University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a research-focused institution based in the north of England. This top 20 university (Complete University Guide, 2024) is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of premier UK universities and attracts an international body of students and academics. 

Established in 1905 through the combination of several local institutions, the university has since gone on to develop a global reputation for teaching excellence and impactful research. It’s particularly known for its high scoring students’ union, which was rated as the best in the UK (WUSCA, 2023). 

The university’s modern campus is located centrally in Sheffield, within walking distance of both the city’s centre and its leafy suburbs. Sheffield is one of the UK’s most popular student cities, attracting a diverse community of learners due to its excellent academic options, laid-back and affordable style of living, thriving cultural scene and its position on the doorstep of the Peak District. Students at Sheffield can find themselves among the moors and tors of this famous national park within minutes, whether it’s by bus, rail, car or bike. 

Sheffield graduates will join a prestigious and wide-ranging network of academics and alumni, which includes six Nobel Prize winners among its number. Notable alumni also include Jessica Ennis-Hill, David Blunkett, Lee Child, Amy Johnson, Eddie Izzard and Helen Sharman. 

The University of Sheffield is an influential higher education institution that offers a wide range of postgraduate study options, helping students develop sought-after expertise and contribute to their field. 

Prospective taught master’s students can select from an array of programmes ranging from PGCerts and PGDips to full master’s degrees such as MA, MSc, MArch and more. 

Research study pathways at Sheffield can be at master’s level and include MRes degrees as well as integrated master’s courses, allowing students to proceed smoothly from undergraduate to postgraduate level. The university has many PhD and doctoral research opportunities available, supported by an active research faculty and doctoral training partnerships. 

Postgraduate students at Sheffield benefit from learning from and working with some of the world’s leading researchers. While the university has a particular reputation in areas like engineering, it conducts world-leading research across dozens of subjects.  

Sheffield works to ensure that its postgraduate taught and research degrees contain empowering research opportunities, based on independence, curiosity and expert support. 

The University of Sheffield offers prospective students over 500 postgraduate courses to choose from. Students will need to satisfy the entry requirements for their chosen course in order to secure a place, and entry for some courses may be competitive. 

Students applying to the MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering, for example, will need to have a 2:1 honours degree or higher, or international equivalent. This degree will need to be in mechanical engineering or a related disciplines. Professional experience combined with a qualification in other science or engineering subjects will also be considered. 

Applicants for the MPH in International Development (Public Health) will need to demonstrate a 2:1 grade or higher at undergraduate level, in medical or social science subjects. Completion of three years of a medical undergraduate degree, or equivalent, is required for intercalating medical students – as well as an academic reference. 

Admission criteria for courses will vary depending on the subject area and level of study. International students may need to meet English language and other non-academic criteria in order to attend their chosen course. 

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses at Sheffield can change over time, so checking the specific course page is recommended before applying. 

The University of Sheffield has a strong track record in graduate employability, having ranked in the top 140 universities worldwide in this category according to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. The university supports effective graduate outcomes in several ways. 

Postgraduate study programmes at Sheffield are designed with academic and professional success in mind. With 99% of Sheffield’s research rated as internationally recognised, internationally excellent or world-leading, students benefit from taught curricula that are informed by the latest developments and can contribute at the forefront of their fields. 

Sheffield places a high priority on maintaining constructive and innovative industrial partnerships, resulting in a greater number of professional placements and sandwich years across its postgraduate programmes. Industry and careers fairs are also well-attended and support the networking and graduate employment prospects of students. 

Sheffield’s careers service provides students with constant access to a broad range of resources throughout their studies and beyond. Personalised career advice appointments, workshops, seminars, online resources and networking events help students prepare for success in advance. 

Accommodation

Sheffield has developed a range of accommodation options specifically for postgraduate students, in recognition of their learning and lifestyle preferences. Accommodation is designed with comfort, convenience and networking potential in mind.  

Postgraduate students can select from standard, shared bathroom and kitchen facilities accommodation as well as en-suite accommodation options. Deluxe and studio accommodation options are also available for students looking for more privacy, as well as residences specifically for couples and families.  

Whatever accommodation type students choose, they’ll have easy access to social and study spaces, lawns and other green spaces, bars, gyms and launderettes. Accommodation is safe and secure, with CCTV and further assistance a phone call away. 

Students can choose from catered and self-catered options, and the university offers accommodation close to the city centre as well as further out in the city’s quiet suburbs. 

Sheffield is one of the UK’s greenest cities, and has a reputation for safety, affordability and a laid-back, creative community. Live music, real ale and great access to outdoor activities are just some of the things the city is known for. 

The University of Sheffield invests in a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students meet the cost of being student, whether it’s tuition fees or living costs. It offers a variety of awards directly, while also helping students find and apply to various scholarships that are available through external organisations. 

Eligibility criteria for scholarships and other awards will vary and could be academic or non-academic in nature, so students are encouraged to check the requirements for their chosen scholarships or bursaries before applying. 

The university is offering over 100 postgraduate scholarships, each worth £10,000, to students who meet one of its widening participation criteria or obtain a first-class degree at undergraduate level. These awards can be used to cover tuition costs or on living costs, at the student’s discretion. 

Subject and department specific scholarships are also available, such as the Department of Economics scholarships which are available to postgraduates studying an MSc in the department. 

Postgraduate research students are able to access funding from a diverse range of sources, from government loans to research councils and funding from industrial or international bodies.