Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to University in Sheffield

Going to university in Sheffield is definitely the experience - trust me, I went to Sheffield Hallam University, and I loved it. There’s a lot to explore and discover in this amazing city, and the options are endless. Moving to a new place that you don’t know much about can be overwhelming. Knowing things like where the best areas to live are and what transport options are available is super helpful. Here is a guide of everything you need to know before you move to Sheffield so you can be prepared.

Where Should You Move To?

Accommodation and area is a very important decision, and a difficult one at that, especially if you don’t know someone that has lived in the area. Fortunately, there are lots of fantastic areas in Sheffield, and each location brings something different to the table. One popular area is Ecclesall Road, which is well-known for its shops, cafés, and restaurants. Ecclesall Road is a great place to live if you enjoy socialising with friends and meeting new people. I lived in this area for a while, and my friends and I made sure to do plenty of Nando’s trips.

Another popular area is Crookes, where you’ll find many nearby green spaces. If you enjoy the slow pace of life, then this might be a good location for you. Crookes Valley Park has a big lake which is relaxing to sit around in the Summer. Weston Park Museum is also nearby, which creates an excellent opportunity to learn something new on your days off.

View of Crookes

When it comes to choosing where to live, there’s no shortage of great student accommodation options in Sheffield, including private house-shares, halls, and purpose-built student accommodation all being options. There’s lots to explore, so it’s okay if you’re picky about where you want to stay. Many students decide to live in university-owned halls in their first year, which is useful for making friends. Lots of my friends stayed in purpose-built student accommodation throughout their time in Sheffield. Lots of these buildings have on-site facilities like a study room and gym that students can enjoy.

What Transportation Options Are Available?

There are many tram links in Sheffield, and you can get student discounts when travelling on them. They’re colour-coded to make planning your journeys much easier and straightforward.  If you’re planning on using the bus a lot to get around and you’re between 18 and 21 years old, you might want to apply for a Zoom Beyond 18-21 travel pass. With this, you can get a student single for just £1.70 (accurate as of January 1st 2025).  The trams and buses run regularly, and into student areas, so you don’t have to worry about how close your accommodation is to your university or workplace.

Sheffield has an excellent train service, whether you're traveling within the city or heading to another - it’s well-connected! Cities like London and Newcastle are only a 2 hour ride away. If you’re planning to travel between your hometown and Sheffield by train, then get yourself a young person’s railcard. This is for 16-25-year-olds and mature students who use the train often. It helps you save money when travelling, which is very useful because trains can be so expensive - especially on that student budget. 

What Is There To Do?

Sheffield is absolutely full of things to do! My favourite pastime was to do some shopping either in the City Centre or in Meadowhall shopping centre. You can reach these easily as they both have convenient transport links that run frequently. Both locations also have lots of well-known brands to discover, as well as cosy cafés and restaurants, plus there are plenty of shops to use the student discount. One thing Sheffield is known for is its wide variety of food options. Whatever food you fancy, you’ll be sure to find it nearby.

If you’re a fan of going out to bars with friends, Sheffield has you covered. My favourite bar to visit was West Street Live, which often has live music. Another great bar is The Cavendish, they host quiz nights - and most importantly their drinks are affordable. If you fancy a bit of an indie vibe, be sure to check out Kelham Island. It’s a popular area that offers a great choice of unique bars, and feels safe and welcoming.

If you’re more into clubbing, then there are plenty of options for this too. Tank, The Viper Rooms and ONYX Nightclub are some that are popular with students. The most popular areas for student nightlife are Division Street and West Street.

One thing I did, not long after moving to Sheffield, was Treasure Hunt Sheffield. If you do this, you’ll get sent treasure maps and clues which take you on a journey around Sheffield. It’s a great way to discover new places and learn more about the city you’re living in. It’s almost like a guided tour but done in a way which is different and exciting.

Support available

Whether you study at Sheffield Hallam or University of Sheffield, both universities offer fantastic support to help you settle in. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the unions, or the universities themselves. Whether it's a question about transport or an issue with your accommodation they will help you solve it.

If you're looking to get involved and meet new people, the student unions are also a great place to connect with clubs, societies, and other students. Sheffield's student support network is friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help you thrive.

Hopefully, this article has given you a good idea of what to expect when you move to Sheffield. It truly is an amazing city.

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