FAQs

Application process

I've been nominated by my home university. When will I receive the application link and instructions?

You will receive the application link, application guide and instructions after the nomination deadline has passed. For September entry, you will receive the application instructions after 1 May. For February entry, you will receive the application instructions after 1 October. If you haven't received an email 2 weeks after the nomination deadline, please email globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk.

What are the entry requirements for an exchange at Sheffield?

Our entry requirements can be found here.

My home university isn't a partner university but I would like to come and study at Sheffield for a year/semester. How can I apply and what are the fees?

Students who wish to study with us from a non-partner university or those who have not been nominated can apply via our Direct Enrolment route. More information on Direct Enrolment and the fees per semester/year can be found here. Applications are handled by the Admissions team.

What documents do I need to provide for my application?

You will need to provide an official translated transcript and proof of your English language proficiency (if required). Students requesting Architecture modules will also need to submit a portfolio.

What is the average time period to hear back about an offer after applying?

We aim to contact students about their applications within six weeks of application submission. Incomplete applications may cause delays. 

For students who submit a complete application on time, we aim for students to receive a conditional or unconditional offer by mid-July (for September entry) or mid-December (for February entry) so they have enough time to arrange accommodation, visas, and other necessary preparations.

Modules

When can I choose my modules / courses / classes?

You choose you modules as part of the application process.  Please refer to our exchange module catalogue for guidance on what is available to you when applying. 

How do I know which modules are available for exchange students?

When you receive your application instructions, we will also send our module catalogue for that academic year. Please note that not all modules listed in the Directory of Modules are available to exchange students. 

How many credits do I need to study at Sheffield?

The maximum amount of credits you can study for one semester is 60 credits. For students studying with us for a full year, you can take a maximum of 120 credits.

Students can take a minimum of 40 credits for a semester only exchange or 100 credits for a year exchange with permission from their home university. 

2 Sheffield credits are equivalent to 1 ECTS.

What happens if the modules I chose on my application are full or not running?

We ask all students to submit an 'additional module selection form' with back up choices after submitting your online application. If any of your original module choices are rejected by module approvers in the academic schools, the Global Opps team will add one of your back up modules in its place.

Can I change my course or modules?

To change your modules after you have applied but before you have an offer, please email globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk with the changes you required. 

After you have received and accepted an offer to study with us, you will only be able to change modules within the first weeks of each semester during what is known as the 'module add/drop period'.

The add/drop period is for students who might later realise a module does not work because of timetable clashes or course mapping issues, enabling them to 'drop' a module from the list of modules you registered for and 'add' a new one in its place. We will provide you with more information on this process nearer the start of each semester.

Housing

Does the University of Sheffield offer accommodation (housing) for exchange students? Is it guaranteed?

Yes, the University of Sheffield has a generous supply of accommodation and more information about the rooms available and prices can be found here. 

Accommodation is usually guaranteed for students staying for the full year only. Single semester exchange students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Accommodation application deadlines can be found on the website linked above. 

When and where can I apply for University of Sheffield accommodation?

Once you have received and accepted an offer to study with us, you will be contacted to set up a MUSE account (Sheffield IT account). 48 hours after accepting your offer, you should be able to apply for our accommodation if you wish. The link to apply can be found on the webpage here. 

Are there private accommodation options?

Yes there are. We recommend looking on Smartmove Sheffield as a starting point. You are also welcome to contact our student ambassadors for their experiences and insight on Sheffield housing. 

Do be mindful of accommodation scams when browsing private accommodation providers. 

Contacting Global Opportunities

Can I speak to a member of the team or book an appointment with you?

Online appointments can be booked via the link here. If the available times don't work for your time zone, please email globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

The Global Opportunities team phone is also available during office hours. You can call us on +44 114 215 7625. If no one is available to take your call when you ring, please leave a message stating your name and reason for calling and we will get in touch with you.

We run in person drop ins (no appointment needed) on campus during term time. 

I need detailed syllabi for module / course mapping. How can I get this information?

Please contact globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk with a list of the specific modules you are interested in studying and we can contact the relevant schools for more detailed information.

Semester dates

What are the semester dates and how does the academic year work at Sheffield?

Our current and future semester dates can be found here. Information on how the academic year is structured can be found here. 

Learning agreements/study plans

When and how can you sign my learning agreement/study plan?

We can sign provisional learning agreements before you arrive once you have all modules approved on your application. All modules are provisional until you have completed registration. 

Learning agreements can be signed in person at a Global Opps drop in or you can contact globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk or your Study Abroad Tutor for a signature. 

Who can I put as the contact on my learning agreement?

You can put the following details for the contact person for your learning agreement:

Lucy Mitchell

Global Opportunities Coordinator (incoming students)

globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk +44114 215 7625

I've made changes to my learning agreement during add/drop. How can I get a signature on my new learning agreement?

You can email a PDF learning agreement to globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk, or meet us at an in person event. Your your Study Abroad Tutor may also sign your learning agreement if all your modules are in the same school. 

Please note that we cannot currently sign learning  agreements sent via the Erasmus Without Papers (EWP) dashboard.

Registration

Where can I find more information on registration?

