University of Sheffield

About us

We're a world top-100 university renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of our research-led learning and teaching.

We've shaped leading minds across the world, including six Nobel prize winners.

Rankings

We're a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. Our outstanding performance for excellent teaching and research, as part of a genuinely global community, is consistently confirmed by international independent assessments.

QS World University Rankings

The University is rated 93rd in the world, 16th in the UK and second in Yorkshire and the Humber in the 2021 QS World University Rankings.

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

The University is ranked 117th in the world and 14th in the UK according to the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

We also came in at number 45 out of 500 universities in Europe.

We're 22nd out of 250 universities in Europe in the first international ranking to measure the quality of teaching across the world, the Europe Teaching Rankings.

A Russell Group university

The University is one of the 24 universities that make up the Russell Group. Members of this group are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 99 per cent of our research was assessed as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised. We're top 10 in the Russell Group for research outputs.

A top-rated student experience

We're second in the Russell Group for student satisfaction according to the National Student Survey 2019, with our Students' Union voted best in the UK for the fourth year in a row by the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017).

Extraordinary Teachers

Our staff are experts, respected by their peers all over the world from Harvard to Tokyo. Their work drives positive change, empowering people and making communities stronger.

They are the dedicated teachers who will challenge you to achieve your very best. Many are accredited Senior, Principal and National Teaching Fellows, which means they're recognised at a national level for high quality teaching.
    
How We Teach

Our job is to prepare you for life after university. That’s why every undergraduate takes part in projects exploring ways to apply what they learn. Our teachers and support staff work hard, bringing your subject to vivid life in lectures, seminars and practicals.

The brightest and best students choose Sheffield because they want to be challenged. They don't expect to be given all the answers. The Sheffield experience is about learning how to find the answers yourself.

Beyond the Classroom

Some things can't be learned from books. Getting out of the classroom and engaging with the world builds confidence, self-reliance, and practical skills. The experience makes you more employable. It can also give you a unique perspective on your subject.

Working in teams with students from other departments and with external organisations, you will develop a clear sense of how your subject relates to the world. You’ll learn how different disciplines come together to find solutions to global challenges.

We teach this way because we think it makes our students better citizens, and because it's the best preparation for a truly rewarding career. The most employable graduates understand their subject from every perspective. The most effective professionals know how to work with people from other fields.

If you have an idea for a project of your own, or you want to start a business, we can support you. We even teach a module called Making Ideas Happen so you can make entrepreneurial skills part of your course.

We Listen

When it comes to what you learn, and how you learn it, we aim for the right balance. But how do we know what that is? Well, we listen to our partners in the professions, in industry, the public sector and the arts. And we listen to you.

We work closely with students to develop course content, teaching and assessment. A group of students have recently helped to re-design an entire course.
    
Individual Support

All students have a personal tutor within their academic department.

You can go to your personal tutor with any queries at all – worries about an essay deadline, a bright idea for a project. Your tutor will make the time to listen and point you in the direction of further support if you need it.
A powerful blend of teaching and research

Applied research is an integral part of the curriculum. From the first year onwards, you'll work alongside brilliant researchers on live projects as part of your course.

This could mean solving a business problem, addressing a social issue or working with a community anywhere in the world.
    
Beyond Your Subject

We free up time for most of our students to take modules in other departments. That could mean learning a language or anything else you feel will enhance your knowledge.

Through our Languages for All scheme, you can develop your foreign language skills within your course, either by learning a new language from scratch, or continuing a language you have started already.

How will I be taught?

You'll learn in a variety of ways, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent study.

Depending on what course you take, you might do fieldwork, small-group work and take part in student-led seminars and group projects. Some of your work may be supplemented with online lessons. All these approaches encourage you to work independently and be curious about the world around you – skills that will set you up for life and work.

Spending Time Abroad

You could spend between three and 12 months studying at a top university in Europe, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore or the USA.

Work Placements

If your tutors agree, you could do a work placement – spending a year in business or industry as part of your degree. Your tutor and our dedicated Careers Service will help you explore all the options available to you.