Open day FAQs

Full details of the activities available at our undergraduate open days are provided in our open day guide, but we’ve also put together these frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you prepare and make the most of your day in Sheffield.

If you have any further questions or queries, get in touch by email. Our team will also be available via live chat from this page 10am-2pm on the Monday-Friday before the event, and 8am-11am on the morning of the open day.

Who is the open day for?

These events are for prospective undergraduate students who are interested in starting their studies at Sheffield in September 2025 or beyond. If you make an undergraduate application to study with us and receive an offer, we’ll also invite you to one of our offer holder days, which normally take place between February and April. If you are a prospective postgraduate student, see information on our Postgraduate events.

Will your 23 November open day be running, given the weather?

The University intends to hold the open day on 23 November as planned. Sheffield currently falls under a yellow weather warning for rain and snow, issued by the Met Office, running from 4am on Saturday 23 November to 9am on Sunday 24 November. While our campus is planned to be open as usual, we would strongly recommend that all visitors check for updates from the Met Office and travel providers for any impacts on their intended travel plans and routes. Any changes to open day arrangements will be communicated via the contact details we hold for you with as much notice as possible.

Do I need to book?

Yes, booking is essential for these events. Due to the finite number of guests our rooms can safely accommodate for each subject talk, you need to book your attendance, to ensure that there will be space for you on the day.

Please use our online booking form where you will be prompted to book places at subject talks as part of your day. If no places are available for your preferred subject talks, you can explore alternative opportunities to visit us.

Will I receive a booking confirmation?

When you book a place on one of our open days, you will receive an email confirmation with further useful information and a link to manage your booking. If you do not receive this email after you have made this booking, please check your spam folder, and failing that, contact us.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Yes! You can change or cancel your booking at any time via the link in your confirmation email (see above). Please note that there may be limited availability to change subject talks as we get closer to the event.

Who can I bring with me?

Our booking form will allow you to book spaces for yourself and one additional guest at any of our subject talks, as capacity will be limited. However, you are welcome to bring more than one guest to accompany you on the open day and take part in any of the central talks, tours, and exhibitions.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas across campus on our open days, but are not allowed inside buildings unless they are an assistance dog. If an assistance dog supports you, please provide details on the booking form. If you require assistance on the day, our staff and student ambassadors are there to help. Our Disability and Dyslexia Support Service can also offer further advice on the support that will be available during your studies at Sheffield. Colleagues from DDSS will be available to answer your questions in our central exhibition.

What time does the day start and end?

Most of our open day activities begin at 10am, and finish at approximately 4pm. For those arriving slightly earlier, our accommodation tours start at 9.30am, as does the quiet hour in our central exhibition. We ask that you attend your subject talk(s) at the time that you have booked, but all other activities are flexible and how you plan your day is up to you.

How long do subject talks last?

The duration of subject talks varies depending on the talk and any other activities the department may be offering as part of the session. The duration for each talk is given on the booking form.

Can I attend more than one subject talk?

Yes. Our booking form will allow you to book places at more than one subject talk. You should plan to leave at least 20 minutes between talks to enable you to travel between venues. We also recommend allowing sufficient time in your day to take part in our central talks, tours and exhibitions. If you’re still deciding between subjects, you may also find it helpful to explore our faculty exhibitions and subject drop-ins, which are running as part of the day.

How do I get to Sheffield?

Access our maps and travel information. Sheffield and the University have excellent public transport links, and we encourage visitors to take advantage of these wherever possible. The University has a tram stop, is a twenty-minute walk from Sheffield train station, and is well served by the local bus network.

Where can I park?

Car parking near campus is limited, and often reaches full capacity at our open days. We therefore strongly recommend those driving to consider one of Sheffield’s several park and ride sites on the tram and train network, which link directly with the University’s dedicated tram stop. 

From the M1, exit at Junction 33 for the Nunnery Square park-and-ride site, or Junction 34 for the Meadowhall Interchange park-and-ride site. From either site, take the yellow route tram towards Middlewood. Please note, tram replacement buses will be operating between Sheffield city centre and the Meadowhall Interchange park-and-ride on 19-20 October 2024 due to network improvement works.

