Sheffield University?

[Suffolker]

It doesn’t seem to crop up very often on here, so I thought I’d see what people’s experiences/opinions of it are.

We went to an offer holder’s day today. Dd has been offered a place for geography and seemed pretty impressed with the course/department. I’ve always thought of Sheffield as a great city, friendly and accessible. Cheap and plentiful accommodation, lively (but not too lively) and easy access to the beautiful Peak District.

Just curious as to why it doesn’t seem to get mentioned on here very often? Manchester/Leeds/Newcastle seem to be more popular. Interested to hear any views!

I am interested in this as ds2 loved it when we went to a recent open day and it's his top choice. However, ds1 has a friend there and he says there are huge problems with strikes and his friend is not getting as much teaching as he should and went home early for Christmas as there was nothing going on. He's a first year doing history. I wonder if this is a typical experience/whether ds1's info is reliable.

I often mention Sheffield (would rate it higher in general terms than Newcastle actually) – not least if ppl are considering cost of accommodation as it is possible to find halls and private houses for less than some unis.

DD went there for an open day but was not keen as she preferred a campus; but a friend’s DD did engineering there, for which it is a very strong shout, and really liked it. She’s a climber so it was a top location for her.

Ironically DD is now doing a PT master's in Sheffield – it’s commutable for us and she’s enjoying the course.

It’s a great city I agree, with lots going on and very accessible too. I have heard about the strikes tho and agree it’s worth checking that out.

Yes from what I’ve seen, Sheffield outranks those others quite easily in the league tables (if they even mean anything!), both in general terms and for her chosen subject.

I went to Sheffield. Albeit 20 years ago. Outstanding uni. Highly regarded. Great student community. Cheap cost of living. Its still my spiritual home!

The strikes are rather concerning, but it looks as though it’s affecting lots of institutions. 137 institutions were balloted in October:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14224/UK-wide-university-strike-ballot-opens

I don’t know the current status of the industrial action in Sheffield, but I expect there will be more taking place across the sector this year.

Strikes are across the sector not just Sheffield. Sheffield is actually the number 1 city in the UK for student retention- as in they come here for university and don’t want to leave!

sheffield has the biggest retention of students in the uk. As in they go to uni in Sheff and stay. I can see why!

Sheffield alumni here (albeit 1996!). Took my son round to look at it in September, so I relived some of the glory days. Fantastic Student’s Union, great access to the Peak District for climbing etc. and the ‘campus’ seems much more integrated now than in ‘96. I also grew up in Sheffield - they called themselves the ‘world’s biggest village’. There’s a great community feel, two universities (hence a large student population) and employment prospects are good. I’ve never forgotten my days there, honestly no regrets. Top notch for Engineering if that’s your shout.

Just to add. my friend did Geography there and she went on to an extremely successful and interesting career as a forecaster with the Met Office. Great career opportunities - all our cohort of friends did well.

I think very highly of Sheffield. A number of STEM Schools are highly ranked. Engineering is generally outstanding.

I usually visit a couple of times a year and I love the vibe; the students seem happy.

I know a number of well educated and very satisfied alumni including some who loved the city enough to stay on. It’s lovely, vibrant and liveable with the Peaks on the doorstep so it is easy to see why they do.

Newcastle is a fine university but like @clary I would think of Sheffield first in the disciplines I know.

As PP say, the tumult in HE is everywhere. If anyone has heard particularly poorly of Sheffield recently, I think that’s likely to be random bad luck.

My dd1 and her Fiancé went to Sheffield. They loved it and have stayed there after graduating.

Both got good degrees (I never miss an opportunity to tell anyone she got a first!)

I think Sheffield is the city where more graduates stay than any other.

My son had Sheffield as his insurance and ended up there as he dropped a grade on results day. He got excellent accommodation, sorted out the day after results (they guarantee accommodation if Sheffield is your insurance offer) He hasn’t looked back, made great friends, loved fhe city and course and now says he can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. It does seem to be increasing in popularity. I noted the past 2 years that they didn’t drop grades on their available courses in clearing and were one of the first Universities to close clearing by the afternoon of results day.

DS2 is there right now doing a master's. He likes it and finds plenty to do. He was at Birmingham before and the experiences have been similar. It's in a nice area and there are plenty of pubs, cafes and so on. The SU is famous. Sheffield is possibly more down to earth than some of the other more frequently mentioned unis - and less sought after by the 'typical' MN demographic which might be reflected in its lack of mentions.

I went there , although rather too many years ago than I care to remember. It has always been a very friendly city, easy to get out to the Peak District, lots of nightlife and cheap( ish) accommodation. Oh, and the courses are pretty good too!

Sheffield seems to be one of those uni’s that is really highly ranked by alumni and is usually in the top 10-15 of uk course for most subjects yet never really spoken of. A bit like Lancaster which is also under appreciated. Not sure why that is but it’s very fortunate for those who do opt to go there.

This. Sheffield is a great uni and a great city. Good choice of jobs around as well. Great mix of city & countrywide access.

I'm interested in these reply dc2 is looking at applying next year for biomedical-sciences and currently number 1 choice. Happy to see mostly positive responses.
Dc is ignoring strike potential (along with many friends) as they say theres too many on the list to not be able to avoid them. In fact 4 university's on dc2 list and 3 on dc3 list are universities that will potentially strike.

My daughter attends university of Sheffield...and as a previous poster has mentioned. There is a huge problem with strikes, she gets very little teaching time with whole topics being abandoned mid semester as strikes have taken over. She'll be mid essay / coursework / dissertation snd need feedback from a lecturer in order to proceed and they will not be answering emails or marking work due to another strike.
I would say the university has been a big disappointment although the city has been great.
May son attended University of Liverpool and had a completely different experience. He couldn't fault the Uni, or city, my DD really regrets not following in his footsteps.

What subject is that at Sheffield?

Sheffield was DS's insurance choice after open day. It was a very well organised open day with lots of staff available to talk with students. They said the party animals go to Newcastle and the cyclists/climbers to Sheffield (plausible as half of DS's school rugby team went to Newcastle). The SU regularly comes top in league tables. DS ended up at his first choice so can't help more.

Dd loves it. She wouldn't consider going anywhere else as she had her heart set on it. If she hadn't got the grades her plan was not to go to her insurance but to take the year off to work and try again. I guess do retakes. No idea if that would have worked so glad she got the grades.

Can I ask if that’s been the case since Christmas or was it mainly last term? What subject is she studying? It sounds very frustrating.

Another big up for Sheffield here. DD is studying biomed and the course has been great - by far the most quality contact time of all my uni DCs.

Lively enough, lots going on and plentiful halls and private rentals. Good links to industry too - DD is in an amazing internship. Not had any issues with strike action so far.

after she’s graduated, I don’t think she ll be back. Living her best life.

My DD is studying bio med. (3rd year but on placement))

Great course and lots of contact hours. So feel it’s been “good value”
for money for want of a better phrase.

She’s regularly in all day or longer days due to lab time. Also good links to industry and internships. Lots of support. Wishing your DC all the best with their A levels.

Dd is there and absolutely loves it. Accommodation is very reasonably priced, it’s a great, small city with lots going on. The Student union is very active and there are lots of clubs and societies.

However, from a finance point of view I think her course is very poor value for money. She has had between 6-10 contact hours per week. She’s also lost about 10 weeks minimum over 3 years due to strikes.

Of course, the number of hours may be the same for her course in every university.