University of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield Postgraduate Social Life
I’m hoping to do a taught MA (real estate planning and development) at Sheffield next year and I just wondered what to expect with regards to social life. From what I’ve gathered the nightlife in Sheffield is pretty good and I just wondered how much of it I should realistically expect to get to experience?
My main concerns are that postgrads have too much work to go out very often - if anyone that is doing/has done the course or a similar one could offer some insight into this it would be greatly appreciated. Also, are postgrads in general integrated into the social life of undergrads or are they very much separate? I’d like to join a few societies and maybe try out cheerleading but I’m not sure if I’d stick out like a sore thumb (although I do have a baby face…) or if postgrads are particularly welcome.
Any advice regarding how to make friends as a postgrad e.g. where to live, groups to join, things to do etc. would be very welcome. Thank you!!
p.s. I'll be 22 next year and straight out of undergrad if that gives some perspective?
My main concerns are that postgrads have too much work to go out very often - if anyone that is doing/has done the course or a similar one could offer some insight into this it would be greatly appreciated. Also, are postgrads in general integrated into the social life of undergrads or are they very much separate? I’d like to join a few societies and maybe try out cheerleading but I’m not sure if I’d stick out like a sore thumb (although I do have a baby face…) or if postgrads are particularly welcome.
Any advice regarding how to make friends as a postgrad e.g. where to live, groups to join, things to do etc. would be very welcome. Thank you!!
p.s. I'll be 22 next year and straight out of undergrad if that gives some perspective?
(edited 6 years ago)
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I did my undergrad at Sheffield, and am currently doing my postgrad at KCL. I'm also 22, straight out of my undergrad, but am living at home.
With regards to Sheffield specifically, there was a pretty clear undergrad/postgrad divide, but you'll probably be fine in something unrelated to your studies like cheerleading. If, as you said, you look the age, then I see no reason for why you might stick out. The subject specific societies were all usually undergrad dominated, so you probably won't have much luck there, but you'll be fine everywhere else (particularly in the smaller societies, where everyone is a lot more friendly and where it is easier to find familiar faces). Sheffield's SU is amazing - definitely take advantage of its societies, facilities, events etc. There is a reason why it has been voted the best SU in the UK for a number of years.
Most Sheffield postgrads lived in Allen Court. Endcliffe and Randmoor are almost entirely Freshers - you would definitely stick out there, and I certainly wouldn't enjoy it as a 22 year old. That said, you can opt for a postgraduate only flat in those villages - something tells me those postgraduates would be a little more up for socialising. Like I said, the smaller societies might be best, so if you have any quirky interests, give those a try. Cheerleading shouldn't be a problem, although it is quite big. Sport societies will usually have a small number of postgrads.
I met quite a few postgrads in Sheffield as a Residential mentor, and my experience of them was that their social life was as good as they wanted. The home students were typically less interested in going out, meeting people etc, whilst the international postgrads were almost as crazy in that regard as freshers. I suppose if you have already studied at Sheffield or have a friendship group nearby, there's no real motivation for making an effort with people that you might just see for the year. I would advise you go for all the events your department advertises for postgrads, and try to mingle with the internationals if the home student crowd on your course aren't very active.
With regards to workload, I can only really comment on my own. It is a lot, but if you manage your time well, you should be fine. The number and size of assessments have increased slightly, but the reading is about the same. Whereas during undergrad it's more concentrated towards the end of term, postgrad seems to be more spread out. So think of it as constant low-stress, rather than mostly relaxation until a high dose of stress at the end! This is all dependent on your course structure though. Socialising on my course has been quite good, but that might be because it is a very career-related course so people seem keener to make contacts.
I hope that helps. Feel free to reply or message me if you have any other q's!
With regards to Sheffield specifically, there was a pretty clear undergrad/postgrad divide, but you'll probably be fine in something unrelated to your studies like cheerleading. If, as you said, you look the age, then I see no reason for why you might stick out. The subject specific societies were all usually undergrad dominated, so you probably won't have much luck there, but you'll be fine everywhere else (particularly in the smaller societies, where everyone is a lot more friendly and where it is easier to find familiar faces). Sheffield's SU is amazing - definitely take advantage of its societies, facilities, events etc. There is a reason why it has been voted the best SU in the UK for a number of years.
