I have received a conditional offer from both Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam university, but i don't really know which one to choose. I'm really keen about coming to Sheffield anyway and both courses look ideal for me but i was wondering if any had any advice or info about either of these unis. I'm particularly interested in:

1) which one is better located

2) which one has the better accomodation, and any recommendations? (I've received the pack for Hallam Accomodation and was interested in the following: Exchange Works, Leadmill Point, Liberty Court, London Road, Phoenix Court and Victoria Buildings.)

3) Any advice for the safest areas, and areas to avoid.

4) Also any information about Ecclesall Road, which i heard was a great place for pubs etc.

Any help at all would be much appreciated!

I know people will proabably contradict me on this for those Student that are at Hallam.

But I would go to Sheffield, it is the better University in terms of future Job Prospects. It also has one of the best Unions and Entertainment Venues in the Country.

First Year Accomodation is good as well with Sheffield. As for Hallam accomodation I can't comment as I have no experience of it.

I can speak from both perspectives as i am at hallam but worked in Bar ONE (Sheffield's Union) for a while. Just because a person goes to Hallam it doesnt stop them going to Bar One. I go all of the time. It also depends what course you are doing really. Some courses at Hallam are better than Sheffield University and vice versa so you've got to look into what course you are doing. On a personal note after you've assessed your course options I'd probably say Sheffield University because I spend more time there. The accommodation is equally as good at both. The only other point i'd say is that Hallam is more centrally located and easier to get to/from (Train station, Parkway, Bus/Coach Interchange.)

So both have their good points. You just need to weigh up which is better in the long term for you i.e. course wise.

Places I'd reccommend to live in are :

Ecclesall Road Area
Broomhill
West Street Area
Crookes/Crookesmoor (Although a little far away from everything and very hilly)

Overall I'd say Ecclesall road was definitely the best place to live (Predominantly a Hallam student area because of the proximity to Collegiate Crescent Campus and Psalter Lan Campus but more and more of my Sheffield University friends are moving here)

Final note - definitely move into Halls for your first year as you'll meet your University friends for life and almost certainly your housemates for your second/third years!

Hope this helped!

Chris

I must be one of the few people who think Ecclesall Road is over-rated. Just a decent area with some decent pubs. It's nothing special at all.

But yeah, I reckon Sheffield Uni is better. If you've got the choice, the Uni is a much better prospect than Hallam.

Avoid the areas where there are no students and frequent the areas where there are a lot of students and you'll be fine. That's what I do and I've been here all my life!

Originally posted by Red 2


Final note - definitely move into Halls for your first year as you'll meet your University friends for life and almost certainly your housemates for your second/third years!



Yeah, on the social side of University life then this is the best piece of advice to give someone.

Also Hallam University are moving into the famous NCPM Building (National Centre for Popular Music ) Recognised by its 4 huge silver Sphere buildings. It's worth an estimated £17 Million and is being refurbished and kitted out as we speak - set to be one of the best student unions in the country. How great is that?! Both Universities have the use of both Unions... 1 is already voted one of the best and the other set to be one of the best!

Originally posted by jackthedog

But yeah, I reckon Sheffield Uni is better. If you've got the choice, the Uni is a much better prospect than Hallam.



Depending on course remember.

Originally posted by jackthedog
I must be one of the few people who think Ecclesall Road is over-rated. Just a decent area with some decent pubs. It's nothing special at all.



The reason it's so great jack is because its virtually flat!! As opposed to Crookes and Crookesmoor, and Broomhill!

PLus its friendly, full of life and shops and pubs.. just what a student needs.. Almost every other student i've encountered there agrees.

A fan of Holland then Red2? :)

Haha i've never been! But Sheffields hills take the absolute p*** sometimes!

Gotta agree about Broomhill, Crookes etc.
Unless you live up there it's such a pain to get to.

Thanks a lot guys for the info. The course i'm planning on doing by the way is English (English Studies at Hallam and English Language and Literature at Sheffield).

Where abouts is Sheffield uni in relation to the city centre and ecclesall road?

ahh yeah, another question.

Where abouts is your sainsburys? I'll be needing a job afterall ;)

We'd need to know more about which course you're doing before we can say with any confidence which uni is better. Academically, Sheffield Uni has always had the better reputation but in terms of getting a career using your degree, rather than a job which demands a degree, Hallam has the better track record. I'm not biased, I did my degree at Hallam and am presently at the Uni so, imo, that gives me a good perspective.

