Orientation Week

Orientation Week is an optional programme of guided tours, social events and information sessions open to all new and continuing students, international or from the UK. If you want a little extra time and help to settle into life in Sheffield and the University, then Orientation Week is for you.

On

Orientation Week is Monday 15 September to Friday 19 September 2025.

Taking part in orientation is free, though there will be a small charge for some events which can be booked in advance. These events are marked in the programme on this page.

Accommodation

Accommodation, at a cost, is available to students taking part in Orientation Week (this will not be the same as your term-time accommodation). 

Bookings for Orientation Week accommodation close at 12 noon, Friday 5 September.

Book Orientation accommodation

Meet and Greet service

The University will be running a Meet and Greet airport pick-up service from Manchester Airport to the University of Sheffield on selected dates in September.

Meet and Greet service

Get involved

Register your interest in taking part in Orientation Week by completing this form:

Register your interest 

If you are unable to access the form, or you have any questions about Orientation Week, contact the Global Campus team at globalcampus@sheffield.ac.uk.

You can take part in as many days as you like and only need to attend the sessions and events that are of interest to you. Recordings will be available for all our information talks, so if you miss anything you can catch up easily online.

All events and activities are supervised by our team of Global Campus Ambassadors, who you will recognise in their pink tops. 

The majority of sessions are held in the Students' Union Building, Firth Court, the Belonging Building or the BNBR centre.

Information desk

Our ambassadors are available at our information desk each day from  10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm in the Students' Union plaza. This is a good place to go to when you first arrive or any time you want to find out about specific events or how to find a particular venue. 

Global Campus drop-in

Our friendly ambassadors will be at our drop-ins each day from 1pm to 3pm at the Belonging Building. Ask questions, meet new people and have a drink and snack.

Campus tours

The Students' Union concourse is the social space outside the main entrance to the Students' Union Building. Join one of the daily campus tours to start finding your way around the campus more quickly!

Evening events

Each evening we will host a big event, a great opportunity to try something new and make friends.

For those who like to take things a little easier, or who are looking for a quieter activity, our board games evening runs between 7pm and 9pm daily at the Belonging Building.

Communities

We welcome all our communities and have a range of tailored information, resources and guidance for students to help you make the most of your time at university.

Disabled students

The Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) runs a programme of activities taking place during the week to support disabled students. These events are labelled 'DDSS' in the programme below. Further details can be found on their Transitions web page.

Programme of events

The programme schedule will be updated frequently in the lead-up to Orientation Week, so check this page regularly. 

Monday 15 September

  • Cyber Fraud & Scams Information Talk with Regional Fraud Unit

    • Helpful information on protecting yourself from scams and fraud. The Regional Fraud Unit will highlight some of the latest trends in cyber fraud and scams.

    • Did you miss this talk? You can watch the video here

Tuesday 16 September

  • 10am to 10:30am: Welcome to Orientation

  • 10am to 11am: Icebreaker activity

  • 10am to 11am: Campus tour: Western Bank

    • Join our team for a tour of the Western Bank campus area

    • This tour will include these schools/areas: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Bioscience, Geography, Urban Planning, Law, Animal and Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Maths & Statistics, Disability and Dyslexia Support Service, Information Commons

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 10:30am to 11am: Wellbeing information session

  • 11am to 12pm: Icebreaker activity

  • 11am to 12pm: Introduction to the Careers and Employability Service 

    • Studying at Sheffield is more than just a qualification. We want you to leave university with the skills and confidence you need for the future you want.

    • Location: Student's Union Auditorium

  • 11am to 1pm: Multi-sports

    • Choose from football, frisbee, kwik cricket and more at the Goodwin Sports Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 1pm to 3pm: City tour, hosted by Sheffield City Council

    • Join our team for a tour of the city with a tour guide from the City Council

    • Includes tours inside Sheffield Town Hall and the Cutler's Hall

  • Location: Meet outside the Diamond main entrance

  • 1pm to 2pm: Working in the UK During & After Studies

  • 1pm to 3pm: Global Cafe Drop-in

    • Drop in for a cup of tea, coffee & biscuits in a comfortable space to socialise and meet new people.

    • Location: Belonging Building

  • 2:30pm to 4:30pm: Egg Drop Challenge

  • 3pm to 5pm: Wellbeing Walk

  • 3pm to 4pm: Meet the Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre Team

  • 3:30pm to 5:30pm: Muslim student welcome: Buffet and games

  • 7pm to 9pm: Board Games Evening

  • 7pm to 9pm: Quiz Night at Bar One

Wednesday 17 September

  • 10am to 10.30am: Welcome to Orientation

  • 10am to 11am: Icebreaker activity

  • 10am to 11am: Campus Tour: West

    • Join our team for a tour of the West campus

    • This tour will include these schools/areas: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Medical School, School of Clinical Dentistry, Drama, Neuroscience, Population Health, Human Communication Sciences, Nursing & Midwifery, 301 Academic Skills Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 10:30am to 11am: Cyber Fraud & Scams Information talk 

  • 11am to 12pm: Studying in the UK: What To Expect from Your Course 

  • 11am to 12pm: Icebreaker activity

  • 11am to 1pm: Multi-sports

    • Choose from football, frisbee, kwik cricket and more at the Goodwin Sports Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 1pm to 2pm: City tour

  • 1pm to 2pm: University Health Service

    • The University of Sheffield has their very own health service on campus. Find out where it is, and how to use it.

    • Free goodie bags for all who attend! 

    • Location: Meet on the concourse outside the Students' Union Building

  • 1pm to 3pm: Global Cafe and Wellbeing Drop-in 

    • Drop in for a cup of tea, coffee & biscuits in a comfortable space to socialise and meet new people.

    • Location: Belonging Building 

  • 2pm to 2:20pm: Welcome to the Library Services 

  • 3pm to 4pm: Quiet Spaces on Campus and Muslim prayer rooms tour

    • A gentle walk across campus exploring some of the quiet spaces you can find in our buildings.

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 3pm to 4pm: Meet the Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre Team

  • 5pm to 7:30pm: Taste of Britain Event

  • 7pm to 9pm: Board Games Evening

Thursday 18th September 2025

  • 10am to 10:30am: Welcome to Orientation

  • 10am to 11am: Icebreaker activity

  • 10am to 11am: Campus tour: The Wave

    • Join our team for a tour of the The Wave

    • This tour will include these schools/areas: School of Education, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Management, Sociological Studies, Information School, Journalism, Sheffield Methods Institute, Goodwin Sports Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 10:30am to 11:30am: Managing your money information session

  • 11am to 12pm: Icebreaker activity

  • 11am to 1pm: Multi-sports

    • Choose from football, frisbee, kwik cricket and more at the Goodwin Sports Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 11:30am to 12pm: Support for mature students

  • 12pm to 1pm: Wellbeing Walk

  • 1pm to 3pm: City tour, hosted by Sheffield City Council

    • Join our team for a tour of the city with a tour guide from the City Council

    • Includes a tour inside Sheffield Town Hall

    • Location: Meet outside the Diamond main entrance

  • 1pm to 2pm: Essential immigration information for International Students

  • 1pm to 3pm: Global Cafe & Mature Student drop-in

    • Drop in for a cup of tea, coffee & biscuits in a comfortable space to socialise and meet new people.

    • Location: Belonging Building 

  • 3pm to 4pm: Meet the Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre Team

  • 5pm to 7:30pm: Film Night

  • 7pm to 9pm: Board Games Evening

  • 9pm to 1am: Yo! Karaoke

    • Join the sing-along fun at Yo! Karaoke, every Thursday night in Bar One! 

    • For more information, follow @sheffieldsu_nightsout on Instagram

    • (This event is delivered by the Student's Union and is not facilitated by our Belonging Ambassadors)

Friday 19th September 2025

  • 10am to 10:30am: Welcome to Orientation 

  • 10am to 11am: Icebreaker activity

  • 10am to 11am: Campus tour: St George's

    • Join our team for a tour of the St George's campus area

    • This tour will include these schools/areas: History, School of Languages and Cultures, Music, Psychology, Engineering, Computer Science Information School, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, Social Sciences research, University Health Service

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 10:30am to 11am:  Introduction to the Students’ Union by Students’ Union officers

  • 11am to 12pm: Academic Integrity - Avoiding Plagiarism talk

  • 11am to 12pm: Icebreaker activity

  • 11am to 1pm: Multi-sports

    • Choose from football, frisbee, kwik cricket and more at the Goodwin Sports Centre

    • Location: Meet outside the Students' Union Building

  • 1pm to 2pm: City tour

  • 1pm to 3pm: Global Cafe drop-in

    • Drop in for a cup of tea, coffee & biscuits in a comfortable space to socialise and meet new people.

    • Location: Belonging Building

  • 1pm to 3pm: Culture Compass Workshop and Afternoon Tea Party (Tea & Cake)*

    • Location: Students Union Building, Uni Central

    • A fun and interactive workshop style event which will explore cross cultural issues and help you navigate your transition to living and studying in the UK. 

    • Booking is required: Book your space here

  • 7pm to 9pm: Board Games Evening

  • 7pm to 9pm: Ceilidh

    • Traditional dance event to mark the end of the programme.

    • Location: Firth Hall
    • Book your space (booking is required)

See also:

Global Campus

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