The University of Sheffield

The Department of Archaeology is one of the largest departments of archaeology in the UK. Its research interests are extensive, and range from the Palaeolithic to the post-medieval. Consequently at Sheffield we are able to offer one of the widest ranges of taught and research courses of any UK University.

Since its formation over 50 years ago, our department has played a leading role in the development of archaeology as a modern discipline. We view archaeology as offering the fullest and most challenging perspective on human history and seek to develop archaeological research by drawing upon the integrated strengths of the humanities, and the natural and physical sciences.

Our Research Programme is organised around six broad clusters:
Funerary Archaeology
Landscape Archaeology
Bioarchaeology
Medieval Europe
Cultural Materials
Mediterranean Archaeology

The department offers a number of taught masters courses and the research degrees of MPhil and PhD

We are the largest department in the UK dedicated to the study of Control and Systems Engineering. Our research is at the frontiers of knowledge, and our courses are aimed at producing graduates of the highest calibre.

We were awarded full marks (24/24) in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment. We are unique in offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with a Systems and Control theme.

We have been ranked sixth amongst UK Electrical & Electronic Engineering departments in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and 25% of our work is considered "world-leading". All members of our two research groups - Intelligent Systems and Control & Complex Systems, Signal Processing and Control - contributed to this independent assessment of our excellence.

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department of Sheffield University have been at the forefront of environmental, energy and combustion technology for over fifty years. The group consists of some of the most well-known, respected and influential workers in the field and has produced many innovative ideas and patents.

The Department is part of the Faculty of Engineering - one of the largest in the country. We are justifiably proud of our facilities, which include up-to-date laboratories, extensive computing facilities and a very modern, purpose built applied science library. New Biological Systems laboratories became operational in the Autumn of 2003 and the Biological and Environmental Systems Research Group has recently spent £1.5 million on new equipment. Extensive new environmental laboratories opened in 2004.

Whether you are a new graduate wishing to specialise in environmental/energy technology or already in the industry wanting to deepen your knowledge, our courses at the University of Sheffield have much to offer.

Chemical Engineering occupies a modern building with four lecture theatres and numerous well-equipped laboratories for postgraduate work. In addition there are extensive computer facilities. We encourage a friendly and informal atmosphere in the Department. A central lounge serves as a focal point for both undergraduate and postgraduate activities, offering coffee and television facilities. Students in the Department run a flourishing society which organises industrial visits, social and sporting events.

The Department has a worldwide reputation for its broad range of innovative research and benefits from having its own research station in the Derbyshire countryside. Current projects include the development of a new high temperature heat exchange system for improved power generation, exploration of new hydrogen production strategies for the hydrogen economy, advanced computer modelling of toxic waste incinerators and the development of techniques for studying the impact of global warming on upland grasslands. A major challenge of modern engineering is the development of inherently safe and environment friendly processes. The Department places special emphasis on both of these areas.

Our graduates are particularly well suited to address environmental issues. A fundamental knowledge of the technology of chemical processing and energy usage is combined with an understanding of the localised and global impact of process effluent emission and resource depletion.

Teaching in the Department is by a combination of lectures, tutorials, hands-on computer and laboratory classes and project work. We highlight computer literacy, which is of increasing importance to the modern engineer.

The Department of Chemistry has a rich history of excellent research and inspirational teaching: there are four Nobel Prize winners who have either worked or studied in the department. Today, researchers are working on a diverse set of challenges, from antimicrobial resistance and environmental sustainability, to new technological solutions for industry.

Research spans chemical biology, light-matter interactions and theory, polymers, materials and nanoscience, and supramolecular chemistry and catalysis. This provides the basis for a substantial and varied portfolio of research grants, collaborations with industry, and research institution partnerships.

We are currently home to more than 500 undergraduate students and almost 150 postgraduate students, as well as students based in China who we teach through our collaboration with Nanjing Tech University. They are supported by more than 40 academic staff, plus teaching staff, who are committed to helping our students understand complex chemical theories, and how to apply them in the lab.

Our undergraduate courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, so that our students graduate with all the skills they need for a career in science, and we run three masters courses across chemistry and polymer science.

We are also committed to inspiring the next generation of science students through a regular programme of activities for local schoolchildren in the Kroto Schools Laboratory.

The Department of Civil & Structural Engineering was founded in 1917. Our history is a rich and varied one. We were created in one world war, survived a second and have seen thousands of students come through our doors in the last century. Over this period the Department has produced many talented graduates, including Donald Bailey, inventor of the Bailey bridge, which was said to have contributed immensely towards ending World War II. Dr John Roberts, structural engineer of the London Eye, and the Brighton i360 is also an alumnus. Within Civil and Structural Engineering there are four overarching areas: Structures, Ground, Water and Environmental. Our work helps to protect the world we live in. Driven by teaching and research excellence, we seek to inspire and empower world-class scholarship in order to engineer a sustainable future for people and planet. We're in the top four in the UK for research excellence according to the last Research Excellence Framework (2014), and are justifiably proud of our teaching and research, which goes beyond the traditional areas of the profession. From water supply to blast, earthquake, fire and flooding protection, our research helps to improve lives globally.

Our academics advise government departments and organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, the World Bank and UNESCO.

We specialise in applied economics and econometrics including labour, international finance, health, education and development.

That breadth of expertise helped us to create the SF6D utility index, used by decision makers around the world to evaluate the cost effectiveness of health care interventions.

The ESRC awarded us "1+3" recognition for postgraduate training on relevant programmes (Economics, Economics & Health Economics, & Development Economics).

"If you´re considering a career in economics I would strongly recommend the masters program at Sheffield"
Adam Shervington (BSc Economics, MSc Economics)

"All of the staff were very helpful and made me feel integrated into the department. This was very important as I am an international student."
Anastasia Pankina (BSc Economics, MSc Money, Banking & Finance)

The biggest names in industry trust us to power their research and development.

The Rolls-Royce Technology Centre for Advanced Machines and Drives is based here. So is the Sheffield-Siemens Wind Power Research centre.

Sheffield also houses the EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies. No other UK university has a resource to equal this amazing facility.

Our research and teaching are interdisciplinary. We work closely with our colleagues in computer science, control and systems and materials to deliver masters courses that reflect the demands and challenges of industry.

The Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield is a top 50 geography department (QS University Rankings 2019) at a Russell Group institution, with world-leading and internationally excellent research (latest Research Excellence Framework).

With over 70 members of staff, many of whom have well established international reputations, the Department of Geography offers a healthy balance of experienced and younger academic. The department is large enough to offer breadth of expertise, but small enough to allow for good relationships among students and between staff and students.

Research in the department focuses on both human and physical geography equally, as well as on the emerging productive synergies between the two. In total, there are eight research groups, all of which connect with and shape key debates in their fields. All are interdisciplinary in orientation; indeed, interdisciplinary working is a hallmark of research activity in the department, as is the vibrancy and inclusivity of our research culture.

The Department has three general aims, consistent with those of the University as a whole:

To provide quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, informed and invigorated by the research and scholarship of academic staff.
To provide access to the widest possible range of sources of knowledge, and the resources to enable the pursuit of learning and scholarship.
To provide an environment in which all members of the Department can enhance their skills and apply them to a wide range of theoretical and practical problems in the service of the wider community.

The University of Sheffield enjoys a world wide reputation as an international centre of academic excellence for the study of social sciences and is at the forefront of the elite group of research-oriented UK Universities.

The city of Sheffield has all the amenities and attractions of a major city but the atmosphere is friendly. Sheffield has been called "the biggest village in England". Crime figures show we're on of the safest cities in the UK. Sheffield is also the greenest city in England, with 150 woodlands and 50 public parks (one in the centre of campus). If you fancy a break, Sheffield caters to all preferences with excellent rail service to other UK cities as well as being located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Britain's first national park.

The Department of History at the University of Sheffield is one of the most active centres for teaching and historical research in the UK. We offer expert teaching and supervision in a wide range of areas stretching from late antiquity to the contemporary period, extending geographically from North America to South Asia and from Britain to southern Africa. The Independent Evaluation of Teaching confirmed that we provide an excellent quality of education, informed by a high standard of research, imaginative thinking about the curriculum and innovative methods of delivery. We combine this with an excellent rating of 5 for our research, awarded in the last two Research Assessment Exercises.

Sheffield offers a stimulating, friendly and informal study environment. We aim to encourage you to achieve your full potential. You will be taught or supervised by world class academic staff who have published widely and are at the forefront of their fields. Sheffield is a leading centre for the development of electronic resources used in both teaching and research, such as The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 1674-1913.