Best area to drink? Broomhill by far. There are no hills between the 6 pubs which are within 200m of each other.

PS Just seen your last post after I saved this. Sainsburys is at Meadowhall and Archer Lane (use streetmap.co.uk) and there is a smaller one on The Moor.

I am at sheffield university, but my boyfriend is at sheffield hallam as are my flat mates.

1) which one is better located
I'd say it depends which campus you will be in at sheffield hallam. the city campus is in my opinion really cool, and close to the city centre. Collegiate crescent is nice because it is on ecclesall road, but psalter lane is a bit further out. Sheffield uni is located towards the top of the hill, near west street and about 15 min walk from the city centre. Neither of the universities are poorly located.

2) which one has the better accomodation, and any recommendations?
I definatly think sheffield uni has the best accomodation as they provide housing for ALL first years, where as Hallam don't. Hallam uni do make an effort to find you private sector housing if you don't get into their halls though. Apply early for the best accomodation. I stayed in self catering flats in my first year - crewe flats - very pretty and nice, i would reccomend them.

3) Any advice for the safest areas, and areas to avoid.
Most of the student areas - ecclesall road, broomhill, crookes etc are all pretty safe for students because of the high proportion of students living there.


4) Also any information about Ecclesall Road, which i heard was a great place for pubs etc.

I live on ecclesall road - towards banner cross and it is really cool, loads of shops, pubs and bars as well as good transport links, all you need really. about 20-30 minute walk to city centre from hunters bar.

Well I've experience of both (sort of).

I've done a degree and MSc at Hallam - No probs on the job front.

My Missus did a degree some years ago in English at the Uni (which I think is the course you want to do). She said the course was brilliant and really enjoyed her time at Sheffield University.

For English go for the Uni as it's more of an academic University. You may find work limited though when you've finished it..!!

I finished the English studies course at hallam 2 years ago and then went on to do post grad at uni. Hallam is friendly and more laid back in a lot of ways and the course is great. this is mainly because you get to study right up to the modern day in terms of lit, do a bit of language and creative writing (good if writing is a poss job path). You also get to do options from other courses which widens your experience and learning even further. From what i can remeber (and it was 5 years ago that i started) uni's course was more perscriptive and covered a narrower field. you will have a laugh either way and as for jobs a degree garentees nothing nowadays so pick your uni and course with a short term outlook.
Good luck

Originally posted by caz2
[snip]...and as for jobs a degree garentees nothing nowadays so pick your uni and course with a short term outlook.
Good luck

Here's some advice that's worth knowing if you are thinking about teaching as a career. Apparently, your salary is affected by the class of degree you obtain. i.e. if you get a 2:1 you will be paid more than if you get a third.
I was told this by a teacher friend of mine who now wishes she'd gone to a less prestigous univeristy where she would more likely have got a higher degree classification.

Nomme

Originally posted by caz2
I finished the English studies course at hallam 2 years ago and then went on to do post grad at uni. Hallam is friendly and more laid back in a lot of ways and the course is great. this is mainly because you get to study right up to the modern day in terms of lit, do a bit of language and creative writing (good if writing is a poss job path). You also get to do options from other courses which widens your experience and learning even further. From what i can remeber (and it was 5 years ago that i started) uni's course was more perscriptive and covered a narrower field. you will have a laugh either way and as for jobs a degree garentees nothing nowadays so pick your uni and course with a short term outlook.
Good luck

Thanks very much for that. I want to go into journalism, and like you say, the course at hallam has quite a large creative writing/journalistic element to it, which i think will be pretty useful, and more my sort of thing. Plus they run another professional writing/journalism minor which you can take. How many hours a week were you actually at uni?

nomme - i also heard something similar to what you've said. However i was told by a lecturer that employers still have elitist views in regards to which uni you've attended. Ahhhh is damn hard!

Unfortunately it is still the case with some employers that applications from students who went to a red brick university are seeing as being the first people to interview for a job.

