Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for SELSA?

All students in their first year of any Engineering/Computer Science Undergraduate degree programme in the Faculty of Engineering.  SELSA runs alongside the 2nd and 3rd year of that degree programme. 

Do I have to be in the first year of my course to apply?

Yes. SELSA runs alongside the 2nd and 3rd year of any Engineering/Computer Science degree programme in the Faculty of Engineering. 

If you do not apply during the 1st year, or your application is unsuccessful, it is not possible to reapply in future years due to the shape of the programme.

Does it matter if I am on a bachelors or a masters programme?

No - applications are welcome from students on both routes.  

Historically, SELSA has been aimed more towards MEng students.  However, this has simply been to avoid students doing the 2nd year of SELSA along their final year of study.  If you are on a BEng route rather than MEng, please just be aware you will need to manage your time effectively and think it through carefully before you apply.

Is SELSA open to international students?

Yes, all 1st year undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering are eligible to apply. 

I’m studying Computer Science – can I still apply?

Yes.  Computer Science in Sheffield is within the Faculty of Engineering, and all first-year undergraduate students in the Faculty are eligible to apply. 

I’m doing a year in industry or a year abroad. Would I still be able to join SELSA?

Yes. If your study abroad or year in industry falls during your time in SELSA, it is possible to pause SELSA for a year and then re-join when you return.

For example, if you are going on a year in industry in the 2026-27 academic year, you would complete the first year of SELA in 2025-26, then go on the year in industry and return to SELSA when your studies resume in September 2027.

My career aspirations are in academia and not industry.  Should I still apply?

Yes - a key aim is to develop leaders for both industry and academia. 

Students meet and work with research and industry leaders through the programme, and can opt to undertake one of the ‘high impact’ activities in an academic context.  For example, completing a SURE project over one of the summer breaks.

Applications and selection

How many students join SELA each year?

The Faculty is currently able to accommodate up to 60 students each year. 

How do I apply?

Visit the SELSA website and click the “Apply Now” button on the homepage. Note that applications open in January and the “Apply Now” button will not be visible until this date.

Is there an application or registration fee?

No. SELSA is mainly funded by sponsorship from industry, with support from the Faculty of Engineering. 

Do I need to have achieved particular academic grades in order to apply?

The expectation is that students will maintain a cumulative grade of 60%+.  Any exceptions to this will be at the discretion of the SELSA board.

What are the types of things SELSA is looking for when selecting members?

SELSA is structured around developing leadership skills. We are looking for people who have got potential. This could be people who need confidence to enter their chosen career or those who want 

The SELSA programme and commitment

What is the time commitment for SELSA?

SELSA has an average weekly commitment of 1 to 2 hours.

Is it possible to do SELSA alongside other extra-curricular activities?

Yes!  These extra-curricular activities count towards high impact projects SELSA students are required to carry out.  

Is SELSA supported by industry?

Yes, industry and national institutions are closely involved in shaping SELSA and developing students as a leader in a range of ways.  For example:

• mentoring students through activities

• offering guest talks

• hosting industry visits

• setting and supporting integrative projects

• providing financial sponsorship

One of the benefits of membership is being able to access and learn from this network during the programme, and as a graduate of it.

Are there networking opportunities with industry and employers?

Yes, this is a fundamental part of the programme. Students meet industry and research partners from the first day in the programme.  Industry and employers continue to work with students to help them develop skills and contextualise learning. There is also networking training to help students make the most of those opportunities. 

Following successful completion of the programme, students  graduate with a professional network of people who are experts in a range of different fields.

Is the programme delivered online or in person?

SELSA adopts a combination of in person sessions, online webinars as well as bespoke online courses. 

SELSA projects

Are the projects SELSA members work on tailored to students’ specific disciplines? 

SELSA is an interdisciplinary programme which means that students have the opportunity to work alongside engineers from all disciplines in the Faculty of Engineering.

Students contribute to the project based on their own disciplinary expertise, but also have the opportunity to learn how different engineering disciplines come together to solve problems. 

What high impact/ project options are there for students?

Students need to complete 4 projects (2 for each year that they are in the programme), this can include placements, part time work, student led engieering projects. The list is endless. The criteria is that it needs to be around 45 hours long. We do have 2 projects which students can opt in to- please see our high impact page for more details  

I'm doing another Co Curricular Activity (CCA).  Does this count towards a project?

Yes, another CCA can count as a high impact experience. 

Summer placements

How long are the summer placements?

All SELSA members are encouraged to find, secure and complete summer placements, each for a minimum of six weeks. 

Can I do a summer placement abroad?

Yes – placements can be in the UK or overseas.

What if I already have a summer placement lined up?

You can use this placement as part of your SELSA experience. You will simply need to give us the details of where you’ll be working, and the role you’ll be undertaking, about half way through your first year with us.

Does the Faculty organise the placement for students?

The Faculty provides lots of support and guidance to help students find and secure a placement themselves, in an area that interests them.

SELSA outcomes

How do students benefit from SELA after they have completed the programme?

SELSA graduates have often referenced the skills and experiences they have developed during the programme as playing a key role in helping them secure graduate opportunities in a range of directions.

SELSA after graduation

What is the role and time commitment after graduating from SELSA?

Following graduation from the University, graduates are often invited back to support SELSA at events such as bootcamp and other leadership workshops etc.