Undergraduate Pre-arrival Information
Everything you need to know before starting your university experience as a materials science and engineering student in our school.
Before you arrive
Here you can find all the information you'll need before you arrive - as well as some extra information you might find useful on the best spots in the city, how to find your way around and how to access support if you need it.
Registration reminder
How you prepare to join us in September is up to you, but the one thing you must do before arriving is register. You won't be able to start your course until you're registered so make sure to get it done in advance. But don't worry, it's super easy to do.
Here's all the information on how to register:
2024/25 Registration for Home Students
2024/25 Registration for International Students
The deadline for registering is 21 October 2024. You can’t start your course/attend lectures & seminars until you have registered with the University.
Welcome Week Timetables
Friday 22 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 11am - 12pm | Diamond Third Floor Thermodynamics Lab | Danger Lab Group 1 |
| 11am - 12pm | Diamond Third Floor Thermodynamics Lab | Danger Lab Group 2 |
Tuesday 24 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 10am - 11am | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 1 |
Welcome to School Talk Head of School - Prof Joan Cordiner |
| 11am - 11:55am | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 7 |
MASH/ELTC welcome |
| 2.30pm - 3.30pm | Sir Robert Hadfield Building Lecture Theatre 22 | Introduction to your course |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | 38 Mappin Street Workroom 3 | Maths and English Diagnostics |
Wednesday 25 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
|
11am - 11:30am |
Sir Robert Hadfield Building Lecture Theatre 21 |
Lab and Library Introduction |
|
11:30am - 12:30pm |
Sir Robert Hadfield Building Lecture Theatre 21 | Becoming an Effective Engineer |
|
12:30pm - 1:15pm |
Sir Robert Hadfield Building: The Turner Museum of Glass | Lunch with Tutors |
|
1:15pm - 2:30pm |
Sir Robert Hadfield Building: The Turner Museum of Glass | Tutorial Group activities |
|
2:30pm - 3:30pm |
TBC | MATSOC social |
Thursday 26 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
|
9:30am - 10:30am |
Pam Liversidge Building D7 |
1:1s with Year Director and Student Support Officer |
More activities will be updated as the date approaches.
You can also view your timetables through either Google Calendar, MUSE or the iSheffield app. Information on how to read your timetable can be found here.
Alongside showing your timetable, the iSheffield app also has information on the libraries, campus maps, social events and support services etc.
Undergraduate checklist
For a full checklist including weekly tasks (from registering to celebrating your success on social media) take a look at our undergraduate checklist, designed to get you ready for Sheffield.
Suggested reading
Whilst there is no need to prepare or do any specific reading, there are resources available if you would like to take a look at anything before you arrive. Everyone comes to Sheffield with different backgrounds, so you will be taught all you need relating to maths, biology, chemistry and physics in your first year. However, if you haven't studied some of these at A Level and would like to make a head start, we'd recommend having a look at some of the materials in the 'academic support' dropdown above and also visiting our Materials Discovery Portal.
Materials Discovery Portal
Get up to speed with maths, physics and chemistry and start your journey into materials science and engineering.
On our Materials Discovery Portal, you will find lots of information about the topics you will encounter during your Materials Science and Engineering course as well as some of the Materials related content you will learn during your first year. As well as getting you up to speed for when you start your course, this will also be useful revision material throughout your time at university.
Visit the Materials Discovery Portal
Your guide to Sheffield
Whether you already live in Sheffield, or you're coming to us from elsewhere, there's plenty to see. From the stunning Peak District right on our doorstep to the trendiest cafes and bars all the way to Tramlines music festival, we've got it all.
We have a full guide to Sheffield, including food and drink, sports, arts and culture and how to get around.
Another guide to the city can be found here, which includes information on our festivals, augmented reality art trail 'Look Up' and an alternative LGBTQ+ guide to the city.
There are also maps of Sheffield and information on local public transport to help you navigate the city. In fact, we have a range of different maps to help you find your way around and find what you need:
After registration
Here we've put together information you might find useful for after you've registered. Some of this you won't be able to access until after you've registered, so make sure to check back then.
IT Services
If you need support with anything IT related, there are some resources here, including information on Google Workspace, Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive
Here are some other helpful guides and explanations:
- Connecting to University WiFi
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- IT Help & Support
- Self Service Portal
- UCards
Mental health support
Starting university is a huge change, and there may be times when you need some extra support.
The Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service can help you navigate your support options and agree on a tailored plan of psychological support. Any University of Sheffield student can register online with the service. Further information on the service can be found on the Student Hub.
NHS support for mental health is also available via the University Health Service or at the Sheffield Walk-In Centre Wellbeing Hub. For the Walk-In Centre, no appointment is required. However, you can call to book a video consultation, phone consultation, or an appointment slot for you to attend.
The University Counselling Service (UCS) runs a number of mental wellbeing workshops, free of charge and operating on a drop-in basis. These require no registration and are free to all students.
Togetherall is an anonymous digital mental health support service available to all students, so you can have free access to support at home or while abroad. It provides immediate access to 24/7 online peer and professional support, with trained counsellors.
The Student Wellbeing Service offers short-term, tailored one-to-one support if you’re experiencing difficulties and challenges, to help you manage your wellbeing and succeed at University. If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life, your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor can assist you in improving your wellbeing and help you get back on track.
Sir Robert Hadfield building
Here's a guided tour of the building which is home to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Most of our academic staff are based in this building. There are also lecture theatres and some labs where you will take practical classes.
MatSoc: The Materials Science and Engineering Society
Run by students for students, the Materials Science and Engineering Society (MatSoc) is fun, friendly and ideal for meeting students from other years as well as joining socials, trips and sporting events.
Events can range from visits to the Peak District to bowling to bar socials – there is something for everyone.
Plus if you’re into competitive sport, the Society has two 6-a-side football teams and two netball matches a week, with plenty of other sporting opportunities available throughout the year.
Take a look at their website to find out more.
Instagram: matsoc.uos
Twitter: @MatSocTUOS
Facebook: matsoctuos