If you are applying to university without parental or family support, you can receive additional accommodation support as part of SHU Progress including arranging: 

  • 365-day (year-round) accommodation 
  • pre-enrolment accommodation 

When applying for accommodation at Sheffield Hallam, please write in the notes field about your circumstances including if you: 

  • require year–round accommodation or pre-enrolment accommodation 
  • have any other information you feel might be useful for us to know to ensure we allocate the accommodation which best meets your needs
  • that you are on SHU Progress

The accommodation team will be able to help you find the most suitable place to live. The accommodation team are on hand to answer any questions you may have – contact the team on  0114 225 5555 or accommodation@shu.ac.uk 

Support with upfront payments 

We recognise you may struggle with upfront payments. The SHU Progress Team can always try and help but it is important you contact us as soon as possible regarding any issues. Please get in touch with the SHU Progress team as soon as possible if you have any concerns on  0114 225 4777 or shu-progress@shu.ac.uk. 

If you are a care leaver, you may wish to contact your Local Authority to see if they cover accommodation deposits or would act as your guarantor as part of their care leaver offer. As a care leaver you are entitled to a statutory Higher Education Bursary from your Local Authority. You may request that this funding is used to cover the costs of your deposit. 

Guarantor support 

If you think you are going to struggle getting a guarantor, then SHU’s accommodation insurance company, Cover 4 Students, can provide guarantor cover. This can only be used across all SHU allocated halls of residence (2023-24) where the maximum annual rent payment costs no more than £5,400.

The cost in 2023 was £200 per year (+ £5 admin fee).  This is an optional extension to the Block Halls Insurance Scheme and needs to be purchased at the time of accepting your offer of a room in SHU allocated halls of residence.

If you would like more information about the scheme and how to buy the cover, please contact the SHU Progress scheme on  0114 225 4777 or shu-progress@shu.ac.uk.

If you are a care leaver, you may wish to contact your Local Authority to see if they will be your guarantor as part of their care offer. Please note we do not advise your Personal Advisor or carers (e.g. Foster Carer) to act as a guarantor but the Local Authority itself. In some cases, the local authority may pay for your full year accommodation costs therefore the need for a guarantor is mitigated. 

More information on the local offers provided to Care Leavers by Local Authorities can be found on the Care Leaver Local Offer website.  Please note we would always recommend speaking to your Social Worker, Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Worker to see what additional support they can provide you with.

Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme

The Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme provides a free student bedroom in a purpose built Unite Students building for up to three years of undergraduate study to students aged 25 or under who are estranged from family or care leavers. If you are a looked after child, a care leaver, or if you’re estranged from your family, you may be eligible to apply for the Unite Foundation Scholarship. You can find out more about eligibility and how to apply here.