University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England, UNITED KINGDOM
University Info | Faculty of Engineering Info | Exchange Student Info
Fact Facts
University of Sheffield
- is an international leader in teaching and research (in top 100 - QS World University Rankings 2018).
- offers one of the best student experiences and students’ union in the UK (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey).
- Give it a Go – award-winning program run by the Students’ Union that gives students the chance to try new things, meet new people, learn new skills and visit different places.
- offers state of the facilities for teaching and learning, including the Diamond, the 24-hour Information Commons, and the University library.
- The city of Sheffield gives students the best of both worlds – sophisticated fast-paced city life with stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery.
Introduction
We are one of the UK's leading Universities. We were voted number one for student experience in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2014-2015. We've produced five Nobel Prize winners, and many of our alumni have gone on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence around the world.
Sheffield has the biggest and best engineering faculties in the UK. Independent assessments of our research excellence confirm more than two thirds of our research to be either internationally excellent or world leading.
Our expertise is extensive – our seven academic departments and two interdisciplinary programme areas cover all the engineering disciplines. They are leaders in their fields and they are outstanding contributors to the development of new knowledge and linking their research to the teaching of the engineers of the future.
The Diamond is our latest development and this £81 million building is our largest ever investment in teaching and learning. It will create a fantastic place for modern interdisciplinary teaching. As well as specialist engineering teaching facilities, the building will also house a range of lecture theatres, seminar rooms, open-plan learning spaces, library services and social spaces, including a café.
Across the University, we have over 25,000 students from 121 countries, and over 7,000 staff. The University of Sheffield is a popular choice with applicants, and once they arrive, our students enjoy the experience so much that many settle in Sheffield after they graduate.
Terms of Exchange
Study Level
- Undergraduate Students: Accepted
- Graduate students: NOT Accepted
- Computer Science majors: Accepted
NB: Students from the EU should apply via Erasmus scheme if their home university has an exchange agreement.
Eligiblity Requirements
Students should have a minimum GPA equivalent to a 3.0 on a 4.0 grade scale. Borderline students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English Proficiency Requirements
If the student is a non-native speaker of English, the minimum overall score is:
- TOEFL iBT – 72 overall with subscores below
- Reading: 18
- Writing: 17
- Listening: 17
- Speaking: 20
- IELTS – 5.5 with 5.5 in all components (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
- Pearson PTE – 51 with 51 in all components (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
Students will also be required to meet the minimum scores in each language component tested. Please be aware that all departments, particularly in engineering and computer science, have their own English language requirements which are higher than our standard entry requirements. Please download our Language Requirements factsheet for further guidance.
Study Period
Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
Students are encouraged to spend the full academic year at the University of Sheffield as modules in some majors are taught over the entire academic year, and students staying for only one semester may not register for them.
Students should consider the availability of modules when determining their length of study.
Academic Calendar | Semester Dates (including exam periods)
- Fall: mid-September to mid-February
- Spring: early February to mid-June
Some students find that the Autumn (fall) semester at Sheffield overlaps with the spring semester at their home institution.
If you need to discuss the *possibility* of ending your studies at Sheffield in December, please contact the Study Abroad office BEFORE completing an application. This is not an automatic option for every student. Please read the factsheet regarding ending studies in December.
Academic Information
Disciplines Available
- Aerospace Engineering
- Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Restricted Disciplines and Courses
Before visiting the course information, please ensure you read about choosing your programme of study at Sheffield, including information about closed departments/modules to exchange students and course restrictions for departments.
Course Contents
Course descriptions: Directory of Modules | Schedule of Classes: Teaching Timetables
Enrollment Requirements
All incoming Global E3 exchange students must take the majority of their module/course credits from within Engineering subjects. Students may take modules outside of Engineering, but this should be limited to 1 or 2 modules only.
Workload per Semester
Students must study 60 credits of modules per semester (120 in total if they are staying for the whole academic year). The number of credits each module is worth is stated within each module description.
Students may take 40 credits if studying for a semester or 100 if studying for a full year and still be considered to be a full-time student, but must have this agreed with their home university.
