University of Sheffield, UK

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012, University of Sheffield, UK is ranked # 13 in the UK and # 66 worldwide. it’s also ranked among UK’s top 10 research-intensive varsities by RAE

University of Sheffield (estb. 1905), one of Britain’s six ‘red brick’ varsities, has acquired an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012, University of Sheffield, UK is ranked #13 in the UK, 38 in Europe and 66 worldwide. Moreover, UK’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 ranked Sheffield among the Top 10 research-intensive universities, with 93 percent of its research assessed as world-leading and internationally excellent.

“From modest beginnings when Sheffield admitted its first batch of 114 students, this university has grown to include 25,000 students from 125 countries and 6,000 staff on its musters. It is regularly ranked among the Top 100 universities of the world, distinguished by its world-leading research conducted across all disciplines and outstanding quality of teaching and learning for students. In 2011, the University of Sheffield was named the Times Higher Education University of the Year. From Nobel Prize winners to prestigious partnerships with global companies, from life-changing research to student achievement and charitable volunteering, the University of Sheffield, UK continues to make a real impact for the good,” says Sir Keith Burnett, vice chancellor of the university.

A member of Britain’s elite Russell group of 24 research universities, University of Sheffield, UK offers over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across six faculties — arts and humanities, engineering, science, medicine and dentistry, social sciences and its International Faculty City College, whose faculty is based in Greece from where it also offers study programmes to students in South-east and Eastern Europe.

Sited in the eponymous town, the university’s history dates back to 1828 to the Sheffield School of Medicine. In 1905, the school was conferred its university charter.

Sheffield. An industrial hub of Yorkshire county, Sheffield (pop. 500,000) is UK’s fourth largest city, with almost a third of its city limits spilling into the scenic Peak District National Park, a natural reserve which attracts more visitors than any other park in Britain. In addition, Sheffield boasts over 50 parks and 150 woodlands, making it Britain’s greenest city in its own right. Also widely reputed as the epicentre of British sport, it boasts an excellent county cricket team and the Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United football clubs.

With arguably the lowest cost of living in the UK — 40 percent lower than the national average — it’s unsurprising the city hosts a student population of over 50,000. Shopping and nightlife are exciting in this bustling city which offers a plethora of shopping complexes, restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs. London is two hours by train while Manchester and Leeds are an hour away.

Campus facilities. The Sheffield University campus hosts over 440 buildings with a built-up area of 407,000 sq. metres. However the campus is split into five zones with most buildings located in close proximity to each other. One mile west of Sheffield city centre, there’s a mile-long collection of university buildings including the Sheffield Students’ Union, the Octagon Centre, Firth Court, the Geography and Planning Building, the Alfred Denny Building (housing the natural sciences faculty and a small museum), the Dainton and Richard Roberts buildings (chemistry) and the Hicks Building (mathematics and physics). The Arts Tower  which houses one of Europe’s few surviving examples of a Paternoster lift, is also located in this cluster. A concourse under the main road allows students to easily access these facilities.

To the east is the St. George’s campus, hosting a number of edifices, including the faculties of engineering, management and computer science. Further west lies Weston Park, the Weston Park Museum, Harold Cantor Gallery, sports facilities in the Crookesmoor area, the faculty of medicine, dentistry and health and the new £12 million (Rs.100 crore) Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience.

The university’s library has four sites on campus and includes the Information Commons, Western Bank, St. George’s and the Health Sciences libraries. Together they house over 1.4 million books, journals, periodicals and DVDs, and provide access to over 350,000 electronic journals and books.

Recently the university invested £5.5 million (Rs.46 crore) in redeveloping its sports facilities. New additions include a hi-tech gym, a 33-metre swimming pool, 45 acres of refurbished outdoor pitches, tennis, squash and badminton courts, and one of the biggest bouldering walls countrywide. All university sports facilities are equipped with disabled access routes and wheelchair-friendly doors.

Other on-campus amenities include a purpose-built health centre, shops, cafes and restaurants. The Students Union building is a hub of activity and the base of 250 clubs and societies which organise numerous events through the year.

Admission. All applications for undergraduate programmes must be made through the centralised Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Application forms are available online at www.ucas.com. The UCAS code for Sheffield University is S18 SHEFD. The deadline for international students is June 30 for the term beginning September. Minimum eligibility requirement for admission into undergrad programmes is completion of Plus Two with a minimum 75-80 percent average. Moreover, students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS score of 6 and TOEFL score of 80). Students who don’t meet the entry requirements have the option of enroling in a year-long foundation course, completion of which guarantees progression to the university’s undergrad study programmes.

For admission into postgraduate programmes, students must apply directly to the university. The minimum eligibility requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree with an average of 60 percent plus.

For further information contact The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. Ph: +44 114 222 2000, e-mail: international.students@ sheffield.ac.uk; website: www.shef.ac.uk.

Accommodation. Foreign students are guaranteed university-owned housing. The Endcliff Village is a short bus ride from the campus and offers 3,320 self-catering or catered rooms including 2,471 en suite facilities. Common facilities include bars, café, a dining room, launderettes and IT spaces. Nearby is Ranmoor Village providing 1,095 rooms, en suite and self-catering. At the heart of Ranmoor is The Ridge, with a launderette, social spaces and bar. The City and Central Campus offers a range of purpose-built apartments, houses and flats.

Degree programmes. The university offers over 400 undergraduate and postgrad programmes (including 90 dual honours degrees) across 42 academic departments (see box). 

Summiya Yasmeen