On a mission to be the world’s leading applied university, Sheffield Hallam is a large, modern institution of more than 34,000 students — nearly 24,000 of them undergraduates — on two campuses. Student life has an affordable vibe offering something for most tastes, from cheesy chart hits and drinks deals on Carver Street to cycling and hiking in the Peak District.

The university's success at widening participation in higher education has produced a strong record on social inclusion (13th), and more than half of entrants are the first in their family to go to university. Hallam's research reputation is growing too (69th) and it is in the top half for graduate prospects (64th).

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 bigger and broader 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. Assessors praised the “embedded engagement with its students, leading to continuous improvements”. Progression rates were found to be “very high” for “all groups of students”.

All new entrants are allocated three advisers — specialising in the academic side, employability and student support — to provide the best possible experience and outcomes. Such efforts are paying off and Hallam is in the top half of UK universities (64=) for its continuation rate – based on 92 per cent of students projected to carry on from the first to the second year of their studies.

However, faltering rates of student satisfaction hold Hallam back in our main academic league table. Our latest National Student Survey analysis shows a slight year-on-year decline in satisfaction with teaching quality (107=) but an improvement in the wider undergraduate experience, up eight places to 112=.  

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

A high number of degrees are being replaced with similar courses (check online for a full list). About 40 BA Hon degrees are being withdrawn, including courses in human rights and social justice; screenwriting and film; specialist practice district nursing; languages with tourism (French, German and Spanish); festival entertainment management; and computer science for games (integrated master’s).

New from 2024 are degrees in children and childhood; climate, sustainability and environmental management; biomedicine and health science; general engineering; business management with finance; AI and robotics; and mechatronics and robotics engineering. 

Foundation years have been added to about 20 courses within the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences including paramedic science; biology; sport business management; and diagnostic radiography.

What are Sheffield Hallam University’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Our data shows that entrants average 117 Ucas tariff points, putting Hallam 100=. The minimum standard requirement is two A-level passes, plus GCSE grades C or 4 in English language and maths. A contextual offer scheme reduces the grades for eligible students. 

What are the graduate prospects?

Undergraduates are promised work experience in every year of their degree to give them a flying start in the jobs market. The university teams up with more than 1,000 organisations to make that happen and employers also have a hand in course design. Many courses are accredited by professional bodies. Almost half of 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 campus like?

Most teaching facilities are at the City campus, where new buildings for Sheffield Business School, law, social sciences and architecture will open during the 2024-25 academic year. The redevelopment will feature Hallam Green, a leafy haven at the heart of the campus as part of a 20-year, £220 million investment. The university’s Collegiate campus occupies a leafier setting ten minutes by bus from the city centre, featuring 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. There are 24-hour libraries at both sites.

Hallam has a range of research hubs including the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering and the £14 million Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park — a joint venture with the city council and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

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 to develop cancer treatment skills.

Everything you need to know about Sheffield Hallam University’s student life and wellbeing support

Both campuses have sports facilities. The City Athletics stadium has an eight-lane track and the university’s Sports Park at Bawtry Road (five miles away) has grass and synthetic pitches as well as an indoor cricket hall. Students can use the £20 million English Institute of Sport facilities, a base for Team GB athletes.

Hallam gives arty students plenty of opportunities to find their niche at venues including the art gallery in the Old Post Hall or the Void cinema. The annual Festival of Creativity showcases the work of student filmmakers, designers and performers. 

Students can seek support and counselling in groups or individually, or through faith and chaplaincy sessions. 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. There really is something here for everyone.”
Martha Mitchell, students’ union president

What about student accommodation at Sheffield Hallam University?

All first-years are guaranteed a room in halls of residence.

How diverse and inclusive is Sheffield Hallam University?

Sheffield Hallam’s mission is to transform students’ lives and give everyone the chance to reach their full potential and it has opened doors to higher education to many who might not otherwise have considered it, offering support at the application stage and during the transition to student life. The university ranks 13th overall in our social inclusion index and more than half of its intake is made up of students who are the first in their family to go to university (29th). It has the second-highest proportion of white working-class males (an underrepresented group) in England and Wales.  

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam invested more than £5 million in financial support to students in 2022-23 and awarded the Student Success Scholarship (between £600 and £2,100) to 17 per cent of new entrants. Placement bursaries of the same value range are available to help students stay afloat during a year in industry. The Performance Athletes Support Programme is worth up to £3,000.