Originally posted by HarderFaster
4) Also any information about Ecclesall Road, which i heard was a great place for pubs etc.
People always say this, but the part of Ecclesall Road between Safeways and Hunters Bar doesn't seem that 'great' a place for pubs or restaurants - or is just me? I get the impression that people still rave about Ecclesall road because they don't realise that, while the Ecclesall road pubs haven't really changed, the rest of the city has flourished with new (and more varied) venues.

Originally posted by HarderFaster
nomme - i also heard something similar to what you've said. However i was told by a lecturer that employers still have elitist views in regards to which uni you've attended. Ahhhh is damn hard!

Yes maybe so, but I was refering in particular to teaching. The point being that over a whole career the degree class you obtain makes a BIG difference to what you earn over that time. With most other professions all that matters is that you have a degree, and as you say, where you got it from.
All I'm saying is that had my friend known this before she went into teaching she would have opted for the less prestigous uni and higher degree class (more money over time) versus more prestigous uni and lower degree class (less money over time.

Nomme

The 1st company I worked for after completing my degree paid according to degree class, however, after about a year/year and a half most of the graduates who started with me were on the same money (this was when I used to work in I.T.)!!!

I know people with lower class degrees who earn more than people with higher ones.

I've also worked with people who have had PHd's from Oxford/Cambridge in the past and got paid the same as them or more.

Don't know if this is the case with teaching. The only teacher I know got a 2:2 and gets very good money.

I was in uni about 7-9 hours a week. The tutors are really great, very supportive and down to earth. There is also a unit called Literary editing which is really interesting and useful for job ideas. One of my friends actually converted to English and journalism in his third year and got to take about 40% writing units. Oh yeah the liberary is much better at Hallam too. As for teaching, i'm an English teacher and the difference in money isn't huge, your only issue may be getting on a PGCE course in the first place. Just for the record no one seems to care that much about where i got my degree. Nowadays it seems practical work experience is the thing that employers want. I did work experience at a local newspaper and that is something i recommend. it helps you narrow down your options and looks like your focused and commited to future employers.
Good luck with it all

"Oh yeah the liberary is much better at Hallam too."

i'm not sure about that, i think sheffield uni has a better variety of books, where as hallam has more copies of the core texts, well, thats for my course anyway.

I just felt that hallam had much more flexable and workable opening times and was more pleasent to work in. I always felt a bit like i'd dropped into the set of a crap teen slasher film in uni liberary. It was so dark and dingy. I know this is not the most logical critera to judge what is essentially a practical resource but you spend a lot of time in it during your third year.

GO TO SHEFFIELD!!!

I've been at Hallam for three years now, and can't stress enough how utterly ****e it is!

The management/lecturers would have trouble organizing a ****-up in a brewery - honestly, I know it sounds harsh, but it's true.

Another thing about Hallam is that they literally will let anyone in. UCAS points don't seem to matter. I know this might sound snobbish but when you have people interupting lectures every five minutes to ask tedious questions on stuff they should have learnt for their GCSEs, it get's a bit annoying.

Some of the lecturers are great, don't get me wrong, but there seems to be a general lack of common sense amongst the people in charge.

I'm on a Computing Course, and they are trying to teach programming languages in lectures. It's just common sense, the best way to learn a computer programming language is sat at a computer, not sat in a darkened lecture theatre with 500 (yes, 500!) other students.

I've resorted to learning most of my course from home and only going into uni when I need to. Must have spent about 10 hours there last semester, it really is a waste of time going.

The Adsetts centre at Hallam is good, but I'm sure that the two Universities have an agreement whereby if you have an NUS card for either University you can use the other's facilities also.

My advice would be to grab the offer from Sheffield with both hands, and don't look back, mate!

Don't know if this is the case with teaching. The only teacher I know got a 2:2 and gets very good money

There is a difference between the starting salary with someone with a 'good' honours degree (2:2 or above) as opposed to a 3rd or a non honours degree. I can't say that I noticed how big the gap was but I think it's enough to feel sore if you're on the lower pay level.

Originally posted by rarstar
GO TO SHEFFIELD!!!

I've been at Hallam for three years now, and can't stress enough how utterly ****e it is!

The management/lecturers would have trouble organizing a ****-up in a brewery - honestly, I know it sounds harsh, but it's true.

