New international undergraduate and postgraduate taught student checklist
Get ready for Sheffield by completing your to-do list tasks.
If you’re beginning your studies at the University of Sheffield International College, please refer to your emails for advice on your essential tasks instead of this page.
If you’re a new international postgraduate research student, please see the international PGR checklist instead.
5 weeks before
14 August - 20 August
Register for your course
You need to register before you join us here at Sheffield. At the beginning of September we’ll send you information on how to complete your online registration.
Complete your online registration
If you are a part-time or distance learning student, your registration process is different.
Book your in-person Right to Study check
In the pre-registration email you receive in September, we’ll ask you to book an appointment to attend an in-person Right to Study check to have your immigration documents verified. You’ll then be able to complete your registration with the University. Appointments will be available from the week commencing 11 September 2023
- Complete the CAS application task
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Anyone who applies for a Student visa to study in the UK must include with their visa application a unique Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, linking them to the institution where they intend to study. You will be asked to complete the CAS Application task as part of your pre-registration tasks.
If you do not require a Student visa because you have a different visa type that permits study in the UK, you will not need to request a CAS number. However, you should check carefully if your visa permits you to study on your specific course as early as possible. If you’re unsure you can contact our International Student Support, Advice and Compliance team (ISSAC).
- Apply for your student visa
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Once you have received your CAS from Admissions you should apply for your visa as soon as possible.
Before applying for your visa:
Check if you need to provide evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) test as part of your visa application.
Check if you need to provide ATAS clearance as part of your visa application. If you’re unsure what you need for your application, contact our International Student Support, Advice and Compliance team (ISSAC).
- Celebrate your success and follow us on social media
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- TikTok
- WeChat - 微信 (@英国谢菲尔德大学)
Join our QQ student groups:
Undergraduate students (ID 939863491)
Postgraduate-taught students (ID 194191161)
- Join our Facebook group
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Find your coursemates and meet loads of other new students through the University of Sheffield new students Facebook group.
- Register for university accommodation
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Register for accommodation if you haven’t already done so.
4 weeks before
21 August - 27 August
Arrange your travel to Sheffield from the airport
For information about how to get to Sheffield from several UK airports:
Travelling to Sheffield from the airport
A Meet & Greet service will be running from Manchester Airport to the University campus area in Sheffield between 9 September and 24 September 2023.
- Inform us of any accessibility requirements
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If you have a disability, let us know about any additional support you will need.
- Get your tickets for Welcome Week
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Get your tickets for Welcome Week 2023 including freshers events and nights out.
3 weeks before
28 August - 3 September
Complete your online registration tasks
Look out for the email from pregistration@sheffield.ac.uk which explains everything you need to do to complete your online registration.
Within this email you’ll be asked to book an appointment to have an in-person right to study check. This is required to complete your registration when you arrive in Sheffield.
- Access your University IT account
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Look out for an email containing instructions on accessing your IT credentials and follow the steps.
- Register with the University Health Service
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If you’re living in Sheffield, you can register with the University Health Service.
- Declare any existing medical conditions, including sickle cell disease, when registering with the NHS.
- If you haven’t already, we recommend getting your MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and MenACWY (Meningitis) vaccinations.
- Please remember to bring any current medications you take with you and make sure you have enough for your first few weeks.
If you have a mental or physical medical condition:
- Bring a summary of your medical records with you, translated into English if possible - including any information on medications you currently take.
- Complete your Financial Declaration
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All students must complete the Financial Declaration, online, in advance. You will be sent a link, via email, asking you to complete your pre-registration actions; this includes completing the Financial Declaration.
- Prepare for moving in
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If you’re going to live in University accommodation, prepare for moving in.
- Prepare to travel to the UK
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Take a look at our international student essentials for advice on what to bring with you and important information for moving to the UK.
- Find support for settling into university life in the UK
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Studying abroad can be both exciting and stressful. To help you settle in and adjust to life in the UK, the International Student Success programme is a free online resource with practical guidance and support for all new international students.
2 weeks before
4 September - 10 September
- Book your in-person right to study check
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If you haven’t already, book an appointment for your in-person right to study check.
- Find clubs and societies
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Take a look at our Clubs and Societies to explore what you could get involved with.
- Find friends in Sheffield with Umii
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Once you have access to your University IT account, you can download Umii, a free app that can safely connect you with students who share your interests. Simply create a profile, select your key interests and Umii will individually introduce you to other students each day.