Most Sheffield postgrads lived in Allen Court. Endcliffe and Randmoor are almost entirely Freshers - you would definitely stick out there, and I certainly wouldn't enjoy it as a 22 year old. That said, you can opt for a postgraduate only flat in those villages - something tells me those postgraduates would be a little more up for socialising. Like I said, the smaller societies might be best, so if you have any quirky interests, give those a try. Cheerleading shouldn't be a problem, although it is quite big. Sport societies will usually have a small number of postgrads.
I met quite a few postgrads in Sheffield as a Residential mentor, and my experience of them was that their social life was as good as they wanted. The home students were typically less interested in going out, meeting people etc, whilst the international postgrads were almost as crazy in that regard as freshers. I suppose if you have already studied at Sheffield or have a friendship group nearby, there's no real motivation for making an effort with people that you might just see for the year. I would advise you go for all the events your department advertises for postgrads, and try to mingle with the internationals if the home student crowd on your course aren't very active.
With regards to workload, I can only really comment on my own. It is a lot, but if you manage your time well, you should be fine. The number and size of assessments have increased slightly, but the reading is about the same. Whereas during undergrad it's more concentrated towards the end of term, postgrad seems to be more spread out. So think of it as constant low-stress, rather than mostly relaxation until a high dose of stress at the end! This is all dependent on your course structure though. Socialising on my course has been quite good, but that might be because it is a very career-related course so people seem keener to make contacts.
I hope that helps. Feel free to reply or message me if you have any other q's!
(edited 6 years ago)
University of Sheffield
Sheffield
Original post by cran8rook
I did my undergrad at Sheffield, and am currently doing my postgrad at KCL. I'm also 22, straight out of my undergrad, but am living at home.
With regards to Sheffield specifically, there was a pretty clear undergrad/postgrad divide, but you'll probably be fine in something unrelated to your studies like cheerleading. If, as you said, you look the age, then I see no reason for why you might stick out. The subject specific societies were all usually undergrad dominated, so you probably won't have much luck there, but you'll be fine everywhere else (particularly in the smaller societies, where everyone is a lot more friendly and where it is easier to find familiar faces). Sheffield's SU is amazing - definitely take advantage of its societies, facilities, events etc. There is a reason why it has been voted the best SU in the UK for a number of years.
Most Sheffield postgrads lived in Allen Court. Endcliffe and Randmoor are almost entirely Freshers - you would definitely stick out there, and I certainly wouldn't enjoy it as a 22 year old. That said, you can opt for a postgraduate only flat in those villages - something tells me those postgraduates would be a little more up for socialising. Like I said, the smaller societies might be best, so if you have any quirky interests, give those a try. Cheerleading shouldn't be a problem, although it is quite big. Sport societies will usually have a small number of postgrads.
I met quite a few postgrads in Sheffield as a Residential mentor, and my experience of them was that their social life was as good as they wanted. The home students were typically less interested in going out, meeting people etc, whilst the international postgrads were almost as crazy in that regard as freshers. I suppose if you have already studied at Sheffield or have a friendship group nearby, there's no real motivation for making an effort with people that you might just see for the year. I would advise you go for all the events your department advertises for postgrads, and try to mingle with the internationals if the home student crowd on your course aren't very active.
With regards to workload, I can only really comment on my own. It is a lot, but if you manage your time well, you should be fine. The number and size of assessments have increased slightly, but the reading is about the same. Whereas during undergrad it's more concentrated towards the end of term, postgrad seems to be more spread out. So think of it as constant low-stress, rather than mostly relaxation until a high dose of stress at the end! This is all dependent on your course structure though. Socialising on my course has been quite good, but that might be because it is a very career-related course so people seem keener to make contacts.
I hope that helps. Feel free to reply or message me if you have any other q's!
With regards to Sheffield specifically, there was a pretty clear undergrad/postgrad divide, but you'll probably be fine in something unrelated to your studies like cheerleading. If, as you said, you look the age, then I see no reason for why you might stick out. The subject specific societies were all usually undergrad dominated, so you probably won't have much luck there, but you'll be fine everywhere else (particularly in the smaller societies, where everyone is a lot more friendly and where it is easier to find familiar faces). Sheffield's SU is amazing - definitely take advantage of its societies, facilities, events etc. There is a reason why it has been voted the best SU in the UK for a number of years.