We have interdisciplinary research centres such as the Sheffield Centre for the Study of Genocide and Mass Violence and The Centre for Research into Freemasonry; we are also part of the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies. The opportunity to acquire vocational experience through our Work Placement module is a unique feature of the Sheffield MA. Examples of recent placements include archive work for a local archaeological consultancy company, exhibition research and design for English Heritage, working with teachers in Sheffield schools, cataloguing small collections in the Sheffield Archives, working in the Humanities Research Institute on the Old Bailey Online project devising a publicity strategy and analysing digitised material, and designing online learning environments for school children studying history.

With a history dating back to the 1880s, the heritage of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering can be traced back to the foundation of the University of Sheffield and includes such notable names as H C Sorby - the ‘father of metallography’, Mark Firth – Master Cutler and Mayor of Sheffield, W E S Turner – pioneer of scientific glass technology, and Harry Brearley – credited with the invention of stainless steel.

These days, the Department is renowned for both its teaching and its research in technologies relating to metals, glasses, ceramics, polymers and biomaterials, and has been successful in securing significant funding to support its research activities. We are consistently ranked in the top five for teaching in national league tables and our graduates are demonstrably employable, with an average of 97% of our graduates having secured graduate-level employment or graduate-level further study within six months of graduation, since 2013.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014), the Department of Materials Science and Engineering was ranked in the top 5 in the UK for research excellence and in the top ten for research output in materials science.

From day one we have had the aim of delivering ‘Technical training of those responsible for running the great industries of the region’. We maintain that aim to this day, but with a global outlook.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is a world-class establishment, a centre of excellence for postgraduate research, teaching and learning. The department was awarded a research rating of 5A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, and an ‘excellent’ rating in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment. We collaborate closely with regional, national, and international industries, as well as other university-based research organisations.

We have excellent experimental and computational facilities: well-equipped laboratories; numerous personal computers and workstations; access to national computing facilities; powerful CAD/CAM systems, advanced CFD, multi-body simulation, and FE Specialist experimental facilities.

Our department ethos combines high achievement with a sense of community and a shared passion for music. Our internationally recognised research informs our high-quality teaching and our student experience is second to none. Sheffield is celebrated as one of the UK's leading music cities, with dozens of major venues from the City Hall and Crucible to the Leadmill and the Foundry, covering all music genres. This brings with it a host of opportunities for our students to get involved in professional music-making of the highest quality. The University of Sheffield are proud to be an All-Steinway School, which places us among a select group of international education institutions. This accreditation means that you'll have access to pianos of the highest quality. The Jessop Building houses study and rehearsal rooms, with dedicated specialist spaces including our historical instruments collection, ethnomusicology space and collection, music psychology lab and music technology lab. The Soundhouse is our purpose-built facility for instrumental lessons, practice, small-scale rehearsals and sound recording, and houses the internationally-renowned University of Sheffield Sound Studios for recording and electroacoustic composition. The University of Sheffield is also home to a suite of performance venues, including the beautiful 380-seater Firth Hall, set in the stunning Edwardian Grade II listed Firth Court and home to the University’s multi-genre Concert Series. Our staff research directly informs the content of our degrees and we bring our expertise and ideas into all our teaching, so you’ll benefit from being introduced to the latest discoveries at the forefront of musical research. Our teaching ranges from academic to hands-on. You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, interactive classes and tutorials, and you'll be expected to carry out independent study, assignments and instrument practice. You'll graduate having a thorough understanding of the music industry in all its diverse contemporary forms, allowing you to forge an international and rewarding career that interests you.

The department was awarded top ratings of 5A in the last Research Assessment Exercise and 24 out of 24 in the teaching subject review. We are also rated highly in the 2006-08 Philosophical Gourmet Report (Blackwell), which offers a peer review assessment of the suitability of departments for graduate research. UK-based assessors have ranked us fourth in the country. The department is the home of The Hang Seng Centre for Cognitive Studies and the major AHRC research project on Culture and the Mind.

We provide a stimulating research environment for our large and lively graduate student body. The student philosophical society, and the regular staff and graduate seminar, emphasise interaction and the sharing of ideas. Both have programmes of visiting speakers. There are numerous reading groups and an annual study weekend.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy explores the fundamental laws of the universe and develops pioneering technologies with real-world applications. Researchers are looking beyond our planet to map out distant galaxies, tackling global challenges including energy security, and exploring the opportunities presented by quantum computing and 2D materials.

