MPhil Ceramics, Glasses and Polymers

Study Mode Part-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
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MPhil

Ceramics, Glasses and Polymers

Part-time Engineering

Conduct an extensive doctoral study into ceramics, glasses and polymers within the internationally-recognised Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI).

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: See fees section below
    International/EU: £8,865 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    October 2025
    February 2026
    May 2026


Course summary

  • Undertake a period of supervised study as part of the University’s research community.
  • Closely analyse ceramics, glasses or polymers – and their applications.
  • Conduct your experiments in cutting-edge MERI facilities.
  • Join a vibrant research community, including 100 PhD students.

On this course, you'll undertake a supervised, extensive study on a relevant subject within ceramics, glasses or polymer topics. At MERI you'll benefit from expert tutelage, cutting-edge facilities and a supportive environment. Your finished work will stand alongside widely acclaimed MERI publications – a large proportion of which have been considered 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

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How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

As this is a research course, most of your work will be carried out independently. You’ll benefit from the support and expertise of your supervisory team – including a Director of Studies and a second supervisor who have specific interest in your chosen subject area.

This may include auxetic materials, biomaterials, bullet-proof and abrasion-resistant ceramics, energy reduction in glass manufacture, medical devices, nuclear waste containment, polymers and composites, and thermoelectric oxides.

You learn through

  • independent research
  • mentoring with your supervisory team
  • laboratory training
  • research and teacher training
  • ethical research training
  • participation in the MERI Research Colloquium – presenting posters and oral presentations

Course leaders and tutors

Dr Francis Clegg
Dr Francis Clegg
Senior Research Fellow

Dr Francis Clegg is a Senior Research Fellow at the Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University.

Applied learning

Work placements

A number of the PhD projects involve close cooperation with industrial partners, which may require periods of activity at their premises.

Live projects

When required, you can apply to national facilities to carry out large-scale, sophisticated experiments.

Networking opportunities

You’ll be able to participate in the MERI Research Colloquium each year – presenting a poster in your first year and an oral presentation in your second year. You’ll likely have similar opportunities to present at research conferences in the UK and abroad.


Future careers

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

  • Unilever
  • Diamond Light Source
  • Schlumberger
  • Akzo Nobel
  • GSK
  • Pfizer
  • Fisher Scientific
  • Agilent
  • Sheffield Hallam University

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

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Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Equipment and facilities

MERI has an extensive portfolio of equipment available for students, including

  • scanning and transmission electron microscopy
  • x-ray diffraction
  • infrared and raman spectroscopy
  • thermal methods of analysis
  • mechanical testing
  • tribological testing
  • infinite focus microscopes

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Entry requirements

All students

Please contact the relevant research area or centre to enquire about the entry requirements for this MPhil. Where English is not your first language, you must also show evidence of English language ability.

All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Find out more about the University’s research areas and staff or search for members of staff by keyword.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa). An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

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Doctoral student loans

Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Doctoral student loans

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for School of Engineering and Built Environment

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

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Facilities

Study in our £11 million Hertha Ayrton STEM Centre and get hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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