City of Sheffield
Friendly neighbourhoods, no shortage of culture, and wide open spaces on your doorstep. Sheffield’s the big city that instantly feels like home.
Where’s Sheffield
Sheffield is in the centre of the UK, at the point where northern England joins the top of the Midlands. It offers a unique blend of vibrant urban life and incredible natural beauty.
What’s Sheffield like?
Fiercely independent.
Warm and inclusive.
Adventurous.
Big, but not too big.
… full of hills!
Things to do in Sheffield
Arts and culture
With the Lyceum, Crucible and Playhouse, Sheffield has the largest theatre district outside London, and it also offers £5 tickets for 16-26 year olds. There are a huge number of small independent music venues in the city, so there’s always something playing somewhere.
Sheffield’s growing festival calendar includes Docfest, the UK’s leading documentary film festival; Crossed Wires podcast festival; Off The Shelf literary festival; and, of course, Tramlines music festival.
Eating and drinking
The city’s independent food and drinks scene has exploded in recent years - from specialty coffee shops, artisan bakeries and proper Neapolitan takeaway pizza, to fancy small plates in cosy neighbourhood restaurants and Europe’s largest purpose-built food hall.
With such a wide variety - and cuisine from all over the world - you can usually find somewhere tasty with student-friendly pricing.
Getting outdoors
It’s easy to get your fix of fresh air, nature and adventure in Sheffield. A whopping 61% of the city is green space, making it the 2nd greenest city in Europe (after Oslo).
As well as an abundance of urban parks, a third of Sheffield is in the Peak District National Park, a wide area of open moorland and rolling countryside. “The Peak” is packed with hikers, climbers, runners and cyclists most weekends, and is a great place to unwind with friends.
Shopping
With a big community of makers and an eclectic mix of independent shops, shopping in Sheffield is a bit different to other cities. And it’s not just in the city centre centre - the popular student neighbourhoods of Sharrow Vale, Crookes, and Broomhill all have their own selection of quirky local indies.
If big brands are more your thing, Meadowhall shopping centre is one of the biggest in the UK - so big, it’s easy to get lost without a map! And it’s just a short tram or train ride from the city centre.
Social and nightlife
Hanging out doesn’t always have to mean a night out. Treehouse Boardgame Cafe, Patriot Games (tabletop gaming), and Builder’s Brew Lego cafe all provide fun alternatives. And the independent Showroom cinema - occupying an old art deco car showroom - offers £6 tickets for 16-26 year olds.
Sheffield Students’ Union’s Foundry is probably the most popular venue for a big night out, but the bars of West Street run it a close second. And you can normally find local live music at the Washington or Sydney and Matilda.
Getting around
Walking or cycling
Sheffield is a compact city - almost everywhere you need to get to is within walking or cycling distance. Our campus is a 25-minute walk from the train station, on the opposite side of the city centre. And our student accommodation is no more than a 25-minute walk from campus.
Bus or tram
Buses serve all parts of the city, and are an affordable way to get out to the Peak District National Park. The Sheffield Supertram runs out to Meadowhall shopping centre and Sheffield Arena. You can get discounted tickets with most bus companies and the Supertram.
Trains
Trains are a good way to get out into the surrounding countryside - the Hope Valley Line from Sheffield to Manchester stops off at multiple Peak District villages.
Visit us
Discover what sets Sheffield apart at an undergraduate open day in June or July.