Most Sheffield postgrads lived in Allen Court. Endcliffe and Randmoor are almost entirely Freshers - you would definitely stick out there, and I certainly wouldn't enjoy it as a 22 year old. That said, you can opt for a postgraduate only flat in those villages - something tells me those postgraduates would be a little more up for socialising. Like I said, the smaller societies might be best, so if you have any quirky interests, give those a try. Cheerleading shouldn't be a problem, although it is quite big. Sport societies will usually have a small number of postgrads.
I met quite a few postgrads in Sheffield as a Residential mentor, and my experience of them was that their social life was as good as they wanted. The home students were typically less interested in going out, meeting people etc, whilst the international postgrads were almost as crazy in that regard as freshers. I suppose if you have already studied at Sheffield or have a friendship group nearby, there's no real motivation for making an effort with people that you might just see for the year. I would advise you go for all the events your department advertises for postgrads, and try to mingle with the internationals if the home student crowd on your course aren't very active.
With regards to workload, I can only really comment on my own. It is a lot, but if you manage your time well, you should be fine. The number and size of assessments have increased slightly, but the reading is about the same. Whereas during undergrad it's more concentrated towards the end of term, postgrad seems to be more spread out. So think of it as constant low-stress, rather than mostly relaxation until a high dose of stress at the end! This is all dependent on your course structure though. Socialising on my course has been quite good, but that might be because it is a very career-related course so people seem keener to make contacts.
I hope that helps. Feel free to reply or message me if you have any other q's!
Thank you so much for your advice! I was thinking of finding a spare room in a flat with current students or other postgrads actually because halls seemed quite expensive in comparison to rents I've seen... is this a good idea? Also good to hear about your course as mine too is very career related (a conversion degree to become a property surveyor)!!
Original post by MinnieD
Thank you so much for your advice! I was thinking of finding a spare room in a flat with current students or other postgrads actually because halls seemed quite expensive in comparison to rents I've seen...
Yes that's definitely a good idea. Private halls are also a reasonable middle ground, although many are for the upper end of the market so you're still looking at about £6,000 for the year, perhaps £5000 for something lower down the market.
Accommodation for UoS tends to be expensive in general though unless you sacrifice walking distance and/or quality.
Original post by MinnieD
Thank you so much for your advice! I was thinking of finding a spare room in a flat with current students or other postgrads actually because halls seemed quite expensive in comparison to rents I've seen... is this a good idea? Also good to hear about your course as mine too is very career related (a conversion degree to become a property surveyor)!!
Adding to the above, a spare room is definitely best cost-wise. The vast majority of postgrads go private, especially home students.
The usual commuting time for students living privately is between 15-30 mins, so it's not too different from the main halls anyway. The houses/rooms closest to uni (within a 10 min walk) get taken up quite quickly, so you should start looking as soon as possible if you want to avoid a longer walk or hike up some of the awful hills.
(Don't worry too much about the hills though, you'll get used to them quickly and they serve as a good workout if you can't be bothered for the gym!)
Original post by cran8rook
Adding to the above, a spare room is definitely best cost-wise. The vast majority of postgrads go private, especially home students.
The usual commuting time for students living privately is between 15-30 mins, so it's not too different from the main halls anyway. The houses/rooms closest to uni (within a 10 min walk) get taken up quite quickly, so you should start looking as soon as possible if you want to avoid a longer walk or hike up some of the awful hills.
(Don't worry too much about the hills though, you'll get used to them quickly and they serve as a good workout if you can't be bothered for the gym!)
The usual commuting time for students living privately is between 15-30 mins, so it's not too different from the main halls anyway. The houses/rooms closest to uni (within a 10 min walk) get taken up quite quickly, so you should start looking as soon as possible if you want to avoid a longer walk or hike up some of the awful hills.
(Don't worry too much about the hills though, you'll get used to them quickly and they serve as a good workout if you can't be bothered for the gym!)
Thank you for your advice! Do you have any idea how I would go about finding a spare room? I have been looking on spareroom.com but I noticed that most of the rooms on there were to rent right now rather than for next September... or maybe I'm just looking a bit too early? I was thinking of trying to get help from the uni (the property place in the union??) but as I'm not yet a student I wasn't sure how much help I could get...
