New postgraduate research student checklist (UK)
Find out what you need to do before you start your doctoral degree at Sheffield and what to expect in your first few weeks.
What you need to do first
Here is a list of things you must do before you can start your research degree.
If you're a student paying overseas fees or with visa and immigration tasks, check out the international student checklist.
- Register for your course
You need to register and activate your University IT account before you can start your programme. You will receive a registration email from preregistration@sheffield.ac.uk with instructions on how to do this. There are two steps to your registration:
- Step 1: Online registration, available from 21 August 2025
- Step 2: In-person ID check, available after you have completed online registration
- Activate your student IT account
Once you’ve registered for your course, your University IT account (MUSE) will be activated. You will use your MUSE account to access online IT services including your student email account.
Learn how to get online, manage your emails, access apps and software, and get the most out of your programme. Start your digital induction
If you experience any problems logging into your University computer account, contact IT Services.
Keep checking your University email account as this is where we will send all future communications.
- Book your in-person ID check
Once you’ve completed your online registration an email will be sent to your University email account to confirm you have registered.
You will then receive a second email within one or two working days of completing your registration, with a link to book an in-person ID check and collect your student UCard.
- Let us know about any accessibility requirements
We can support you if you have a long-term impairment or condition. Contact the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) to ensure that the support you need is in place.
- Complete your financial declaration and pay your tuition fees
Paying your tuition fees is a crucial part of your registration at University. It’s important to know how to do this correctly, as well as the things you need to look out for.
If you’re a Sheffield University graduate, and are funding your doctorate yourself, you’re entitled to a discount on your tuition fees (if applicable).
How to pay your tuition fees (and some important reading)
All students must complete the Financial Declaration, online, in advance. You will be sent a link, via email, asking you to complete your pre-registration actions; this includes completing the Financial Declaration.
This applies to you even if you are receiving funding for your research degree. See additional information for sponsored students.
It’s also a good time to start thinking about managing your money during your research degree. Our money tools can help you plan your finances and could make your money go further.
Watch out for tuition fee fraud
Scams and fraud are very common. You need to know how to protect yourself against them.
- If a company, or someone online, offers to pay your fees at a reduced price, do not respond.
- Never share your personal information (including your University username and password) with anyone else.
- Don’t be pressured into making payments - criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- Ensure you will receive your scholarship payments
If you are in receipt of a scholarship managed by the University, you must provide your bank details on MUSE and ensure you are fully registered by the start date of your programme to avoid any delays to your first stipend payment.
Start getting ready
Once you've completed your essential tasks it's time to start getting excited for your Sheffield journey. Here's a list of things to do to help you prepare.
- Join us for Orientation Week, 15 - 19 September
Orientation Week is an optional programme of guided tours, social events and information sessions open to all new and continuing students, international or from the UK. If you want a little extra time and help to settle into life in Sheffield and the University, then Orientation Week is for you.
- Get to know the city of Sheffield
Sheffield is a vibrant, green, modern city with real character. Unforgettable nights out, breathtaking green spaces, sprawling shopping centres and proud, local independents.
- Get your tickets for Welcome Week, 22 - 26 September
Explore everything Sheffield has to offer at our Welcome Week, taking place 22 - 26 September. There really is something for everyone and during this week you can:
- Grab freebies at our Freshers Fair
- Meet members from hundreds of our clubs and societies at the Activities Fair and Sports Fair
- Join daily Give it a Go activities to test out different societies
- Enjoy loads of fantastic nights out
All events are open to all new students including PGRs, and some are specifically designed for postgraduate students.
- Register with the University Health Service
You should register with a GP (doctor) in Sheffield so you can get medical advice and treatment if you ever need it. As part of your online registration, you’ll be able to register as a patient with the University Health Service (UHS), your dedicated NHS GP practice and student health specialist.
If you have a pre-existing physical or mental condition (for example, sickle cell disease), it’s very important that you register with a GP to let them know about your condition so that they can help you access the specialist care you need.
- Register for PGR mentoring and social events
PGR Connect provides opportunities to meet your colleagues across the University through mentoring, events and socials. As a mentee you can connect with someone more experienced and further along in their research.
- Learn more about PGR study and familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice
The PGR Hub contains essential information for all PGRs at Sheffield. You can browse the webpages or read through the downloadable PDF version to find out more about:
- Your programme structure, timeline and key milestones you will complete
- Policies and expectations relating to supervision, research, and examination
- The Doctoral Development Programme, the flexible training all students complete to support their research
- Administrative processes such as taking a leave of absence or a work placement during your studies
- Support and opportunities available to you during your time at Sheffield
This will be a key reference for you throughout your degree, alongside any supplementary guidance or handbooks provided by your School.
- Check your University email account
Whilst you are a student with us, any important information we need to communicate to you will always be sent to your student email address. So it’s essential that you check your emails regularly.
Learn how to get online and manage your emails
If you experience any problems logging into your University IT account, contact IT Services.
- Follow the University on social media
Celebrate your success and get involved on social media! Make sure you’re following us on:
Arriving at Sheffield
Here's everything you need to know and do for your arrival at Sheffield.
- How to get to Sheffield
Find maps of the city and campus, and travel information for visiting Sheffield from across the nation and world.
Sheffield city centre is covered by a clean air zone. Private cars are exempt from charges. However, non-compliant vans, campervans and other light goods vehicles are included in the scheme.
- Download our safety app
Download SafeZone for instant alerts during major incidents, such as cyber attacks, security threats, campus evacuations or extreme weather situations. You can also use it to contact security if you need help on campus.
- Know where to go for help
The Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) is the first place you should go to for general student-related enquiries. Contact SSiD
If you need support, you can get advice from Student Services. You’ll find the Student Services Information Desk on level 3 of the Students’ Union.
There is also a wealth of support and information available in your faculty to help make your doctoral research degree successful.
What to do in your first week
There will be lots going on in your first week, so here are the key things you need to do and what you can get involved in.
- Attend your in-person ID check
Attend your in-person ID check to pick up your UCard and complete your registration.
If you are a part-time or distance learning student, you do not need to attend an in-person registration event.
- Register with the University Health Service
If you didn’t already register with the University Health Service (UHS) as part of your online registration, you can still register as a patient at any point.
It's very important that you register with a GP (Doctor), so you can access medical advice and treatment when you need it. The University Health Service is your dedicated NHS GP Practice, providing a full range of services, including:
- Routine NHS Doctor and Nurse appointments
- Long term conditions appointments (e.g. diabetes, asthma etc)
- Mental health services
- Eating disorder services
- Sexual health services (including contraception fitting)
- Travel health service (travel immunisations)
Register with the University Health Service
We recommend all students are vaccinated against MMR and MenACWY. If you have not been vaccinated against these, you can be vaccinated when you have registered with UHS. They are free on the NHS.
- Complete your mandatory training
There are 11 mandatory training courses that all postgraduate research students and University staff must complete, which form an essential part of keeping us all safe and healthy at work, keeping our data secure and building a positive, supportive community for all students and staff.
- Attend your school or faculty welcome and induction events
You should attend any school/departmental or Faculty PGR induction events that you are invited to. You'll receive information about these via your University email address.
- Familiarise yourself with the Research Ethics Policy
If you’re conducting research with people, their data, or their tissue, make sure that you’re familiar with the University Research Ethics Policy and how it applies to you.
- Begin working with your supervisor
In your first meetings you will:
- Establish the expectations for your supervisory relationship;
- Be introduced to the key people, processes, resources and facilities in your school or department;
- Discuss the timeline for your doctoral programme, and the requirements, milestones and deadlines you need to be aware of;
- Develop plans for your project, building on the initial research proposal defined during the admissions process;
- Complete your Training Needs Analysis for the Doctoral Development Programme (DDP) and identify any additional training you will require in your first year.
Settle into Sheffield
As you begin your research, here are some things you can do that will help you get the most out of your time at Sheffield.
- Get to know your library services
Across campus, you have access to several library sites where you can find resources for your research, use study spaces, and access support when you need it.
- Explore our sports facilities
Start exploring the sport facilities at the University and find out more about gym memberships.
- Join clubs and societies
Take a look at our clubs and societies to explore what you could get involved with.
- Learn more about your student IT essentials
Get help with managing your University IT account, using Google workspace and accessing your emails.
- Make new friends from all over the world
Throughout the year we have a wide range of weekly events and activities including Global Hangouts, Local History Walks and Global Cafe. These events are open to everyone so you can meet people, make friends and settle into life at the University and Sheffield.
When should I arrive?
You should aim to arrive in Sheffield in time for Welcome Week (22 September to 27 September 2025), when induction events will take place.
The majority of postgraduate research programmes will begin on 1 October 2025. Your start date will be confirmed on your offer letter.
You need to complete your registration by 29 September 2025 so you can begin your studies from the start of term. You must complete registration before beginning any research or supervision.
Late registration
If you arrive after 29 September 2025, you may be able to register late. The final deadline for arriving in Sheffield and registering as a student in the main registration period is 20 October 2025, although you should be aware that if you register late the deadlines for your programme will not change correspondingly.