Additional Application Materials
Students nominated by IIE to Sheffield are required to complete an application with the University of Sheffield.
Application deadline:
- September start: 1st May
- February start: 1st October
Students must also email their supporting documents as part of the online application form, in one single PDF file. Students do not need to print off the summary of their University of Sheffield application form, as GE3 will have already notified the Global Opportunities and Exchange Office of their selected students.
Please read our website for full information on the supporting documents we require.
Provided the information you send is correct and complete, we aim to send you an acceptance email within six to eight weeks of submitting your online application form.
The acceptance email includes information about pre-arrival, accommodation and important dates.
Housing
University accommodation is guaranteed to all Study Abroad and Exchange students who apply for accommodation online before the following deadlines:
- September Arrival: 31st July
- February Arrival: 1st December
Students can choose from dormitories and flats, catered or non-catered. You will be able to apply for accommodation online after you have received your “Applicant Number”. This will be sent to you in your acceptance email.
If you have any questions regarding accommodation, such as the best halls for your budget or needs, then the Accommodation Office will be able to offer you the best advice.
Estimated Cost of Living
Cost of Studying Abroad at Sheffield
Contact
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
Global Opportunities and Exchanges | globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk
City Info
Sheffield is right in the heart of the country, only two hours by train from London, one hour from Manchester, 40 minutes from Leeds. Our central location makes Sheffield an ideal base for travel both within the UK and Europe.
Sheffield is a city like no other…
A city of stunning landscapes – the greenest in Europe, creative, welcoming, rich in culture and history, but with a modern outlook and a million things to see and do. There's all the buzz and stimulation of city life, but none of the stress. Instead there's the friendly, laid-back feel and some staggeringly beautiful scenery. In Sheffield you get the best of both worlds.
Part of it is that Sheffield is safer than other big cities – an easy-going and tolerant place to live. Local people welcome the contribution students make to life in the city. And crime rates are lower. There is so much on offer, find out more…
The Peak District National Park
One of the most spectacular areas of natural beauty in the UK is just minutes from Sheffield bybike, bus or train. The Peak District National Park covers 555 square miles of unspoilt countryside. Its peaks, moors, rivers, woodland and wildlife are protected by law and preserved for the benefit of the public.
Live music
Every night of the week, the pubs and bars of Sheffield are alive with the sounds of up and coming new bands. Larger venues attract famous names from around the world. Our Students’ Union is a key venue for touring bands and DJs.
Eating out
There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes in Sheffield. Many of them are in the West Street area near campus. Here you’ll find English, Indian, Italian, Thai, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Vegetarian, and Lebanese to name a few – all at prices to suit the student budget.
Sport
As well as two professional sides in Sheffield Wednesday and United, the city is a hotbed of grassroots football and the birthplace of the modern game. Experience the fabled atmosphere of the Crucible at the world snooker championship every year. Choose from ice hockey with the Sheffield Steelers, both codes of rugby with the Sheffield Tigers and Eagles, the famous Sheffield Sharks basketball side, and speedway at Owlerton Stadium – the fastest track in Britain.
Sheffield Theatres
The Crucible, Lyceum and Studio theatres form the biggest theatre complex in the UK outside London. Groundbreaking productions, classics, family entertainments and famous names all year round. Discount tickets are available for students.
Shopping
There are shops and supermarkets on every corner offering great value deals. If you like the finer things in life, you won’t be disappointed either. Sheffield has everything from designer clothes stores to street markets. A short tram ride from the University is the huge Meadowhall shopping centre: 280 stores under one roof, restaurants and a cinema complex.
Art
Across the square from the theatres is the award-winning Millennium Gallery which has welcomed many of the UK’s finest touring exhibitions, including shows from V&A, Tate, and the National Portrait Gallery. Sheffield is also home to the Graves Art Gallery, the £17m Weston Park Museum, and the Site gallery for contemporary art.
Transport
Frequent buses and trams make it easy to get around the city and the suburbs. There are good links to all major cities and airports. You can buy a student card that gives you a discount on bus and train fares.
More information is available on our student life site.
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