Being able to meet other people in history from all years was really helpful if I needed advice when picking modules for the following year.

Coming from a very rural background and a small secondary school, Sheffield gave me the opportunity to experience something completely different to what I was used to.

Ottilie Hartley

BA History

Why did you choose to study at Sheffield?

Coming from a very rural background and a small secondary school, Sheffield gave me the opportunity to experience something completely different to what I was used to. I loved the fact that the campus was so close to the city centre and was yet still near green spaces such as Weston Park. In regards to the course, I was really impressed at the range of optional modules available. The prospect of learning about new periods in so much depth was really exciting, alongside the freedom you also get as a history student outside contact hours, which was really appealing given history at school was naturally slightly more restricted.

Has your experience so far been what you expected?

Given I joined the university just after Covid, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, especially in regards to whether we were going to continue studies online. However, the fact that uni life was practically back to normal by the time I arrived meant that I could make the best of my university experience and continue to make new friends from seminars and societies outside my degree as well. So overall I was not sure what to expect but everything I have experienced so far has been great!

What do you particularly enjoy about your degree programme?

I love the fact that you have the opportunity to choose from such a wide range of modules, especially those that you would never have thought to choose previously. In the first semester of year two I chose a document module on Thomas Becket which I admittedly chose on a whim, however, it turned out to be one of my favourite modules throughout the year and definitely widened my interest of the medieval period.

What modules are you studying this year? Are there any modules that you have particularly enjoyed during your degree so far and why?

This year I have taken modules such as 'The Becket Affair', 'A Protestant Nation?', 'Uses of History' and 'Holy Russia', however I have particularly loved 'Uses of History' and 'Holy Russia'. I have always had an interest in Russian history and the politics surrounding its dictatorship, so I pre-empted this module to be one of my favourites. This semester I have found Uses of History extremely interesting as it brings history into our everyday lives and especially highlights how we, as the wider public, interact with it. Although this can apply to all modules more broadly, I have found these two particularly engaging, aided by the enthusiasm shown by my tutors and lecturers.

If you’ve undertaken any extra-curricular activities, what do you feel these have added to your time here?

Outside my degree I have taken part in both the history society netball team and playing for the university. The University Netball Club in particular was probably one of the best decisions I have made in regards to socialising outside my degree! The club allowed me to make so many new friends and it really eased the transition into uni life. The history team allowed the same aspects, and being able to meet other people in history from all years which was really helpful if I needed advice when picking modules for the following year.

What do you like about the University/living in Sheffield?

I love the fact that it is such a busy city and yet still feels relatively small and community orientated. The student areas such as Crookesmoor, Crookes and Broomhill are very welcoming and friendly, providing endless coffee shops, restaurants and views to enjoy on weekends or as breaks from studying making the city very homely!

Anything else that you want to say?

History has so many opportunities in the range of modules, the social aspect with society or the extra-curricular aspects like with History in the City, and so far it's been so enjoyable to take part in all these areas. I'm looking forward to more as the year goes on.

Would you recommend studying at Sheffield to a friend?

Definitely!