in the first instance. Faculty contact details are available at: