Pre-arrival information for postgraduate mathematics and statistics students
Congratulations on securing your place to study with us in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences - we can’t wait to meet you! On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to university as smooth as possible.
We know it’s a busy and exciting time for you, and we want to make preparing for starting your degree as straightforward as possible. This pre-arrival page is just for new mathematics and statistics students. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete specific to you and your course.
Your checklist
Complete your registration
The first thing you need to do is complete your registration.
Choose your modules
In addition to compulsory core modules, your programme of study may offer optional modules. At the beginning of September, you’ll receive an email notifying you to select your optional modules using online module selection as part of your pre-registration tasks. A link to the Online Module Choice system will also appear within the pre-registration system.
Preparatory material for statistics students
Please find below some background material for students preparing to start our MSc Statistics and MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics courses.
If you have any accessibility issues with these documents and need them in a different format, please get in touch at mps.student@sheffield.ac.uk
- Background Mathematics
- Block A: Probability and Statistical Theory
- Block B: Statistical Methods
Welcome Week timetable
There are lots of events taking place across the University during Welcome Week. Here’s a list of the events that are specifically for mathematics and statistics students. These are compulsory for full-time students and will ensure you get the best start to your time at Sheffield.
Please note that this timetable might change before you arrive, so make sure you keep checking back!
- Wednesday 24 September 2025
Welcome to the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Time: 9am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Introduction to Mathematics
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, F28
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is for students on our MSc Mathematics students.
Introduction to Statistics
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, F24
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is for students on our MSc Statistics and MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics students.
Introduction to Mathematical and Theoretical Physics
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 11
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is for students on our MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics students.
Mathematics and statistics computer class 1
Time: 12pm
Location: Alfred Denny, A04
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
- Thursday 25 September
Learning essentials
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Introduction to the English Language Teaching Centre
Time: 11am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is aimed at students who have English as a second language. If English is your first language, there is no need for you to attend this session.
Mathematics and statistics computer class 2
Time: 12pm
Location: Hicks, D17
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Mathematics and statistics computer class 3
Time: 2pm
Location: Hicks, D17
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
EDI and wellbeing in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Time: 3pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
University of Sheffield culture training
Time: 4pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 7
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Distance learning information
Students on our distance learning MSc Statistics, MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics, and Graduate Certificate Statistics courses do not need to be present in Sheffield for Welcome Week.
MSc Statistics and MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics
If you’re on our MSc Statistics or MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics distance learning course, we'll be holding an online session during Welcome Week. The link to this session will be available through Blackboard.
Introduction to your course
Time: 7pm
Date: Wednesday 24 September 2025
Location: Online
Graduate Certificate Statistics
If you're on our Graduate Certificate Statistics course, you'll have access to your course information through Blackboard.
Dissertations
One of the biggest parts of your masters course is your dissertation. Through your dissertation, you’ll blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills and gain experience of completing a larger project.
If you’re on our MSc Statistics or MSc Statistics with Financial Mathematics courses you’ll be provided with a list of potential dissertation topics in early February. You’ll be given two weeks to submit your preferences and allocation of topics is finalised in late February.
The process is very similar if you’re on our MSc Mathematics and MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics courses. However, due to the Research Skills and Directed Reading modules, projects and supervisors are confirmed later, around the time of the Easter break.
In all programmes, you may also propose your own project, with permission of the Course Director.
Useful information
- Student handbook
Our School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences student handbook has all the information you'll need to guide you through your postgraduate studies.
- Student societies
Our Students’ Union is home to over 350 societies and sports clubs. Mathematics and statistics students can join SUMS, who organise events from interesting extra lectures to socials, such as bar crawls or treasure hunts!
Virtual tour of the Hicks Building
Mathematics and statistics is based in the Hicks Building, which has classrooms, lecture theatres, computer rooms and social spaces. It's worth noting, that some teaching may take place in other buildings across the University.
Take a look at our virtual tour of the Hicks Building
Contact us
If you have any problems working through this pre-arrival checklist, or you know that you’ll be arriving late to Sheffield in September, please let us know.
Email: mps.student@sheffield.ac.uk
Please include your name, programme of study and registration number (if you know it).