Your open day guide

Welcome to our open day

The open day is as flexible as you want it to be. You don’t need to register on arrival, as attendance will be recorded at your pre-booked subject talks, and the rest of the day’s activities can be done in any order.

Once you arrive on campus, simply pick up a tote bag and campus map from our General Information stand outside the Students' Union, or from any of our Information Hub tents spread around campus. Our staff and student ambassadors will also be on hand to talk you through the activities outlined in this online guide, and to help you navigate the day.

Open day frequently asked questions

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Getting here

We recommend travelling to the University via public transport. Sheffield has great transport links, with several park and ride sites, and is easily accessible by train. We are unable to offer visitor parking on campus and the public 'pay and display' parking close by is very limited.

Find more travel advice and plan your journey to our campus.

If you or your guests have a disability read our guidance for disabled visitors.

30% National Express discount

You could travel to our open day for less with a 30% discount on return tickets to Sheffield from National Express.

Simply select your journey and the correct event date on National Express’ website and your discount will be applied during checkout.

Book your travel

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Subject talks

These are the only fixed part of the day, which you choose when making your open day booking. You can book places for yourself and up to one additional guest. You are welcome to bring further guests to accompany you on the day and take part in central tours, talks and exhibitions, but in order to maintain safe room capacities, we cannot guarantee spaces for them in the subject talk(s).

You will receive a reminder email before the event with details of your pre-booked subject talks, and your QR code for entry.

If you have changed your mind about which subject talk you want to attend, details are available in the subject talk schedules. However, please be advised that booked visitors (prospective students and up to one additional guest) will be seated first, and only then will any remaining seats will be offered to unbooked students, then unbooked guests.

Some subject talks do become fully booked, but our faculty exhibitions and subject drop-ins offer a great opportunity to meet representatives from the department and find out more about the courses on offer.

Please note: Medicine, Dental Surgery, and Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy will not be offering subject talks on October and November open days. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and encourage you to explore the Medicine and Dental drop-in exhibitions during this period.

View 23 November 2024 subject talk schedule

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Central talks

These 20-minute presentations run throughout the day, to ensure that you can attend one that fits in with your schedule.

Welcome to our University

Firth Court, Firth Hall

10am, 12pm, 1.30pm

Learn what our University stands for and how our values guide everything we do.

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Student life

Firth Court, Firth Hall

10.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm

Students talk about why the Sheffield experience is consistently voted as one of the best in the UK.

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University accommodation

Firth Court, Firth Hall

11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm

Find out about all the different locations, rooms and prices. You’ll also hear about the events and support available for residents.

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Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield

Firth Court, Council Room

10.15am, 1.15pm

Everything you need to know about sports, fitness and physical activity at the University.

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Funding your studies

Firth Court, Council Room

10.45am, 1.45pm

All the information you need about fees and finance for university.

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Global opportunities and exchanges

Firth Court, Council Room

11.15am, 2.15pm

Find out more about opportunities to spend a period abroad studying, working or teaching.

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All about starting university: A guide for parents and supporters

Firth Court, Council Room

11.45am

Find out about the application process and practical information about guiding your child through the process of starting university.

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Applying to University

Firth Court, Council Room

12.15pm

Learn all about how to navigate the UCAS application process and all of the key dates.

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Languages for All: Learning a language alongside your degree

Firth Court, Council Room

12.45pm

Learn how you can experience language learning at University even if you’re not planning to study a language degree.

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Advice for local and commuting students

Firth Court, Council Room

2.45pm

Students share practical advice and talk about their experience of studying at Sheffield as local students.

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Visit our accommodation 

9.30am to 3pm

Visit our award-winning Endcliffe accommodation site. View our en-suite and shared-bathroom accommodation, the outstanding facilities and beautiful green spaces, and get your questions answered by our accommodation experts at The Edge Hub.

Take our free accommodation shuttle bus from beside the Information Commons on Favell Road, or from outside the Wave on Whitham Road. The last bus departs Favell Road at 3pm, and returns to campus at 4pm.

We advise allowing one hour from stepping on the bus shuttle to stepping back off at campus.

Alternatively, you can walk to or from the accommodation using our online walking maps.

Information about our accommodation rent prices

Please note: our accommodation tours tend to be busiest between 12 and 2pm, where visitors may encounter a short wait for buses and/or small queues at Endcliffe.

We would encourage visitors to take an accommodation tour outside of these times, where possible.