If you're coming to Sheffield from the West (via the A628 or A61) then use the Middlewood park-and-ride site. Take the yellow route tram towards Meadowhall.

If park and ride arrangements are not suitable for your circumstances, the most convenient car parks for access to campus are the Q-Park on Durham Road, the Q-Park on Rockingham Street, and the NCP at Solly Street.

I am a blue badge holder and will be travelling to the university by car. Where can I park?

We recommend using one of the 32 blue-badge parking spaces available in the Q-Park at Durham Road. An additional 20 blue-badge parking spaces are available in the Q-Park at Rockingham Street. Alternatively, blue badge bays at the following locations on campus provide good access to key locations used for the open day, but are subject to availability on the day:

• Central campus - The Arts Tower, Bolsover Street, S3 7NA - 7 blue badge spaces. Access from Bolsover Street at rear of Arts Tower, press intercom to request raising of barrier
• West campus - The Wave, 2 Whitham Rd, Sheffield S10 2AH - 6 blue badge spaces. Access from Whitham Road, press intercom to request raising of barrier 
• East campus - The Heartspace, Abney Street, S1 4AT - 4 blue badge spaces. Access from Abney Street, off Portobello Street
• Accommodation residences - Stanage Car Park, S10 3AF - blue badge spaces. Access from Endcliffe Avenue

If you or your guests have specific access requirements that you wish to raise with the open days team, you will be prompted to disclose these as part of the booking form. Alternatively, contact us at myday@sheffield.ac.uk

What is the Sheffield Clean Air Zone?

From Monday 27 February 2023, a class C chargeable zone will come into effect for the most polluting heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs), vans, buses, coaches and taxis that drive within the inner ring road and city centre. Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged. For further details, visit the Sheffield City Council webpages.

Do you have disabled access?

All our venues have disabled access. If you have any accessibility or additional support requirements to facilitate your full participation in the event, please detail these on the booking form. If you require any assistance on the day, our staff and student ambassadors are there to help. Our Disability and Dyslexia Support Service can also offer further advice on the support that will be available during your studies at Sheffield. Colleagues from DDSS will be available to answer your questions in our central exhibition.

I am travelling to Sheffield by train. How do I get to the University from the station?

Sheffield Railway Station is situated approximately a mile and a half away from the University of Sheffield. It is advisable to catch either a tram or a bus to the campus. 

Trams run directly from the station to the University every 12 minutes. You need to catch the blue line heading towards Malin Bridge and get off at the University of Sheffield tram stop. The journey time is approximately nine minutes. 

The main University of Sheffield campus is easily accessible by public transport. From the transport Interchange (opposite the station), a range of buses go to and from this area, including the 30, 120, 123, 51 and 52 and all pass by the University. 

Alternatively, a taxi from the station will cost around £5. 

Can I get support with travel costs?

The Access+ Travel Bursary is available to eligible students for undergraduate open days, on-campus subject tasters, offer holder days and interviews.

This bursary is available to support undergraduate applicants to the University of Sheffield.

Where should I go when I arrive?

You don’t need to register on arrival, as your attendance will be recorded upon entry to your pre-booked subject talks. Our Central Exhibition is a great place to start no matter what time you arrive at the University. You can pick up key information, get tips for planning your day, and speak to experts from our student service teams.

Where can we eat and drink on campus?

A number of catering outlets will be open across campus for the Open day, including several outlets in our Students’ Union, and some at our Endcliffe accommodation site. Further details are available in our open day guide.  All of our campus outlets are now cashless, but there are nearby cafes and convenience stores which may take cash.

Are quiet spaces and prayer rooms available?

Dedicated quiet spaces and prayer room facilities are available in several key buildings on the day of the event. If you need help finding your way around, please feel free to ask our staff at the Information Hubs.

What should I wear?

Our central campus is approximately one mile across, and so we recommend wearing comfortable footwear and suitable clothing including waterproofs in case of rain, as most visitors will be walking between different locations for talks, tours and other activities.

Are there places to stay overnight close to the University campus?

There are a number of hotels and B&Bs in Sheffield. Visit the Welcome to Sheffield website for more information.

I am a teacher and would like to bring a group of students to one of your open days. How can I make a booking?

For further information about visiting an open day as a school group, contact the open days team.