Information, advice and guidance for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students

Overview 

Whether you’re looking for advice on life at Sheffield or seeking support and opportunities, we aim to reflect the diverse experiences of our students and help you succeed personally and academically throughout your university journey.

Students’ Union networks and committees

Our campus is home to a diverse community where students from all backgrounds come together. The Students’ Union’s committees and societies provide opportunities to meet like-minded people, celebrate cultures and make friends, connections and changes.

They provide dedicated support and representation for BAME students through elected officers, student-led committees, and societies.

Student’s Union Officers

Your Ethnic Diversity Officer in the Students’ Union aims to represent you as a BAME student. 

Your International and Community Officer amplifies the voices of our international students

Your Liberation and Inclusions Officer represents students from liberation groups, and everyone who faces a systemic barrier to participation at the University.

Committees

Our International Students' Committee is dedicated to promoting diversity and enhancing the experience of international students. They organise a variety of events throughout the academic year. 

Your Liberation Committee is responsible for ensuring the Student Union’s services and activities cater to the diverse needs and interests of all Sheffield Students. Each of the Liberation Committees subgroups represent the interests of a specific section of the Union membership – leaving no voice unheard.

Department/school societies

The BAME Medics Society represents BAME medical students at Sheffield Medical School. They raise awareness on racism and inequality within the medical profession, the NHS, and the medical school. 

BAME Engineers Society - The BAME Engineers Society aims to create a platform for under-represented engineers to socialise and network with each other to help tackle the problems we face in industry. They’re also on Instagram.

BAME Architects Society represents BAME students in the School of Architecture. They’re also on Instagram.

BAME Law Society represents BAME students in the School of Law.

Cultural & national societies

There are over 50 cultural and national societies you can join. We’ve picked out a few popular societies below. 

For a full list, visit: Find clubs and societies (select ‘Cultural/National’ in the ‘Category’ filter). 

ABACUS: Association of British and Chinese University Students aim to create and cultivate a welcoming, friendly community where students of any background can belong. Everyone interested in celebrating British, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cultures can join us! 

African Caribbean Society (ACS) aims to bring together Africans, Caribbeans and others interested in getting to know more about African and Caribbean cultures.

BRITASIA British Asian Society is the society for British Asian students at the University.

The Arab Society is the 'Home away from home' to the flourishing Arab community here in Sheffield, with our primary goal being to display our unique culture to all. 

A full list of the societies for specific ethnic and national groups is available on your Students’ Union’s website (select ‘Cultural/National’ in the ‘Category’ filter):

Sheffield Student’s Union- Find Clubs and Societies

Events and activities

Your Student’s Union runs a programme of  events in conjunction with committees and societies:

Events at your Students’ Union

Funding and financial support

For a full overview of the financial support available visit: Financial support

For support with the cost of living, including an overview of the financial help available and the free facilities and discounts across campus, visit: Cost of living support

Mental health and wellbeing

Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service 

If you need support with your mental health at any point during your studies, help is available through our Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service.

'Taking Space' BAME student support group

The BAME student support group provides a chance for you to: 

• understand the impact of trauma on your life, including your studies, mental health and identity
• connect with others to counteract the feelings of isolation in hard times
• explore ways you can improve your wellbeing when encountering trauma or racism

It’s run by Ron Mutambirwa and Angela Burrows, both Black members of staff in the Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service. 

'Taking Space' BME student support group

Student Wellbeing Service

If you're feeling down, overwhelmed, or struggling to adjust to student life, our Student Wellbeing Service can offer tailored one-to-one support to help you manage and make sense of what you’re experiencing.

They also run wellbeing drop-in events to give you space to speak with a wellbeing advisor, share any concerns, debrief after a day of studying or find out more about the Wellbeing Service.

Student belonging 

The Student Experience, Diversity and Inclusion team (SEDI) offers events and tailored support activities to build a sense of community and belonging among students with a variety of lived experiences, ensuring you feel welcome, supported and are able to achieve during your studies.

Student belonging events (student login required)

Life in University accommodation 

If you live in University accommodation during your studies, our Residence Life team offers various events and activities throughout the year where you can meet new people and get involved in your student community. 

We also have Residence Life Mentors who can provide support and guidance. 

For more information, visit our Residence Life hub (student login required).

Community living agreements  

At the start of the year, our Residence Life Mentors deliver the Community Living campaign. They facilitate open and respectful conversations among flatmates about the considerations needed when living with others. This might include dietary requirements, allergies, or overnight guests. 

For more information, visit: Community living agreements (student login required)

Library services 

Lib Fest

Lib Fest is a partnership between the University Library and the Students’ Union. It is a year long festival of events in the Information Commons to liberate the Library through: 

• Celebrating the liberation priorities of our students
• Including previously missing voices in our university libraries
• Promoting collaborative working , co-creation and interdisciplinary dialogue
• Enhancing access to digital creativity 

 Lib Fest | Library

Free external membership for refugees and asylum seekers

Our University Library is happy to welcome refugees and asylum seekers to use Western Bank Library. We are offering free external membership that will allow you to borrow up to five books at a time and explore our unique and original library collections. 

Membership offer for refugees and asylum seekers

Careers and employability

Our Careers & Employability Service can provide you with career support and guidance during and after your studies at Sheffield. 

They also have specific guidance for BAME students on their webpages: 

Careers & employability information for BAME students

Equality and employment rights 

For advice about specific equality issues, links to further information and details about the support available from the Careers & Employability Service, visit: 

Careers Service: Equality matters

If you’re a home undergraduate student, the Careers & Employability Service also runs an equal opportunities scheme. This includes programmes, support, and funding for students from backgrounds and groups that are typically under-represented in higher education. 

You can also check out their Equal Opportunities Blog. 

Enterprise and entrepreneurship

The Emerge: Be Enterprising programme supports students, staff and graduates to develop business ideas. 

Working as a student

Become a student ambassador 

If you’re passionate about sharing your university experience and supporting prospective and current students, the Student Ambassador role is a fantastic opportunity to represent the University  while developing valuable skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork.

We actively encourage students from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to join our ambassador team. Your voice and experiences are essential in helping us create an inclusive, supportive environment for all students - both current and future. 

By becoming an ambassador, you’ll not only represent your community but also inspire others considering studying at Sheffield.

Registered students: Become a student ambassador

Become an Access Mentor

Access Mentors provide direct support to prospective students who have the academic potential to go to university, but are from groups underrepresented in higher education (HE). 

We particularly encourage applications from students with widening access characteristics, such as those from BAME communities or other groups currently underrepresented in HE.

Registered students: Become an access mentor

Working part-time

For advice on working part-time during your degree, visit: 

Part-time work (student log-in required)

Studying or working abroad 

Spending time abroad during your studies is a great opportunity to explore other cultures, travel and gain experiences which will help you in your future career. Whether you're considering a summer school, a semester, or a full year abroad, there are plenty of options to explore. For more information, visit: Global Opportunities. 

If you’re thinking about studying or working abroad during your studies, the page below provides an overview of things to consider, including dedicated resources, blogs, and first-hand experiences from BAME students who have studied abroad.

Things to consider before spending time abroad