Another thing about Hallam is that they literally will let anyone in. UCAS points don't seem to matter. I know this might sound snobbish but when you have people interupting lectures every five minutes to ask tedious questions on stuff they should have learnt for their GCSEs, it get's a bit annoying.

Some of the lecturers are great, don't get me wrong, but there seems to be a general lack of common sense amongst the people in charge.

I'm on a Computing Course, and they are trying to teach programming languages in lectures. It's just common sense, the best way to learn a computer programming language is sat at a computer, not sat in a darkened lecture theatre with 500 (yes, 500!) other students.

I've resorted to learning most of my course from home and only going into uni when I need to. Must have spent about 10 hours there last semester, it really is a waste of time going.

The Adsetts centre at Hallam is good, but I'm sure that the two Universities have an agreement whereby if you have an NUS card for either University you can use the other's facilities also.

My advice would be to grab the offer from Sheffield with both hands, and don't look back, mate!

Mate that may be the experience of your course, but I don't think you can write off the whole uni based on this.

as far as hallam letting in anyone, again this is depending on the degree. For example, a BEng in mechanical or electrical engineering, requires 20 (old A'level) points, and I don't know anyone who has been let on with less. These courses are very well respected in industry.

As I said, every course and university school is different. So people should choose their course according to course content, job prospects, facillities etc.. not on the odd person saying "yeah, hallam/The uni is cr*p"

Anyway in reply to the author of this thread. I would suggest that you ignore any arguments that develop between people about the universities. All cities where there are more than one uni, have constant arguments between the respective students about which uni is better. Most of these arguments generally end up being along the same lines as 'my dad is bigger than your dad'

Both hallam and the University have excellent facillities and excellent social scenes. You can't really beat a visit to both universities to help you make your decision.

As far as areas to live in. Ecclesall road is a lovely, safe area. it has a good selection of pubs, but you will no doubt spen a lot of your time in bars and pubs in city center anyway. As previously mentioned, living in halls has to be the best choice in first year. i would sell my soul to go back and do first year again. It is true that you meet some of the best friends of your life then.

Originally posted by Andy78
living in halls has to be the best choice in first year. i would sell my soul to go back and do first year again. It is true that you meet some of the best friends of your life then.

i agree living in halls is a good idea but i cant see how u can say that ur gonna meet some of the best friends of your life there! i certainly havent met them yet!!

Yeah, i suppose that is down to personal experience. I was very lucky. The friends i met in halls, became my house mates for the rest of their uni time. In that sense I did find some of the best friends of my life.
I would say though, you meet more people in halls than if you live in a house in first year. So you have more chance of meeting cool friends. But you could also be unlucky and meet some complete fools.

surely there is a difference in the amount of UCAS points that these two uni's are looking for?? I only know about the old A-Level system but I think Sheffield were looking for AAB or ABB whereas Hallam wanted more like BBC. I'd definately go for Sheffield Uni and put Hallam as your back-up choice.

Also, I'm going into teaching and there is NO difference in pay between a 2:2, 2:1 or 1st. You cannot train as a teacher (as far as I know) unless you have one of these grades. I assume the lower payscale refers to unqualified teachers who can only get in the region of £13,000 I believe.

Again it depends on the weight of the course. An example I gave before, was the accredited engineering degrees at hallam, Which are valued greater than similar degrees at the Uni. this is probably due to the fact that hallam was originally a poly, and was built up around more practical, technical disciplines. Again it depends on what degree you're looking to do. I would say that loosely, ex polys are more suited to vocational degrees. Whereas the red bricks may be more suited to straight subjects like english, physics, chemisry etc...

But as I said that is only a loose rule

So maybe if you wanted to concentrate on journalism, a more vocational degree would suit opposed to a straight english degree.

Originally posted by rarstar
GO TO SHEFFIELD!!!

I'm on a Computing Course, and they are trying to teach programming languages in lectures. It's just common sense, the best way to learn a computer programming language is sat at a computer, not sat in a darkened lecture theatre with 500 (yes, 500!) other students.



im on a computing course at hallem (vis) and i find lectures are a great way of learning the theory before putting it into practice. i have 89% in my programming module atm and have no problems.

Originally posted by Steee
im on a computing course at hallem (vis) and i find lectures are a great way of learning the theory before putting it into practice. i have 89% in my programming module atm and have no problems.

hmm, I do find that most comments on this thread are against rarstar's point if view. Enough reason to say to the author, ignore what he says.

