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Guide To Postgraduate Study In Sheffield
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Sheffield is a great city to be a student in
People have lived in this region of the UK since the Iron Age (1200 BC) – and it is both an ancient and industrial city.
At the date of the last census (March 2021) the population of Sheffield was 556,500 people, with a bulge in population in the 20 to 24 age group due to the significant student population at the city’s two universities – the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.
Regenerated city
The city of Sheffield underwent a much-needed extensive regeneration in the early 21st century, following an economically depressive period after the collapse of the UK steel Industry in the 1970s and the coal mining industry in the 1980s. As a result of this regeneration, Sheffield is now one of the fastest growing cities in England – and in fact, it is the fifth largest city in England.
Student vibe
Sheffield has a burgeoning student population of almost 60,000 people, maiking it a fantastic place to study, meet people and make friends. It is also a relatvely cheap city to live in compared to other UK cities.
The city of Sheffield benefits from a harmonious multicultural population, making it a fabulous place to call home. It has a thriving bar and club scene, as well as more parks and woodland than any other UK city – so it is the perfect place to experience the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan city life, with the tranquility of a rural escape when necessary.
Transport links
Located in the north of England, Sheffield is linked to the rest of the UK the national motorway network via the M1 and M18 motorways, there are also good rail links. The closest international airport to Sheffield is Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which is 18 miles from the city centre. Other nearby UK airports include Manchester Airport, Leeds Bradford International Airport and East Midlands Airport – they are all about one hour’s drive from the city.
Find your perfect postgrad programReasons why you should be a student in Sheffield
57 breweries in the city – making Sheffield one of the premier beer cities in the world.
- Home to the largest producing theatre complex outside of London.
- 465 bands and recording artists and around 70 live music venues – Pulp, Artic Monkeys, Human League and many other bands all hail from Sheffield
- 15-minute drive from the Peak District National Park – and in fact a third of the city sits within the park, making it one of England’s greenest cities.
Students in Sheffield – facts & figures
Sheffield is one of the cheapest cities for students in the UK to live in, and this, along with the excellent reputations of the city's universities, means it is getting ever more popular for postgraduate and undergraduate students.
The two universities – the University of Sheffield (which includes the University of Sheffield International College) and Sheffield Hallam University have a combined total of around 60,000 students, and about a quarter of these are postgraduate students.
Living in style… in Sheffield
Students in Sheffield have a great selection of modern purpose-built accommodation to choose from.
Both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University offer traditional university halls of residence, shared housing and studio flats. A large proportion of the rooms in the halls of residence are ensuite, but students can save money by sharing a bathroom. The University of Sheffield's International College has an exclusive accommodation building called Century Square.
As well as great university-owned accommodation, Sheffield also has privately owned halls of residence from companies such as Fresh who offer purpose-built accommodation blocks with modern facilities in four different locations around the city of Sheffield. This modern and comfortable student accommodation is well located, safe and secure, and your weekly bills include high speed broadband and other handy features. It’s particularly handy for those travelling from abroad, as you it can all be arranged online and students can even have linen and crockery delivered on the day they move in.
Postgraduate students going to Sheffield for the first time are advised to book accommodation with their university or another reputable provider such as Fresh. Students can also choose to rent a room in a house privately, but it can be easier and safer to do this when you've seen it for yourself.
What can you do in Sheffield when you’re not studying?
Sheffield is one of the largest cities in England, and as such it has a great selection of bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. There are also plenty of museums, especially those devoted to Sheffield's industrial past for those interested in history.
There are also a huge number of green spaces inside the city and is described as one of the greenest cities in Europe. There is also a lovely botanic garden on the outskirts of the city, no to mention the Peak District National Park.
Getting out of the city is a great way to relax and stay healthy, The city itself is hemmed in by seven hills and these form a natural green belt around the city, so if you want to get away from it all, it's really easy to get to the Pennines and spend the day rambling around and taking in the stunning scenery.
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The University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. It is the choice of study for a diverse community of 30,000 students from 150 countries.
