Student life in Sheffield.
Big city living in a friendly, affordable student city.
Sheffield has everything you’d expect to find in a major city and more. We've got all the usual big city attractions - but Sheffield offers so much more than that.
You’ll find a city that's safe, affordable, vibrant and green. We are proud that in Sheffield students are seen as residents. Most student accommodation is integrated into residential neighbourhoods - and with the University campuses fundamental to the city centre, it really is a case of considering yourself a Sheffielder for the years that you'll be here (and then hopefully when you stay too).
So it's kind of hard to summarise what's different about student life - but here are some bits and pieces of inspiration to help you get a feel for what the student experience might be that will make Sheffield different to other cities.
See what Sheffield Hallam University students think of Sheffield
A short video capturing experiences of some students.
Join University of Sheffield students on a tour of their favourite spots in the city
A quick guide by those who know where to go
“There’s a lot of very open LGBTQ+ people and supportive places in and around Sheffield – it’s a very multicultural city and everyone is friendly.”
“I came to Sheffield because my sister came here around nine years ago. Whenever we dropped her off, it always felt more homely than back home. Hearing what she said about nights out and how people are in the city did influence me. I felt that I needed a place where I could just be myself and out of the university options I chose, it felt the most homely."
Lucy, BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance student at Sheffield Hallam
"The best part about it is how diverse and well-connected each neighbourhood is.
It makes it so easy to explore the city and its surrounding areas. There are so many things to do and visit, from independent coffee shops and vintage stores to museums, parks, and the Peak District, which is a must-see for everyone who’s got a day off and wants to relax and explore."
Andreea Huidan, politics and philosophy student at the University of Sheffield
Making friends at uni
Claudia and Jada share their experience of meeting each other and how easy it is to make friends in Sheffield.
Everyone is welcome
This is the city that brought the now world-famous story of Jamie Campbell to the stage and then the screen, in the form of Everybody's Talking About Jamie. We worked with Finn Warman to produce this alternative LGBTQ+ guide to Sheffield to help show visitors and locals alike where the friendly spots are.
A tour of the UK's Number 1 Students' Union
Join students from the University of Sheffield as they show you around and explain why it’s number 1 in the country!
Pioneers of so much music, we have a great alternative nightlife scene
Dryad Works
Dryad Works is a self-built community of creative individuals collaborating under one roof. Their mission is to build a unique underground DIY grassroots music venue & creative workspace that values creative arts, sound system culture and unique nightlife experiences.
Hope Works
Hope Works plays host to some of the best and most experimental electronic music on an incredible bespoke sound system.
Gut Level
Gut Level is a not-for-profit DIY music and community space. It’s important that everybody who comes here feels welcomed, comfortable, free to express themselves and ultimately, has a great time! They focus on dance music, club culture and the surrounding communities, and are based in a Grade II listed ex-cutlery works on Snow Lane in Shalesmoor.
Network
A live music and club venue in the city centre, programming an eclectic mix of indie, electronic, dance and all other types of genres - but always keeping you on your toes.
Tank
Tank is Sheffield's underground house, tech & bass venue, putting on legendary nights (as well as the even more legendary annual Bassfest). They put on a number of regular nights and are based in the city centre.
Bal Fashions
It was once a clothes shop but then it got morphed into a hybrid between a bar, night club, events space, and general meeting space in Castlegate area.
Delicious Clam
Operating as a label, practice room and small gig space from their Castle Market headquarters, they fuel the fire of Sheffield’s alternative scene, and also explore new territories, from stand-up to brilliantly daft club nights.
Plot 22
Plot 22 is a grassroots music venue and studio space situated in the heart of the Castlegate district of Sheffield in the old Castle Market.
Sidney & Matilda
Where Brooklyn meets Berlin in Sheffield's creative quarter. Sidney and Matilda is a warehouse, basement, and courtyard orientated music and event venue, that has shined new neon red light on an abandoned industrial district.
Church - Temple of Fun
Owned by Oli Sykes, frontman of band Bring Me The Horizon and a passionate vegan, Church is a 100% vegan bar and restaurant in Kelham Island, housed in the historic Osborn Works.
The Washington
The Washington is one of the spiritual homes of Sheffield’s music scene. Through the years they’ve all passed through; drinking, performing and perhaps even working behind the bar. From the glory years of The Limit when Pulp would meet there, to intimate gigs from Wet Nuns, The Washington has seen it all - and you will too if you visit.
Street food and foodhalls
Sheffield is in the top 10 most affordable student cities in England, according to NatWest's Student Living Index 2023. One of the ways students can find great ways of making money go further - whilst still eating healthy, hanging out in a great atmosphere, and having loads of options all at once - is with the great street food and foodhalls we have in the city.
We've put together a handy guide for you to some of the most popular.
Show me
Did someone say quirky cafe?
Old industrial spaces and 60,000 students in one city = more cool coffee shops than you can shake a stick at. But here's a selection of 5 of the most quirky, that you possibly wouldn't find elsewhere...
Indie shopping
It's kind of a thing here. Check out our guide to different areas across the city, whether it's in student areas or elsewhere.
"Before I came to the open day, I'd never been further north than Birmingham.
Sheffield wasn't what I expected - it's full of green spaces. Coming from down south, the best thing about Sheffield is how cheap it is. It's a really varied nightlife too."
Marshall Devas, criminology student at Sheffield Hallam University
Spend your time well, without spending your cash
Street Art
There are a number of street artists who live in Sheffield and make our walls into something beautiful for the city to be proud of. Their variety of styles can be seen here, as well as all over the world - and we have plenty of guest murals painted by artists who have visited Sheffield to create their own mark too.
Sheffield Round Walk
The Sheffield Round Walk is a 15-mile loop from the urban to the rural at the southwestern edges of the city – taking in leafy parkland, woodland streams, and pretty suburbs.
Top things to see walking around the city centre
Sheffield City Centre has a huge variety of architecture and public spaces to enjoy, so you can wander round with friends and a coffee and have a really nice day without spending too many of those precious pounds.
The Outdoor City Run Routes
Explore Sheffield by seeking out The Outdoor City Run Routes. Over 30 routes are signposted and mapped across 15 locations in parks and woodland across the city.
Millennium Gallery
The Millennium Gallery is Sheffield’s premier destination for art, craft and design. Here you can see some of Sheffield’s unique heritage, including the metalwork which made the city world famous, alongside contemporary art and design exhibitions.
Parks with a view
Given all the hills in Sheffield it’s no surprise that many of our favourite parks find themselves incorporating a steep gradient or two. In these cases, there are some stunning views to enjoy across Sheffield and beyond.
Wondering about a career?
Both Universities are incredibly well connected to businesses in the city - and even better than that, a lot of businesses are here specifically because they want to hire the graduates coming out of University.
Explore our Universities
Sheffield Hallam University
You’ll be taught by industry experts, passionate about making a difference. We are rated gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and graduate outcomes - with 95% of graduates in work or further study 15 months after finishing university.* *Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21
University of Sheffield
Study here and you’ll get a degree from the top university in the Russell Group according to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023. You’ll have an unforgettable student experience, with a Students’ Union voted the UK’s best, six years running. And you’ll see how world-leading research enhances teaching and changes lives – starting with your own. All while getting the best start to your career.