Materials Science and Engineering Pre-arrival information

We know it’s a busy and exciting time for you, and we want to make preparing for starting your degree as straightforward as possible.  This pre-arrival page is just for new material science and engineering students. Here you’ll find information specific to you and your course.

Registration

You can’t start your course/attend lectures & seminars until you have registered with the University. 

Welcome Week Timetables

Monday 22 September 2025

Tuesday 23 September 2025

Wednesday 24 September 2025

Friday 26 September 2025

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.

Your 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  Materials Discovery Portal below.

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:

• Interactive campus map
• Gender neutral toilets map
• Prayer rooms & quiet spaces
• Food and drink

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

Contact us

If you have any problems working through this pre-arrival checklist, or you know that you’ll be arriving late to Sheffield in September, please let us know.

Email:  cmb-studentsupport@sheffield.ac.uk

Please include your name, programme of study and registration number (if you know it).