Sheffield was not a place that I had visited in my whole life until the day when I climbed in the car with my dad to visit my second choice university, Sheffield Hallam. I remember as we drove up and down the one way systems of Sheffield looking everywhere for a sign on the university, Collegiete ... Read review
Advantages: Friendly helpful, new feeling, good place to live Disadvantages: Some of the older buildings
Sheffield was not a place that I had visited in my whole life until the day when I climbed in the car with my dad to visit my second choice university, Sheffield Hallam. I remember as we drove up and down the one way systems of Sheffield looking everywhere for a sign on the university, Collegiete Crescent campus was well hidden and hard to find, so that got me off on a bit of a bad foot with the university. Little did I know how much my experience ... ...offer of a place with Sheffield Hallam.
MORE DISAPPOINTMENT
Once I had accepted a place I was annoyed to find that I hadn't got either of my choices for accomodation, but somewhere cheaper where I wouldn't have the ensuite bathroom I had requested. Of course I knew this was likely to be the case because I was so fixed on going to Leeds that I hadn't even considered applying for accomodation at Hallam.
Sheffield was not a place that I had visited in my whole life until the day when I climbed in the car with my dad to visit my second choice university, Sheffield Hallam. I remember as we drove up and down the one way systems of Sheffield looking everywhere for a sign on the university, Collegiete Crescent campus was well hidden and hard to find, so that got me off on a bit of a bad foot with the university. Little did I know how much my experience there would change my mind.
On the day that I received my A level results I fell to my knees and cried that things had not gone how I had planned them and that I would not be going to Leeds University like I had planned. After looking at the options available to me, I finally (reluctantly) accepted the offer of a place with Sheffield Hallam.
MORE DISAPPOINTMENT Once I had accepted a place I was annoyed to find that I hadn't got either of my choices for accomodation, but somewhere cheaper where I wouldn't have the ensuite bathroom I had requested. Of course I knew this was likely to be the case because I was so fixed on going to Leeds that I hadn't even considered applying for accomodation at Hallam.
THE MOMENT I GOT THERE EVERYTHING CHANGED When we eventually found my accomodation I found it much nicer than I had imagined, also a lot cheaper than my first and second choice accomodation. There was a security guard on 24 hours of the day, so whatever time everyone piled in drunk he was there to pick them up and take them to bed (and you have to give it to him he did when he had to). The city centre location meant that I didn't have to pay for a taxi to go anywhere and it was in walking distance of Collegiete crescent (the campus I was based on) and city campus (the main campus). For those who know Sheffield it was on Rockingham Street, a road that comes of West Street (one of the main streets for bars in Sheffield). My non-ensuite athroom turned out to be shared between two of us, so that was fine and it was obvious that although it hadn't been possible to give me an ensuite room, my priorities were taken into consideration.
FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS AT UNI These were a little bit hard, they involved lots of handouts and long talks about the systems in place at the university, the layout, expectations, the library. Exactly what you can expect from just about anywhere. However there was some "ice breaker activites". Now as a very shy person "Ice breaker" activites are a nightmare situation for me, I can never bring myself to talk to anyone, so I remain very quiet and then get told off for not taking part. The tutors were sensitive to the fact that we were all a little shy and provided activities that weren't too scary. An example is "People Bingo" where you are given a sheet with "find someone who..." and it has various things on such as "owns a dog" or "find three people who like pizza's" you just go round asking (everyone asks everyone), so you don't have to do any long uncomfortable conversations, then you have to get the name of the person to put on your sheet. We then had to write our hopes and fears for the course on pieces of paper and scrumple them up and the tutor read each out, it was relieving to know that so many people were afraid of the same things.
WHEN IT COMES TO ASSESSMENT The assessment on my course is all coursework based, although many courses do sit exams. We are always given plenty of time to complete our coursework and I feel that the support we receive is brilliant. Last semester I managed to get tonsillitis before my coursework was due in and the my personal tutor (who even rang me, with my permission, to discuss options with me) and subject tutors were very supportive, suggesting many ways to overcome this, I was told I could be granted an extension if I needed one but I worked hard to ensure that I got the work done without requesting one.
LIBRARIES I'm very much a home girl and since coming to Sheffield, I have become more so as I have discovered academic journals, online. This means I can spend as little time in the library as possible, although I do still have to get some books out. I don't really enjoy libraries much anyway, but my experience here hasn't been too bad. My experience of the library is based on the Collegiete Crescent Learning centre as I have never been to the Adsetts Centre (Main Learning Centre). One thing I would say about the Learning Centre is that it's lack on PC's is slightly disappointing, like I say I'm a home girl really so it's not a big deal for me, as I carry my own laptop anyway. But on the occassions I have needed to use a computer, often there hasn't been one available. You can get by this if you don't have a computer of your own as SHU opperates and online reservation system for PC's.
GETTING BOOKS OUT The university uses self service machines that are always useful, you can check books in and out on these without having to get them stamped. You just scan your card in and scan the bar code inside the book and it's yours for anywhere between 1day and 1 month depending on the book. You can renew your books online, meaning you don't have to go back into the library and check them in and out, although becareful because it is possible to work up some quite hefty fines. I believe that the fines are about 20p per book per day, but again I think that depends on the book itself as I'm sure a book on a month loan would carry a smaller fine per day than a book on a day loan. Don't be tempted not to take books back and renew them, as you will eventually be asked to pay for them, and the values of the books can be quite a lot. My friend owes £25 because he didn't take a book back for so long he was asked to pay for it. Although I can't say what will happen if he does return it now.
PRINTING Something I was very scared of - buying printer credits. Not sure why, I suppose I just wasn't sure what to say or who to ask. This has all been made very easy now by little machines, you put your username into them and pop some money in and they give you printer credits, no need to wait in a queue to see someone or to do anything complicated, it's really good. There are also some areas with scanners.
DISADVANTAGES Having been there 2 years I can only think of one major problem with the university and that is some (very few - we have only ever been in one) very old rooms. We spent some of our first year lectures in the "upper squash court" at Collegiete Crescent, it was cold, old and there was only one male & one female toilet. Having said that my tutor rang someone while we were there to try and get us a change of rooms and eventually she did manage, she told us that she didn't feel it was acceptable. So although this did happen, something was done about it.
THE AREA Sheffield has great night life and is also lovely to go for the day out, over the 3 years that I have been here I have discovered Graves Park (an animal park!), the botanical gardens (which are beautiful in the summer, and often have things going on), Meadowhall, brilliant for shopping!
EATING OUT Students on a budget - there is nothing to worry about! The Oriental Buffet is right next to the ponds forge tram stop and does an excellent Chinease buffet for a really reasonable price (about £7-£8 a head on an evening + £1 for a coke) but if you're feeling really skint they do a happy hour! There's also plenty of take aways that do great food, when living in city centre I would have recommended Harrys but Kebabish are also great if you love southern fried chicken, also try their potato wedges - they're to die for!
GETTING AROUND There is no doubt about it, the best way to get around in Sheffield is by tram, you can get a day rider for just £2.70 this allows you to go anywhere on the tram all day, but also includes some busses so if theres somewhere that the tram doesn't go you can jump on a bus and go.
AFTER 2 YEARS AT UNI I'm now moving into my third year at Hallam and I still enjoy it very much. It has a friendly atmosphere and always feels like the staff and university in general are there to help you and are not looking down on you as a student. Sheffield is a great city, I have lived in 3 different areas all of which I have really loved in their own way.
TAKING YOUR CAR? As I said there is really not much need for a car, it's difficult to park (unless you park and ride) and you can get pretty much anywhere by the tram. I have my car here at the moment and haven't had need to use it for nearly 2 weeks. I keep having to go outside and start it up so it doesn't break :(
WOULD I RECOMMEND COMING HERE Well that depends on you as a person, if you are looking for good nightlife and a city that's alive both day and night then Sheffield is certainly an option, but if you are looking for somewhere quiet to live, some areas of Sheffield offer this too. I'd like to say it's for everyone but in honesty I don't think it is, so I wouldn't recommend EVERYONE come here. What I would recommend is that if you think you are interested come and have a look. Don't do what I did and come, see the university, watch a presentation and then leave, take some time to go for a walk, get the bus or the tram into the city, check out a few pubs, just get a feel for the place.
Advantages: Lively, friendly and a hugely respected University. Disadvantages: Gatecrasher (best nightclub) burned down (rebuilding it though, yay!!)
...have ever made.
