Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,895 per year
May 2023
Course summary
- Carry out supervised research into a wide range of educational topics that address global issues.
- Develop personally and academically, while attaining an advanced qualification
- Work with the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), whose education research was assessed as amongst the highest ranked post-1992 Universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
- Network with researchers in the Social and Economic Research Institute (SERI) and benefit from a wide range of expertise and resources.
This research degree allows you to conduct independent and supervised studies of significant academic worth, and attain either a MPhil or PhD award. With 69% of submitted outputs judged world-leading or internationally excellent, we actively seek ambitious and talented students whose interests are related to our own current areas of research. You'll undertake advanced research into an educational topic of your choice and present your results as a written thesis, graduating with exceptional qualifications and prospects.
How you learn
This course is aimed at both experienced educational practitioners looking to improve academically, and well-qualified graduates looking to extend their research skills and apply them at doctoral level.
You'll train in advanced research methods and carry out supervised research - a systematic high-level study and the written presentation of its results.
Supervision is available in various research areas including
- education policy studies
- TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages)
- pedagogy and practice
- pedagogy and new technologies
- social inclusion
- education and disability
- autism
- early years education
- language and literacy in education
- mathematics education
- leadership and management in education
- higher education
Course leaders and tutors

Caron Carter
Senior Lecturer in Childhood & Early Childhood Education & Postgraduate Research Tutor in EducationI am a researcher and teacher in the field of Early Childhood Research, focusing on children’s friendships. I teach undergraduate and postgraduate students within th … Read more
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
As part of your research you will network with researchers, specialists and academics alike across the Social and Economic Research Institute (SERI).
Future careers
Your research degree equips you with the skills to develop a career as a researcher in education and related fields.
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.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | 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
You will have access to excellent facilities and learning resources including those at the Sheffield Institute of Education.
Entry requirements
All students
All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).
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. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.
Applicants are required to participate in an interview for approximately 40-60 minutes. Interview panel members will include the Postgraduate Research Tutor and/or the Head of Research Degrees for the relevant research area or centre and a prospective director of studies and/or potential supervisor.
Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following (or equivalent) minimum level of proficiency: an IELTS score of 7.0, with 7.0 in all components (or equivalent). Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.
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 starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £4,596 per year.
† 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 full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,895 per year.

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.
Additional costs for Teaching and education courses (PDF, 228KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.