Set in a lively city, with the Peak District on the doorstep, Sheffield Hallam University is entering a new chapter with the transformation of its City campus. New buildings for Sheffield Business School, law, social sciences and architecture are due to open this autumn. The redevelopment also features Hallam Green, a leafy haven at the heart of the campus.
A large, modern university of more than 34,000 students — nearly 24,000 of them undergraduates — Hallam has a reputation as an engine of social mobility. Its success at widening participation in higher education has propelled it to 7th place overall in our social inclusion index. No university does better than Hallam at recruiting white working-class male students, one of the most underrepresented groups in higher education and nearly a quarter (24.3 per cent) come from areas with low participation rates at university. And a degree from Hallam offers solid employment chances, it is in the top half of our table for graduate prospects (63rd).
What is Sheffield Hallam University’s reputation?
Founded in 1843 as the Sheffield School of Design, Hallam gained university status in 1992. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 72 per cent of its submission was rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Some of the best results were in sport; art and design; and the built environment and planning.
Hallam earned gold overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), with silver for the student experience and gold for student outcomes. It is in the top half of UK universities (64=) for its continuation rate — based on 89.7 per cent of students projected to carry on from the first to the second year of their studies.
However,student satisfaction holds Hallam back in our main academic league table. Our latest National Student Survey analysis shows year-on-year declines in satisfaction with teaching quality, for which Hallam ranks 122= (down 15 places) and with the wider undergraduate experience, at 123rd — an 11-place dip.
There was reported discontent among staff in March 2025, when pay rises were slow to appear despite the university’s expensive new developments; the university is also branching out with a new-build campus in north London at Brent Cross — due to open in 2026.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
Courses being discontinued are: computer science for games (with foundation year); digital user experience; esports management; and sport development with coaching (with foundation year).
New courses in September 2025 are business (including with foundation year); business management and finance (including with foundation year); one and two-year civil engineering top-ups; media and communications; and musical theatre.
For 2026 new additions are: business management and AI; data science (with foundation year); and computer science for games (top-up).
What are Sheffield Hallam University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
The highest require 136-128 Ucas tariff points, and the lowest offers are typically 120-112 points. A contextual offer scheme reduces the requirements for eligible students, usually by 8-16 points.
What are the graduate prospects?
The university teams up with more than 1,000 organisations to promise work experience to undergraduates in every year of their degree. Employers also have a hand in course design and many courses are accredited by professional bodies.
Almost half Hallam’s undergraduates come from the Yorkshire and Humber region and an even larger proportion stay and work in the area after graduation. Three quarters of leavers are in highly skilled jobs or further study within 15 months, according to our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey.
What is Sheffield Hallam University’s campus like?
Most teaching facilities are at the City campus. Hands-on learning resources include the largest PlayStation teaching laboratory in the world, developed in partnership with Sony, and a 3D virtual radiography room for healthcare students. Its research hubs include the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering and the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre — a joint venture with the city council and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The university’s leafy Collegiate campus is a ten-minute bus ride from the city centre and features the university’s oldest building — Collegiate Hall — and the energy-efficient £27 million Heart of the Campus building, which has solar panels and rainwater harvesting.
When can I visit?
shu.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about Sheffield Hallam University’s student life and wellbeing support
Student life in Sheffield is more affordable than many cities and caters for most tastes, with vibrant nightlife to outdoor activities in the Peak District.
Both campuses have sports facilities: the City Athletics stadium has an eight-lane track and the university’s Sports Park has grass and synthetic pitches as well as an indoor cricket hall.
Students can use the English Institute of Sport facilities, a base for Team GB athletes.
For students with an artistic streak, Hallam has plenty to offer throughout the term and the annual Festival of Creativity showcases the work of student film-makers, designers and performers.
Students can seek support and counselling in groups or individually. There is a 24/7 online support platform, and a report-and-support website for instances of sexual violence, harassment or hate.
What do the students say?
“I feel like I’m part of the vibrant, friendly and culturally diverse community. Students get the chance to gain real-world work experience through work placements and projects. Sheffield is also a great place to be a student: it’s a lively city while also being one of the greenest in the UK, and we have the Peak District right on our doorstep.”
Martha Mitchell, students’ union president
What about student accommodation at Sheffield Hallam University?
The university has about 4,000-5,000 rooms. All first-years who apply by the beginning of August are guaranteed a place in halls of residence.
How diverse and inclusive is Sheffield Hallam University?
Sheffield Hallam’s mission is to transform lives and open doors to higher education, offering support at the application stage and during the transition to student life. It does well across all metrics within our social inclusion index and has gone up from 13th last year to rank 7th overall.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam invested £3.67 million in financial support in 2023-24 and awarded the Student Success Scholarship (between £600 and £2,100) to more than 3,900 first-years – just over 20 per cent of new entrants. Placement bursaries of £500 are available to help students stay afloat during a year in industry, and care leavers receive a £3,600-a-year support package. The Performance Athletes Support Programme is worth up to £3,000.
