Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £18,195 per year
Course summary
- Undertake doctoral research in the diverse field of Materials and Fluid Flow Modelling
- Learn advanced techniques, utilise cutting-edge technology and benefit from expert tutelage
- Contribute to the acclaimed work of the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI)
- Join a vibrant research community, with a cohort of 100 PhD students
This course allows you to undertake research into a specific area of materials and fluid flow modelling. This varied subject encompasses everything from liquid crystals and polymers to hemodynamics. Your work will join extremely well-regarded MERI publications - a high proportion of which are considered 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
How you learn
As this is a research course, most of your work will be carried out independently. You will 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. Indicative topic areas include liquid crystals, self-assembled structures and foods, and you may use wide-ranging simulation methods - molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo, for example - for your work.
- Independent research
- Laboratory training
- Research training, including mandatory ethics and integrity sessions
- Teacher training
- Participation in the MERI Research Colloquium - presenting posters and oral presentations
Course leaders and tutors

Dr Francis Clegg
Senior Research FellowDr Francis Clegg is a Senior Research Fellow at the Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University.
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
You will be part of the University's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and University-wide presentations, training and conferences.
Future careers
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for/in
- Harvard University
- The University of Cambridge
- The University of Nottingham
- Max Plank Inst Mainz
- Max Plank Inst Gottingen
- Aix-Marseille University
- The University of Pittsburgh
- Software development and management
- IT Systems
- Banking
- Risk management
- Financial data provision
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with 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.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- High Performance Computing Hardware
- A Beowulf Cluster with several hundred cores
- A high-speed backplane
- Experimental facilities in MERI's extensive portfolio of materials preparation and characterisation equipment.
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. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
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 2021/22. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2020/21 course page.
† 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 2021/22 is £18,195 per year. There may be significant bench fees on some of our postgraduate research courses. This would be confirmed in an offer letter.

Doctoral student loans
Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
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