Starting University in Sheffield – The Ultimate Guide For International Students

The prospect of studying abroad can be very exciting. However, the idea of moving away from your home to a different country to study can also be very daunting. Fortunately, the UK has some of the best universities for learning and living abroad. Among cities in the UK, Sheffield is one of the most popular choices. So much so that international students make up a third of the student body at the University of Sheffield. Choosing Sheffield as your new academic home away from home means you’ll be in good company among plenty of international peers. As a Sheffield Hallam alumnus, I’ll be sharing a practical checklist of essential things to remember and be aware of,  drawing from my own experiences in one of my favourite cities – Sheffield.

sheffield student guide

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Table of Contents

Essentials

Here’s a useful packing checklist before you head over to the UK:

  1. CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies):
    This confirms you’ve been accepted to study in the UK. You used it in your visa application, and it was provided by your university.
  2. Medical Documents:
    Bring any prescriptions, health records, or vaccination info you might need. Registering with a local GP near your accommodation should be a priority for NHS access. If you’re unsure how, your university can help!
  3. Passport: An essential!
  4. Plug Adapters:
    The UK uses rare three-pin plugs. There’s a very high chance they will be different from your home country. It’s a good idea to bring an adapter. Don’t worry if you forget as you’ll be able to find them at the airport.
  5. Some Cash (GBP):
    Most places accept cards, but having a bit of cash can be handy for small purchases.

Here is a list of items you can and can’t bring into the UK.

Student Accommodation in Sheffield

There are two most common types of student accommodation: student halls and private student accommodation. Student halls are good for making friends as it’s packed with freshers and generally closer to the universities. On the other hand, private accommodation is great for being able to choose your own area and is usually cheaper.

Fortunately there are lots of great halls and perfect student areas for private student accommodation based in Sheffield.

My personal recommendations:

  • Ranmoor and Endcliffe – These two adjacent halls together accommodate around 4,500 students.  The halls radiate a strong community atmosphere. They are located just a 20-minute walk from the University of Sheffield.
  • The Forge – A large residential complex with over 1,000 en-suite rooms. Situated only a 15-minute walk from Sheffield Hallam. It’s also conveniently close to Ecclesall Road. The vibrant area is popular among students.

I spent my first year in The Forge. It’s only a short walk from both of Sheffield Hallam’s campuses. One of my favourite parts about staying at The Forge was the common room, it has a pool table which was great for if we didn’t fancy going far to socialise.  

My flatmates and I were frequent visitors of The Sheaf Island Wetherspoons (as a student you’ll want to find your closest Wetherspoons ASAP, trust me). This particular outlet was only a 5 minute walk from The Forge accommodation.

Student Areas in Sheffield you should know about

  1. One of the most popular areas for students in Sheffield is Broomhill. Being a safe area, there is an abundance of independent shops and cafes. It also has a perfect blend of city and nature.
  2. Another popular area is Ecclesall Road. The notable thing about this student area is the fact that it offers a 3 mile long stretch of cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs. 

In my second year, I stayed in Ecclesall Road. There are so many shops and bars there, so it can be really exciting deciding where you’re going to go drink or grab something to eat. Also, you don’t have to worry about transportation as it is very walkable. But if you’re feeling tired (we all have those days), there is usually always taxi services available because of how busy the street is.

sheffield city

Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in the UK, boasting more trees than people!

Shops in Sheffield for your daily needs

Don’t worry too much about getting finishing touches or homeware before you fly as there are plenty of places to get that from in Sheffield. Besides, you don’t want to be taking up your luggage on anything nonessential. 

Here is a list of different shops for anything you will need:

1) Food shops and household essentials

  • Aldi (Personal fav)
  • Lidl
  • Asda
  • Tesco
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Morrisons
  • Waitrose

In order of least expensive to most expensive, according to this which? survey.

2) Home Decor and furniture

  • IKEA
  • Dunelm
  • The Range
  • Homebase

Tip: If you’re planning on hanging anything up, damage free hanging strips are a lifesaver. They don’t leave any residue or damage.

Events and Communities to take part in

With such a large international student community, there are plenty of events and societies to get involved in:

  • International Welcome Party: An event for international students on October 3rd. They even provide country stickers to help you connect with others from your home country!
  • University Societies: If you fancy taking on a new hobby, both universities have a great range of sports to join in on. Such as volleyball, baseball, cricket, and dance classes. The best way to find out what events they have or timetables is by contacting your student union.

Be sure to take advantage of Student Unions. The university unions often host events.  During my first year, the union hosted a boozy bingo, which was a great place to meet students – and it was a laugh! They also hosted peak district walks which my whole flat took advantage of in order to meet new people. 

Transport: Getting around Sheffield

Public transportation around Sheffield is easy and runs very frequently. It’s known for having great transport to other major cities such as London if you fancy a day trip sightseeing  (it only takes two hours!) But it also has great transport within the city itself. Which is great for getting to your chosen university no matter where your accommodation is located. There are different tramlines which are all colour coded making it simple to understand.

With my flatmates, we took advantage of the quick and easy tram rides to Valley Centertainment. With the tram fare being so affordable it meant being able to spend more on activities like the cinema, bowling, or crazy golf.

Another favourite between my flatmates and I was to go shopping at Meadowhall, a massive indoor shopping centre which was just a 15-minutes train ride away. Remember, a lot of retail shops accept student discounts, so be sure to keep an eye out.

My personal pros and cons of attending university in Sheffield

PROS

  • The train connections. Getting around is incredibly fast via train. The connections to other cities meant I could experience new places very easily.
  • Nature. Personally I love walking. It clears my head and is really relaxing. Sheffield is perfect for just this. The peak district is closeby and easy to get to. In my opinion there is no prettier part of the UK than the peaks! There are also a lot of parks in Sheffield, such as Crookes Valley Park and Botanical Gardens.
  • Support from the union: To begin with, I was quite intimidated as I didn’t know anyone. However as soon as I mentioned this to the student union, they were very helpful and showed me places to meet people and quickly realised all I had to do was ask. It was a very welcoming experience.
CONS

  • The hills. It can be tiring to walk back and forth because of how hilly Sheffield is. So be prepared and get good walking shoes. Google Maps always says ‘flat’, but it never is! Okay maybe it’s just me…
  • It’s a busy city. Sheffield can get particularly busy on the weekend which can be quite overwhelming if you’re from a small town like myself.

In Conclusion

Both Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield offer extensive support for international students, including visa advice, social transition, and welcoming services. Sheffield is an incredibly diverse and friendly city. You’ll find plenty of people ready to help and make your experience enjoyable. And if there is any advice you should take away from this article is: Ask for help if you’re unsure, you’re not alone.

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