Living in Sheffield
Source: https://usic.sheffield.ac.uk/international-college/about-university-of-sheffield/living-in-sheffield Parent: https://usic.sheffield.ac.uk/international-college/about-university-of-sheffield
Sheffield is a friendly and multicultural city in the north of England offering plenty to see and do.
Historic buildings of Sheffield
The Peak District National Park is just outside the city
An extraordinary place to study
Sheffield is one of the UK’s most popular places for students to go to university. The city is large enough to offer a great range of restaurants, shopping, theatre, cinemas, bars and culture; yet small enough to find your way around quickly and feel part of the community.
Sheffield is one of the UK's top 10 most affordable student cities.
(QS Best Student Cities 2026)
Sheffield is the fifth largest city in England and is made up of 685,000 people – nearly 60,000 of which are students.
(World Population Review 2025)
60% of the city is green space.
(Metro 2021)
Home to Meadowhall Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in Yorkshire, and the twelfth-largest in the UK.
A top-10 best student city in the UK
(StudentCrowd 2024)
UK's foodie capital
(Accor 2024)
Study at the University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is in an ideal location. The campus is set around the city centre, with all departments just a short walking distance from each other, or a very short ride on the bus or tram.
The Students’ Union has been voted number one in the UK (StudentCrowd 2025 University Awards) and is the place to be at the heart of the university campus.
Students share their experience of studying in Sheffield
Close to campus you’ll find:
Restaurants serving food from around the world.
A large range of independent cafés and coffee shops.
A friendly home
Sheffield is a friendly multicultural city – where students are valued as a part of the city's vibrant community. There is lots to see and do when you live here:
Things to do in Sheffield
There’s plenty of things to do in Sheffield for students. Music is a big part of the city, with annual events and festivals. Some of the UK’s biggest rock bands Arctic Monkeys and Pulp emerged from here. You’ll also find award-winning theatre, exhibitions and activities.
- Annual Tramlines Festival
- Award-winning theatre
- Kelham Island Museum’s industrial history
- Sheffield Botanical Gardens
- The Millennium Gallery.
Explore the Peak District
The Peak District, the UK’s fifth largest national park. Discover dramatic countryside just a short bus ride away from the city centre. Here you can enjoy:
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Picnics
- Chatsworth House – home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire
- Wildlife
- Horse riding.
The UK's greenest city
Sheffield is the UK’s greenest city and offers many spaces for you to relax in the sunshine or rain. For example, the indoor Winter Garden in the city centre offers a sheltered place to relax. There’s a modern tram system you can use to travel around too.
- 60% of the city is green space
- 2 million trees
- 250 gardens, parks and woodland areas
- City boarders the Peak District national park.
Born in Hong Kong. Made in Sheffield.
Sheffield is a really nice city compared to other big cities, like London and Manchester. It's less congested, and it's got more green space. So it's a good place to live, because you get to enjoy the fresh air and also enjoy the rural experience.
Harald\ International Foundation Year in Science & Engineering\ BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering\ Now working as an Assistant Satellite Operation Engineer
Campus life
The University of Sheffield campus is in the heart of the city and has everything you need within walking distance. You’ll find excellent facilities, study areas and the number one Students’ Union in the UK.
Accommodation
Explore accommodation options for while you’re studying at the International College, including our development in a beautiful, converted church – St Vincent’s Place.
Ready to join us?
Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.