The University of Sheffield offers over 300 postgraduate taught courses in a wide range of subject areas including engineering, arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine and dentistry.
Student cohort
Here is a breakdown of the student cohort at The University of Sheffield
PG & UG student ratio
Postgraduate students: 36%
Undergraduate students: 64%
Domestic & overseas student ratio
UK students: 63%
EU students: 5%
International students: 32%
Students by study mode
Full-time students: 92%
Part-time students: 8%
Students by gender
Female: 53%
Male: 47%
Tuition fees & costs
The postgraduate tuition fees at the University of Sheffield vary according to the type of masters degree – Master of Arts, Master of Science, MBA, PGCE, Master of Laws, etc. The fees also vary depending on whether you are a home or international student.
This table provides examples of the postgraduate tuition fees that students at the University of Sheffield need to pay for various masters degrees in the academic year 2025/26.
|
Masters Degree |
Home Students |
International Students |
|
MA in History |
£10,440 |
£24,270 |
|
MSc in Accounting & Finance |
£15,100 |
£33,970 |
|
MBA |
£33,970 |
£33,970 |
|
PGCE |
£9,535 |
£24,270 |
|
LLM (Master of Laws) |
£10,440 |
£24,950 |
Facilities & specialisms
At the University of Sheffield the departments of Engineering, Technology, Professions allied to Medicine, Business and Administration and the Education Department are all very well regarded.
Student life
This Russell Group university regularly wins student experience awards, and its Student Union is award winning, often being included in the top 10 Student Unions in the UK by student review. In fact, it has been voted the No 1 Students’ Union for the last seven years (2017–2024) by the Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
Facts about The University of Sheffield
- The University of Sheffield was formed from three institutions – Sheffield Medical School (founded in 1828), Firth College (1879) and the Sheffield Technical School (1884) – they came together to form the University College of Sheffield in 1897. This became the University of Sheffield in 1905.
- The Business School is an AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS accredited – only 60 business schools in the world hold all three accreditations.
- Its active Student's Union was established in 1906.
- The Faculty of Science has six Nobel laureates amongst its former staff and students.
- David Blunkett MP, former British Home Secretary, and Olympic Gold medallist Jessica Ennis are both alumni.
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is the choice for around 28,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Around 18% of the student population are international students.
Student cohort at Sheffield Hallam University
Breakdown of the student cohort at Sheffield Hallam University
PG & UG student ratio
Postgraduate students: 26%
Undergraduate students: 74%
Students by study mode
Full-time students: 80%
Part-time students: 20%
Students by gender
Female: 56%
Male: 44%
Tuition fees & costs
The postgraduate tuition fees at Sheffield Hallam University are fairly similar across the board – whatever masters degree you are studying be it an MA, MSc, PGCE, LLM (Master of Laws), etc. The fees vary depending on whether you are a home or international student.
This table provides examples of the postgraduate tuition fees that students at Sheffield Hallam University need to pay for various masters degrees in the academic year 2025/26.
|
Masters Degree |
Home Students |
International Students |
|
MA in International Relations & Global Crisis |
£10,620 |
£17,725 |
|
MSc in Accounting & Finance |
£10,620 |
£17,725 |
|
LLM in Global Human Rights & Social Justice in Practice |
£10,620 |
£17,725 |
|
PGCE |
£9,535 |
£17,725 |
Facilities & specialisms
The largest departments at Sheffield Hallam University are Business and Administrative Studies, Subjects Allied to Medicine, Education, Social Studies and Biological Sciences.
Student life
The university concentrates on industrial placements throughout your studies giving you much-needed work experience for your future career.
Much of the university has been recently upgraded and refurbished so facilities are very up to date.
Facts about Sheffield Hallam University
- Sheffield Hallam University was established in 1843.
- It began life as a Design School run by the local council.
- Actor Sean Bean and Dame Kelly Homes, Olympic Gold medal winner, are both alumni.
- Awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
- Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community – THE Awards 2022.
- University of the Year – UK Social Mobility Awards 2021.
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