Original post by MinnieD
Thank you for your advice! Do you have any idea how I would go about finding a spare room? I have been looking on spareroom.com but I noticed that most of the rooms on there were to rent right now rather than for next September... or maybe I'm just looking a bit too early? I was thinking of trying to get help from the uni (the property place in the union??) but as I'm not yet a student I wasn't sure how much help I could get...
I only ever went private with friends, so I'm not too sure.
I suspect that Facebook will have groups for people looking for rooms / people finding others to room search with.
The SU's propertywithUS is a good shout though. My high regard for the union is just as much for their student support as it is for the usual stuff, and I think they'll help you out if you send them evidence of you holding an offer. I know that they help students advertise room/themselves as potential room-takers. They should also be holding an event sometime towards the end of this calendar year and probably more next year for students to meet each other under the pretext of needing a room.
Currently in the last year of my PhD, have found it way easier socially than undergrad! Especially if you're keen to make friends, you'll have no problem.
Original post by Helenarems
Currently in the last year of my PhD, have found it way easier socially than undergrad! Especially if you're keen to make friends, you'll have no problem.
Oh really!? I'm quite surprised by that especially considering it's a PhD! Why do you think that is? Do you have more time now or do you think it's something in particular you have done? Were you at a different uni for undergrad?
Original post by MinnieD
Oh really!? I'm quite surprised by that especially considering it's a PhD! Why do you think that is? Do you have more time now or do you think it's something in particular you have done? Were you at a different uni for undergrad?
I think because you need a support network more, so in my experience everyone is pretty keen to make friends! I've found that the work is more 9-5 (ish...) than an undergrad so you have more regular evening schedules. I think also because you're in a group of more similarly minded, and often really interesting/diverse, people, compared to just a lot of UK school leavers as I found in undergrad. Just get all your masters friends to do a regular pub trip after a lecture or something and you'll be set! Also, the uni clubs aren't just for undergrads- if you fancy one then don't hesitate to join. Just go along to everything at the beginning and you'll find lots of people.
Congrats- you'll love it!
Does anyone have any experience of postgrad halls at Sheffield? I'm trying to work out what will be more sociable... Don't want to end up in a flat with a bunch of really quiet postgrads but then I worry about missing out on the social aspect of halls. If I went private then I'd be able to hopefully choose a spare room in a house with sociable people but then I might struggle to meet people outside of just them... Anyone done either of these options?
Original post by MinnieD
Does anyone have any experience of postgrad halls at Sheffield? I'm trying to work out what will be more sociable... Don't want to end up in a flat with a bunch of really quiet postgrads but then I worry about missing out on the social aspect of halls. If I went private then I'd be able to hopefully choose a spare room in a house with sociable people but then I might struggle to meet people outside of just them... Anyone done either of these options?
Not me but a friend, he went into a spare room in a house. There are quite a few houses which rent out room-by-room to postgrads, though they come up late and aren't always well advertised.
He absolutely loved his flatmates and made a lot of friends on his course, got involved with a bunch of new hobbies and it was probably his most sociable year at uni really.
I think a lot of home student postgrads change uni for their masters to get a change of scenery and experience the feeling of first year again where you're meeting tonnes of new people and it's generally quite exciting. So I wouldn't worry too much about quiet postgrads
This thread is like a year old but I had about the same doubts so thought I'd just post here.
I'm doing an MA Taught course and just switched from Allen Court to Endcliffe in my room selection. Is Cratcliffe a good option for an international postgrad student? I don't want to be out partying every night, but I would like to have some fun when I'm at uni. Allen Court is almost £1500 more than the Cratcliffe accomm but it is just 5 mins from the Arts Tower which is where my classes will be.
Not sure which to pick really. Any suggestions would be helpful. Definitely need an en-suite though.
I'm doing an MA Taught course and just switched from Allen Court to Endcliffe in my room selection. Is Cratcliffe a good option for an international postgrad student? I don't want to be out partying every night, but I would like to have some fun when I'm at uni. Allen Court is almost £1500 more than the Cratcliffe accomm but it is just 5 mins from the Arts Tower which is where my classes will be.
Not sure which to pick really. Any suggestions would be helpful. Definitely need an en-suite though.
