Your SHUcard is your University membership and ID card, which you will receive when you enrol. You need it to get in to the libraries, halls of residence and many other University services and facilities. It’s also your membership card for Hallam Union and the National Union of Students (NUS).  You will also need your SHUcard to gain entry into exams.

• Flexible top-ups – online or at SHUcard top up points on campus. You can also set up a guest account allowing your family or friends to top up on your behalf.
• Save time – it takes less than a second to pay with your SHUcard.
• View your balances – use the online portal to view your balance, loyalty points and details of your most recent transactions.
• Peace of mind – if you lose your SHUcard you can block your account. Your balance and loyalty points will then work with your replacement card.
• Carry less cash and plastic – you have little or no need to carry them on campus.

Your on-campus reward card

Your SHUcard is also the most convenient and rewarding way to pay for goods and services on campus, including your printing. You can top up securely online via SHUgo, or at one of the top up points across campus.

• Top up by £25 and receive an extra 5% in loyalty points to discount the cost of purchases in catering outlets.
• For every £1 spent in our catering outlets, get an extra 5% in catering loyalty points
• Look out for £1 Wednesdays in the food outlets on campus; this is an exclusive offer just for SHUcard holders.
• For every £1 spent in the Print Shop, get an extra 5% in loyalty points.
• Use your card in Blackwell’s bookshop on Mappin Street and benefit from discounts and seasonal offers
• Exclusive offers available in The Print Shop and Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union
• Look out for catering offers, further discounts and seasonal giveaways

Personal Safety

Sport and fitness

Whether you want to compete, keep fit or just have fun and try something new, you can enjoy a huge variety of sport, leisure and fitness activities at Sheffield Hallam. We have facilities at both campuses including gyms, sports halls and pitches. Our sport and fitness memberships give you access to the facilities as well as over 50 social sport sessions and fitness classes every week, They offer an extensive range of activities, including boxing and pilates. There are also over 40 sport clubs to join – including cricket, badminton, football, tennis and athletics. We even offer free personal training to all our members. Join online today at shu.ac.uk/active

Student Wellbeing

We can help you with personal issues that might affect your studies and we offer a range of options to support you during your time here. Our services are confidential, delivered at both campuses and we have male and female advisers from different backgrounds in case you have specific requirements.

If you’re new to the service or coming for the first time this academic year, you’ll need a contact appointment with one of our practitioners as the first step. We’ll give you space to talk briefly about your situation and this may be sufficient in itself. If it becomes apparent that you need further support, we’ll identify what is available within the University or beyond.

There are three specialist strands to the Student Wellbeing Service, which are Counselling, Mental Health and Chaplaincy. We also offer self-help resources, tips for looking after yourself, workshops, 1-1 appointments and e-counselling.

Medical Help and Emergencies

If you are ill for more than five days you are advised to seek medical attention. You will require a sick note from the Doctor if you’re unable to come in to University. There is a health centre on campus for student use. It’s important to register as soon as you arrive.

For further details and information relating to the Practice team, appointments (including drop ins), home visits, sexual health, prescriptions and test results, please refer to Student Health at SHU

Faith and Worship

The University’s Multifaith Chaplaincy offers confidential support to students of different faiths and none. There are prayer and worship facilities, including Muslim prayer rooms, at the City Campus Multifaith Centre, as well as provision for Muslim prayer in the Oaklands Building at Collegiate Campus.

Religious advice and guidance is available from the chaplaincy team who can also help you to link up with many of the major faith communities in the city. Visit shu.ac.uk/chaplaincy

Sheffield is conveniently located in the centre of the UK, and there are good transport links to all major cities and airports. We recommend you fly to Manchester Airport as we can meet you and bring you to the University.

Manchester Airport pick-up service

We strongly encourage you to book our free airport pick-up service. It will make your arrival easier and more enjoyable. You must book a place for this service at least one week before you are due to arrive. Our friendly student guides will

• meet you at the terminal
• introduce you to other new students
• bring you to Sheffield by train or private coach
• order a free taxi to take you to your accommodation

It is your responsibility to find our student guides as soon as possible after your arrival. Unfortunately, if you fail to do this and you miss the pick-up, the University cannot cover your travel costs to Sheffield.

