Get Involved
This is YOUR University
Your studies are important, but so is feeling at home. The university provides lots of opportunities to meet new people, try out new things, and learn new skills. And if you start in your Foundation Year, you'll have a head start!
Here are just some of the things you can try, groups you can join, and ways to get involved.
Become a Student Ambassador for DLL!
Students who have completed their foundation year are eligible to apply to join our student ambassador team. This is a paid role, in which our student ambassadors work with prospective mature students at a range of events, open days, and online activities, sharing their experiences and supporting others who are considering a return to university.
If you are interested in becoming an ambassador on completion of your foundation year, register your interest at dlloutreach@sheffield.ac.uk and we will tell you about how to apply for this role. We would love to have you!
University of Sheffield Students' Union
Becoming a Sheffield student is all about trying new things, testing your strengths and discovering what you're passionate about. Your students' union is here to make sure nothing stands in your way.
We’re the UK’s number one!
As you've probably guessed, the entertainment and the social life are first rate. But the awards also reflect how effective our students' union is at representing students, giving them support and delivering the services they ask for. And it’s not just for undergraduates. Many of our facilities are developed with all students in mind.
Clubs and Societies
Take a break from your studies, and choose from a wide range of activities and sports on offer, including over 400 societies and sports clubs.
You can try out new activities through the Give It a Go programme.
Volunteering
Our award-winning Sheffield Volunteering scheme offers you the chance to work with schools and charities. You can develop all sorts of skills – coaching, project management, leadership – in your spare time. It's a great way to build a powerful CV.
Social life
If you’re looking for great cafes, bars and nights out then our £20 million Students' Union is a great place to start.
Take your pick from a mix of live music, comedy, talks, film screenings and nights out or just take time out in the Students’ Union building: the perfect place to meet, eat or relax.
Three on-campus venues attract DJs and bands from around the world. We have club nights running almost every night of the week playing pop, rock, dance, hip-hop and retro.
The 400-seater Students' Union cinema screens foreign films, cult classics or box office smashes. You can watch dance and theatre performances, and stimulate your mind with live, high-profile speakers. Or just take some time to be entertained at our regular open-mic night, pub quiz or our hugely popular comedy night.
And if you want to go further afield, your options for a night – or day – out in Sheffield are so far-reaching and diverse that there's always fun to be found, whatever your tastes.
Representation
Sheffield University Union of Students is the political body representing students at this University. It is affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS), and communication with departments is made through a Union Councillor. For more information about representation of students in the Students’ Union, please see su.sheffield.ac.uk/make-a-change
Stand as a Students' Union Councillor
At the University of Sheffield, it truly is your Students' Union. Have an idea about how to improve student life? Want to put your personal experience into practice? Then you can stand to be an SU Councillor.
You will be trained and supported to represent the views of a diverse student body made up of different departments, ages, and nationalities. This is a fantastic opportunity to make your voice heard and pick up some useful skills along the way.
More information can be found here:
Mature Students' Committee
The University of Sheffield is committed to giving all sectors of the student body a say. Because of this, we have a special committee that represents the interests of mature students. They can be emailed at msc@shef.ac.uk.
Meet other students in your subject area
Every named degree at the University of Sheffield has it's own society, providing an opportunity for likeminded people to meet. If you are on a degree programme at the university, then this is open to you! It is a great way of meeting other students and getting involved in departmental activities:
Learn a Language
The Languages for All programme allows all full time students to study a language – you can find more information here.
Making your Experience More International
The University of Sheffield is home to students and staff from more than 125 countries. This diverse learning environment gives you the opportunity to make your study experience more international.
We know that employers are looking for employees who are world-aware and able to work across culture and language barriers. In the classroom, you will be with students from different countries. You may, for example, be asked to work on group projects which include a mix of students from the UK and abroad; or your class projects may include international comparisons; or you may have an international guest speaker. This can help you think about how your subject or discipline translates to the global context. You could decide to learn another language or help someone who is learning a language that you speak. You might decide to study or work abroad as part of your degree, where you will have the chance to learn new skills, including possibly studying in another language.
There are lots of ways outside the classroom to make your experience more global. You might decide to be a mentor, join social activities such as Global Café or join in the discussions at ‘Culture Compass’. The Students' Union also provides many international opportunities such as student societies, volunteering, or World Week. All of these opportunities will help you meet people from all over the world with different views and opinions – but you’d be surprised at how much you have in common too.
Have a look at some of the opportunities:
Global Campus
Global Campus hosts a range of events and activities throughout the academic year and vacations to help new students, home and international, settle into life in Sheffield and make friends.
All events and activities are facilitated by our experienced Global Campus Ambassadors who ensure that you're made to feel welcome right away.
For information, visit:
Sport Sheffield
Sport Sheffield offer a range of activities to get involved in and opportunities to meet new people. Sports clubs, fitness sessions, and a university gym are all available, providing a variety of both team and individual activities. More information can be found here.