Information, advice and guidance for Muslim students
Whether you’re looking for advice on life at Sheffield, religious support, or opportunities to connect with the Muslim student community, this page brings together tailored information to help you succeed personally and academically throughout your university journey.
Religious observance and assessments
If you’re observing religious festivals around the time of a deadline, it’s your responsibility to plan your work so it’s completed and submitted before the deadline. We’ll give you assessment dates and deadlines in advance.
If you know that attendance/work is prohibited on certain dates, or that major festivals might fall on potentially relevant dates, you can seek consideration of this.
Extenuating circumstances- Religious observance and exams (student login required)
Jummah (Friday) Prayer
If you need to take some time out of University activities to go to Jummah prayer, you should let your tutors know, and make sure you catch up on any missed work.
Prayer rooms
You can access our interactive map showing prayer rooms/quiet spaces available to students and visitors on campus.
Prayer rooms and quiet spaces on campus
There is currently no facility on campus for Friday prayer but most staff and students go to either Masjid Ar Risala or Muslim Welfare House to pray, both of which are close to campus.
Halal food on campus
Our on-campus cafes and bars deliver a diverse range of food and drink choices to reflect the multicultural and multi-faith community here at the University, including halal options.
Food and drink | Guide to Sheffield
For information about halal food in the wider Sheffield city region:
Islamic life and community in Sheffield - Halal food in Sheffield
Support and chaplaincy
Muslim chaplaincy
Our Muslim chaplaincy offers emotional, spiritual and practical support and neutral advice for Muslim students as well as activities and stalls. They also offer chill out spaces with free drinks and snacks.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Chaplaincy (Medicine & Dentistry students)
If you’re a medicine or dentistry student, the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have a dedicated chaplaincy which provides pastoral, spiritual and religious care.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals chaplaincy
Student’s Union committees and societies
Our University of Sheffield Islamic Circle (USIC) represents Muslim students on campus and beyond by providing social and welfare support.
They provide a platform for you to learn more about Islam as well as opportunities to put your faith into action. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your background, faith or current beliefs.
Our University of Sheffield Ahlulbayt Society promotes and spreads the values demonstrated by the Holy Prophet and his Family (also known as the Ahlulbayt). Their events are catered to promoting growth, an understanding of Islam, and a community of like-minded people.
They host Dua (prayer) and discussion circles where members (and non-members) can discuss topics including mental health, racism, islamophobia, and historical events. They also run games nights, quiz nights, and local day trips.
Events and opportunities
Islamophobia Awareness Month
In November, our Muslim Chaplaincy and our University of Sheffield Islamic Circle run stalls, exhibitions and activities to raise awareness of Islamophobia.
USIC and the Muslim Chaplaincy also put on other events and activities across the year for Muslim students.
Interfaith week
Interfaith week is in November, and includes a range of activities and events to learn and talk about different faiths.
The Roots Academy Programme
The Roots Academy runs weekly sessions during semester time to help you connect with and learn about your Islamic faith. Our Muslim chaplain, Ustadha Ameena Blake is one of the Roots instructors.
You can find out about registration, times and other details on the USIC pages.
Student belonging events
Our 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)
Financial support
Student funding and shari’ah law
Deciding whether to take out a student loan can be a confusing time due to differing financial rulings in Islam regarding the matter of riba (interest) in loans. We hope the page below may help you make your decision.
Student funding and sharia law
Aziz Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships provide 100% tuition fee Masters scholarships to support British Muslims who are dedicated to bringing positive change to society, to study at UK universities.
Avicenna Foundation scholarships (external)
The Avicenna Foundation aims to help the Muslim community through provision of access to further education to enhance employment and work experience opportunities.
They offer scholarships for UK student tuition fees for first-year undergraduates. For more information on the eligibility criteria, visit:
Avicenna Foundation Scholarships
Reporting concerns and incidents
We’re proud to be an inclusive, tolerant and diverse community, where the diversity of people, opinions, and beliefs can and does thrive. We appreciate that sometimes students will suffer prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence on account of their race or beliefs.
We’re actively tackling all areas of discrimination and harassment, and are committed to ensuring that all our students and staff are confident that they study, work and live in a safe and inclusive environment.
If you experience any form of discrimination, you can seek support or report through our dedicated Report and Support platform.
For more information about what to do if you experience discrimination and harassment, including hate incidents, sexual violence or abuse:
University statement on Islamophobia
We have a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination and hate crime.
Islamophobia (first known use in 1923), is also known as ‘anti Muslim hatred’. It is a term that amongst others, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) suggest is defined by the wording,
‘Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.’
Muslim scholars and umbrella organisations such as the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) also support this definition. The University of Sheffield adopts this definition. Islamophobia was described by the Council of Europe as a, ‘violation of human rights.’
Islamophobia can take many different forms, from an employer refusing to employ someone due to them looking like a Muslim or having a Muslim name, to verbal abuse or physical violence.
All types of hate crime and racism are illegal and unacceptable and must be challenged. We all have a duty of care to everyone within the Sheffield University community.
If you feel you have been a victim of Islamophobia, have witnessed Islamophobia, or want more information, you can find this on the University's Hate crime web page.
You can access support and advice about Islamophobia from your Muslim chaplain.
If you are in immediate danger or threat, call the police on 999.
If you are on campus and in danger or threat, call Security Services on +44 114 222 4444 (emergency only).
External online support
Studentspace is a helpline service for young Muslims, offering support and signposting seven days a week by phone, WhatsApp, webchat and email.
Muslim Youth Helpline is a UK-based charity which offers faith and culturally sensitive support to young Muslims.
Muslim Community Helpline is a confidential, non-judgemental listening and emotional support service.
Muslim Women's Network Helpline is a national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline which offers information, support, guidance and referrals for those who are suffering from or at risk of abuse or facing problems on a range of issues.
The Aafiyah Project aims to address the needs of those struggling with mental health difficulties in the Muslim community. They provide workshops, lectures, and literature in order to educate and raise awareness about mental health from an Islamic perspective.
The Roshni Sheffield Asian Women's Resource Centre provides a range of activities and services for South Asian women in Sheffield including:
- Advocacy support
- Emotional support and counselling
- Training and learning opportunities
- Help for women seeking employment
- Support for women aged 50 or over
- Social and recreational opportunities.