FAQs - Student Life
- What clubs and organisations do you have?
- What will my living expenses be?
- Do I need to open a bank account? How do I do this?
- Do I need a student visa?
- What is the weather like in Sheffield?
- What do students do for fun off-campus?
- How far is it to Sheffield town centre from the campus?
- What sports facilities are there?
- What is the power supply in the UK?
- Do I need an adaptor?
- Do I need a car?
- Do I need a mobile phone?
- What should I bring with me?
- How often do students go home to visit?
- Should I buy a laptop at home or wait until I get to the UK?
- What will happen if I fall sick?
What clubs and organisations do you have?
There are over 100 clubs, organised through the Students' Union at Sheffield University, for you to choose from.
Sheffield University has an International Students Committee who organise events throughout the year. Part of this, Globalspan, organises weekend trips to local sites of interest and attractions around the country.
What will my living expenses be?
Student living costs in the city of Sheffield are amongst the lowest in England. Your personal expenses will depend largely on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Find out more about living expenses
Do I need to open a bank account? How do I do this?
Yes, you will need a bank account to pay bills and to buy essential items. It is not advisable to keep large amounts of cash with you or in your room.
To open a bank account in the UK you will need:
- Proof of your identity (your passport)
- Proof of your Sheffield address (your housing contract, or a letter from your landlord if you are not living in the Halls of Residence)
- Proof of your student status (Certificate of Student Status)
- Some banks may request further information from you (eg your housing contract if you are living in private rented accommodation).
It is a good idea to find out if any of the local banks in your home country have business partnerships with banks in the UK. This facilitates money transfers and account opening when you arrive in Sheffield. For example, HSBC has a group reference scheme, which immediately allows you open an account elsewhere in the world, if you are already a customer in your home country.
After you enrol on your programme, members of the Student Services Team will provide guidance and advice on opening your bank account.
Do I need a student visa?
Visas are compulsory for students from certain countries.
Find out more about visa requirements
What is the weather like in Sheffield?
The British climate can be unpredictable and changeable even within one day. Summer temperatures (June to August) very rarely climb higher than 35° C, but winter temperatures (November to March) are rarely below freezing.
Average summer temperatures are 20° C, and winter averages are about 10° C.
The weather can sometimes be grey and foggy, particularly in November to March.
What do students do for fun off-campus?
There is plenty to do off-campus in Sheffield and both travel and entertainment costs are very reasonable. You'll find everything you need right here - but if you would like to explore the British countryside and towns, Leeds and Manchester are only one hour away by train, and London can be reached in 2.5 hours.
Sheffield City Council has some very useful tourist information with ideas for things to do and see in and around the city.
Sheffield City Council - Tourist Information
How far is it to Sheffield town centre from the campus?
The town centre is within easy walking distance (about ten minutes) of the campus.
What sports facilities are there?
The University and the Students' Union operate a top-of-the-range sports centre, and there are many student sports clubs to choose from.
The city and surrounding area also have a very wide range of facilities from skiing and snowboarding to rock-climbing and cycling in the Peak District. Some of the famous sports facilities include:
- The University's Goodwin Sports Centre: this has recently had a £6 million upgrade.
- The Ponds Forge International Sports Centre: this offers an excellent range of activities from athletics to field events and is host to national competitions and events.
- Sheffield Ski Village: this is Europe's biggest artificial ski-slope resort, and offers snowboarding and skiing lessons.
The University's Goodwin Sports Centre
The Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
What is the power supply in the UK?
The standard electrical voltage in Britain is 240 v AC, 50HZ.
Do I need an adaptor?
You will need a three square pronged adaptor plug, which can be bought easily in Sheffield.
Do I need a car?
You do not need a car. Most students live within a twenty minute walk of the campus or use the very frequent, cheap, and reliable bus and tram services.
Do I need a mobile phone?
It is very convenient to have a mobile phone. Pay-as-you-go or pre-paid cards are usually the best choice, and are widely available.
You can bring your mobile phone from your country and have it re-connected, provided it can support a GSM network.
What should I bring with me?
Please refer to our Pre-arrival Guide, which includes some useful tips on what to bring with you to Sheffield.
Download the Pre-arrival Guide
How often do students go home to visit?
You can visit home as often as you like, as long as these visits are not during the term. Most students go home once a year.
Should I buy a laptop at home or wait until I get to the UK?
Buying a laptop in your own country may be cheaper than buying one in the UK. But before travelling with a laptop, make sure it is insured for theft and accidental damage.
All students have free access to Sheffield International College’s IT centres.
What will happen if I fall sick?
Students taking programmes of six months or more are eligible for free medical care under the National Health Service (NHS). Medical insurance is not therefore necessary. Please note, however, that some dental treatment is charged on the NHS.
This also applies to your dependents (your husband or wife and children). Children under 16, or under 19 and in fulltime education, do not normally have to pay for any treatments.