Pre-arrival information for new physics students
Congratulations on securing your place to study with us in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences! On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to university as smooth as possible.
Your physics checklist
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 page is just for new physics students. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete that are specific to you and your course.
Complete your registration
The first thing you need to do is complete your registration.
Choose your modules
You will take 120 credits worth of modules in each academic year, some modules are compulsory (core modules) and some can be chosen (optional modules) from a specific list.
All first year modules on our Physics and Astrophysics and Theoretical Physics courses are core modules. If you're studying Physics you’ll have optional modules in your first year. At the beginning of September, you’ll receive an email notifying you to select your optional modules using online module selection as part of your pre-registration tasks. A link to the Online Module Choice system will also appear within the pre-registration system.
Don’t worry if you’re undecided about your optional modules, you can change them at any time during the first two weeks of each semester. The important thing is that you are enrolled in 120 credits of modules - this will enable you to complete your registration.
Welcome Week timetable
There are lots of events taking place across the University during Welcome Week. Here’s a list of the events that are specifically for physics students. These are compulsory and will ensure you get the best start to your time at Sheffield.
Please note that this timetable might change before you arrive, so make sure you keep checking back!
- Monday 21 September 2026
Welcome to the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Time: 9am
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Welcome to Physics and Astronomy
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Meet your Academic Tutor
Time: 11am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Scavenger Hunt
Time: 2pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
- Tuesday 22 September 2026
Academic Support Services
Time: 12pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
EDI and Wellbeing in Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Time: 2pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
University of Sheffield Culture Training
Time: 3pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
- Wednesday 23 September 2026
Your Physics and Astronomy Community
Time: 11am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
- Thursday 24 September 2026
Health and Safety in Labs
Time: 1pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
- Friday 25 September 2026
Learning Essentials
Time: 11am
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Physics and Astronomy Course Details and Logistics
Time: 12pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Additional Course Details
Time: 2pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 3
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is for students on our BSc/MPhys Physics and Astrophysics and BSc/MPhys Theoretical Physics courses.
Useful information
- Recommended reading
You can see reading lists for all your courses on Blackboard. You can access and read books via links to the University library or read them online. Besides the core physics textbook, you can choose which books from the reading list or others you would like to use in your studies and beyond.
- Student handbook
Our School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences student handbook has all the information you'll need to guide you through your undergraduate studies.
- Student societies
Our Students’ Union has over 350 societies and sports clubs. Physics students can join Physoc, who organise events from guest lectures to fancy dress socials and the Hicks’ Ball!
Virtual tour of the Hicks Building
Physics and astronomy is based in the Hicks Building, which has classrooms, lecture theatres, computer rooms and social spaces. It's worth noting, that some teaching may take place in other buildings across the University.
Take a look at our virtual tour of the Hicks Building
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: mps.student@sheffield.ac.uk
Please include your name, programme of study and registration number (if you know it).