Accommodation information points

Our accommodation team will be ready to answer all of your questions about our award-winning accommodation from the following locations:

• At the accommodation exhibition stand in the Octagon
• At the accommodation information point outside the Wave

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Tours

The best way to find out about our world-class facilities is to see them for yourself.

• Our accommodation tours start at 9.30am.
• All other tours start at 10am. 
• Campus, city and accommodation tours finish at 3pm (and the last accommodation bus leaves Favell Road at 3pm). All other tours finish at 4pm.

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Campus tours 

Duration: 45 mins

10am to 3pm

Collect a wristband from the campus tours stand outside the Octagon for one of our walking campus tours, departing every 30 minutes. Our students will show you some of our iconic buildings and excellent teaching spaces.

Alternatively, explore campus at your own pace with a self-guided tour leaflet and online audio guide.

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City tours 

Duration: 60 mins

10am to 3pm

Walking tours of our vibrant, green, modern city depart every 30 minutes from the campus tour stand outside the Octagon.

Alternatively, collect a self-guided tour leaflet from here to explore the city at your own pace.

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Library tours

Duration: 15 mins

10am to 4pm

Meet our student ambassador tour guides at the reception of the Information Commons and Western Bank Library.

The Information Commons offers a comfy, inclusive study environment with bookable spaces, core reading books, and a Garden Room for relaxation.

Western Bank Library, a Grade II listed building, has 1.2 million texts, 730 study spaces, and serene views of Weston Park for a tranquil study experience.

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Sport and physical activity tours​​​

​​​​​Duration: 10 mins

10am to 4pm

Meet at the Sports Hall Foyer at Goodwin Sports Centre for a tour of the site’s impressive facilities, including synthetic 3G pitches, sports hall, studio spaces, squash courts and brand new Fitness Suite.

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Students’ Union tours​​​

​​​​​Duration: 15 mins

10am to 4pm

Departing from just inside the Students’ Union main entrance, learn why our SU is consistently voted the best in the country and how it makes the student experience at Sheffield exceptional.

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General information stand

9am to 4pm, Students’ Union concourse

Head here to ask our event staff and student ambassadors your questions and to get some tips on what to do next.

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Central exhibition

9.30am to 4pm, The Octagon Centre and Students’ Union

Showcasing everything you need to know about the support and services on offer at the University. Talk to the experts and start thinking about your future at Sheffield.

The first hour of the exhibition (9.30 to 10.30am) in the Octagon will be a dedicated quiet hour. 

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In the Octagon Centre:

• Accommodation
• Access Sheffield
• Admissions - application advice
• Careers and Employability Service
• Degrees with a foundation year for mature students
• Disability and Dyslexia Support Service
• Global Opportunities (spend time abroad)
• IT Services
• Learn a language
• The University Library  
• Safety on campus
• Guidance for parents & supporters 
• Student Support Services
• Student Fees and Funding  
• 301 Academic Skills Centre
• Sheffield - Your University City

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In the Students’ Union plaza:

• Students’ Union information stands
• Sport and Physical Activity information stand

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Sports clubs and societies exhibitions

11am - 4pm , Sports Clubs exhibition at Goodwin Sports Centre and Societies exhibition in the Students’ Union Activities Zone

With over 300 societies and over 50 sports clubs there are hundreds of ways to make friends and build communities. Come along to our mini club and society exhibition where you will find a small selection of sports clubs and societies. 

You will have the opportunity to speak to club and society members, find out more about how to join, and even watch some club and society demonstrations and performances.  

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Subject exhibitions

Which course is for you? 

It's not unusual if you haven't decided exactly which course you want to do. You will have the opportunity to chat to staff and current students about the different subjects and specialisms you can study.

Arts and Humanities Faculty Exhibition

10am to 3.30pm, Students' Union Level 4, Link Gallery

In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we believe that an understanding of people's lives, experiences, beliefs and values - both past and present - is vital in tackling the greatest issues facing humanity today. Our flexible and wide-ranging degrees, taught by world-leading researchers, allow you to shape your course around what interests and inspires you.

• East Asian Studies
• English
• History
• Languages and Cultures
• Law and Criminology
• Music
• Philosophy 

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Engineering and Computer Science Exhibition

10am to 3.30pm, The Diamond and Heartspace

Head first to the Diamond building, home to specialist labs, flight simulators and the UK’s first student-led 'makerspace', providing you with the experience to become a world-class engineer or computer scientist.

