A green city that’s located right next door to the Peak District, Sheffield offers a rich lifestyle both inside and outside of the University campus.
Renowned as being one of the top universities in the UK, offering the luxury of city life but with expansive green spaces on your doorstep, Sheffield is the perfect university location for students who want to study well and succeed, while really making the most of their time and days off.
Sheffield is regarded as being an affordable city for students – which perhaps explains why around 10% of the city population is made up of students and those who make a life for themselves in Sheffield after graduating. Owing largely to the diverse lifestyle and location, the more affordable way of life, and the plethora of things to see and do, Sheffield ranks as the 4th best student city in the UK.
But how you spend your time will depend on what you like to do and what you want to get out of your time at university…
Sheffield as a Destination: Finding Yourself on a Map
One of the great things about any university city in the UK is its excellent connections to other locations and places. Accessible by car, train, or even plane should you arrive at nearby Manchester Airport, Sheffield allows students to travel to and from university with remarkable ease.
And once in the city, this connectivity continues – with much of the city accessible on foot or by public transport (with students enjoying a discount on bus and tram tickets).
Upon arrival in Sheffield, students often split between those who revel in city life, and those who want to explore the expanses of expansive moors of the Peak District with its quaint cottages and hiking trails.
Sheffield is home to three different facilities for further learning: the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and Sheffield College. Each of these offers different courses and different opportunities for its students, with students from all three often coming together to share the same social events and entertainment.
What to Do in Sheffield
The world is your oyster when you call Sheffield home.
Art and history play a huge part in the appeal of Sheffield for visitors of all ages, with the museums and galleries offering insight into the past and into the culture that backs Sheffield’s creative vibe. The Millennium Gallery immerses visitors in art, crafts, and history, while the Graves Gallery invites you to explore a wide collection of visual art that spans both centuries and continents. Next to the University campus, you will also find the Weston Park Museum, where you can explore natural history and events that connect to the social history of Sheffield.
If history and museums aren’t really your thing, you’ll be pleased to hear that Sheffield isn’t all about what’s passed. There’s a lot going on in the present too.
Contemporary art is everywhere in Sheffield, with a growing underground and street art scene capturing the imagination of young people, students, and adults alike. Not only can this art be seen on the streets and in galleries, but it can be witnessed in the city’s venues through live performances and in events like Art in the Gardens.
And we can’t overlook the plethora of events that are held in and around Sheffield. These include:
- Tramlines Music Festival
- Off the Shelf Literary Festival
- Festival of the Mind, hosted by university lecturers and visionaries
Not to mention countless shows, hosted at The Crucible theatre in Sheffield – with discounted tickets available for students.
Living in Sheffield as a Student
Students who are considering studying in Sheffield will be particularly interested in…
The University Student Union
Continually voted as the number one SU in the UK, the Student Union plays a major role in why student life is so good in Sheffield. The Whatuni Student Choice Awards has awarded Sheffield gold in the years 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
Clubs and Bars
From live gigs to club nights, there’s something on virtually every day of the week in Sheffield. The University itself has a Department of Music Concerts that ensures there’s always something to suit different tastes, while the various venues each specialise in their own style of music and in a unique experience.
Of course, for those who prefer a quieter night out with friends, there are tons of upscale and more affordable bars that offer cocktails, local beers, and more. Get a group of friends together and find the right vibe for you.
Shops and Eating Out
Sheffield combines large high street chains and shops with quirky and independent brands, shining a spotlight on the shop’s local drive as well as offering students everything they need in more affordable brand names.
Eating out is much the same, with big chain restaurants and eateries surrounded by local businesses and boutique cafes. There really is something for everyone in Sheffield – and it’s all easily accessible from University halls or your alternative student accommodation.
Outdoor Adventures
Everything in the city of Sheffield is considered accessible and affordable. It’s a city that supports the cost of living for students and aims to make city experiences as readily available as possible.
But there is no activity as affordable as exploring the great outdoors – and it’s the proximity to expansive green spaces and unrivaled views that makes Sheffield such an incredible city to live as a student. Visit the Peaks on a day off or weekend, enjoy the running and cycling trails and routes that run throughout the city, or choose a local ramble and lose yourself in the chocolate box villages and winning views over the valleys.
Here at Liv Student, we are all about immersing students in the life of the city they have chosen. There’s so much to do beyond the walls of the university, with Liv Student accommodation perfectly placed to act as a portal between campus life and the city beyond.