Peace!

The uni offers a journalism course.

I would recommend it.

It offers a mix of theory and practice, and is valued highly by potential employers in this notoriously-difficult-to-break-into industry!

Sheffield University is a highly regarded long standing Red Brick University.

When applying to most job's the term "Red Brick Uni" means a hell of a lot.

The perfect place for students to go is in Pitsmoor, lovely area and very friendly people
ENJOY!!!!!

Originally posted by Mike24
The perfect place for students to go is in Pitsmoor, lovely area and very friendly people
ENJOY!!!!!


Warning: take this post as a 'joke'. New students who know nothing about Sheffield, go to Pitsmoor at your own risk.


NB. Intended as advice not 'snobby' comment.

hi - I'm thinking of going to sheffield uni to study, as a mature student (age 30). I'm just wondering where's the best place to live - do older students live in halls, or would I be really out of place there?

Guys I don't want to upset anyone but the days of 'red brick uni' meaning more to employers are fast disappearing.

Graduates from Cambridge and Oxford seem to think they have a right to top jobs just because of where they studied.

I've worked for several blue chip companies over the years and the university people attended never came into the equation when looking for people to interview for work. It all came down to experience. People who had done sandwhich degrees were always preferable to others who hadn't.

Think of your future, it cant be denied, Sheffield is a better uni. If you are lucky enough to have the choice: choose sheffield not hallam. WHERE you do your degree can be very important, esp. as mass higher education is the norm now. I cant over emphasise the WHERE.

Thanks to everyone for their advice but i'm even more confused now than i was before!

I've visited both Hallam and the uni, and i'm split completely 50:50.

I was leaning towards the course at Hallam (English studies) as it was more appealing to me with plenty of creative writing etc, however the flexibility of the Uni course (Lang + Lit) has made me think twice. The lecturers seemed very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I'm guessing that the Uni course will be harder work, but maybe valued more (?).

I was impressed with the Uni itself and the Union, however i wasn't keen on the accommodation they took us round (earnshaw, Sorby etc), not because it looked particularly bad, but the terrible location! It must be annoying and/or expensive having to treck all the way back to the student village everytime you go out for a night. Could anyone reccomend any other accommodation that was a little nearer to the centre? Although we didnt actually get to view the Hallam accomodation first hand (they just showed us a video) it looked a little more appealing, being better located with ensuite etc. Also could anyone tell me why the Uni only contracts the accomodation for 38 weeks whereas Hallam tends to have it for 42-45 weeks? It appeared that the Uni's accomodation was mainly split into same sex units, but this wasnt so prevelent at hallam. Is it right? All questions i should have asked while i was there, but you never think of them when you get the chance!

I loved the city itself though. I felt very comfortable as soon as i got there, and it appeared to be a very friendly city, especially compared to leeds. Very good pubs too! Had a really nice lunch in the hogs head(?) in ecclesall road, then went to the very impressive whetherspoons! I'll definately be coming to sheffield, but like i say, i havent a clue to which uni. I'm hoping to have made a decision by sunday night as i don't want to be left at the bottom of the accomodation list (for Hallam especially).

Is WHERE really that important? Or the standard of the degree? Or the skills you come out with from the degree?

Bleh. :-/

The Uni offers self catering accomodation at Mappin Court Flats - just off West Street and stupidly close to both town and the Union.

Alternatively there's Tapton Hall which is a little closer than Earnshaw / Sorby but up a little hill - and it does have some en-suite rooms. I should know, I had one last year. Very nice - and it's a totally mixed hall. ;)

As for trekking home after a night out, don't be silly - get a taxi. They're very cheap.

And you're right, the city is really cool.

Originally posted by HarderFaster
Thanks to everyone for their advice but i'm even more confused now than i was before!

I've visited both Hallam and the uni, and i'm split completely 50:50.

I was leaning towards the course at Hallam (English studies) as it was more appealing to me with plenty of creative writing etc, however the flexibility of the Uni course (Lang + Lit) has made me think twice. The lecturers seemed very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I'm guessing that the Uni course will be harder work, but maybe valued more (?).