Ask a question
If you need support you can get advice from the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD).
For immigration related information or advice, please contact the International Student Support, Advice & Compliance (ISSAC) team.
1 week before
11 September - 17 September
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Complete your online pre-registration tasks
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Make sure all you’ve completed your online pre-registration phase one and phase two tasks - these need to be done before you arrive.
- Get involved in Orientation 2023
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Orientation Week runs from Monday 11 September to Friday 15 September, and is a non-mandatory programme of information sessions, social events and activities designed to give you a little extra help to settle into life in Sheffield and the University, and to start making friends.
The day before
Check that you have your new address and you know how to get here.
Make sure you have everything packed. Do you have UK adaptors or UK-compatible plugs for your electrical items?
Bring the following documents in your hand luggage:
- Your CAS number and/or details of your course
- A recent bank statement
- Details of your accommodation
- Any medical documents
- Don’t bring any restricted items into the UK
- Have your passport ready and remove it from its cover
- Bring a pen with you so you can complete a landing card on the plane
Ask a question
If you need support you can get advice from the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD).
For immigration related information or advice, please contact the International Student Support, Advice & Compliance (ISSAC) team.
Arrival day
You made it! Enjoy your new life in Sheffield and making new friends. We’re here if you need us. Get support from Student Services Information Desk (SSiD).
- Download our safety app
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Download our safety app, so that you can contact security if you need help and stay safe around campus.
- Check if you need a TV Licence
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You will need a TV Licence if you’re watching or recording any TV live. Find out more at tvl.co.uk/students
First week
18 September - 24 September
Complete your in-person right to study check
You must attend an in-person right to study check to be able to study with us.
Pick up your UCard and BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) if you have one.
- Check your visa details and responsibilities
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Check your visa details are correct. If there’s a problem, let us know straight away.
Check your visa conditions and responsibilities.
- Open a UK student bank account
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You will need a bank letter from the University to open a bank account in the UK. Bank letters can only be requested once you have completed your student registration.
- Register with the University Health Service
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Register with the University Health Service if you haven’t already. If you have any dependants (spouse/partner or child) living with you in Sheffield, they can also register.
- Please ensure that you declare any existing medical conditions, including sickle cell disease, when registering with the NHS.
- We recommend getting your MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and MenACWY (Meningitis) vaccinations.
- If you haven’t had these vaccinations yet and would like them, please attend the University Health Service Registration event at the Modular Village (Northumberland Road) when you arrive in Sheffield.
- Attend induction and welcome events
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Look out for your department's induction events. Remember to check your University account emails for information about these.
Attend your Race Equality and Sexual Consent talks.
- Explore our sport facilities
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Start exploring the sport facilities at the University and find out more about gym memberships.
- Attend Welcome Week fairs
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- Discover Sheffield Freshers’ Market on 19 September with a host of local and independent businesses from across Sheffield selling vintage clothing, plants, and books, as well as discovering places to eat, relax, and have fun around our fantastic city.
- Attend the Freshers' Fair on 20 September and grab loads of fabulous freebies and discounts and play to win fantastic prizes. Joining us on the day will be Coca Cola, Domino's (with their pizza slice giveaway), Epic Paintballing, German Doner Kebab, Glass Onion Vintage, Heavenly Desserts, Leadmill, Lee Kum Kee, Mega Bus, National Express, Starbucks, Vodka Revs, Yorkshire Tea and Zaap Thai...to name but a few.
- Check out the Activities Fair on 21 September and meet over 200 societies; from Baking to Bee Keeping, History to Horror!
- Explore the Sports Fair on 22 September and meet more than 50 sports clubs and find out about all the sport and fitness opportunities on offer.
- Learn more about your student IT essentials
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Get help with managing your University IT account, viewing your timetable and using Blackboard.
Teaching for the majority of programmes will begin on 25 September 2023. You should aim to arrive in Sheffield and complete your registration before this date so you can begin your studies from the start of term. You must complete registration before attending any teaching sessions.
Late registration
If you arrive after 25 September 2023, the start date for most courses, you may be able to register late. The final deadline for arriving in Sheffield and registering as a student is 16 October 2023, but some courses have earlier deadlines (for example, if your start date is earlier than 25 September 2023).