Other ways to arrive in Sheffield

If you choose to fly to another major city in the UK, you can either get a connecting flight or travel by bus or train to Sheffield. Visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ for train times and http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk/ for bus times. Go to www.shu.ac.uk/visit for information about how to find the University.

Important – you must tell us when you plan to arrive

It is very important that you let us know when you plan to arrive, even if you do not think you will need help on arrival. Please complete the form at go.shu.ac.uk/arrival and select ‘I will be at a different UK airport’. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions about travelling to Sheffield from the UK’s major airports. Please check your inbox when you have registered.

When to arrive

You must arrive before the beginning of your exchange and attend the Orientation Programme, which will help you settle in effectively.

Travel tips

• Use good, strong luggage labelled with your contact details in your home country and the UK. If you do not know your address in the UK yet, put the University’s address – Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
• Do not bring large amounts of cash. Credit cards or travellers’ cheques are safer.
• Look after yourself and your belongings. Keep copies of your important documents separately in your home country.
• If your luggage is damaged or lost, report it at the airport. Your luggage can be delivered to our 24 hour reception if necessary. Our student guides can help you.

Immigration controls

You should have no problems going through the immigration controls, but if you do you should phone us on 0800 073 1318. The immigration officer will check all your documents. Carry all your University papers with you in your hand luggage.

If you are a Tier 4 student, you must also carry your Home Office decision letter informing you where to collect your visa (BRP) on arrival to the UK. You should also carry your CAS – see the UK government’s 10 top tips document at go.shu.ac.uk/top10tips

European Union currency controls

We don’t recommend bringing large amounts of currency with you as this can be a potential risk. Only bring a small amount of cash with you to cover expenses for the first few days. If you have no other option than to bring a large sum of money with you, then please read the following guidance.

If you are entering the UK from a non-European Union (EU) country and are carrying 10,000 Euros or more (approximately £8,700, or the equivalent in other currencies) you must declare the cash to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at the place of your arrival in the UK. If you fail to declare any cash, travellers’ cheques or bank drafts that you are carrying, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete information, you could receive a fine of up to £5,000. You must use the C9011 form to make the cash declaration. Forms are available at ports and airports and also from the HMRC website at www.gov.uk – search for ‘C9011’ to download a copy. If you are travelling between another EU country and the UK, you do not have to make a declaration.

Your first night in Sheffield

Before you travel, you must book some accommodation for your first night in Sheffield. If you arrive in Sheffield without accommodation, you will have to stay in a hotel. Hotels in the UK are expensive, but if you do need information about where to stay, visit our Meet and Greet desk or email internationalexperience@shu.ac.uk 

Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union

The Students’ Union, located in the HUBS, is where you can get involved in societies, sports, social events, local volunteering opportunities and use the free advice centre. All our students are automatically members of the Student’s Union so you can come and use their services or get involved with activities straight away. You can also get involved by becoming a student representative, writing for the student magazine, campaigning on student welfare issues and much more. Visit hallamstudentsunion.com and watch the videos below to check out the great facilities available.

Societies

Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union has over 60 different societies and you can join as many as you want. They are a great way to meet new people and try new things, ranging from fun activities to religious, cultural or academic societies. You can even set up your own. Examples include the Islamic Society, Japanese Visual Arts Society, Christian Union, Drama Society and Salsa Society.

Volunteering

There are many different volunteering opportunities through the Students’ Union allowing you to get more involved in local Sheffield culture. Options include working with children,
young people, adults and people with disabilities in a variety of different fields such as sports, drama, art, multimedia and music.

Advice

Hallam Students’ Union Advice Centre offers free, confidential, non-judgemental and independent advice. You can talk to them about any subject, including problems with your course, housing, bills, funding, tax or employment.

Socials

Hallam Union has a café, shop and bar, making it the perfect place to relax after a day at university. They have regular quizzes, karaoke and comedy nights, and the large HD television screen shows sports games. They also run regular events, including trips to the Peak District and other tourist spots.

Meet and Greet Desk

You should visit the desk in the main entrance at City Campus as soon as you arrive in Sheffield. You can ask us any questions you have and we can give you important information. The Meet and Greet Desk offers you

• free transport with your luggage to your accommodation
• information about orientation, banking and enrolment
• a social events calendar – including campus and city shopping tours
• free giveaways

Opening hours are 9am– 6pm (0900–1800)

If the desk is closed

If the main University entrance is closed, ring the bell which is on the right-hand side of the door. Security staff will meet you and arrange for a taxi to take you to your accommodation (that you should have already booked in advance).

Contacting home

Your family will want to know that you have arrived safely in Sheffield. We cannot respond to families who want to check that you have arrived unless we have your permission. We can direct you where to access the internet, buy an international SIM card or unlock your mobile phone.

January arrivals

The University will be closed for Christmas from 22nd December 2017 until 2nd January 2018 and you will not be able to contact anybody in the University during this period.

Sheffield can be cold in January and it may snow, so bring warm clothes with you.

Important tasks you must complete

1. Attend the Orientation Programme

This includes a series of sessions organised by International Experience Team that will introduce you to Sheffield and the University.

2. Pre-enrol online

You must pre-enrol online – you will receive an email to invite you to pre-enrol once you have arrived at the University. If you do not, visit the Meet and Greet Desk after you arrive.

3. Enrol on to your exchange programme

This is when you officially register on to your exchange programme. We will tell you your enrolment date shortly before you are due to arrive at the University. If you arrive and do not know when this is, visit the SHIP helpdesk in the Stoddart Building. You must enrol before you can receive your SHUcard, which is your university identification.University identification.

4. Attend your exchange programme induction

This is arranged by your faculty and includes a series of sessions to introduce you to your course. You will meet your teachers who will explain what to expect on your course and explain your timetable to you. It includes tours of your faculty, library and IT facilities, as well as social events. Your faculty helpdesk will be able to answer questions about induction.

Orientation Programme

Orientation takes place before the start of your exchange programme. The University recommends that all international/EU students attend orientation. It includes

• the chance to meet staff and students and make friends
• sessions about University study and life in Sheffield
• the ‘meeting new people, making local connections’ workshop
• information about our support services and staying safe
• advice about opening a bank account
• registering with the police (if required)
• medical centre registration
• social events, trips and international parties

Find out about more activities during your stay

International Students’ News

We will send this to your University email inbox every fortnight. It includes information about social activities and events, as well as immigration, job opportunities and other important news. Visit https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/global/

Twitter and Facebook

We will keep you up to date with social events and important announcements.

• Follow us on Twitter @SHUGoGlobal
• Like the SHU GoGlobal Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GoGlobalatSHU/
• Find out what is happening on campus at www.shu.ac.uk/current-students/latest-news
• Join Twitter @SheffHallamUni and the Sheffield Hallam University Facebook page.

Meet people from around the world with SHU GoGlobal activities

• Global Friends – This scheme puts you in touch with local families to experience British culture – they may take you to their favourite place in Sheffield or invite you to their home.
• Conversation Club – This is one of the best ways to meet friends from around the world. Practise your English by participating in informal conversations, enhanced by music, videos and interactive games to help you start talking.
• Culture Connect – This is a new peer mentoring scheme to help you make friends and settle into life at Sheffield Hallam University and the UK. This is an opportunity to improve your English and learn about other cultures. You will meet your mentor regularly and discuss ways you can meet British students, other international students and local people.

Join the SHU GoGlobal Facebook page to find out about the above opportunities.

SHU Fest

SHU Fest is a huge week-long annual festival in March, which celebrates the talent and diversity of our students and staff. There will be live performances, interactive workshops and social events across the University. This includes film screenings, music, dancing, craft and more. Can you sing, dance or play an instrument? Do you want to gain experience for your CV by organising an event? Join the SHU GoGlobal Facebook page to find out more.

Browzer

SHU Browzer – life on campus

SHU Insider’s Guide

SHU Insider’s Guide – everything you need to know about being a Sheffield Hallam student