University of Sheffield

 

Overview: 

Students choose Sheffield because of its international reputation for high quality teaching and research excellence and  the outstanding student experience that is offered. The University of Sheffield is a premier-league, research-led institution with a population of over 26,000 students including more than 7,000 international students from 120 countries. Sheffield has a world-wide reputation for quality, operating at the forefront of research and training. Sheffield is one of the most inexpensive places in the United Kingdom to live and study. According to a survey of 26 university towns and cities, living costs for Sheffield students are the third lowest in the country.  Also, Sheffield was named "UK University of the Year," in the 2011 Times Higher Education Awards. This program is university-wide, meaning any undergraduate Pitt student regardless of major may participate. 

Fact sheet: 
Learning Objectives: 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
  • a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in the United Kingdom.
Partner Information: 

Global Engagement 
University of Sheffield
The Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
globalopps@sheffield.ac.uk

Location Description: 

Sheffield is located in northern Englan in South Yorkshire. Like Pittsburgh, Sheffield has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wider economic base. Sheffield is built on seven hills and is near the confluence of five rivers. It is estimated that Sheffield has over two million trees, more per person than any other city in Europe; 61% of the city is green space.

Housing Description: 

Sheffield offers options for university-affiliated housing or private accommodations. Pitt students are guaranteed spots within university-affiliated housing. Sheffield will provide instructions on when and how to apply for housing. See Sheffield’s general housing website

Academic Description: 

At Sheffield, courses are taught in English. Credits taken at Sheffield are equivalent to credits received at Pitt according to a 4:1 ratio. For example, 60 credits at Sheffield will transfer as 15 Pitt credits.  

 

All credits taken at Sheffield require approval by both your academic advisor(s) and study abroad program manager. Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours.   

 

Courses taken at Sheffield will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university. 
For further information on the modules offered, please visit Sheffield's website

Grading: 

Unlike Pitt, Sheffield’s grading scale assigns numerical values between 0 – 100, with 100 representing the highest grade achievable. It is important to understand that few students in the British system receive grades higher than 70. For more information about the grading scale at Sheffield, see their explanation.
For Pitt transfer credit, in order to earn a grade of “S,” (satisfactory) at Pitt, you must make an equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher. An equivalent to a “C-” or lower will result in a grade of “NC” (no credit) at Pitt. 

Sheffield will provide hardcopy (or electronic transcripts) to the University of Pittsburgh’s Study Abroad Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are receive. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: 3959 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Electronic copies should be sent to the designated exchange program manager under “SAO Staff.”  

 

Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received. 

Pitt students may utilize the following online resource to understand the grading scale within this host country.

 

Program Fees: 
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.  
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition* $10,077 $19,260
Mandatory Fees $545 $545
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Billed by Pitt* $11,022 $20,205
 
*The tuition rate listed is defaulted to reflect the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. For Pitt students of another Pitt school or campus, the tuition rate will reflect the home school or campus. See posted rates on the Institutional Research page.

 

How Much To Budget: 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000
Room & Board $4,000
Personal Expenses $1,980
 
The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by Sheffield and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages.The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters. 
 
Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review the Sheffield's website for more information, and visit our budgeting page for more information. 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange university you will attend requires purchase of a specific health insurance coverage per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.

For global scholarship opportunities, check out:

  • the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
  • PittFund$Me  for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
  • PittFund$Me  for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!

 

 

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at Sheffield for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). Sheffield's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Like Pitt, Sheffield’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells

Greetings! I manage the Arts and Sciences and Exchange and am the Pitt in Spain Program Manger. I have a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and am an Adjunct professor of Anthropology who has taught in the Anthropology, History, Sociology, and Africana Studies departments at Pitt and CMU. I did my fieldwork on Color Classification in Cuba and have led many ground breaking experiential student trips to Cuba. I love learning about different cultures and want to help facilitate students being able to travel abroad to learn about the world. I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals of a global experience.

 

Schedule a Zoom appointment with me below or get in touch with me through email to discuss exchange options and your future global experience.

 

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

Appointment Link: https://pathways.campus.eab.com/pal/mT8JxcvuBG

 
 
Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!

Application Instructions: 

Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to Sheffield. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review Sheffield's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at Sheffield. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to Sheffield's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.  
 
The exchange university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:  

  • Application Form 
  • Copy of Valid Passport 
  • Official Pitt Transcript 
  • Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment 
  • Statement of Intent or Purpose 
  • Resume or CV 
  • Official Language Evaluation 
  • Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations 
  • Up to 2 passport photos 

 

Additional Information: 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOELF. Please check with Sheffield regarding these requirements. 

Scholarships: Sheffield would like to highlight the fact that scholarships are offered to students participating in their Study Abroad Programme. Scholarship winners will receive £1,000 if they study in Sheffield for a full academic year or £500 if they come for either the fall or spring semester. Please visit their webpage for more information.  

Insurance Requirements: 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, the United Kingdom requires Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plans. See the details here.  

Visa Requirements: 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

 

For those without British nationality, students must obtain either a Short Term Student Visa (6 months or less), or a Tier 4 Visa (more than 6 months), to study in the United Kingdom. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review Sheffield's website. Also, check the British Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information.Sheffield will provide general direction after formal admission on for how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)