Postgraduate programmes

Postgraduate study programmes in the UK can be divided into Masters programmes and PhDs.

Masters programmes

Taught Masters

These courses normally last 1 year full time and 2 years part time.

Work is usually divided into various modules (different subjects) which are taught and examined through coursework or written exams at the end of the course.
Many Masters courses are assessed primarily through a thesis, an extended piece of research or project which is written up and presented by the student. The qualification gained at the end of an undergraduate degree is called a Master’s Degree .

The two most common Masters are an MA (Master of Arts) and an MSc (Master of Science). In order to study a Master you must usually have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.

Research Masters

Research Masters are usually the same duration as a Taught Masters, and result in the same qualification. The difference is in the delivery of the course – in a Research Masters the student undertakes a research study on a topic of their choice, supervised by an academic, and produces a thesis to present their research rather than attending taught classes or seminars.

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PhD programmes

A PhD is a programme of doctoral research in which the student carries out detailed research in a certain subject area and then presents their research in a thesis. This is usually examined by a professor from your university and a professor from another university, who then question you on your research in an oral examination known as a viva.

In order to carry out a PhD you must have an undergraduate and Masters degree in a relevant subject. The length of time it takes to obtain a PhD can vary, but it is usually 3 years full time and 6 years part time. Students who successfully complete their PhD are entitled to call themselves ‘Doctor’ and can go on to become researchers in academia or industry. The first year of a PhD programme is called MPhil and when you apply for a PhD programme you will usually receive an offer for the MPhil first. It is during your MPhil that you will finalise your research proposal in partnership with your supervisor before you can move onto year 2 and 3 of your PhD study.

More information

If you'd like to receive more information about the Taught Masters and PhD programmes offered at the University of Sheffield Sheffield Hallam University or if you'd like to order an application pack please contact us

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