Criminal convictions and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
Criminal convictions
When you apply for a course at the University of Sheffield, you will be asked whether you have a "relevant" criminal conviction. "Relevant" offences include crimes against the person, whether of a violent or sexual nature, offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances and offences listed in the Terrorism Act 2006.
Convictions that are "spent" are not considered to be relevant and you should not reveal them. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 enables some convictions to become "spent" after a "rehabilitation period". The rehabilitation period varies depending on the sentence imposed by the court. Custodial sentences of more than two and half years can never become spent.
If you have a relevant conviction we will write to you to ask for more information, which we will carefully consider in the context of the University's duty of care to its students and staff. The information you provide will be treated in strict confidence.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
If you apply for a place on a course in teaching or health, or on a course involving work with children or vulnerable adults, you will need to undergo a full Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau) check. On the application form, you will need to tell us about any criminal convictions, including spent sentences, cautions (including verbal cautions) and bind-over orders.
All offers of places on these courses are subject to a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure. If you are made an offer, we will write to you a few months prior to the start of your course with details of how to arrange this.
If you are living overseas and/or have never been a UK resident, any offer of a place will be subject to the equivalent of a DBS check, normally a satisfactory check from your local police station (eg a Certificate of Good Conduct).
Our Disclosure and Barring Service Disclosure Policy Statement for prospective students