What is SURE?

What is the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)?

Established in 2009, SURE is Sheffield's long-running undergraduate research scheme, contributing directly to knowledge creation and strengthening the link between education, research and inquiry.  

SURE offers funded scholarships to approximately 100 students annually across all disciplines, providing the opportunity to collaborate with an academic on a dedicated research project during the summer vacation. This program allows students to gain valuable research experience while developing transferable skills that enhance both their current studies and future career prospects. SURE is open to all undergraduate students who are not in their first or final year. The scholarship is not a salary and it is not liable for taxation or subject to student visa stipulations.  

Taking part in the SURE Scheme enables students to:

• participate in a real research project
• deepen knowledge of a subject
• enhance research skills
• gain experience in an academic research environment, including learning about career options 
• enhance employability.
• develop transferable skills in areas such as project management (collaboration and communication)

Activities and content

The possibilities for SURE research are practically limitless, as long as they are achievable within the project's duration, provide a meaningful experience for the student and are authentic to the discipline. SURE projects can be co-led by external organisations and there are many successful examples of this. 

The activities undertaken will vary depending on the subject area, as applicants are responsible for designing their research methods. While these projects are relatively short, they will involve a range of tasks to engage with the material, resulting in a dynamic week-to-week experience. Participants may conduct experiments, analyse archival materials, carry out interviews or focus groups, administer surveys, review existing literature, study precedent cases, or facilitate participatory research. All projects culminate in the creation of a dissemination piece, which is exhibited at a research showcase exhibition. 

Have a question? Contact us at surescheme@sheffield.ac.uk