The University of Sheffield
Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

Applying to study for a Postgraduate Research Degree

Postgraduate studentWe are looking for the best/talented researchers that can deliver a world-class research project.

A good Master's degree, or a first class Honours degree or equivalent, from an approved institution in an appropriate Engineering or Science subject is normally required for entry. Applicants with other qualifications or experience are encouraged to contact the Research Admissions Tutor (address below).

How to apply

An outline of the steps to apply for a PhD in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering is this:

  1. Read the PhD projects web page
  2. Identify three Supervisors that you would like to work with.
  3. Draft your PhD research project proposal
  4. Get your supporting documents ready
  5. Complete and submit your Postgraduate Online Application Form
  6. Read the scholarships web page and apply for a scholarship

Step 1: Read the PhD Projects page

The list of projects is at the Phd Projects page

Step 2: Identify your preferred Supervisors

Choose THREE Supervisors that you would like to work with and enter this information onto your application form in order of preference.  NOTE: you should only submit one application form.

Step 3: Draft your PhD research project proposal

Research can be so exciting. What do you want to discover? What are you going to invent? Drafting your own research proposal in research areas appropriate to the Department's research is the start of that excitement.

You can use the project descriptions listed in the PhD Projects page to help you draft your research proposal. For projects that have been described in some detail by the supervisor, your proposal will follow the description. For others your have more freedom to suggest the line of research.

Step 4: Supporting documents

You should attach electronic copies of the required supporting documents to your online application. The documents you will need are:

  1. Proof of your previous qualifications.
  2. Academic references.
  3. English language certificate (EU and Overseas applicants).
  4. A supporting statement.
  5. Curriculum vitae/Resume.
  6. PhD research proposal. (this is your proposal created in Step 3)

Further information and help is available here: how to apply for a research degree

and more help here: online postgraduate application form introduction

If you do not have electronic copies of supporting documents available, the application form allows you to return and provide your electronic documents later. If you need to send your supporting documents by post/mail you can indicate this on the application form. If your application is successful and you have supplied electronic or photocopied copies of your documents, please be aware that you will need to supply the original documents before being allowed to register.

Step 5: Complete and submit your Postgraduate Online Application Form

Please note that the University's online form is used for postgraduate courses as well as for PhD research applications. Don't be put off by the word "courses".

The form is split into two parts. The first part covers for your personal information, contact details and so on. The second part is where you  provide reference information, supporting documents for your PhD choices, and so on.

The form says you can apply for a total of 3 different postgraduate research projects "courses". However, in ACSE we can offer you more, so what you should do is fill in the dialog box that asks what topic you would like to research, and then make sure you enter THREE supervisor names in order of preference. You will be considered for all the relevent projects by those supervisors. See screenshot:Phd Form image

Start your online form application here (please only submit one application):

Online Postgraduate Application Form Login

Further information and help with the form is available here: online postgraduate application form introduction

Step 6: Read the Scholarships web page and apply for a Scholarship

Scholarships information web page

Research Admission Tutor

Research Admissions Tutor c/o Mrs Frances Bright
Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
The University of Sheffield
Mappin Street
Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK

Tel: (0114) 222 5248
email : adacse@sheffield.ac.uk