Best universities for a master’s in Sheffield

By choosing Sheffield as your postgraduate city, you’ll be able to experience a student lifestyle which effortlessly combines affordability, good living, vibrant nightlife and an exciting day-to-day urban landscape to explore. It’s a textbook example of successful post-industrial development, with many of its old mills, factories and forges now housing clubs, museums, galleries, community spaces or modern residences. It’s a city popular with outdoorsy types of all kinds, with excellent rock climbing, hiking and cycling options literally on your doorstep in the Peak District National park, which extends into the boundaries of the city. Known for its world-class silverware, as well as cultural creations like the Arctic Monkeys and boundary pushing electronic artists, this city is an underrated hotspot for creativity and innovation. With two excellent universities to boot, it’s worth serious consideration for any postgraduate student. 

CONTENTS 

• Which universities are in Sheffield
• University of Sheffield
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Entry Requirements
• What to do in Sheffield

Which universities are in Sheffield? 

University of Sheffield 

The University of Sheffield is a research-driven institution that ranks highly among UK universities. It took 28th position in the 2023 Complete University Guide league table and claimed 3rd place in the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. The university was founded in 1905 after the merger of several local institutions, and has continued to grow over the past century to become a leading provider of postgraduate education in the UK. Its campus is located minutes away from the centre of the city, with many buildings within a short walk of each other. 

The University of Sheffield offers a broad range of taught and research postgraduate programmes. Students who are mid-career or looking to change direction may consider shorter postgraduate qualifications, while full master’s degrees range from MA to MSc, MRes, LLM or more. The university has a particular strength in engineering and medical disciplines, with a number of nationally leading centres, research groups, and rich industry links.  

Postgraduate students at the University of Sheffield are able to make use of its advanced facilities and industry-standard technologies, across a range of disciplines. The university’s flagship institutes, including the Energy Institute, Healthy Lifespan Institute, Institute for Sustainable Food and Neuroscience Institute allow students to collaborate with and learn from world-leading academics, contributing to significant societal benefits. It has excellent sports facilities, as well as high-performing university-level teams. The university also has several main libraries, as well as departmental buildings that are continually updated to provide students with the best lecture theatre, laboratory and study spaces. 

Go to: Search courses at University of Sheffield

Sheffield Hallam University 

Sheffield Hallam University is one of the largest universities in the UK by number of students, with over 30,000 calling it home, offering a wide range of postgraduate courses. It’s a competitive higher education institution, placing 66th in the UK according to the 2023 Complete University Guide. With its origins in the Sheffield School of Design in 1843, it became a Sheffield Polytechnic in 1976 before gaining full university status in 1992. The university has two campus sites, both located in the centre of the city—within easy reach of the train station, shops and other services. 

Postgraduate students at Sheffield Hallam University can pick from more than 300 courses, ranging from postgraduate certificates to full taught master’s degrees, or doctoral research programmes. The university prides itself on offering a diverse range of industry-relevant courses that are designed to ensure students can gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as graduates. Placement opportunities and practical learning components are common elements of postgraduate study at Hallam. Part-time and online study options are also available. 

Students at Hallam benefit from continual investment into world-class facilities. With over £100m of campus investments in recent years, students can enjoy a great student lifestyle, easy to access and high-quality student services, and cutting-edge research and teaching facilities. A £27m complex lies at the heart of campus, with flexible study areas and modern teaching spaces. The Advanced Wellbeing Research centre is a £14m facility to form one of the most advanced physical activity research centres in the world, while education students can utilise specialist facilities in the £30m Charles Street Building. Several more net-zero ready buildings are also in development.  

Go to: Search courses at Sheffield Hallam University

Entry Requirements 

Each university in Sheffield will set its own entry requirements for postgraduate study, depending on the subject and level of the course. While typically related to previous academic or professional qualifications, you might also be evaluated based on a portfolio or interview. You can find specific details of admissions criteria for your chosen postgraduate programme on the university’s website, or by using our handy course finder tool. 

What to do in Sheffield 

You’ll have no shortage of things to do in Sheffield during your downtime. Whatever your tastes and interests, however you like to relax—or find adventure—Sheffield has it all, and for much less than other major UK cities like Manchester or London. 

The city is a hive of economic and artistic activity, with venues, restaurants, bars and clubs popping up all over the city. Nationally known Sheffield clubs include Hopeworks, The Night Kitchen and FØRGE. Kelham Island is humming with bars and innovative restaurants, while the whole city offers up a wide range of homely and traditional pubs.  

Sheffield is known for its leafy and attractive suburbs, providing postgraduates with the chance to live in safe, welcoming and laid-back neighbourhoods rich with cafes, bars and independent businesses. 

With two major football teams in the city, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, there’s often a thrilling game on in one of Sheffield’s stadiums. When you add the feast of year-round university sports events into the mix, from volleyball to ice hockey, there’s something for everyone. 

The Peak District National Park offers a wealth of outdoor activities just a stone’s throw away, while the bright lights of Manchester lie just beyond its cliffs and tors. 

Next: Search for postgraduate universities