Access our expertise

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Partner with the University of Sheffield on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and unlock your business's full potential.

The KTP Offer

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are collaborative projects involving a university, a business, and a talented graduate or postgraduate. KTPs empower businesses to leverage academic expertise to address critical challenges, while enabling researchers to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.

Brilliant minds: Access top graduates and experienced academics

Targeted innovation: Tackle specific challenges and seize opportunities

Accelerated growth: Boost performance, profitability, and market position.

How it works 

KTP is a collaborative innovation programme funded by the UK government. It pairs businesses with academic experts to address strategic challenges. Through this partnership, businesses can access cutting-edge research, develop new products or services, and improve their operations. KTP projects typically last between 12 and 36 months and are expected to deliver tangible results, such as increased revenue, reduced costs, or enhanced market position.

Define your goal: Identify a strategic innovation project

Recruit your team: Hire a KTP Associate, co-funded by Innovate UK

Drive results: Work closely with your Associate and academic supervisor.

Invest in your future:

SMEs: Contribute around £35,000 per year Large businesses: Contribute around £55,000 per year.

Ready to innovate? Contact collaborate@sheffield.ac.uk.

Training and professional development

At the University of Sheffield, we're committed to keeping professionals ahead of the curve. Our accredited courses offer the latest knowledge and skills, ensuring you stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry. 

The Sheffield MBA

Real-World Leadership. Real-World Results. Gain hands-on experience, solve real-world business challenges, and accelerate your career with our rigorous one-year program.  Experiential learning is at the heart of the Sheffield MBA. Throughout the programme, you will be challenged to apply your learning to live organisational issues.  We have designed our MBA programme to equip you to adapt to rapidly changing environments, understand complex situations, have the ability to problem solve and find innovation solutions and lead your organisations forward. Throughout the programme, you will be working either in teams or as an individual on live projects with local and/or international businesses to provide solutions to real business challenges.

Further information and application process

Short courses for industry 

Accelerate Your Career or your employees with Our Expert-Led Short Courses and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  Elevate your skills and knowledge with our highly focused short courses and CPD programs. Taught by industry-leading experts, our courses are designed to equip you with the tools to succeed

Short courses for the private sector and the NHS in health services and public health research

Short courses for the pharmaceutical industry

CPD for dental professionals

Continuing education for health and social care professionals

Consultancy

The University of Sheffield offers a diverse range of consultancy services, drawing on the expertise of our world-class academics and researchers. Our consultants provide tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.

What is Academic Consultancy?

Academic consultancy involves leveraging the knowledge and skills of our faculty and staff to provide expert advice and services. Our consultants, ranging from professors to PhD students, offer a wide range of expertise, from strategic planning to technical problem-solving.

Unlike traditional research, consultancy projects are driven by the specific needs of external clients. Intellectual property and project outputs typically belong to the client organisation.

With over 1,100 academic experts across 70+ disciplines, research centers, and related areas, the University of Sheffield is your ideal partner. We've collaborated with over 2,000 organisations, from global corporations to regional businesses, to harness our expertise, technology, and insights.

• Usually short-term in nature 
• Remunerated on commercial basis 
• Not intended to develop new IP for the University 
• Solving challenges for companies or other academic institutions 
• Funded through grants by funding bodies or by industry

Read some of our case studies.