Whether you’re after that big city feeling or parks and green spaces, we offer the best of both worlds. Here you can enjoy great food, entertainment and nightlife, with the picturesque Peak District National Park close by.
ONE OF THE UK’S TOP TEN STUDENT CITIES
In 2024, Sheffield was named one of the UK’s top ten student cities by Student Crowd. Based on thousands of reviews, students rated the city highly for its affordable living, vibrant nightlife, excellent public transport and great places to eat and shop.
ONE OF THE UK’S TOP TEN STUDENT CITIES
In 2024, Sheffield was named one of the UK’s top ten student cities by Student Crowd. Based on thousands of reviews, students rated the city highly for its affordable living, vibrant nightlife, excellent public transport and great places to eat and shop.
TOP 100 CITIES
Sheffield is in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings for Best Student Cities 2026.
4TH MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITY
Sheffield Hallam was also named the 4th most affordable university in the UK by The Times in 2023.
A DIVERSE CITY
With 60,000 students in Sheffield, you’ll meet people from all backgrounds and parts of the world. What makes the city special is its people – they’re friendly and always up for a chat.
THE STUDENT
VIEW
HABITHA SRI PRABHAKARAN
MSc Cancer and Cell Biology student
"Sheffield is a great city for students — it’s friendly, affordable and very green. I love how easy it is to get around on foot or by public transport and there’s always something happening, from music festivals to student events.
“There’s plenty of quiet green spaces like the Botanical Gardens and the Amphitheatre, which are great places to relax or study outdoors.
“The low cost of living compared to other UK cities has definitely made life easier as a student."
THE STUDENT
VIEW
HABITHA SRI PRABHAKARAN
MSc Cancer and Cell Biology student
"Sheffield is a great city for students — it’s friendly, affordable and very green. I love how easy it is to get around on foot or by public transport and there’s always something happening, from music festivals to student events.
“There’s plenty of quiet green spaces like the Botanical Gardens and the Amphitheatre, which are great places to relax or study outdoors.
“The low cost of living compared to other UK cities has definitely made life easier as a student."
INDEPENDENT SHEFFIELD
Here in Sheffield, we’re proud to do things differently. You’ll find big stores and supermarkets, but if you really want to experience the city at its best, explore our smaller independent shops, cafes and bars.
INDEPENDENT SHEFFIELD
Here in Sheffield, we’re proud to do things differently. You’ll find big stores and supermarkets, but if you really want to experience the city at its best, explore our smaller independent shops, cafes and bars.
GET A NEW LOOK ON A BUDGET
Sheffield has a thriving thrift shop scene, with lots of independent vintage shops.
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT OUT
The city centre is full of places to meet friends and have fun, from crazy golf, bowling and shuffleboard to traditional bars and pubs. In 2024 Time Out Magazine named Sheffield the best city break in the UK.
EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD
Sheffield was named the UK's top foodie city outside of London (Accor 2023). You can eat your way around the world in Sheffield's many restaurants. Head to Cambridge Street Collective for the UK's Best Food Hall (British Street Food Awards 2024).
SOAK UP SOME CULTURE
Sheffield is world-famous for its music scene, with bands like Arctic Monkeys and Bring Me the Horizon starting their careers in our many independent live venues. There’s always something exciting happening — we have festivals all year round in music, film, books and art, plus the biggest theatre complex in the UK outside London.
Wherever you are in Sheffield, you’re never far from a space to take a moment and reconnect with nature. How far will you go?
10 MINUTES
The Peace Gardens, Winter Garden and Botanical Gardens are just a minute or two from campus. Head straight from your lecture into a world of trees, fountains and tropical plants.
15 MINUTES
Travel a little further from campus and you’ll find all sorts of parks and woodlands, from the barbecue hotspot of Endcliffe Park to the duck pond and museum at Weston Park.
30 MINUTES
In just half an hour you can swap the inner-city for proper countryside. The Peak District National Park that surrounds Sheffield is one of the most beautiful places to hike in the UK.
