Hey! So there are two main types of University accommodation based on the location: City and Endcliffe/ Ranmoor. City accommodation is closer to the
main University buildings and the city centre while the latter is like a 20 minute walk from the main University square. Endcliffe and Ranmoor are
bigger student villages, has their own cafe, bar, gym etc and it's really pretty too since it's outside the city. But if you prefer convenience, then living in the City accommodation would be more suitable for you. I lived in City accommodation in my first year (Allen Court) and I absolutely loved it. I was really lucky that my flatmates were great and really helpful and friendly. We were 6 in my flat. I had an ensuite room, so I had my own room and my own bathroom but I shared the kitchen and the living space with my flatmates. It was really spacious and comfortable and we had lots of cupboards etc to keep our things around. Everyone has their own room here, it's just about having a shared bathroom or an ensuite room and the location and price.
The city accommodation also has Broad Lane Court which is mostly shared bathrooms I think and is a bit cheaper than Allen Court. The shared bathroom accommodations are cleaned by the University cleaners every fortnight - like the bathroom and the kitchen would be cleaned for you every 15 days. The EnSuite ones you would have to do it yourself. You can check out all the pictures and 360° videos on the University website of the
accommodation webpage. Also, being in University accommodation, there were loads of activities to be involved with (as part of Residence life) like free
ukelele sessions to free badminton/ squash sessions, potluck, trips etc.
You get a ResLife card if you live in University accommodation which entitles you to discounts in other University events too. For example, societies run a lot of Give it a Go (GIAG) events where students living in University accommodation get like around £2 off tickets. GIAG events are essentially like taster events where you can just try out a new thing or something from a society without actually having to join the society or pay like the full price.
Like I tried bouldering with my flatmate in my first year and that was great for my flatmate cause I wasn't strong enough 😂 but it was a pretty good environment like there was no judgement or anything whatsoever - there were loads of beginners just like me who were struggling hahaha.
I also tried squash in one of the GIAG sessions and I really enjoyed it so I ended up joining the society and have been a member ever since!!
There are over 300 clubs and societies in the Students' Union and you can join any of them if you want. There's an Indian Society too but you can join societies from other countries too - there's no barriers against that. I'm an Indian student studying here so I know it must be a bit stressful to sort everything out but everyone is quite friendly and supportive here.
The living costs really vary on your lifestyle but as an estimate, I spend around £30 per week for food, going out (in case) and other miscellaneous costs.
Let me know if you want to know anything else.
-Sanchari
Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield