HeppSY

HeppSY builds on the work of the existing Higher Education Progression Partnership (HEPP) involving Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield and the South Yorkshire colleges of Further Education.

The University of Sheffield offers schools and colleges the opportunity to engage with HeppSY through static digital content and live workshops. We can help your eligible students to achieve the knowledge they need about higher education and the skills to help with their future study and career choices.

Session breakdowns for the The University of Sheffield 2022/23 HeppSY offer.

These sessions are delivered either live and remotely by University staff or through in-person engagement activities, tailored to your needs and delivered either in your institution or on-campus. If you have any questions about activities for the 22/23 academic year, please email heppsy.schoolsliaison@sheffield.ac.uk.

Intro to Higher Education

Choosing your course and university

Year 11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

This session covers the range of factors that students need to consider when choosing a course and university. It is designed for the individual to think about their own interests and stresses the importance of researching different courses and institutions.

Why choose university? 

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Understand

This talk introduces the benefits of Higher Education, including skill development, career prospects, independence, and other aspects of student life.

Applying to Russell Group universities & competitive courses 

Year 12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Understand

This informative talk introduces competitive courses and the Russell Group, highlighting some of the positive aspects that Russell Group universities can bring to their students. The talk also focuses on how students can be competitive applicants and what they can be doing now to strengthen their skills and university application in order to stand out from the crowd.

Personal statement workshop

Year 12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Understand

The session is designed for students in the early stages of their application process. The interactive workshop focuses on the structure of the statement and helps students identify their skills and experiences.

Student Life

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Belong

This talk gives students an insight into what it is like to be a student at The University of Sheffield. It covers the range of opportunities and experiences available to students throughout their studies, including studying abroad, placement years, part-time work and languages for all.

Student finance and managing your money

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Understand

This talk delivers the most up to date information on the student finance package available to students from the government. The section on managing your money broadens students' understanding of the wider costs associated with attending university and introduces them to budgeting. For post-16 students, it also covers the bursaries and scholarships offered by the University. 

My degree and me

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Belong

Through sharing personal experiences, students can see an honest reflection of the presenter's achievements in HE and beyond, motivating students to connect with their interests and learn more about their subject.

 Study Skills 

Academic Resilience

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This session explains 'academic resilience' and goes through 5 scenarios where students write down how they might react. It also covers confidence building, perfectionism, making healthy goals and support.

Essay Writing

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This session introduces students to the different types of essays, and includes an interactive activity on the stages of writing an essay. The session goes through a review checklist of things to consider in five different aspects before submitting an essay. It bridges the gap between essay-writing at school/college and university, including ways to approach titles, academic keywords and mark schemes. 

Presentation Skills

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This session discusses where and when students might have to present (both in academic and non-academic settings), discusses top tips on producing presentations, delivering them and overcoming nerves too. 

Notetaking

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This session explores what University-level lectures are like and why they are used. it discusses effective note-taking techniques (applicable to all levels of study), and gets students involved in an interactive activity designed to test how well they can take notes currently

Revision

Year 10,11,12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This session aims to help students revise as effectively as possible. Students will learn a variety of revision strategies alongside core memory principles and how to tackle procrastination. 

Subject Tasters

What can I do with A Level Chemistry?

Year 10,11,12                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

An A Level in Chemistry can open so many doors for you into a fantastic and successful STEM career. During this session you will be given real world problems in which studying Chemistry at A Level is key. We'll be hearing from students about how they would tackle it by using thought processes and techniques from Chemistry, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering courses to find a solution and hear from current students about their courses.

What can I do with A Level Maths?

Year 10,11,12                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

An A Level in Maths can open so many doors for you into a fantastic and successful STEM career. During this session you will be given a real world problem in which studying Maths at A Level is key. We'll be hearing from students about how they would tackle it by using thought processes and techniques from Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Engineering courses to find a solution.

What can I do with A Level Biology?

Year 10,11,12                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

An interest in Biology opens the door to a wide variety of different courses: from ecology and conservation to zoology, biology, biomedical science, biochemistry, molecular biosciences and much more. The amount of choice can be confusing, so to help you explore the different routes available we'll look at a real world problem and hear from current students about how different biologists tackle the same issue using their different specialisms. You'll also find out about the many and varied career options open to biosciences students and there will be plenty of opportunities to talk to current students.

Why study Science at A Level

Year 10,11                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

Do you enjoy studying science and want to find out where it might lead? STEM A Levels lead to a diverse range of opportunities at university and beyond. We'll hear from current students about their experiences of studying science graduates. This talk provides a good overview for GCSE students considering their post-16 choices. 

Pre-Recorded Sessions

Videos of our sessions, designed for you to watch in the classroom or share with your students to watch in their own time.

Student Life: Learning at University

Year 10,11,12                   HeppSY Strand: Understand

This bitesize session aims to help students understand what learning at university is like in comparison to learning at school. It also covers the main ways learning happens at universities and emphasises the importance of independent study.

Student Life: University Home or Away

Year 10,11,12                   HeppSY Strand: Decisions

This bitesize session introduces the options of where students can live during university. It explores the different benefits of moving away or living at home, and study abroad opportunities.

Academic Resilience: Mental Wellbeing

Year 10,11                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This bitesize session aims to build students' resilience in order to complete their work against a variety of setbacks and pressures, focusing specifically on developing strategies to support mental wellbeing.

Academic Resilience: Challenges and Pressures

Year 10,11                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This bitesize session aims to build students' resilience in order to complete their work against a variety of setbacks and pressures, focusing specifically on developing strategies to cope with the challenges and pressures of school, and preparing for the future. 

Academic Writing: Writing Style

Year 10,11                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This bitesize session aims to introduce students to formal academic writing styles. Students will learn how to differentiate between writing styles and become more familiar with how to write in a formal academic writing style. 

Communicating Skills: Communicating Confidently

Year 10,11                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This bitesize session aims to explore the factors of effective communication and why knowing these are beneficial in the workplace, education and throughout life. It introduces a structure that can be followed to ensure confident communication in all settings. 

Research Skills

Year 12,13                   HeppSY Strand: Achieve

This bitesize session aims to introduce students to the key steps in the research process and help them develop the skills they will need to complete a research project. 

Contact us

If you have any queries, or would like to check whether your school is eligible to participate in the University of Sheffield’s HeppSY activity you can email us directly at: heppsy.schoolsliaison@sheffield.ac.uk