Access Sheffield recognises that everyone has the potential to progress to higher education but may have different circumstances and barriers to overcome. You might be eligible for additional support to help you access education at Sheffield. Discover more on the University’s Access Sheffield webpages.
Outreach at the University of Sheffield
Funded by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, Hepp brings together all those with an interest in promoting higher level education and skills to young people and adults across South Yorkshire.
This strategic partnership encourages:
- Collaboration – we add value to existing activity and can achieve greater impact for all partners
- Signposting – our strategic partnership approach ensures we plan activities that link to other local initiatives and partnerships where appropriate. We also signpost to existing outreach activity in South Yorkshire.
- Impartiality – we provide independent and impartial information and advice
The University of Sheffield is a world top-100 university (QS World University Rankings 2027), and recognised as one of the top 20 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University rankings: UK 2026). Students at Sheffield benefit from research-led teaching at a Russell Group university – one of just 24 universities in the UK recognised for their world-class research.
With 400+ student-led sports clubs and societies and a diverse student body of 30,000 students from over 150 countries, the University of Sheffield is known for its outstanding student experience. The University is also home to the UK’s no. 1 Students’ Union (StudentCrowd Awards 2026), which offers a wide range of student support services to support students through their studies and beyond.
Everyone’s journey to higher education is different, and the University is committed to raising skills across the region through its placement, apprenticeship and widening access activity, alongside support for local employers to access talented graduates. The University is also working with regional partners to drive urban development across our campus and the wider city.
The University delivers a number of transition activities for Schools and Colleges to assist their students with progression to Higher Education and offers information, advice and guidance about how to effectively research Higher Education institutions and courses. Through a range of activities with schools and colleges, the University is working to encourage engagement with the journey into higher education. Discover more on their Schools and colleges webpages.
Schemes
The University’s dedicated virtual schools hub ensures that schools and colleges are kept up to date with the most relevant higher education information and guidance. There’s resources for teachers and advisers, transition videos, virtual presentations and so much more. Take a look at the virtual schools hub.
The University is committed to ensuring that students get the support they need at each stage of their journey. Their team of experts are able to understand the often complex requirements that you may have if you’re care experienced or have become estranged from your family, and can offer a wide range of support. Discover more on the University’s support for care experienced and estranged students webpages.
The University of Sheffield welcomes prospective students to campus so they can get a feel for student life at Sheffield. You can join us for an open day or a campus tour. At open days you can attend subject talks, and visit the information fair, and take a tour of the University. The tour includes the main University buildings, student accommodation and sports facilities. If you are unable to make it to campus, the University also offers virtual tours with student vloggers. Attend an open day, book a tour, or take part in a virtual tour, on the open day and campus tours webpages.
University of Sheffield student ambassadors are the best people to tell you about what studying at Sheffield is like. You can chat to a wide range of current students on the University’s ‘chat to our students’ webpage.
Sheffield is a diverse city that caters for people of all backgrounds, so there’s lots to discover beyond campus. The hubs have been developed in collaboration with our student community and bring together tailored information, resources, and guidance for all students to help you make the most of your time at university. Discover more on the BAME Hub webpage.
Subject taster sessions help students experience what it’s like to study at the University of Sheffield. The interactive sessions are for year 12 and 13 students who are considering their post-16 options. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and the sessions are delivered both online and on-campus. Discover what subject taster sessions you can sign up for on the subject tasters webpages.