Discover US

We will support you in discovering the University of Sheffield for yourself and you will get to find out what it’s really like to be a student with us.

You will be able to sample different subjects and find out about the courses that all five of the University faculties have to offer - Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Science, Engineering, and Medicine, Dentistry & Health.

You will be invited to the University three times in each of Years 10 and 11 and will take part in mini-lectures, subject tasters and explore different courses and careers.

We will help you find out how your subject choices at GCSE and Post-16 can open doors to a wide range of different professions and opportunities.

You will also find out all about the fun and social side of University life in Sheffield and have the opportunity to attend an overnight Student Experience residential where you’ll stay in our modern student accommodation with your friends from the programme and learn about student life from our current undergraduate students.

You’ll get to meet and work with our fantastic Student Ambassadors throughout the programme who are current students and can share their first hand experiences with you.

All activities will encourage you to develop confidence, problem-solving skills and your ability to work with others. In other words, the skills necessary to be successful at university, and in whatever you go on to do in the future.

Programme structure

Year 10

Welcome Event

A welcome event for students and their parents/carers to find out more about the University and the Discover US programme.

Experience Day 1

A tour of the University campus and an activity day designed to introduce students to the University’s faculties and the wide range of courses available at the University of Sheffield.

An opportunity to take part in two practical subject taster sessions as well as a helpful career planning and a skills development workshop.

Experience Day 2

An activity day including the opportunity to take part in two practical subject taster sessions, an introduction to student finance and a money management workshop.

The Student Experience

An overnight residential stay in the University’s student accommodation with lots of opportunities to develop team working, problem-solving and communication skills in student life activities and an enterprise challenge

Year 11

Experience Day 3

An activity day including the opportunity to take part in two practical subject taster sessions and a workshop designed to help pupils develop critical thinking and research skills.

Experience Day 4

An activity day including the opportunity to take part in a practical subject taster session, attend a mini-lecture and workshop designed to help students develop effective note-taking skills.

Celebrate with US

A graduation-style awards evening for students, parents/carers and school staff to celebrate the completion of the Discover US programme.

How to Apply

Pupils can apply for the programme at the start of Year 10.

If you are a pupil or the parent/carer of a Year 10 pupil, you will need to contact your school and ask to speak to the Discover US co-ordinator for that school.

Information will be sent to schools in September each year. Schools must register to be able to submit applications online for the University of Sheffield's Outreach Programmes.

Please be aware that participants may only be registered on one sustained programme at the University of Sheffield at any one time. 

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Criteria

• Be on track to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSE'S grade 9-6, plus English at 4, if not already included.

Widening Access Criteria

• Live in a neighbourhood which has a low progression rate to Higher Education. This is defined by home postcode 
• Live in an area which has a high level of financial, social or economic deprivation. This is defined by home postcode
• Are currently, or have previously been in receipt of free school meals
• Are a Looked After Child, Young Carer or estranged from their family
• Are a student with a declared disability
• Are a forced migrant

Prioritisation is then given to students who:

• Are from a certain gender, ethnic or socio-economic group which is currently under-represented in HE
• Have individual circumstances meaning they will need to overcome other barriers to learning/progression

Each application will be considered individually. Exceptional circumstances stated by the students and/or school (such as family upheaval or disrupted schooling for example) will provide additional context to their application.

Contact Us

Email: discoverus@sheffield.ac.uk

Telephone: 0114 2221027