Hello everyone, my name is Joy and today I would like to share with you my experience of studying, living, and travelling in Sheffield, UK and what studying at the University of Sheffield has brought me. I hope it can open an interesting window for everyone who wants to study in the UK.
Study in University of Sheffield
Studying abroad, learning is of course the most important thing.
Since my undergraduate major is software engineering, I still chose to continue to study computer-oriented courses for my postgraduate studies.
Choosing a University
When choosing a school, My teacher advised me to look at the professional rankings first, followed by the school rankings. The reason is that computer science programs are hardcore, which means that it is better to find a job with a strong professional ranking. That’s why I chose basically UK polytechnic schools. So in the end, after weighing the options, I chose to go to the University of Sheffield to pursue a postgraduate programme.
Sheffield is located in the north-central part of England and is the fourth largest city in England. Sheffield is very famous for its science and technology programmes in the UK, especially mechanical, electronic and computer related programmes.
The full name of my programme is Advanced Computer Science (Enterprise Computing), which is different from other computer science programmes in that you have to take four elective courses required by the university, while the rest of the courses can be chosen at your own discretion.
Courses
Initially, when you register for admission, the staff of the college will give you a course selection form, listing all the courses and the corresponding credits, and the college stipulates that you need to complete 180 credits when you graduate.
The UK postgraduate programme is usually three semesters, each semester requires attending classes, completing post-course assignments, a dissertation and a final course design.
Sheffield pays great attention to students’ professional foundation, so every computer science major must take programming. When you study computer science abroad, tutor will not take you a little bit to learn the programming language, which belongs to the content of students’ after-school study.
In fact, there are a lot of learning resources abroad, especially Google, and YouTube courses for learning computer science majors help a lot.
Other elective courses are also very difficult, far more than the content of the undergraduate study, so you need to spend a lot of extra time to study and digest (in Sheffield University, the learning atmosphere is very strong).
The coursework at the end of each course was a huge challenge, and I basically had to stay up until the early hours of the morning every day while completing the programming assignments. I have remembered two group assignments where I stayed up until 4am with other students for two days in a row, so maybe programmers are more miserable.
Examination
Let’s talk more about exams at UK universities. The exams are all English exams, and writing skills are essential.
When I first arrived in the UK, a tutor said at the end of the course that I had a request. I hope you don’t use particularly complicated grammar when you write your assignments in the future. At most, a definite clause would be good.
Most of the content of the UK exams comes from the teacher’s PowerPoint and the list of books. But a lesson is usually about 100 pages of PowerPoint, and there are at least 6 PowerPoints in a semester, so it’s a lot of work to revise before the exam.
The good thing is that the UK exams are based on a multiple-choice system. For example, the exam has 4 or 5 topics on the exam paper. You only get to choose 3 or 4, and you don’t get any marks for doing more.
Funny Things
One interesting aspect of UK exams is the exam room.
I’ve taken exams on a basketball court in my school’s gym, and also in a factory warehouse in the suburbs arranged by my school. Hundreds of people together, different specialisms examined together. And, of course, examined on the grass of a local football club and in a church. Really any odd expedition is possible.
Discipline in the UK exams is quite strict, so don’t try your luck. This one involves personal integrity after all. Western society is very much concerned about a person’s credibility. For example, in British culture, you need to have a letter of recommendation to find a job, otherwise, you will have a hard time finding a home.
Of course, a tutor will help you a lot when you study in the UK. He will give you some directions, and you can ask questions by email or book a time for a face-to-face meeting.
Also, teaching assistants (mostly phd) can help you in lab classes. Each lab class should be completed carefully, although it doesn’t count for entrance points. However, it is very helpful for the final coursework.
Accommodation in
University of Sheffield
Rents in Sheffield are 59.8 per cent lower than in London, according to a survey by the NUMBEO website. The cost of living, excluding rent, is 19.8 per cent lower than in London. Whether a student chooses to rent a room off-campus or live in student accommodation, accommodation costs are not very stressful.
Living in student accommodation in Sheffield is the most hassle-free and cost-effective option for most students. Not only are insurance, cleaning and Wifi costs fully covered, but you don’t have to worry about deposits, so there are no worries! Our accommodation contracts are usually for 42 or 51 weeks, with the majority of contracts for postgraduate students being for 51 weeks.
At the time I was renting, I was looking at two great value for money homes for you to look at.
Brass Founders
En-suite from £141/week
Studio from £181/week
Each bedroom has a small double bed, plenty of storage space and study area, the studio includes a separate kitchen with its own washer/dryer and 250MB of broadband, the En-suite kitchen is equipped with a washer/dryer.