Information on registration for new international students can be found here. 

For February arrivals, we also recommend viewing this page. 

How can I book my right to study check?

Once you have completed all the online pre-registration tasks, you will be asked to upload the relevant immigration documents to the portal. Once your documents have been received, you will be sent a link to book a right to study check. 

What is a MUSE account and when can I get access to everything?

Your MUSE account is your Sheffield IT account which you can use to log into access learning content on Blackboard. You will also have a University of Sheffield Gmail account to receive university emails to. Before you are fully registered, you will only have access to the applicant view. You will get full MUSE access after you have arrived on campus and registered. 

Getting to Sheffield and Orientation

Do you offer a Meet & Greet airport pick up service?

In September, a Meet & Greet paid pick up service usually runs for students. Information about this is usually listed on the webpage here. The service is subject to availability.

Students arriving in February will need to make their own way to campus. Information on getting to Sheffield can be found here. 

What Orientation and Welcome activities do you run for students?

In September, an Orientation Week runs to give students chance to meet other students who are new to the university via a range of activities and social events. In February, the Orientation is a 2 day period before the start of the semester. 

The first week of the autumn semester is known as Welcome Week. Many events take place during this week such as a fairs and social events. Information on Welcome Week can be found on the Students' Union website. 

The Global Opps team also usually run a Welcome & Induction event at the start of each semester to welcome incoming exchange students. Check the events page here for more information. 

Extending your stay

Can I extend my stay?

If you wish to extend your stay, you should contact globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk and your home university to see if this will be possible. 

The deadline for applying for an extension is 1 November for autumn entry (September) and 1 April for spring entry (February) each year. 

Timetables and exams

When will I get my class timetable and what should I do if I have a timetable clash?

Timetables are released each ahead of each semester. For autumn semester, timetables are available from August however, you might not be able to see these until you have completed registration. 

Spring semester timetables will be available from January. For students arriving in February, you might need to wait until you have completed registration to see your timetable.

More information on timetables and how to access these can be found here (student login required). 

How do I find out when my exams are?

Information on exam timetables can be found here (student login required).  For autumn semester, timetables are usually released in late November/early December. For spring semester, timetables are usually released in April. 

My last class on my Sheffield timetable is in December. Will the exams be in January/February, or am I finished by late December?

Exams take place in mid-January until early February. If you have an in person exam, you will need to ensure you attend this. You will be able to check the exam timetables when they are released. More information here (student login required). 

Those who are nominated as December finish students may arrange for alternative exam assessments only if there is an overlap between our academic calendars. Not all subjects offer the option for a December finish.

Students who have coursework submissions can choose to submit these from Sheffield or return to their home country to submit them remotely if they wish.

Contacting your study abroad tutor(s) at Sheffield

How can I find out who my study abroad tutor is?

Our study abroad tutors are listed by subject here. 

Other queries during your exchange / study abroad

How do I get my arrival forms signed?

If your home university has asked you to have forms signed at the beginning of the semester, for example a 'Certificate of Arrival', then visit SSiD in our Students' Union for more information.

What clubs and societies are available for exchange students?

The University of Sheffield has over 350 clubs and societies. You can search for clubs you are interested in on this webpage here. 

Where and how can I print?

With your UCard, you can print in University buildings such as the Information Commons (IC) which is the main campus library. More information on printing is here. 

Do you offer language tandems during the semester?

There are some tandem modules available for credit in the Modern Languages Teaching Centre. Some cultural societies may also run tandems and there are opportunities to find a tandem partner here as well.

Do we need a letter from the university to open a bank account?

You can access bank account letters and other useful documents such as proof of student status via the SSID self-serve. You can also visit SSID in person in the Students’ Union on Level 3. Letters can be generated once you are fully registered. 

How do I register my attendance at my classes?

Information on attendance and the university attendance policy can be found here. For most classes, students will need to use the iSheffield app to complete a digital check-in.

Transcripts and grades

Where can I find more information about grades and accessing my transcript?

Read more about grades and results, including how to access your transcript, on our website.

I need my transcript sending to my home university. Can you send it?

Global Opportunities do not have access to student transcripts. If you need your transcript sending, please send us a copy of the PDF to globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk along with the email address and recipient at your home university. 

What support services can I access?

There is a wealth of support services for all students here at the University of Sheffield. As a fully registered student, you are eligible and more than welcome to access them.

• International Student Support, Advice & Compliance (ISSAC)
• Health and Well-Being
• Student Advice Centre
• Disability & Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS)
• Belief, No Belief & Religious Life Centre (BNBR)
• Careers Support
• 301 Academic Skills

Erasmus+

Do you offer Erasmus+ traineeships?

There is no central office in the University of Sheffield that administers inbound traineeships (or work placements, as they are more commonly called in the UK). The UK formally left the Erasmus+ Programme on 31 May 2023 so the University of Sheffield cannot currently accept incoming Erasmus+ traineeship students.

Are there Erasmus+ opportunities for staff?

Staff who are interested in undertaking an Erasmus+ teaching or training mobility at the University of Sheffield should contact the school they wish to work in directly. The decision on whether to accept incoming Erasmus+ staff mobilities rests with the individual departments.