The Yorkshire university located in a city famed for steel is forging a path up our academic league table, up one place to 13th overall. This rise is powered by outstanding student satisfaction, earning it the title of University of the Year for Student Experience 2026. It is also 19th for teaching quality in our latest survey analysis, bucking the trend among Russell Group universities.
Recent campus improvements to teaching and wellbeing and a generous accommodation guarantee — which includes clearing applicants — contribute to the surge in contentment. The university's main precinct stretches for a mile and is a short walk from the centre of a city known for being welcoming and wallet-friendly, with the Peak District on its doorstep and an award-winning students’ union.
What is the University of Sheffield’s reputation?
Runner-up for The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year in our previous edition, the 1905-founded university evolved from three 19th-century institutions — Sheffield Medical School, Firth College and Sheffield Technical School. A member of the Russell Group, Sheffield's reputation for research is world-class.
It ranks 15th in our research quality index, with 92 per cent of its work rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework, and recently broke into the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings. Its academic clout is underlined by six Nobel prizewinners and its highly regarded Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The university led the way with the first documented use of penicillin for therapy in 1930. Now it is investing in facilities at its new Faculty of Health, which has brought dedicated pharmacy teaching suites and mock clinical wards for students of medicine, nursing and midwifery. In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), Sheffield gained silver overall, with assessors highlighting its “outstanding quality academic support” and a supportive learning environment.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
An integrated master’s degree (MPharm) in pharmacy launched in September 2025, offered with an optional preparatory year. The university has withdrawn its degrees in urban studies and aerospace engineering (private pilot instruction) from 2025 and Sheffield's BA politics degree will accept its final intake of students in 2026; however the University will still be offering its BA in International Relations and Politics.
What are the entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Degree courses demand grades from A*AA to BBB at A-level. In 2024, about 17 per cent received a contextual offer up to two grades lower, or three grades lower for entrants who have completed a widening access summer school. The university attracted more than 43,000 applications in 2024 and more than 5,600 new students were accepted onto courses. Of these 9 per cent got a place through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
Sheffield is a go-to destination for top employers, ranking among the top 20 most-targeted universities in the UK according to the High Fliers report 2024-25. It places 22nd in our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, with 82.9 per cent of leavers in highly skilled jobs or postgraduate study. A longstanding partnership with Siemens has made Sheffield its leading UK supplier of graduates who take part in hackathons, curriculum engagement and internships. The growing Civil Service Policy Campus in Sheffield provides local job opportunities too.
What is the University of Sheffield’s campus like?
The campus is a blend of historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. A continuous programme of investment has delivered a new Faculty of Health building, upgrades to the Arts Tower and new learning spaces within the Diamond, the flagship engineering building. The £23 million Information Commons provides 24/7 library and computing services. History, philosophy, archaeology and the Digital Humanities Institute have been brought under one roof at 9 Mappin Street, to support collaborative working.
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre also has a £20 million base in Lancashire, extending the university’s regional impact.
When can I visit?
sheffield.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about the University of Sheffield’s student life and wellbeing support
The university takes a proactive approach to student wellbeing, encouraging participation in sport and physical activity and nurturing communities through more than 350 clubs and societies. Annual participation grants of up to £150 are available for eligible students from low-income households, those with a disability or who have children, or forced migrants.
Support is available from personal tutors and faith and belief advisers. Unusually, the university’s GP practice is designated as a department and has its own research and training clinic. It also provides professional help for any mental health issues.
Sheffield is in the top 30 (28th) in the latest British Universities and Colleges Sport (Bucs) overall points table. Excellent sports facilities near the main precinct include an upgraded 180-piece gym, six floodlit synthetic turf pitches, a swimming pool and a sports hall. Outdoor pitches for rugby, football and cricket are a bus ride away.
What do the students say?
“There’s a great balance between academic excellence and student wellbeing, and there’s always something to do.”
Maisie, History BA Hons
What about student accommodation at the University of Sheffield?
Accommodation is guaranteed to all first-years who apply by the deadline, with rents from £106 a week.
How diverse and inclusive is the University of Sheffield?
From Russell Group universities, only Cardiff and Queen Mary University of London recruit more students from non-selective state schools than Sheffield (78.4 per cent) which ranks 93rd overall in our social inclusion index. Outreach initiatives aim to raise expectations among students and help them to develop the skills they need to study at a research-intensive university.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Sheffield
Financial support is generous and accessible. The number of bursaries is not capped, and around three in ten new students are expected to qualify for an award. Students from households with an income of £40,000 or less are eligible for bursaries of up to £1,000 a year, with extra support available for those from low-progression areas, care leavers and student carers.
Merit-based scholarships include more than 250 Experience Sheffield scholarships of £3,600, awarded to successful academic applicants whose household incomes are no higher than £50,000, and 75 International Undergraduate Merit scholarships.
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