Hollis Croft
En-suite from £132/week
Studio from £202/week
1B from £277/week
Kitchen with separate washing machine in 8-9 bedrooms! Each bedroom is furnished with double beds and plenty of storage space, and the Studio room type accepts double occupancy with no extra charges.
Speaking of housemates, most of your housemates are foreigners.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with living in a dormitory with strange foreigners, everyone has a room to themselves, a separate bathroom, and a common kitchen.
Of course, if you don’t like to live with others, you can also choose a studio, where you can enjoy the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom by yourself.
Because I especially focus on personal independent space. So, I chose to stay in the studio. again, I recommend it for your reference.
Steel City
19-year-old, air-conditioned student flats! Located next to the International College, the two-bedroom apartments are on the 4th floor. They are lofts with either an upstairs kitchen and downstairs bedroom or an upstairs bedroom and upstairs kitchen! Each room is equipped with a TV that can be projected. Prices from £ 189.
Crown House
Sheffield’s best-rated Netflix flat! The location is far away, but the flats offer a free shuttle! The two-bedroom apartments with ensuite bathrooms are decorated simply in style and are popular with students! Prices start from £ 170.
Sharman Court
Sharman Court offers En-suite, Studio and 1b/2b flats. Whichever you choose, you’ll have your own double bed, storage space, study desk and en-suite bathroom. Prices start from £ 118.
Also recently I’ve been looking at this great flat: COSMOS Sheffield is a new 2021 flat in a city centre location, 1 minute walk to The moor shopping street with saninsbury, csfc, local indoor farmers market, boost, etc., 5 minutes walk to high end supermarket waitrose super market, 8 minutes walk to dorky, west street. 10 minutes walk to Sheffield University as well as Hallam University.
Cosmos is located in the centre of Sheffield and offers ensuite and studio, one bed apartments with a variety of room sizes to choose from. 5-10 ensuite rooms are more suited to students who want to have more privacy and extra space to socialise, while studio and one bed apartments are more suited to students who want to have extra space to socialise. studio and one bed apartments are more suited to students who want to be completely independent and not be disturbed.
Reception is on hand 24/7 to help, and the property management is very helpful. The flats have brand new facilities, including a downstairs gym, KTV room, mahjong machine, arcade and table tennis table.
Entertainment around University of Sheffoeld
In Sheffield, you can enjoy theatre, cinema, art, music, museums and all kinds of cultural activities at a very low cost. All the major museums and galleries are free, and many cinemas offer student discounts, so make the most of it!
Recommended museums
Weston Park Museum, Millennium Gallery, Yorkshire Natural History Museum
Art Gallery
Millennium Gallery
Cinema
Cineworld, Vue
Kelham Island is one of Sheffield’s most popular regions not far from Sheffield University. It has been named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times. This area is a comprehensive neighbourhood integrating business, culture, and entertainment, with various enjoyable and delicious places scattered around. For instance, the Kelham Island Industrial Museum, the Peddler Night Market, and Cutlery Works are northern England’s largest independent restaurant square. It’s a place where the past and future coexist, offering a unique experience that caters to modern tastes while preserving its historical roots. 🌟
Transport
Sheffield is also very easy to get around, especially with the train system. Nearby cities like Manchester, Nottingham and York are basically served by small trains, which take around 50 minutes. There is a high-speed train to London, which is a 2-hour journey.
There are also small trains to small villages around the local area, and it is recommended to apply for a young person card so that you can buy student tickets at a discount of about 30%. Whenever you go out by train, you must carry this card with you at all times, otherwise you will be fined and kicked out of the train if you are found not carrying it. Many of the stations in the UK don’t check the tickets, so you can get on the train directly.
Consumption in Sheffield is not very high, generally more than 20 pounds can sustain a week of daily consumption of food (excluding restaurants). You can satisfy your need for fruit, vegetables, meat and snacks.
In conclusion, the natural advantages of international students include language, eye-opening, independent thinking and problem-solving skills, which are all things that studying abroad gives you.
FAQ
What kind of undergraduate programmes does the University of Sheffield offer?
The University of Sheffield offers a wide range of undergraduate programmes catering to diverse academic interests. From humanities to engineering, and from social sciences to health and medical sciences, the university is committed to delivering quality education that is globally recognised.
Are there scholarship opportunities for international students at the University of Sheffield?
Yes, the University of Sheffield offers numerous scholarships for international students, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive global community. These scholarships range from fee waivers to financial aid, aimed at supporting students from different economic backgrounds.
What are the accommodation options for students around the University of Sheffield?
uhomes provides a variety of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. From university-managed student halls to private sector accommodation, there is something for everyone. The university prides itself in ensuring that all student accommodations are comfortable, secure, and conducive to academic success.
