MPhil/PhD Research Degrees – Materials and Engineering Research Institute
Full-time, Part-time
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Engineering
Related subjects • Computing • Research degrees
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View profiles of students on this course.
One of the most valuable resources available for you to access is our highly experienced technical support team. Find out how they can help support your development.
Visit the MERI website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
A higher degree by research involves training in research methods and systematic, high level study of a research project. The nature of the work and the time it takes to finish the research means a research degree is demanding and needs great commitment.
You must present your results in a thesis, explain the methods used in your research and defend them in an oral examination.
To get an MPhil you must critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and display an understanding of suitable research methods.
For a PhD you must also make an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Split PhD
A split PhD is a research degree programme which is ideal if you are an international student wanting to study from your home country. You register for a Sheffield Hallam University PhD and spend some time studying in Sheffield but are substantially based in your home country.
The balance of study between us and the overseas university is agreed between you and your supervisors, depending on the needs of your research programme.
The benefits of studying on the split PhD scheme include
• you can complete fieldwork in your home country, in an area directly linked to your professional or career development interests
• access to local facilities and supervisory support in your home country combined with the expert supervisory guidance of our academics
• short, intensive periods of face-to-face working with a dedicated supervisory team in Sheffield, while enjoying the educational, social and cultural benefits of studying in the UK
Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI)
MERI is a multi-disciplinary research institute encompassing four research centres each with their own specialist groups operating within them. We undertake high quality academic research across a range of disciplines and apply this research knowledge in a commercial and industrial context. Research areas include • polymers and composites • solar energy • structural integrity and corrosion • functional coatings • simulation and modelling • robotics.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise we were the leading post–92 university in metallurgy and materials (UoA29). 75 per cent of our staff were judged to be internationally leading and we obtained a Times Higher Education average score of 2.15 reflecting the quality of our work and world class staff.
Our staff include • chemists • materials scientists • physicists • computer scientists • mechanical, electronic and electrical engineers, all working on individual or collaborative projects shared between research centres. Supported by a £6m equipment base, which will shortly undergo a £4m refurbishment, this inter-disciplinary approach enables us to solve complex problems ranging from fracture of artificial implants through to designing surfaces that can withstand frictional temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees centigrade. Solutions to these kinds of problems put MERI at the top in terms of industrial collaboration.
The Materials Research and Analysis Service (MARS) is also a key strength in the research institute, established to provide regional business with access to research facilities and analysis, which enhances the capability of companies in terms of new and improved products.
Evidence of MERI’s research strength is reflected in the patent portfolio that currently consists of 22 granted patents with another 17 applications in progress.
MERI is made up of five centres of excellence
• the Thin Films Research Centre
• the Centre for Automation and Robotics Research
• the Polymers Nanocomposites and Modelling Research Centre
• the Structural Materials and Integrity Research Centre
• Materials Analysis and Research Services, Centre for Industrial Collaboration (MARS) (CIC)
Find out more about MPhil/PhD Research Degrees – Materials and Engineering Research Institute
Related courses
PhD (subject to confirmation)
Full-time – three years research, plus an optional year for writing up
Part-time – five years research, plus an optional year for writing up
PhD direct
Full-time – maximum three years research
Part-time – maximum five years research
MPhil
Full-time – two years research
Part-time – three years research
Split PhD
Students normally spend most of their time in their home country but come to the University for at least three months a year.
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form
2013/14 academic year
Full-time – typically £4,130 a year
Part-time – typically £2,070 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £14,430 a year
Split – typically £7,215 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £15,295 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
Thesis followed by oral examination
A PhD student receiving help with a research project in one of our laboratories
Osama Elsherif
MPhil/PhD Research Degrees - Materials and Engineering Research Institute
Graduate Osama Elsherif was awarded the Jeremy Laskowski Memorial Prize (2012) for Excellence in PhD Research for the work undertaken towards his doctoral thesis
'Electrical Charecterisation of Defects in Wide Bandgap Semiconductors'
What do you think are the benefits of achieving a PhD?
