We've adapted our teaching to make sure you continue to receive a world-class education from our teachers.
Our campus buildings are open with necessary safety measures in place.
2021-22 academic year
You are expected to attend in person, on campus, from the start date of your studies.
We will continue to follow government advice and guidance, while aiming to provide the best possible on-campus student experience and excellent standards of teaching. We have contingency plans in place to adapt our learning and teaching delivery in response to new Covid-19 safety measures, should this be needed.
The University has permitted some students to begin their studies remotely if:
- they are currently living overseas
- they are unable to travel to the UK due to international travel restrictions or a visa delay
- their programme is not listed as an exception where remote attendance is not automatically guaranteed (see below).
Requests for remote study have been granted on the basis that, as soon as you are able, you will travel to Sheffield to continue your studies in person.
By undertaking remote study for programmes designed for in person attendance, you do not have access on campus facilities and resources. The University will provide the best alternative arrangements wherever possible, but you should ensure that you are able to fully engage with your programme remotely, until you are able to make arrangements to attend in person.
If you began your studies remotely
You need to tell us if you have already arrived in Sheffield or when you intend to arrive. Please read the information carefully and check your information and make any changes required.
Change your remote study status
Distance learning students
If you're studying on a distance learning course, you will be able to continue attending remotely as planned. You do not need to take action to request remote study.
If you have any questions about your method of study, please contact your department.
Programmes where remote attendance may not be possible
Unfortunately, it won't be possible to study remotely for some courses, because they include clinical placements or practical training, or for professional accreditation reasons.
If your course is listed, and you believe you will be unable to travel to the UK for the beginning of your studies, you should contact your department to discuss your options.
Undergraduate courses
Engineering
- General Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng (Hons) (H101)
- Civil and Structural Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H201)
- Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H301)
- Aerospace Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H407)
- Bioengineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H160)
- Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H801)
- Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (J501)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (H602)
- Robotics with a Foundation Year BEng (H653)
- Robotics with a Foundation Year MEng (H659)
- Computer Science with a Foundation Year BSc/MComp (G401)
- Software Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng/MEng (G651)
- All programmes at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
Medicine, Dentistry and Health
- Medicine MBChB (A100)
- Graduate Entry Medicine MBChB (A101)
- Dental Surgery (A200) (DENU07, DENU107)
- Bio-dental Science and Technology (B750)
- Speech and Language Therapy (B621)
- Nursing (Adult) BMedSci (B740)
- Orthoptics (B520)
Social Sciences
- Journalism Studies BA (P500)
Postgraduate courses
Medicine, Dentistry and Health
- Diagnostic Oral Pathology (DENT12)
- Dental Materials Science (DENT25)
- Endodontics DClinDent (DENT33)
- Periodontics DClinDent (DENT34)
- Prosthodontics DClinDent (DENT35)
- Dental Technology MSc (DENT37)
- International Dental Public Health MClinDent (DENT51)
- Paediatric Dentistry DClinDent (DENT59)
- Speech and Language Therapy MMedSci (HCST35)
- Healthy Musculoskeletal Ageing MRes (HMCT05)
- Nursing Studies (leading to professional registration as an Adult Nurse) (NURT112)
- Physician Associate Studies MMedSci (MEDT50)
- Advanced Clinical Practice MMedSci (NURT113, NURT101, NURT108, NURT96)
- Nursing MMedSci (NURT95)
- Midwifery MSc (NURT118)
Social Sciences
- Educational and Child Psychology (EDUR136, EDUR138)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (EDUT207, EDUT199)
- Broadcast Journalism MA (JNLT06)
- Journalism MA (JNLT07)
Science
- Human Anatomy with Education MSc (BMST34)
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine MSc (BMST02)
- Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Disease MSc (BMST05)
- Neuroscience MSc (BMST11)
- Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery MSc (BMST27)
- Psychological Research Methods MSc (PSYT107, PSYT24)
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc, PG Certificate (PSYT12, PSYT32)
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc (PSYT23, PSYT26 - PG Cert)
- Psychological Research Methods with Advanced Statistics MSc (PSYT35, PSYT36)
- Systems Neuroscience MSc, PG Certificate (PSYT43, PSYT44)
- Psychological Research Methods with Data Science MSc (PSYT45, PSYT48)
Concerns about attending due to health reasons
If you are worried about attending learning and teaching on campus in person due to a health or disability related concern, please contact your academic department first to discuss your situation, and the options available to you.
Clinical placements
Students undergoing clinical placements may be expected by their provider to demonstrate a negative test before undertaking their placement. In some cases a negative lateral flow test result will be sufficient and you should use your text message or email confirmation as evidence of this. In all cases you should follow the advice and guidance from your provider and contact your academic department if you have any questions or concerns.
Covid-19 testing guidance
For support with online learning, please read our guidance:
Download software to use at home
We have a range of software to support you while you work and study from home.
Download University software
Accessing your emails
If you think you may have issues accessing your University Gmail account from home, you should set up automatically forwarding Gmail messages to your personal account (Gmail help). Contact IT Services for more information and help.
Extenuating circumstances are usually unforeseen personal or health problems that are outside your control, and that have affected your ability to complete assessments. You do not need to submit an extenuating circumstances form for general levels of disruption related to the pandemic, for example if you have needed to self-isolate.
What counts as extenuating circumstances
If you feel you need to submit an extenuating circumstances form, first contact your academic department, who will be able to help you through the process. You should include as much detail in your application, so that we can make sure you receive the support you need.
Submit an extenuating circumstances form
What to do if you have symptoms or you’re self-isolating
If you’re experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, or self-isolating for any other reason, please follow our guidance, which includes how to inform the University so we can support you.
What to do if you have symptoms or need to self-isolate
If you need to self-isolate and you are too unwell to engage in online learning, this will not impact any Tier 4 visa requirements for international students. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has indicated that it will work to ensure students are not disadvantaged by the situation.
We're committed to supporting as many of our students as possible to gain global experience by studying and working abroad in 2021-22. We continue to monitor the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, working alongside government guidance and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our students in our policy and decision making.
We will support study and work abroad plans, where it is practical and safe to travel. Please read through the guidance below carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the member of staff in your department who is responsible for your period abroad.
Study/work abroad starting in semester one
Study or work placements abroad in semester one are permitted where the destination is on the UK government’s green or amber lists. We are unable to support study/work abroad placements in red list countries for semester one. These lists are regularly reviewed. You can check the latest government guidance on red, amber and green list rules for entering England.
We recommend that you familiarise youself with any Covid-19 restrictions in your study/work destination and consider the impact these may have on your ability to travel and engage in activities during your time abroad. We advise that you allow for as much flexibility as possible when making any financial commitments to travel or accommodation.
You must also
- complete a risk assessment and ensure this is reviewed and signed by the academic member of staff in your department/school/faculty who is responsible for your period abroad
- obtain adequate insurance cover (see below).
Travel insurance
You will be covered through the University’s travel insurance policy during your time abroad. However, the insurers will not currently provide cover for cancellation or curtailment of travel, quarantine or vaccination costs as a direct or indirect result of Covid-19.
If study/work abroad is a mandatory part of your degree, the University will underwrite these exemptions. If your period abroad is not a mandatory part of your degree (as per the programme regulations), the University will not underwrite these exemptions. However, if you face financial hardship due to unforeseen costs you may be able to apply for financial support from the University's hardship fund.
All students who need to submit a claim for costs incurred during the period abroad, as a direct or indirect result of Covid-19, should contact insurance@sheffield.ac.uk in the first instance.
Changes to destination travel status
If the category of your planned study or work destination changes (for example from amber to red) before or during your period abroad, you should contact your academic department to discuss the best course of action. If, as a result, the trip needs to be changed or curtailed, the University underwrite or financial support will apply as above.
If your travel plans are for semester two to a destination currently on the red list, please do not make any plans for travel. Any financial commitments made to travel to red list countries will not be covered by the University’s travel insurance. We'lll review guidance on an ongoing basis and contact you during semester one to discuss your options.
More information on overseas study and work placements
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students
We recognise that, as a result of Covid-19, medical or personal circumstances might mean you’d like to explore the possibility of pausing your studies, and taking a period of leave.
If this is the case, please first discuss your options with your academic department to ensure that this is the most appropriate course of action for you. If, after you’ve considered your options, you’d prefer to take a break from your studies, you can apply to take a leave of absence for a set period. We will be supportive of requests that are made on the basis of coronavirus impacts.
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught leave of absence
Postgraduate research students
Information about postgraduate research leave of absence and guidance on carrying out research.