Researchers are involved in major international collaborations, from the ATLAS project at CERN's Large Hadron Collider and the LIGO collaboration behind the detection of gravitational waves, to neutrino detection as part of the T2K Collaboration in Japan and dark matter experiments with the LUK-Zeplin experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Our astrophysicists work closely with the teams behind NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma in the Canary Islands, while our biological physicists are leading the Imagine: Imaging Life project – a major University of Sheffield research initiative that is applying revolutionary microscopy techniques to biology and medicine.

Researchers in materials and semiconductors are also helping to develop the latest advanced technologies, from building increasingly powerful computers by applying the principles of quantum information processing, to producing two-dimensional materials that have the potential to revolutionise the world of electronic devices.

We are training the next generation of physicists through our range of three- and four-year undergraduate degrees in physics and astrophysics.
We also run masters courses in Biological Imaging, Particle Physics, Quantum Photonics and Nanomaterials, and Solar Cell Technology, and recruit new PhD students to support our research across physics and astronomy.

The Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield is one of the UK's leading departments for research and teaching in Politics and International Relations. Our postgraduate degrees reflect the department's core strengths in the fields of international politics, global political economy, governance and public policy, and political theory, with each offering a distinctive approach to the study of politics. Our academic staff are experts in their field, undertaking cutting-edge research which feeds into what you will learn in your seminars. 94 per cent of our research was rated in the highest two categories in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

The Department of Psychology is focused on exploring the science behind the human brain and human behaviour. Researchers cover a wide range of topics, ranging from the intricacies of neural networks and brain function, to the developmental, biological, and social mechanisms that shape who we are, to increasing our understanding of physical and mental health issues, and how we can treat them. Researchers apply a variety of research methods and use a range of specialist research facilities to understand human behaviour, thinking, interaction, and health problems. The department’s specialist research facilities include a dedicated child development laboratory, eye-tracking technology, TMS and TDCS equipment for experiments involving brain stimulation, a state-of-the-art EEG suite for measuring brain activity, biomimetic robots, motion capture equipment and a virtual reality suite. Students and staff have access to the technologies that they need to enable them to undertake world-class research.

The department has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research across the disciplines of sociology, social policy, social work and social anthropology. In the most recent national assessments, we were awarded the highest possible ranking of 'excellent' for teaching quality and grade 5 for research. We have strong links with research institutes throughout the world. Major sources of research funding include the EC, Home Office, Nuffield Foundation, Leverhulme, Department of Health and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The department has full ESRC recognition status for postgraduate training (1+3, +3, CASE for MA in Sociological Research and MPhil/PhD).

This is one of the largest social science departments in the country. Our taught courses are informed by a vibrant research culture, so what you learn is based on the very latest developments in the field. We encourage all our graduates to undertake work at the cutting edge of research.

Research students are encouraged to participate in the activities of a variety of multi-disciplinary research centres associated with the department such as the Institute for Studies on Ageing, Centre for Criminological Research, Centre for Study of Childhood and Youth and the International and Comparative Social Policy Group, as well as the Cross Faculty Social Science Gender Research Network.

The department sponsors an annual Postgraduate Research Conference organised by postgraduate students. We invite contributions from across the University. The event provides a lively opportunity for you to gain experience in writing extracts and presenting papers and preparation for publication.

Sheffield online papers in Social Research is an online journal sponsored by the department. It is a free open-access journal which publishes peer-reviewed work in the social sciences, and aims to offer postgraduate students an entry into peer-reviewed publication.

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning is one of the most established and dedicated planning schools in the world. The Department is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for the teaching and research of urban issues and town planning, guided by our mission to contribute to making vibrant, sustainable and socially just places.

When you choose to study with us you are joining the top rated Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning School in the UK at one of the world's top 100 Universities. We're a department with outstanding ratings for teaching and research. We've achieved this excellence in teaching with the help of our vibrant community of students. Our courses are shaped by students' feedback and all students have the opportunity of becoming involved in the design and development of the courses.

You'll have access to a wealth of varied and flexible courses that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to build a successful career in planning and other professions in a range of international contexts. On completion of your course you will achieve a professionally recognised qualification, which leads to membership of numerous accrediting bodies.

We've strong links with practicing planners and other professions to ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills for careers at the forefront of the global planning community. Employability is of paramount importance to us and you will be able to use our dedicated programme focusing on employability and work placements. Our graduates go on to many varied and distinguished careers in planning and in other professions with 95% going onto to employment or further study. Our Alumni features many acclaimed professionals in their field and we are incredibly proud of this growing network.

