Welcome to Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield

Congratulations on gaining a place to study Mechanical Engineering here in Sheffield - we can't wait to see you! We know that going to university is a big step and so we've put together this guide to answer many of the questions you might have, before starting your university experience.

a group of Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield students
On

Before you arrive

Part of the excitement of starting university is the chance to discover things for yourself and the freedom to explore a new city. We want to make your transition to university life as easy as possible so on this page, we're giving you some resources to help you prepare before you arrive in Sheffield.

Get ready for Sheffield by completing your to-do list tasks from this helpful student checklist

Make sure you’re registered

Registration is the number one task before starting your studies. You should have already received information separately about the registration process and related activities that are run centrally by the University. If you haven’t please go to the registration homepage to find out more. You must complete online registration prior to arriving in Sheffield. 

If you haven't registered by Friday 27 September 2024, you must get in contact with us (mac-studentsupport@sheffield.ac.uk).

The deadline for registering is Monday 21 October to start your course, and the in person appointment deadline is Friday 18 October 2024.


Semester dates 2024 - 2025

Detail Dates
Welcome Week 23 - 27 September 2024
Autumn Semester 30 September 2024 - 8 February 2025

(vacation 21 December 2024 - 19 January 2025)
Autumn Semester examinations 20 January - 7 February 2025
Spring Semester 10 February - 14 June 2025

(vacation 6 April - 27 April)
Spring Semester examinations 26 May - 13 June 2025

Recommended book list

None of our first year or second year courses require students to buy a particular textbook. However, having a textbook to hand can help with study and is an invaluable reference throughout an engineering career.

The following text books are recommended to all students in the first and second years of their course. To be on this list a book has to satisfy three criteria:

  1. The lecturer of the relevant course believes them to be a useful aid to understanding the lectures.
  2. Students have found them useful in the past.
  3. The book covers material in at least two core modules.

We are aware that text books are not cheap but feel the following books would serve you well throughout your degree and beyond. Unless indicated, earlier editions can be purchased if available second hand.

Title Author Publisher

Engineering Mathematics

K A Stroud, Dexter J Booth Palgrave Macmillan

Thermodynamics (SI units): An Engineering Approach

Yunus A Cengel, Michael A Boles McGraw Hill Higher Education

Mechanics of Engineering Materials

This book has a logical and structured approach to solid mechanics. The material in this book is serves all the way through to the 3rd year.

P.P. Benham
R.J. Crawford
C.G. Armstrong
Pearson
©1996 Second edition

Essentials of Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications

This covers all the material in the first year and has lots of worked examples. It will also be useful in
the second year.

John M Cimbala and Yunus A
Cengel
McGraw-Hill

Engineering Mechanics Statics

Meriam, J L Kraige, L G John Wiley & Sons

Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics

Meriam,J L Kraige,L G Palm,William John Wiley & Sons

Manufacturing Engineering and Technology

Kalpakjian, S et al Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley, 2006

Materials and Processes in Manufacturing

DeGarmo, P et al Chichester: Wiley, 2007

Some places you might look for second hand books:
Abe BooksAmazon MarketplaceBiblioBlackwellsEbay


Maths revision

A good background in mathematics will make your first year at Sheffield easier and more enjoyable. If you want to revise, we recommend:

Khan Academy (Maths: High school and college Algebra 1Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus) or Mathematics for Science and Technology which was developed by the Open University together with Russell Group universities.


Welcome Week

This is a week of events before teaching begins. It is full of important information and social events, so do make sure you attend. Your Welcome Week will begin on Monday 23rd September 2024. Once you have registered you will be able to view more details about each activity taking place and visit our Welcome Week google site too.

Monday 23 September
Time Location Activity
10.30 - 11.40 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Programme Welcome - Dr Art Gower & Dr Rachel Tomlinson
11.40 - 13.30 Communal Space Outside D10, Heartspace Mechanical Engineering registration and collection of text books
14.00 - 14.30 Online Welcome to the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Professor Martin Mayfield
Tuesday 24 September
Time Location Activity
09.15 - 10.15 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Academic Work Requirements
10.15 - 10.35 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Library Introduction
10.35 - 11.00 break  
11:00 - 16:00
(drop-in)
Octagon & Students’ Union Union Clubs and Activities Fair
11.00 - 11.30 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Signing up to free membership of IMechE
11.30 - 12.00 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Diamond Introduction Talk - Dr Rob Woolley
12.00 - 12.45 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Learning Trail Introduction - Dr Art Gower
12.45 - 14.30 lunch break - food not provided  
14.15 - 15.00
(drop-in)
The Diamond, lecture theatre 3

Introduction to MechSoc, Railway Challenge
and Women in Engineering (WIE)

15.00 - 16.00 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Race & Equality Session - consent
Wednesday 25 September
Time Location Activity
09:00 - 09:30 38 Mappin St. Workroom 3 & 4 Health and Safety Talk
09:30 - 10:20 38 Mappin St. Workroom 3 & 4 Design Problem, Group Work Briefing
10:20 - 11:00 38 Mappin St. Workroom 3 & 4 Walk to tutor offices,
11:00 - 12:45 Portobello Centre
D05, D06, D07 Tutor groups 1 - 25
E05, E06, E08 Tutor groups 26 - 50
Do it! Design and Build (students)
12:45 - 13:30 Lunch break - food not provided  
13:30 - 15:30 Portobello Centre
D05, D06, D07 Tutor groups 1 - 25
E05, E06, E08 Tutor groups 26 - 50
Do it! Design and Build (students)
15:30 – 17:00 Portobello Centre
D05, D06, D07 Tutor groups 1 - 25
E05, E06, E08 Tutor groups 26 - 50
Competition/Testing/Prizes (students and staff)
Thursday 26 September
Time Location Activity
13:00 - 13:30 The Diamond, lecture theatre 2 Introduction to ELTC (International Students only)
13.00 - 16.00 Firth Court Engineering co-curricular activities fair
16.00 - 17.00 The Diamond, lecture theatre 3 Race and Equality Session - Race Conversations
Friday 27 September
Time Location Activity
09:00 - 12:00 Diamond Computer Room 1

PELLA (Technical English Assessment)
for Overseas Students from outside the EU
(You will receive an email if this is applicable to you)

11:00 - 16:00
(drop-in)
Octagon & Students’ Union Union Sports Fair
13:00 - 14:30

North Campus Modular Village PC Room 1-26
Tutor groups 1 - 25

Diamond Computer Room 1
Tutor groups 26 - 50

Introduction to MASH diagnostics (MASSA)
 

MASH diagnostics activity


When you arrive

Once you arrive in Sheffield and have registered, here are some things you should do:


Mental health support

Starting university is a huge change, and there may be times when you need some extra support.

The Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service can help you navigate your support options and agree on a tailored plan of psychological support. Any University of Sheffield student can register online with the service. Further information on the service can be found on the Student Hub.

NHS support for mental health is also available via the University Health Service or at the Sheffield Walk-In Centre Wellbeing Hub. For the Walk-In Centre, no appointment is required. However, you can call to book a video consultation, phone consultation, or an appointment slot for you to attend.

The University Counselling Service (UCS) runs a number of mental wellbeing workshops, free of charge and operating on a drop-in basis. These require no registration and are free to all students.

Togetherall is an anonymous digital mental health support service available to all students, so you can have free access to support at home or while abroad. It provides immediate access to 24/7 online peer and professional support, with trained counsellors.

The Student Wellbeing Service offers short-term, tailored one-to-one support if you’re experiencing difficulties and challenges, to help you manage your wellbeing and succeed at University. If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life, your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor can assist you in improving your wellbeing and help you get back on track.


Your guide to Sheffield

Whether you already live in Sheffield, or you're coming to us from elsewhere, there's plenty to see. From the stunning Peak District right on our doorstep to the trendiest cafes and bars, all the way to Tramlines music festival - we've got it all.

We have a full guide to Sheffield here, including food and drink, sports, arts and culture and how to get around.

Another guide can be found here, which includes information on our festivals, augmented reality art trail 'Look Up' and an alternative LGBTQ+ guide to the city. 

There are also maps of Sheffield and information on local public transport to help you traverse Sheffield once you arrive. In fact, we have a range of different maps to help you find your way around: