PHD Natural and Built Environment

Program Overview

---

PHD Natural and Built Environment

Course summary

Undertake an intensive, supervised piece of investigative work in an appropriate topic of your choice on this research degree. You'll be supported throughout by academic supervisors. You'll flourish in a vibrant academic and postgraduate community, and graduate with stand-out qualifications.

How you learn

You work closely with a director of studies and a supervisor who specialise in your chosen field, producing an extended thesis of up to 80,000 words for doctoral research. The programme is based on your individual requirements. You can also design it around your employer's requirements, if appropriate, or development your own subject-specific programme of research. Your research can cover any aspect of the natural and built environment in a UK or international context. Dedicated supervisors, associated with UK and international research, provide support.

You learn through

• supervised research
• meetings
• seminars and training sessions
• informal group sessions
• conference attendance

Applied learning

Field trips

Funds are available to support you in attending conferences and we encourage you to deliver papers and publish your work.

Networking opportunities

Through regular interaction with other postgraduate students, researchers and the wider academic community, including visiting conferences, there is ample opportunity for networking throughout the course.

Course leaders and tutors

Mohataz Hossain

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Architecture & Technology

Future careers

Research specialists can enter industry and the professions as acknowledged experts in their chosen specialism.

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

• specialist laboratories for research and study
• specialist computer suites
• specialist software

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.

Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Entry requirements

All students

All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit and above).

Application

To apply, candidates must submit a fully complete online application including:

• A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.
• A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question, and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you.
  1. What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
  2. How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
  3. What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
  4. Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).
• Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.
• Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
• Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

All suitable candidates are invited to an interview which can take place in- person or online. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. 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.

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.

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.

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).

Doctoral student loans

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

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 Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 141.3KB)

Legal information

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