Learning and Teaching

Approaches to learning and teaching vary around the world. At Sheffield, as with most UK universities, there is an emphasis on developing students as independent learners who are able to understand their own learning style, strengths and weaknesses and reflect critically. We feel this is the best approach for preparing students for life after university and particularly in the workplace where you will be expected to think and act independently.

• Our teaching incorporates a variety of approaches, designed to help you achieve the skills and qualities of a ‘Sheffield Graduate’
• Learning in a range of ways will challenge you to develop skills such as independent inquiry and research, teamwork, individual and group presentations, web-based knowledge and project management.
• One of our central aims is that students should be able to compete for jobs internationally and to think of themselves as global citizens. The international environment at Sheffield is conducive to this.
• On many courses you will find yourself with students from many different backgrounds and cultures and this can be a rich source of learning.
• Other courses are mainly populated by UK students, but here too we are keen to provide an international experience. This is done partly through curricula that seek to be inclusive and embrace approaches and examples from other cultures.
• In addition, we try to provide as many students as possible with the opportunity to spend part of their time abroad as part of their studies and all students are encouraged to take a modern language or to deepen their understanding of a second (or third) language they already know.
• Taking modules such as those offered by University of Sheffield Enterprise (USE) and the Careers Service will help to develop your employability skills set.
• You are also encouraged to take part in activities in addition to your formal curriculum to widen your learning and experience and develop additional skills to enhance your employability. By registering to complete the Sheffield Graduate Award scheme, or other extra-curricular activities and awards that the University can verify and include in your Higher Education Achievement Report, you can achieve recognition for these skills.
• In order to recognise the broad range of curricular and extra-curricular learning experiences you will acquire whilst at Sheffield, you will be provided with a Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) when you complete your course.