Every day is different!

Why Sheffield?

I had completed my undergraduate degree here, so I already knew and liked the city and the department. However, the living costs and the particular opportunity that Sheffield offered (involving a mixture of teaching and research) was what cemented my decision to stay. I wanted to pick somewhere to study that would feel like a second home and Sheffield did.

What does your postgraduate study give/offer you that your undergraduate didn’t?

I get to spend extended periods of time researching in my field, with a large amount of freedom on what I investigate (within my project!) at any particular time. For example, instead of being given a set topic to investigate, as a PhD student I can speak to my supervisor about an idea that interests me, and propose my own investigative routes.

I have a lot more freedom in my PhD studies than when studying for my undergraduate degree; this is part of your development into a more independent researcher.

I really love doing research, often doing something brand new, and I like that every day is different!

Zoe Smallwood

PhD student

What do you particularly enjoy about postgraduate study in your department/subject area?

The department is really friendly - this is great from a research perspective as well as a social one! I have lots of connections with other researchers within the department, which makes discussion and collaboration very easy between people and groups that have different areas of expertise.

The technical support from specialist services and technical staff is also excellent. I really love doing research, often doing something brand new, and I like that every day is different!