All of our staff are research active on behalf of government, research councils, business, the voluntary sector and local communities in the UK and abroad. This link with dynamic, cutting edge thinking ensures up-to-the-minute relevance of teaching material and we are committed to ensuring that our research has a significant and positive impact locally, nationally and internationally.

The Department of Human Communication Sciences at the University of Sheffield is concerned with teaching and research into normal interpersonal communication, communication impairment, and the remediation of communication impairment. We have a national reputation in clinical education and related professional studies, and offer both clinical and non-clinical undergraduate degrees.

We study normal and atypical development of spoken and written language, and specialise in the nature, investigation and remediation of speech, language, communication and literacy difficulties in children and adults. One of our main activities is undergraduate and postgraduate training of speech and language therapists and other professionals working with clients with communication impairments, and we are unusual in running our own clinic and associated professional activities.

A world class place to study

The University of Sheffield has been named the number one institution in the world for library and information management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. The ranking highlights the leading research and teaching of the University of Sheffield’s Information School.

At the Information School, you will study alongside internationally-respected leading lights in information management and its associated fields, who apply their research to your learning. Our innovative teaching involves the latest in information communication technologies, traditional classes, self-directed study and collaborative groupwork. This is how we give you the blend of theory and skills you need to operate in today’s information industry.


Why Information?

The world is undergoing an information revolution. The explosion in information is transforming not only obvious areas such as libraries, information technology and learning and teaching, but every industry where information plays a major role …. and that is virtually all of them.

In industry and commerce, in education, in health, in government and the public sector, employees are needed to manage, organise and deliver huge amounts of information. Trained information professionals are at a premium, and our Department produces those professionals.


Flexible Learning

You can study for our courses either part time or full time, as suits you. We also offer variations on many of our courses to suit the previous qualifications and experience that you have. Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced professional looking to develop your career, we can structure your course to suit.


Professional Accreditation

Where appropriate, our courses are fully accredited by the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), allowing you to apply for the professional membership grades of the Institute when you graduate.

Sheffield University Management School is a leading management school with a world-class reputation for high quality teaching, ground-breaking research and cutting-edge thinking. We have achieved Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) through the outstanding quality of our programmes, research output, support for students and alumni, and links with industry. We are part of the University of Sheffield, one of the UK’s leading universities and, as a member of the Russell Group, are world renowned for our research and teaching excellence. 90 per cent of our research is rated in the highest two categories in the REF 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our impact submission is rated 8th nationally, showing our research is instrumental in tackling the greatest challenges of our time and making a real-world difference to organisations and societies around the world. Through the distinctiveness of our graduates, excellence of our staff, intellectually rigorous research and network of international partners, we seek to inform the practice of management and to make a difference to our community – locally and internationally. Our MSc programmes An MSc from Sheffield University Management School is a great way to build on your experience so far and enhance your career prospects. We offer a range of MSc programmes, ranging from specialist management subjects such as Human Resource Management, Marketing, Occupational or Work Psychology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, to generalist programmes including Management and International Business. Our programmes balance academic with applied content, preparing you in theory and practice for employment or PhD study. Our world-class academics draw upon their own research and developments in the subject area to ensure that you benefit from the latest thinking. Staff also bring their experience of working in businesses and organisations to enhance your learning experience. Our MBA programme For those looking to advance their career into leadership and director level roles, our prestigious MBA programme is ideal. Our unique focus on entrepreneurship, leadership and consultancy ensures that our MBA students graduate with the skills that today’s leaders need – the ability to analyse, innovate and implement change. Research degrees Postgraduate research provides you with the opportunity to explore your own ideas and develop a range of skills critical to your future. Students can undertake a research degree in a range of subject areas, subject to availability of supervisors. As part of our active research environment you will receive outstanding supervision from talented academics producing intellectually rigorous and leading research in their respective areas. Enhancing your employability We take your future career prospects seriously and know how important a well-rounded portfolio of achievement is in today’s competitive job market. Throughout your programme, you will have access to full-time careers and professional development support through our Employability Hub. From 1:1 careers advice and interview preparation to access to world leading organisations through workshops, guest lectures and networking sessions, there are many opportunities to enhance your employability and get a head start on your career with Sheffield. Many of our taught programmes also give you the opportunity to undertake a client based dissertation. Working with an organisation, students consult for the host organisation on a particular issue or challenge. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your employability and put your learning into practice.

The University of Sheffield School of Nursing and Midwifery is committed to providing life-long learning opportunities for those involved in health and social care.