Sheffield Hallam's main 'City' campus is situated right in the heart of the city, 2 minutes walk from the beautifully renovated train station, 1 minute from the award winning Winter Gardens and approximately 0.5 seconds from the nearest pub (essential)! It is at this campus where most lectures take place, spread over 4/5 buildings. A good place to start about Hallam is probably to look at the 2 seperate campus', 'City' and 'Collegiate'.
... ...Sorry about how long winded this all got, I just wanted to cover most bases and give people a good idea about what to expect when coming to Sheffield Hallam. If you should need any more information then please do message me and i will try my best to help. ...
dandrews010 22.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sheffield Hallam University
Advantages: location, staff, modern buildings Disadvantages: the "learning centre" is skimpy on books
Sheffield Hallam University is perhaps the most impressive of the former Polytechnic universities. Its tradition of offering vocational courses, added to the fact that the main campus is situated a few minutes walk away from the city centre and train station, makes it an ideal place to study part time or at a postgraduate level, and makes commuting a possibility.
The hub of activity at the main campus is the atrium, from which all of the main undergraduate ... ...with a progressive attitude to learning. First year students at undergraduate level are guaranteed accommodation, but since Sheffield is a cheap place to live finding rooms is fairly easy via the uni-run Accommodation Agency if need be. If you are considering postgraduate study in particular, I would recommend it wholeheartedly. ...
inspiralcarpet 10.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sheffield Hallam University
Advantages: Great night life and really friendly people Disadvantages: Built on hills
...any other universities check out Sheffield Hallam. As soon as I first visited on the open day I immediately fell in love, not only with the vibarent atmostsphere and frendly people but also the feel and layout of the university immediately make you feel at home.
The facilities are well above the stanard of many I have seen, espevcially the IT facilities, SHU has one of the highest number of computers per students. One of the main advantages of the ... ...ideal for finishing any late assignments. The university is split between 3 campuses, City campus right in the heart of Sheffield, Colligiate Campus situated on the famous student area Ecesall Road, with it collection of pubs and shops and well as resaraunt and an abundance of accomadation and Pslater Lane.
Because I'm in my first year I applied for halls of residence and there is nothing else I can say but wow. I was placed at Bramall Court, a ...
sally_x_uk 17.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sheffield Hallam University
Advantages: Location, Modern, Nightlife Disadvantages: The exercise you get when travelling to/from campus
...finished my first year at sheffield hallam university and I loved every minute of it. Sheffield Hallam is split into 3 campus's with the main campus being in the city centre. Most of the business course's being there, the law, healthcare and childcare being at the collegiate campus and the practical at psalter lane campus. As I am at the city campus I can't give too much detail on the other 2 campus's, but collegiate is located about 25 minutes walk ... ...student houses (does have some Sheffield Uni students living in the area) and Psalter lane located out of town. I've never been to Psalter lane but the gym and library at collegiate are good. The city centre campus is opposite Sheffield train station with the bus station and tram stop also opposite the campus, there are plenty of pubs in the area offering cheap student drinks and meal offers and the high street only a few minutes away.
Sheffield ...
beer_spy 09.08.2006 (10.08.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sheffield Hallam University
Advantages: Excellent facilities if you are a computing/science/english student Disadvantages: Arts facilities are poor, Psalter library appalling
...Psalter Lane aside, Sheffield is a lovely, friendly and attractive city, and the City campus is a modern and professional environment in which to study your (non-Arts) subject. Business and computing courses are very well taught I've been told. The main student union could have much better provision for entertainment, as, unfortunately, SHU loses most of the passing bands and artists to Sheffield University, as their concert venues are far superior. ... ...to study - especially since the revamp and extention to the old library. Students (mostly English, History and Communication Studies) study in large old houses set in leafy surroundings, rather reminiscent of parts of Oxford. It is rumoured that Psalter Lane Campus (which is to b
e pulled down in 2002 and the arts subjects to be rehoused)is to move either into the Cultural Industries Quarter in the city, or moved into existing buildings on Collegiate ...
ihatebroccoli 12.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sheffield Hallam University
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In my first year at university at sheffieldhallam uni, i won a prize for the best marks and the prize was sponsored by Ford. They offered me a job pretty much straight away, for my placement year, and said If i was interested in workign for the company after my degree to get in touch with them. I am unsure as to the status of Ford in this country following the "reorganisation" of the Dagenham plant.
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