Sheffield is a city in the heart of South Yorkshire that has reinvented itself in recent decades as a modern hub of culture, commerce and creativity. Once known primarily for steel production, Sheffield has diversified into advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and tech while preserving its proud industrial heritage. Iconic attractions like the Kelham Island Museum and the National Emergency Services Museum celebrate Sheffield's history of steel and skilled craftsmanship. With abundant green spaces, a lively arts scene centred on sites like the Graves Gallery, and a passion for sport and the outdoors, Sheffield offers a high quality of life in a distinctly Yorkshire setting.
Sheffield's reputation as a centre of academic excellence owes much to its two major universities - the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. Together, these prestigious institutions attract approximately 60,000 students who come to study in Sheffield. The Sheffield University was founded in 1897 and awarded university status in 1905. As one of the original six red-brick universities in the UK and a member of the elite Russell Group, the university builds on over a century of advancement in education and research. Its counterpart, Sheffield Hallam University, has also made immense contributions to the city’s education in the years since its founding as Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1969. The continued influence of these two powerhouse institutions reinforces study abroad in Sheffield as a dynamic hub of teaching and ideas.
Why Study In Sheffield?
Top universities in Sheffield are one of the reasons why students come here. There are several other reasons which make this city unique for students. Read all about it in this section.
Sports Culture
Sheffield has an electrifying sports culture, being home to the world's oldest soccer club. The rivalry between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday creates an energetic atmosphere. Sheffield also hosts the prestigious World Snooker Championship. Both universities have excellent recreational facilities for sports and fitness.
Top-Notch Students' Unions
The students' unions at both Sheffield universities host exciting events year-round. The University of Sheffield's union has been voted the UK's number one for five consecutive years. It houses over 350 student societies and offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. After attending courses in Sheffield, students are seen spending time here.
Affordability
Sheffield offers great value for money. It was ranked among the UK's 10 most affordable cities for students. The lower cost of living allows for saving money to travel or go on holidays. The colleges in Sheffield as well are celebrated for their affordable programmes.
Music & Culture
With a rich musical heritage as the home of Arctic Monkeys, Sheffield has a vibrant cultural scene. The city features concerts by top artists at the Fly DSA Arena as well as intimate indie gigs at venues like West Street Live. The annual Tramlines Festival is a must-attend event.
Access to the Outdoors
Sheffield has over 250 green spaces, earning its "green city" nickname. It provides easy access to the majestic Peak District National Park. This makes Sheffield ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking and rock climbing.
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Sheffield, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 14,112
£ 3,100
#96
£ 14,112
£ 3,100
#12
The University of Sheffield (also known as Sheffield University or TUOS) is a public research university in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Its founding years are 1828 for Sheffield Medical School, 1879 for Firth College, and 1884 for Sheffield Technical School. Following the merger of the three schools, the University College of Sheffield was created in 1897. In 1905, King Edward VII granted the TUOS a royal charter.
The institution is a founding member of the esteemed Russell Group and one of the first red-brick universities. Additionally, it is a member of the White Rose University Consortium, the N8 Group of Northern England's eight most research-intensive universities, and the Worldwide Universities Network. Sheffield is placed 11th in the UK for research power in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021, which was determined by dividing the institution's GPA by the total number of full-time equivalent employees submitted.
Six of the eight Nobel laureates associated with TUOS are alumni or previous long-term employees of the school. They have contributed to the creation of molecular machines, the discovery of fullerene, the citric acid cycle, the study of high-speed chemical reactions, the invention of penicillin, and the discovery of introns in eukaryotic DNA. Several heads of state, home secretaries, judges on the Court of Appeal, Booker Prize winners, astronauts, and Olympic gold medalists are also among the alumni.
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 14,112
£ 8,745
#1001 - 1200
£ 14,112
£ 8,745
Sheffield Hallam University is located in the English county of South Yorkshire. It is one of the world's most popular and the 11th largest university in the United Kingdom, enrolling over 30,000 students from over 100 countries. The university is spread out across two campuses. They have a city campus near the Sheffield Railway Station in the city centre and a collegiate campus about 2 miles away in the Broomhall Estate off Ecclesall Road in southwest Sheffield. The university is a member of the Commonwealth Universities Association.
The university is one of the largest providers of social and health care courses, teacher training, and sports and physical activity courses in the United Kingdom. There are 30 research centres, including the Art and Design Research Centre, and the Biomedical Research Centre. The faculties are divided into four sections: Science, Technology, and Arts (STA), Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), Health and Wellbeing (HWB), and Sheffield Business School (SBS). The current Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University is Helena Kennedy, a broadcaster, barrister, and life peer of the House of Lords.
Admission Process & Requirements
To study in Sheffield, students must adhere to the following. However, for certain programmes and universities, the admission criteria may differ.
|
Criteria |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
|
Application platform |
UCAS (undergraduate programmes only) |
University website or directly through UCAS |
|
English language proficiency |
IELTS 6.5-7.0 TOEFL 92-100 |
IELTS 6.5-7.0 TOEFL 92-100 |
|
Helpful resources |
UniScholars, University websites, UCAS website, Study in Scotland website |
UniScholars, University websites, UCAS website, Study in Scotland website |
Documents Required:
- High school diploma/Bachelors with strong grades
- Personal statement
- References
- CV/resume
- Transcripts
- Work Experience (some programmes)
Scholarships In Sheffield
Sheffield offers several prestigious and generous scholarships for both domestic and international students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These provide financial assistance towards covering tuition fees and living expenses during studies. Students are encouraged to apply for these scholarships in Sheffield:
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship offers £3,000 towards tuition fees for a Black British undergraduate student starting their studies in September 2024. Deadline: July 31st.
- Amount: £3,000
International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship awards up to £10,000 per year towards tuition fees for international undergraduate students. Deadline: Varies based on the programme.
- Amount: £10,000
International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship: This scholarship offers up to £2,500 towards tuition fees for international postgraduate students starting their studies masters in Sheffield University.
- Amount: £2,500
Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the UK government, these scholarships offer full tuition fees, a living stipend, and travel costs for outstanding international students with leadership potential. Apply through your home country.
- Amount: £18,000
Commonwealth Scholarships: Funded by the British government, these scholarships provide opportunities for students from Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. Apply through your home country's National Commission.
- Amount: £1,000 every month
GREAT Scholarships: Funded by the UK government, these scholarships are available to students from specific countries for postgraduate study in the UK. Eligibility and deadlines vary based on the country.
- Amount: £10,000
FAQs
Sheffield stands out as one of the UK's liveliest and most exhilarating student cities. It thrives as a cultural centre steeped in history, providing students with an exceptional quality of life. Affordable housing, cultural landmarks and outdoor pursuits make it an ideal destination for students to immerse themselves in.
Students will have to pitch in an approximate of £21,000 and £26,950 to study here.
Sheffield's Supertram system has four tram routes that cover the city's primary transport routes. A single tram fare ranges from £2.40 to £2.80.
Key areas include Broomhill, Crookes, Endcliffe, Sharrow Vale, Devonshire Quarter, West Street, and Ecclesall Road. These neighbourhoods offer affordability, proximity to campus, access to public transportation, as well as shops and restaurants.
Sheffield is recognised as the safest major city in the UK, yet, like any urban area, it is not immune to crime. It's advisable to take necessary precautions to safeguard yourself and your belongings.