The School offers a wide range of flexible programmes from undergraduate to doctoral studies. Combining its expertise in teaching and research, the School offers services that support workforce and organisational development through advancing organisational effectiveness and promoting evidence-based care.

Research-based and research-led teaching equips our students with the necessary knowledge and skills for both academic and professional development. We are careful to continue a well-established tradition of nurturing research activity as an integral part of the School's educational mission.

We have a solid research base and a firm commitment to encouraging research and development work of the highest quality. In the latest Research Assessment Exercise we were assessed by the Nursing Panel as among the top 10 nursing schools in the country.

The Sheffield School of Architecture is one of the longest established architecture schools in the UK and remains one of the leading schools for architectural education in the country.

As one of the UK’s top 4 research schools of architecture, according to the REF 2014, the School attracts excellent national and international students and academic staff who all contribute to a socially vibrant student community and an academically challenging environment.

Teaching in the School is intimately connected to the research. The School has a range of full-time architecture academics, and is thus able to offer skills and specialisms across the whole range of architecture. The School aims to help students develop into skilled and critical researchers, no matter what kind of problem they face. The School adopts the model of architectural education, which focuses primarily around the design studio. This is supported by lectures, seminars, and workshops in the humanities, technology and communication.

Live Projects, working with real clients in the community, are central to the School. Staff and students can often be found working not only with communities in Sheffield, but more widely across the United Kingdom and beyond. By applying creativity while simultaneously grounding students in practicality, they seek to benefit those communities.

With a rich history of advanced study and varied postgraduate architectural programmes, the School has one of the largest cohorts of architecturally based research students in the UK

Formed in September 2021, the School of Biosciences brings together more than 100 years of teaching and research expertise from the former departments of Animal and Plant Sciences, Biomedical Science and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. The school is home to around 120 academics, including Royal Society, RCUK, EU and other Independent Research Fellows, 300 postgraduates supported by Doctoral Training Programmes and Centres, and 1,500 undergraduates. Our expertise spans the breadth and depth of bioscience, including molecular and cell biology, genetics, development, human physiology and pharmacology through to evolution, ecology, biodiversity conservation and sustainability. This makes us one of the broadest and largest groupings of the discipline and allows us to train the next generation of biologists in the latest research techniques and discoveries. We carry out world-leading research to address the most important global challenges such as food security, disease, health and medicine, ageing, energy, and mitigating the biodiversity and climate crises. Within the school we house a number of specialist research facilities. The Arthur Willis Environment Centre provides state-of-the-art 'GroDome' plant growth facilities comprising 16 discrete compartments with the capacity to simulate a range of current environments as well as future climate scenarios. The NERC Environmental Omics Visitor Facility here in Sheffield provides molecular genetics facilities and training to the UK community in the science areas that fall under the remit of the Natural Environment Research Council. Others include a Biological NMR Facility, a Biomolecular Interaction Suite, and the University of Sheffield’s Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility.

The School of East Asian Studies (SEAS) offers a stimulating environment for postgraduate study on China, Korea and Japan. In 2007, SEAS joined with the University of Leeds to establish the White Rose East Asia Centre (WREAC)—a £4 million project funded by the UK government which is now home to the National Institute of Chinese Studies and the National Institute for Japanese Studies. SEAS is also host to the Sheffield Confucius Institute, and maintains close links with leading universities in China, Japan and Korea.

SEAS provides research-led teaching in the social sciences and humanities. Recent staff publications on China and the Chinese-speaking world include works on rural economic growth, the political economy of industrial safety, the language of the Chinese media, and urban histories. On Japan, ongoing research has addressed Japan’s engagement with the United Nations and the G8, the political economy of reproduction, shifting work and employment practices, ethnicity, gender and nation, East Asian economies and foreign direct investment, and law and corporate governance in China.

We offer flexible and innovative language programmes that allow non-native speakers of Chinese, Japanese and Korean to study the language at beginners’ level, intermediate level or above, either intensively, or as a minor option within a degree.

The MA and MSc programmes taught in Sheffield are full-time, 12-month programmes. Shorter programmes, including postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates, are available in most degree areas.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of occupations: in business, SEAS graduates are working to facilitate joint venture partnerships between European and British companies and on the the Asia desks of Europe’s multinationals; in government and non-governmental organisations, former students have worked in the promotion of technical and scientific exchange, and in educational development in western China; we have graduates undertaking research degrees and working in academia in the UK and overseas, and in translation - most recently in the European localization of the Kawashima Brain Training games for Nintendo – in publishing, arts administration and cultural or educational exchange.