`A qualification like PhD proves that you have a licence to work and conduct independent research. Having a PhD is an excellent indication that you can start and finish a large project with minimal supervision a quality employers strongly desire. There is no doubt that many people believe that PhDs are smarter, PhDs generally attract more respect. There are many people who could have achieved a PhD but chose not to. However, there are also others who might not have been up for the challenge. Getting a PhD removes all doubt.'
What skills have you gained?
`In addition to the technical skills which I have gained working at the cutting edge of nanotechnology, fabricating electronic devices and looking at the properties of new electronic materials, I have also gained other skills such as writing and presenting reports and time management. It was important to complete my PhD within 3 years, successfully coping well with a transfer of supervisory team midway through my studies. I also met without fail, the many deadlines in my teaching and supervisory duties. I have gained an extensive experience of juggling different tasks and bringing these to a successful conclusion.'
What was the most interesting part of your study?
`As part of my research I had links with highly ranked research groups and I had to travel a lot to attend research meetings and present my work at international conferences, this enabled me to further my research to an extremely high level in conjunction with these contacts, so I felt very motivated and that was an amazing part of my PhD.'
How will these help you in your future career?
`Perhaps the mentioned research skills and this type of 'real-world' problem-solving experience and leadership opportunities are highly prized by employers, and will help me to find better jobs and fulfill my future roles.'
How have our staff helped you during your research?
`The staff helped me start my research and enabled me to work with a high standard professional network of research collaborators in and outside the UK. I really enjoyed working with researchers within the Materials and Engineering Research Institute. Academic staff told me about their experience and this was encouraging, I was also trusted to use new equipments which were useful to my research.'
What is it like in Sheffield?
`Sheffield is an amazing city, known as the largest village in England, you are never more than half an hours bus or car ride from some of the most amazing countryside Britain has to offer. Also it is worth mentioning that as a person who comes from a Muslim background I never felt like a stranger in Sheffield, and also there is a large Muslim community who happily share their daily lives with others.'
Tell me about your experience at Sheffield Hallam University
In three words, Sheffield Hallam University `friendly learning environment'.'
Gareth Evans
MPhil/PhD Research Degrees – Materials and Engineering Research Institute, third year
What was your background before doing a PhD?
'After obtaining relatively poor academic grades at GCSE level I started a modern apprenticeship, training as a fitter and machinist at a pump company. During my time there I undertook an NVQ and BTEC ONC before moving on to a BEng here at Hallam.'
Why did you go straight from an undergraduate degree to research?
'I decided to go straight into a PhD after my undergraduate degree because the subject I want to study is constantly evolving and the PhD goes further than my final year degree project.'
How is it different from studying a degree?
'There are no lectures or tutorials. You drive your own research by studying other people’s publications and texts in a continuous search to become a specialist in a specific subject area.'
Do you have any advice for people considering a research degree?
'Determination and persistence are key. I was asked ten years ago by my manager what I imagined I would be doing in ten years’ time. I never would have believed that I could or would be doing a PhD. So my main advice would be to never say never and always say yes.'
Profiles
Osama Elsherif
MPhil/PhD Research Degrees - Materials and Engineering Research Institute
Gareth Evans
MPhil/PhD Research Degrees – Materials and Engineering Research Institute, third year
Technical support team
While you will find excellent facilities throughout, the most valuable resource you will have at your disposal is access to our extremely dedicated, highly experienced technical staff.
All the staff are there to support you during your time in the workshops. The technical team with its professionally qualified staff and practicing professionals, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across all areas of our provision and comprises engineers, designers, silversmiths and jewellers, fine artists, media arts specialists and IT experts.
The team are committed to using their diverse range of skills and knowledge to support practical aspects of your
course work, whether solving a simple software problem, producing a complex engineering project or creating design work for an international exhibition. There are currently 50 technical staff directly supporting the Technical Resource Centres and the research institutes of the faculty.
Visit the MERI website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
