Open Day FAQs
Do I need to book?
Yes. Each prospective student can book to attend just the Open Day (where you will be welcome to participate in various activities including attending talks on student life, taking a walking tour of our campus, and visiting an example of student accommodation). Or, you can book to attend the Open Day with one departmental talk, where you will find out more information about the course you are interested in and meet staff from the department.
What time does the day start and finish?
Our Open Days begin at 10am and finish at approximately 4pm but how you plan your day is up to you. However, we do ask that you attend the departmental talk at the time that you have booked to attend.
Where can I park?
Parking on and around campus is limited. As with all major UK cities, parking in the centre of Sheffield can also be difficult. If you do come by car, we strongly recommend using the Supertram park-and-ride system, which will take you directly to the University of Sheffield tram stop.
From the M1, exit at Junction 33 for the Nunnery Square park-and-ride site, or Junction 34 for the Meadowhall Interchange park-and-ride site. From either site, take the yellow route tram towards Middlewood.
If you're coming to Sheffield from the West (via the A628 or A61) then use the Middlewood park-and-ride site. Take the yellow route tram towards Meadowhall.
For more information on travelling to the University, please visit our web page below.
Can I attend more than one department talk?
You are only able to book a place on one departmental talk. If you are interested in more than one subject, please come and speak to the staff on the General Information desk, which will be based in the Octagon Centre on the day. If there are places still available on other talks, you will be more than welcome to attend.
Please note that there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to secure a place this way. Places are usually allocated on a first come first serve basis prior to the start of the talk. Admission to departmental talks is made at the discretion of the department holding that talk and is subject to space actually being available at the venue.
How long do departmental talks last?
Departmental talks will last between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the talk, but please allow up to 1.5 hours for questions and answers at the end of the talk.
I've booked a place on a departmental talk. Can I change my booking?
It may be possible to change your booking if you contact us well in advance of the Open Day you have booked to attend. Please note that the closer we are to the Open Day date, availability on other talks is often very limited. Please contact us for more information.
How long do the general talks last?
These last 30 minutes, but you may wish to allow extra time for finding a seat at the beginning and listening to questions following each talk.
Can I bring my friends?
You are more than welcome to bring your friends and family to the Open Day, but we can't guarantee parents and family a place at the departmental talks, as there are limited spaces. In such cases, priority needs to be given to prospective students. In the event that your parents or family members are unable to attend the departmental talk with you, they are more than welcome to take part in one of the tours, go to one of the talks taking place, or even just relax with a cup of coffee in the café area of the Octagon Centre, or one of our other catering outlets.
Do you have disabled access?
The University buildings are situated near the centre of Sheffield. The campus area comprises both new and old buildings.
Physical access varies and some buildings are not accessible. Due to financial constraints and planning regulations it may not always be possible to make necessary adjustments. Where existing building restrictions make access difficult, we will try and make alternative arrangements for you, although we do need advance notice in order to do this.
Areas that are at present inaccessible to people with impaired mobility are being continually reviewed and where possible measures will be taken in the future to make further improvements.
If you do have a disability, it is important that you let a member of the UK Recruitment Team know, so we can try to ensure you will have access to the buildings you will need during your visit. Also, if you are a disabled badge holder, we may be able to reserve car parking for you, as long as we are informed about this in advance of the Open Day.
How to contact us before the Open Day
Our Disability and Dyslexia Support Service can also offer further advice on access to buildings, car parking and other facilities.
Will I receive Open Day information by email or post?
When you book a place on one of our Open Days, you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours, which contains useful information about our Open Days. If you do not receive this email after you have made your booking, please contact us on 0114 222 9872.
Approximately two weeks before the Open Day you will receive a confirmation letter, an Open Day Programme, and a Map of our campus through the post.
It's less than two weeks before the Open Day and I still haven't received any information from you by post. What shall I do?
If for any reason you have not received your letter, programme and map before you depart for the Open Day, please do not worry. Key information included in the letter regarding issues such as travel and parking is repeated here on our FAQ webpage and you can download a map and our Open Day programme from our website.
Please also print the email confirmation that you received when you originally booked a place on the Open Day (plus any other important correspondence you may have had with us regarding your departmental talk) and bring this with you. Maps and programmes will also be available to collect in person from the General Information stand in the Octagon Centre on the day.
I will be travelling quite a long distance and was wondering if there were any opportunities to stay in University accommodation overnight?
Accommodation is now available for anyone attending the Open Day on 4th September 2012. If you would like to experience staying in University accommodation we have special Open Day packages available. To book accommodation please follow the link below.
There are also a number of hotels and B&Bs in Sheffield, please visit the Welcome to Sheffield website for more information:
Can I go on a campus tour during the open day?
Yes. There will be guided walking tours of our campus on offer every fifteen minutes throughout the day. Led by a trained Student Ambassador, these tours cover the main buildings and facilities on campus and offer prospective students and parents the perfect opportunity to meet a current University of Sheffield student. The final tour leaves at 3pm and you will need to collect a ticket for the tour that you wish to join. Information regarding ticket collection points will be available in our Open Day Programme.
I have a mobility impairment. Can I still take part in a campus tour?
Yes. Please visit our General Information Desk who will call upon the next available ambassador to guide you around our Campus.
Can I visit an example of your student accommodation during the Open Day?
Yes. There will be tours running throughout the day to the student accommodation village. You do not need to book in advance, just turn up to the meeting point on Durham Road where you will be directed by one of our students ambassadors.
You will be shown around one of the student apartments and get to talk to existing students about life at the student village.
Coaches are being provided for your convenience on the day but the accommodation is only a 15 minute walk from the main University buildings. For directions, please ask a student ambassador on the day.
We recommend that you allow approximately an hour for an accommodation tour (excluding queuing time).
I am a teacher and would like to bring a group of students to one of your Open Days. How can I make a booking?
Please email ukrec@sheffield.ac.uk with the following information:
- the approximate number of students who would like to attend each departmental talk
- your expected arrival and departure times
- your name
- the address of the school/college
We can then make the booking for you. The UK Recruitment team will get in touch with you to confirm your booking. We will also send you a form for each student to complete and bring with them on the day.
Please email us and one of the team will contact you within 48 hours.
Who can I contact if I have any further questions?
Get in touch with the UK Recruitment team via email at: ukrec@sheffield.ac.uk.