What our graduates say:
"I have gained a great deal from this course and would recommend it to anyone keen to take their Japanese to a higher level. The strong emphasis on practical speaking, writing and translation skills means that I am now much more confident about using Japanese in the future. It has been an extremely varied course, as challenging as it has been rewarding." (Mark Boyle, Advanced Japanese Studies)

"My MA in Chinese Studies at Sheffield opened up many avenues for me, from an internship at the UN, to work in China, and developing scientific exchanges between the UK and Asia for the Royal Society." (Robert Morini, Chinese Studies)

Further details of recent SEAS activities, including graduate profiles, can be found on our website http://www.shef.ac.uk/seas

The School of Education at the University of Sheffield offers postgraduate courses of the highest quality to foster critical and informed engagement with educational theory, policy and practice. Research which makes a difference is central to all our teaching.

Our programmes are taught by tutors who are active in their respective research areas, and are well known, nationally and internationally for their work. Students on the postgraduate programmes are therefore given the opportunity to learn about high-quality research as it is being conducted. They are also supported in carrying out their own research studies in their own professional work contexts. In many cases, students' work is also published and shared with the wider research community. In these ways, studying at the School of Education at Sheffield provides students with the opportunity to make a difference in their own professional settings in the confidence that their own research is rigorous, policy-related and relevant.

Our students currently include:

* Teachers and lecturers in nursuries, schools, community settings, colleges and universities;
* Support staff in schools and interdisciplinary services;
* Administrators in local government, voluntary sector organisations, charities and other agencies;
* Practitioners and policy-makers in nursing studies, social services and home office professions.

Creative, critical, civic-minded and collaborative, the School of English at the University of Sheffield is one of the largest and most successful English departments in the UK. We are an interdisciplinary department, bringing together the study of literature, language, linguistics, theatre, film and creative writing to form a community that is unique in the world in its breadth and depth of study of the English language.




Our world-leading research, active student community and civic ethos makes Sheffield one of the world’s most exciting places to study English. Our academic staff are experts in their field and use their cutting-edge research to inform their teaching and the content of the modules our students study. We see our students as integral members of our research community. They are encouraged to be active participants in learning from the moment they arrive, working collaboratively with academic staff to become independent, critical and creative thinkers.




Research is at the heart of everything we do here at the School of English, from our public activities to our research-led teaching. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), we were ranked number 1 in the UK for research environment. We have a thriving research environment, with world-leading experts in English literature, language, linguistics, theatre, film and creative writing. We also have the largest group of researchers in the UK working on the intersection of language and literature. The interdisciplinary nature of the School of English provides unique opportunities for cross-departmental and collaborative research.




We maintain strong links with our local community, using our research to inform and support projects that have a real-world impact in our city and region.

The School of Journalism, Media and Communication (previously the Department of Journalism Studies) was launched in 1994 and within 10 years became one of the major journalism teaching and research establishments in the UK.

The University of Sheffield is a proven academic centre of excellence and the school strives to provide both theoretical and professional teaching based on the highest journalistic and academic standards. Our academic staff comprise university teachers from prestigious professional backgrounds and lecturers with distinguished reputations for their research, as well as promising early career researchers.

As one of the few Russell Group universities offering journalism degrees, we offer students a powerful and distinctive combination of practical skills training with learning based in our outstanding academic research in media freedom, journalistic law and ethics, political communication and more. This unique blend of research-led teaching and vocational study has proved successful year on year: our most recent score in the National Student Survey rates us number 1 in the Russell Group for learning resources, student voice, assessment and feedback and learning opportunities. We also ranked 2nd in the Russell Group for academic support (NSS, 2023).

We have an excellent network of international contacts in both the media industry and the academic world, and our staff have built close ties with regional institutions and local print, broadcast and online media. We have also developed strong research and teaching links with other academic departments in the University.

We are dedicated to the highest professional and ethical standards in journalism and believe our graduates are reflective and able practitioners who will contribute to better journalism in the future.

We offer journalism education in print, radio, television and online, to undergraduates and postgraduates. Our undergraduate degree, BA Journalism Studies, is professionally accredited by both the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Professional Publishers Association (PPA).

At postgraduate level students can opt for our applied degrees, specialising in newspapers, broadcast or magazines (again, with accreditation from the NCTJ, PPA, and Broadcast Journalism Training Council). Two further degrees – in Global Journalism, and International Public and Political Communication – offer a more academic-based study focus with some practical content.

We are innovative teachers, committed to integrated, programme-level assessment (PLA) and the use of new technologies to enhance learning. Our digital newsrooms and broadcast facilities are upgraded regularly to keep pace with developments in the media industry.

We have strong industry links with major media players, which enhances our graduates' employability through work placement programmes and careers advice. Every year our students and graduates win prestigious media industry awards for their work. Graduate survey data reveals an excellent track record in the jobs market.

Our students come from around 30 countries across the world. We enjoy the creative mix of students from diverse backgrounds and are listening to and working with our BAME students to develop greater equality and inclusivity in the school.

Since its inception, the school has been committed to establishing an active research programme covering a wide range of topics within the fields of journalism, mass communications, and new communications technologies.

Today much of our research can be characterised under a number of themes, as follows:

The relationships between journalism, communication and democracy
Journalism and communication history
Conflict and crisis communication
The digital communication and media environment
European and comparative media law

The school is home to two research institutes: the Centre for the Study of Journalism and History and the Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM). Our head of department Professor Jackie Harrison chairs CFOM and holds a UNESCO Chair in Media Freedom, Journalism Safety and the Issue of Impunity.

In 2021, 91% of our research is rated in the highest two categories in the REF 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our impact submission is also rated 7th nationally, showing our research is instrumental in tackling the greatest challenges of our time and making a real-world difference to people’s lives around the world. Find out about how our research is working to keep journalists safe by reading this research feature.

We were rated as 10th nationally for the quality of our research environment in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), demonstrating that the School of Journalism, Media and Communication is a vibrant, progressive and supportive place to undertake research. Our two doctoral programmes admit new postgraduate research students candidates each year and we are keen to see new research proposals which resonate with our areas of expertise across journalism, media and communication.

The School of Languages and Cultures consists of French, Germanic Studies, Hispanic Studies, Russian and Slavonic Studies. Staff in the School participate in collaborative projects in e-learning and knowledge exchange with industry, and have taken part in three HEFCE-funded initiatives for the development of teaching and learning in Modern Languages: enhancing the effectiveness of the year abroad; peer observation for professional development; induction training for foreign language assistants and graduate tutors.

We have collaborative projects in four language departments with an average score of 5 in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

We offer a wide range of taught programmes, which are innovative and have a professional orientation. We are particularly proud of our range of teaching and learning methods, which foster transferable, interpersonal and professional skills.

The content of the taught programmes is constantly revised and developed to keep them in line with the latest technological and scholarly developments in the field. They have been designed to provide practical links between the use of languages and the world of work.

At both a national and international level, the law faces unprecedented challenges in the first half of the 20th century. These include the impact of globalisation, membership of the European Union, the increasing worldwide concern for human rights, the growth of information technology and the startling developments in the biosciences. All national legal systems have to respond to these challenges.

This is such an exciting time to study law and the School of Law at the University of Sheffield provides programmes that equip our graduates to face these challenges. So if you are looking for an academic environment that will be both supportive and challenging, with its gaze firmly set upon the shape of law and the legal profession in the years to come, then Sheffield could open the door to your success.

The School has a considerable history stretching back more than 100 years. However, we are also a modern law school with a forward-looking intellectual agenda. The School has a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, being rated “Excellent” for teaching and rated in the top 20 for research. We are based in an impressive, historic building with excellent modern study facilities and are just a minute’s walk away from all the advantages of a modern campus with a 24 hour library.

Just as our curriculum reflects the increasingly global character of law, our teaching staff are researchers with international reputations and our programmes are attended by a cosmopolitan student population. In every sense, this is a law school that is connected internationally. By UK standards, Sheffield is a large law school which sends its graduates all around the world. However, the progress of each individual student is a matter of the highest importance to us. The Sheffield approach is to encouraging independence and self-reliance as you progress through your programme and beyond. We also offer you the personal support and attention you require.

There is a large postgraduate cohort within the School of Law. In this way you join a vibrant community of students with their own special identity. In coming to Sheffield, you join a law school with real commitment to postgraduate students and their studies, a place where you find support and encouragement throughout your degree.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics (SoMaS) is made up of the departments of Applied Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, and Pure Mathematics. We are highly rated for our research in a very broad range of areas. The most recent Research Assessment Exercise awarded us 5B in Pure Mathematics, 5C in Probability and Statistics, and 4B in Applied Mathematics. We have a large and vibrant postgraduate community, with approximately 60 research students, and approximately the same number on taught postgraduate courses.