I was impressed with the Uni itself and the Union, however i wasn't keen on the accommodation they took us round (earnshaw, Sorby etc), not because it looked particularly bad, but the terrible location! It must be annoying and/or expensive having to treck all the way back to the student village everytime you go out for a night. Could anyone reccomend any other accommodation that was a little nearer to the centre? Although we didnt actually get to view the Hallam accomodation first hand (they just showed us a video) it looked a little more appealing, being better located with ensuite etc. Also could anyone tell me why the Uni only contracts the accomodation for 38 weeks whereas Hallam tends to have it for 42-45 weeks? It appeared that the Uni's accomodation was mainly split into same sex units, but this wasnt so prevelent at hallam. Is it right? All questions i should have asked while i was there, but you never think of them when you get the chance!

I loved the city itself though. I felt very comfortable as soon as i got there, and it appeared to be a very friendly city, especially compared to leeds. Very good pubs too! Had a really nice lunch in the hogs head(?) in ecclesall road, then went to the very impressive whetherspoons! I'll definately be coming to sheffield, but like i say, i havent a clue to which uni. I'm hoping to have made a decision by sunday night as i don't want to be left at the bottom of the accomodation list (for Hallam especially).

Is WHERE really that important? Or the standard of the degree? Or the skills you come out with from the degree?

Bleh. :-/

Hi everyone!

I'm going to apply for a MSc at hallam, and I would like to know what you think of the "Archways", the "Exchange Works" and the "Leadmill Point" as accomodations.. I don't think I'll be able to visit any of them before September, but I have to apply as soon as possible for an accomodation..

Thanks!

Dont put exchange works down! Its on the door step to republic (sorry gatecrasher 1-im retro hahaha), and I wouldnt fancy living next door to that!

I think you've really got to think of the course content and what you want out of it rather than which Uni is better. I assume you chose you A-levels based on what the content was and how you would use this in the future. Think of the modules you could do in each course and work out which would be most beneficial for the area you want to work in. If you have an idea that is!

At the end of the day, the more progressed you get with work the more irrelevant where you studied is. I think. Remember how important GCSE's seemed at the time, yet now they're not so vital. Often they don't even get asked about.

I'm at Hallam and have at times found it a little bit poo, but you just have to get on with it. I'm doing occupational therapy, a vocational course and have found the placements I've done brilliant.

I live in a Sheffield Uni area, use both Hallam and Uni libraries and Unions so just because you chose one doesn't mean you can't frequent the other!

I went into self catered halls in my first year. It depends how independent you are, but I definitely enjoyed not having to think about food shopping all of the time. Being away from home is exciting but quite stressful, as you're dealing with new people, work, going out etc you don't need added faff of discovering you have no food for tea.

I had friends in Tapton and thought it was brilliant, the corridors were single sex but there was a bar and regular entertainment for people to mix. I found my halls (Woodville) a bit rubbish as there was no communal area. Also, as much as a mixed corridor sounds fun it caused a problem when I came to get a house as the lads weren't keen on sharing with girls!

Anyway, I may have replied too late but I hope you've made a decision and have a happy university life :)

Claire

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I did decide on Sheffield Uni in the end. I managed to change courses to English Language with Linguistics as the course was so flexible.

I've applied to stay in Cresent Flats in the Endcliffe student village, although i was tempted by Broad Lane as it was so close to town, but i thought in the end, most of the people will be in the student village.

BTW how late do buses run into town in the evenings?

Very late indeed. If I'm not mistaken there are some that are 24 hours!

I'm sure someone who knows what they're talking about will either confirm or correct me on that...

THey cancelled the 24hr 52 bus service a couple of years ago didn't they? Or have they re-instated it?

Yeah the 52 24 hour service doesn't work anymore. It doesn't go down endcliff way though. I think most buses run until about 11 or 11:30? not sure really. The University runs a shuttle bus service sometimes which drops off at lots of the accommodation points.

I think you'll be very happy at crescent flats, endcliffe is a very nice area. I was at crewe flats last year which isn't too far away. The 52 definatly isn't 24 hour, the closest bus may be the 50, but that is only twice an hour during the day and doesn't run late at night. There is a shuttle bus for women which runs from the student union after club nights and gigs and drops off around all the major halls of residence. Taxis are fairly cheap if you share too :)
I hope you really enjoy sheffield uni, good luck :)