Original post by meghana2710
This thread is like a year old but I had about the same doubts so thought I'd just post here.
I'm doing an MA Taught course and just switched from Allen Court to Endcliffe in my room selection. Is Cratcliffe a good option for an international postgrad student? I don't want to be out partying every night, but I would like to have some fun when I'm at uni. Allen Court is almost £1500 more than the Cratcliffe accomm but it is just 5 mins from the Arts Tower which is where my classes will be.
Not sure which to pick really. Any suggestions would be helpful. Definitely need an en-suite though.
I'm doing an MA Taught course and just switched from Allen Court to Endcliffe in my room selection. Is Cratcliffe a good option for an international postgrad student? I don't want to be out partying every night, but I would like to have some fun when I'm at uni. Allen Court is almost £1500 more than the Cratcliffe accomm but it is just 5 mins from the Arts Tower which is where my classes will be.
Not sure which to pick really. Any suggestions would be helpful. Definitely need an en-suite though.
I'll be in Cratcliffe as well! I've been to visit the accommodation at Endcliffe and it's not that far from the uni, about 20 - 30 min walk, depending on how fast you go, there are buses too. Technically Cratcliffe is right on the edge of Endcliffe, so you are on the side closet to uni if that helps. There is also a minibus for women that goes from the student union/library for a few hours each night, apparently they can take you right to your door. If you stay in Endcliffe I think you're also allowed to use the fitness equipment up in Ranmoor. Possibly the accommodation in City has been recently refurbished and that's the reason for the price difference, maybe?
Nice! Hope to meet you when I'm there.I don't remember which flat I picked, but I suppose they only get firmly assigned in July.
Which course have you applied for?
Thank you for the information. Since I am an overseas student I don't have the option of visiting. The bus for women sounds pretty convenient.
Which course have you applied for?
Thank you for the information. Since I am an overseas student I don't have the option of visiting. The bus for women sounds pretty convenient.
Original post by hypotrochoids
I'll be in Cratcliffe as well! I've been to visit the accommodation at Endcliffe and it's not that far from the uni, about 20 - 30 min walk, depending on how fast you go, there are buses too. Technically Cratcliffe is right on the edge of Endcliffe, so you are on the side closet to uni if that helps. There is also a minibus for women that goes from the student union/library for a few hours each night, apparently they can take you right to your door. If you stay in Endcliffe I think you're also allowed to use the fitness equipment up in Ranmoor. Possibly the accommodation in City has been recently refurbished and that's the reason for the price difference, maybe?
Also does anyone know as an MA postgrad student whether I should be applying for a 42-week or a 51-week contract?
Original post by meghana2710
Also does anyone know as an MA postgrad student whether I should be applying for a 42-week or a 51-week contract?
51 weeks for a postgraduate as you will need to be there over the summer.
A lot of people will do an initial 42 week contract then find a short let for the last month or so however as it can often be cheaper.
(edited 5 years ago)
Are the short lets easy to find? I don't want to risk it, if it's not cheaper by a significant amount. This would also mean moving all my stuff out twice in 10 weeks right?
Original post by Helloworld_95
51 weeks for a postgraduate as you will need to be there over the summer.
A lot of people will do an initial 42 week contract then find a short let for the last month or so however as it can often be cheaper.
A lot of people will do an initial 42 week contract then find a short let for the last month or so however as it can often be cheaper.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by meghana2710
Nice! Hope to meet you when I'm there.I don't remember which flat I picked, but I suppose they only get firmly assigned in July.
Which course have you applied for?
Thank you for the information. Since I am an overseas student I don't have the option of visiting. The bus for women sounds pretty convenient.
Which course have you applied for?
Thank you for the information. Since I am an overseas student I don't have the option of visiting. The bus for women sounds pretty convenient.
I think I'm in block B. I'm actually an undergrad student, because of how old I am, I'm getting to go in with the postgraduate students instead. There is a section in the accommodation bit with links to facebook groups if you want to try find your flatmates
Just checked. I'm in E.
But I'm booked on uni accom only as a safety as of now. I might probably shift to private halls once my visa comes through since its much cheaper.
But I'm booked on uni accom only as a safety as of now. I might probably shift to private halls once my visa comes through since its much cheaper.
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