New Postgraduate Research (Doctorate) student checklist
Find out what you need to do before you start your doctoral degree at Sheffield and what to expect in your first few weeks.
If you're a student paying overseas fees or with a visa and immigration tasks, check out the international PGR checklist.
Before you arrive
Register for your course and activate your University IT account
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 23 August
- Step 2: In-person ID check, available after you have completed online registration
Book your 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.
If you are a part-time or distance learning student, your registration process is different - you do not need to attend an in-person registration event
- Access your University IT account (MUSE)
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.
- Make sure you bring any current medications with you
Remember to bring any current medications you take with you, and make sure you have enough for your first few weeks.
You will be able to register with the University Health Service when you arrive in Sheffield.
- Complete your Financial Declaration
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.
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).
- Information for scholarship award holders
If you will be receiving a University or UKRI funded scholarship, find out about your payment schedule and terms.
- Inform us of any accessibility requirements
If you have a disability, let us know about any additional support you will need.
- Visit the Postgraduate Research Hub
On the Postgraduate Research Hub, you will find guidance and support on all aspects of undertaking and managing postgraduate research study, from supervision, to working and taking annual leave.
- Get to know the city of Sheffield
If you’re new to the city, take a look around at what will soon be your new home. Here’s a peek at what Sheffield has to offer: Your guide to Sheffield
- Travelling to Sheffield
Check you know how to get to Sheffield, and find your department on campus.
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.
Check the status of the vehicle you will be arriving to Sheffield in
- Follow us on social media
You can also join our Facebook group to meet and chat with other new students.
When you arrive
- 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.
- Download our safety app
Download our safety app, so you can contact security if you need help and stay safe around campus.
- Make sure you can access 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. It is therefore 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 computer account, contact IT Services.
- Register with the University Health Service
If you are going to be studying and living in Sheffield for over three months, it is very important that you register with a GP (Doctor). You can register with the University Health Service (UHS),an NHS GP Practice, when you arrive in Sheffield.
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.
- 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.
- Get involved in Orientation and Welcome Week
Orientation Week runs from 16 September to 20 September, and is a non-mandatory programme of information sessions, social events and activities designed to give you a little extra help to settle into life in Sheffield and the University, and to start making friends.
Welcome Week takes place from 23 September to 28 September and is packed with opportunities to meet other new students, try activities, grab freebies, and enjoy loads of fantastic nights out; your new Students’ Union is the place to be!
Find support
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.
In your first few weeks
- Attend induction events
You should attend any departmental or Faculty PGR induction events that you are invited to. You'll receive information about these via your University email address.
During Welcome Week you’ll also have the opportunity to attend a Race Equality conversation and a Consent conversation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Explore the University Library
Get to know our library services and how they can support you throughout your doctoral degree.
- Find a club or society
Take a look at our clubs and societies to explore what you could get involved with. This is a great way to meet new people, unwind and develop skills beyond your research area.
- Make new friends from all over the world
Throughout the academic 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.
- Explore our sport facilities
Start exploring the sport facilities at the University and find out more about gym memberships.
The start date for the majority of programmes is 1 October 2024. You should aim to arrive in Sheffield and complete your registration before this date so you can begin your studies from the start of term.
Late registration
If you arrive after 1 October 2024, the start date for most programmes, you may be able to register late. The final deadline for arriving in Sheffield and registering as a student is 21 October 2024, but some programmes have earlier deadlines (for example, if your start date is earlier than 1 October 2024).