Next, visit the nearby Heartspace for a showcase of our student-led engineering projects and societies.

Also located in the Heartspace, is the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ), acting as a living lab to assist students to gain the digital skills they will need in an ever changing engineering landscape.

• Aerospace Engineering
• Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil and Structural Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• General Engineering 
• AMRC Degree Apprenticeships

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Health Faculty Drop-ins

10am to 3.30pm, The Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry

The Faculty of Health provides excellent student support, practical experience and high-quality learning facilities, in a range of undergraduate courses across medicine, dentistry and allied health professions, including nursing, orthoptics and speech therapy.

Courses are delivered by a mixture of academic staff and clinical staff, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their world-class teaching, guided by the latest research in the field.

• Dental School - Medical School Foyer
• Speech and Language Therapy - Medical School Foyer
• Adult Nursing - Medical School Foyer
• Orthoptics - Medical School Foyer
• Medicine - Medical School main entrance
• Pharmacy - Medical School Foyer

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Science Faculty Exhibition

10am to 3.30pm, Students’ Union, Richard Roberts and Psychology building

Science at Sheffield spans biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and psychology. Discover how you can explore the ideas and develop the practical skills that will help us solve challenges such as antibiotic resistance, plastic waste and how to build a quantum computer.

Find out how we've designed our degrees to help you get the experience employers are looking for. 

In the Students’ Union Level 4, Tower Gallery - come and talk to our ambassadors

• Biosciences
• Chemistry
• Mathematics and Statistics 
• Physics and Astronomy
• Psychology

You can also find out more about studying Biosciences or Psychology at our subject drop-ins:

• Psychology in the Psychology building
• Biosciences in the Richard Roberts building

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Social Sciences Faculty Exhibition

10am to 3.30pm, The Wave

The Faculty of Social Sciences has a long-established reputation for producing world-leading research (REF2021). This means that you'll be taught and supervised by researchers, writers and thinkers who are leaders in their fields.

Many of our teaching staff are also professional practitioners, bringing their rich experience into the classroom.

• Applied Social Sciences
• Architecture
• Business and Management
• Data Science
• Digital Media and Society
• Economics
• Education
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Global Sustainable Development
• Journalism
• Landscape Architecture
• Politics
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics
• Sociology
• Urban Studies and Planning

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Additional information 

Food and drink

​​There are loads of places to eat on campus, whether you want to grab a quick sandwich on the move or a chance to sit down and reflect over lunch. You can take food away from any of our venues.

Please note that all campus outlets are now cashless.

In our Students’ Union

• Coffee Revolution (8.30am - 4pm), Level 3
• Grill & Go (11am - 3pm), Level 3
• Our Shop (8.30am - 4pm), Level 3
• Pearls Bubble Tea (12pm-3.30pm), Level 3
• Baked (10am - 3pm), Level 3
• Bar One (11.30am - 1am, food served until 9pm), Level 1

In our academic department buildings

• Arts Tower cafe (9.30am - 3pm)
• Octagon cafe (8am-4pm)
• Information Commons cafe (9am - 4pm) 
• Jessop Cafe (9am - 3pm) 
• Diamond Kitchen (9am - 4pm)
• Heartspace cafe (9am - 4pm) 
• Wave Kitchen (9am - 4pm) 
• Cafe 1828 at the Medical School (9am - 4pm)

At Endcliffe student accommodation

• Endcliffe - Edge Bar (10am to 4pm) 
• Endcliffe - Village Store (10am to 4pm) 

On the Students’ Union concourse

• Greedy Greek food van (9am to 3pm) 
• B’Reyt Dough pizza (9am to 3pm)
• Madam Crepe (9am to 3pm)

Outside Jessop West

Complimentary hot chocolate

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Quiet spaces and prayer rooms

Dedicated quiet spaces and prayer room facilities are available in several key buildings on the day of the event.

If you need help finding your way around, please feel free to ask our staff at the Information Hubs.

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Talented Athletes: Unleash Your Potential

Are you a talented athlete, competing at a national or international level, and aiming to excel in both your sport and academics?

Our Elite Sport Performance Scheme (ESPS) provides a unique support system to help you flourish on the field and in the classroom. You can get mentoring and coaching, discounts on physiotherapy and potentially a financial award - and more.

We’d love to tell you more in person as part of your open day visit. 

Drop us an email at performance-sport@sheffield.ac.uk or give us a call on 0114 222 8735 to arrange your session.