Student Finance: Cost of Living in Sheffield

Sheffield is one of the most desirable student cities thanks to its highly-ranked institutions. The University of Sheffield is a top university and a Russell Group member. Sheffield has a rich cultural scene, especially in music and theatre. According to StudentCrowd, the city has 60,000 students and is ranked in the top three of the best student cities. All of that makes student accommodation in Sheffield in high demand.

This is why, in this article about the cost of living in Sheffield, we’ll walk you through the different expenses, including housing, tuition, food, and transportation. We’ll also offer valuable tips and tricks to save money.

General Cost of Living

These are the average living costs in Sheffield based on collected data. Note that these prices give you a rough understanding of the cost of living in Sheffield and should be used for reference. Costs of living change based on lifestyle and inflation. Generally speaking, the UK government recommends that students studying outside of London have a minimum of £1,023 per month for up to nine months. 

Costs of Living in Sheffield

Sheffield is considerably more affordable than other UK cities. To put that into perspective, Sheffield is reportedly 10% cheaper than the UK’s average cost of living and 25% more affordable than London. This makes it a fantastic alternative for those looking for a high-quality education and a student-city experience, all at an affordable cost. In this section of the cost of living in Sheffield Guide, we’ll list general costs, tuition fees, food, and transportation costs.

Food 

According to the Royal Bank of Scotland, the UK's average monthly cost of groceries is £109.57. 

Transportation 

Sheffield’s most efficient modes of transport are buses and trams. If you’re in a hurry, you can also use taxis. You can also cycle in Sheffield, but due to its hilly landscape, it's not as popular as other UK cities.

Bus and Tram

Sheffield has an extensive bus network operated by two main bus providers: Stagecoach and First Bus. It also has an extensive tram network (Supertram) with three tram lines and 25 trams.

For discounted travel, you can apply for TravelMaster’s 18-22 CityWide pass, which costs £64.00 for 28 days (only applies if you’re 18 to 22 years old). This pass applies to buses and trams.

You can also apply for the Zoom Beyond 18-21 Travel Pass (if you’re between 18 and 21), which costs £1.50 per single journey if you use First and Stagecoach services and £2 per single journey for other bus providers.

Train

Trains are another popular way of moving inside and outside Sheffield. Trains are primarily operated by the East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, and Northern Railways.

Taxi or Ridesharing Apps

Taxis or ridesharing apps such as Uber are readily available in Sheffield. According to Uber, an average 11-minute ride in Sheffield costs £9. Taxis have a basic tariff of £2.5 and charge an additional £1.68–£1.38 per kilometre.

Bike

Sheffield has dedicated bike lanes; however, its terrain is hilly, making biking difficult. Buying a second-hand bicycle in Sheffield can cost you as little as £20. 

Tuition Fees

The University of Sheffield

The standard annual undergraduate tuition fee at the University of Sheffield for home fee-paying students starting their course in 2024 is £9,250; international students, on the other hand, pay an average fee of 21,500 GBP per year.

Regarding postgraduate studies, home students pay £4,712–£19,786, while international students pay £20,830–£42,670.

Sheffield Hallam

The standard annual undergraduate tuition fee at Sheffield Hallam for home fee-paying students starting their course in 2024 is £9,250 (unless otherwise specified); international students, on the other hand, pay an average fee of £15,860 or £16,655 per year for a standard year (fees for 2023–24 and 2024–25 start dates).

Postgraduate courses for internationals cost £16,385–£18,820 or £17,205–£19,765 (fees for 2023–24 and 2024–25 start dates).

Living in Sheffield on a Budget

Sheffield can be enjoyed on a budget if you shop at affordable stores, dine at inexpensive restaurants, and enjoy the city's free activities. In this portion of the cost of living in Sheffield guide, we’ll list the top places to visit on a budget and the most affordable shops and restaurants. 

Cheapest Places to Shop 

During your stay in Sheffield, you will discover that the city has various shops that are ideal for shopping on a budget. These street markets sell everything from fresh produce to second-hand items; you’ll also find cheap clothing stores and grocery brands.

The Moor Market 

The Moor Market is a famous street market at 77 The Moor, Sheffield City Centre. It specialises in fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, baked goods, clothing, and household items.

Aldi 

Aldi is known all over the UK as a popular discount grocery store and is award-winning for that reason. Aldi has its own affordable private-label brands.

Lidl

Lidl is another excellent choice when going grocery shopping on a budget. Similar to Aldi, it also has its own private brands, which are cheaper than other brands. Not only that, but it also has red labels on “soon to expire” products, which are sold more affordably than other products.

Cheapest Places to Eat and Drink

Sheffield is home to affordable shops and restaurants. Some of our top picks include Street Food Chef, Proove, and Lemongrass, and you’ll find many other cheap places to eat and drink during your stay in the city.

Note that all provided prices are subject to change.

Street Food Chef: 376 Sharrow Vale Road and 90 Arundel Street

This restaurant is an award-winning Mexican restaurant that serves burritos and tacos for under £10.

Proove: 261 Fulwood Rd., Broomhill and 5-6 Orchard Square, Sheffield City Centre

Proove is a Pizzaria with great deals and high-quality, affordable pizza. Its “Proovie loyalty scheme” gives you various discounts. Proove also has great lunchtime deals, which start from £11.90 and consist of a pizza, a side, and a drink.

Lemongrass: Moor Market, 77 The Moor, Sheffield City Centre

Lemongrass is a great Thai restaurant serving various items under £10. These include pork ribs and chicken wings, among other items. You can get complete meals for as little as £10.99.

Cheapest Places to Go Out

Sheffield is also full of free activities, including visiting free-entry museums and parks; this is why we will list some of the top budget-friendly activities in this portion of the cost of living in Sheffield guide.

Millennium Gallery

The Millennium Gallery is a free-entry gallery that showcases national and international artwork. Among its contents are 800 unique pieces of cutlery, tableware, and flatware, a reflection of an industry that made the city famous.

Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens is another great sight to check out for free. It hosts more than 2,500 plants in one of the largest greenhouses, which measures 70 metres long and 22 metres wide and can fit more than 5,000 greenhouses. 

Kelham Island Museum

This museum is another great one, with free admission. It showcases one of the world’s largest steam engines, the River Don engine. Other collections include the Sheffield Simplex Cars and Die-Sinkers Workshop.

Rivelin Valley Nature Trail

For nature lovers, the Rivelin Valley Nature Trail is an absolute treat. It is a beautiful two-and-a-half-mile scenic walk that connects Sheffield to Peak District National Park and passes through the River Revlin. This trail’s entry is free of charge, and refreshments are available at the Rivelin Park Cafe.

You can also find various free-to-enter museums and galleries on the Sheffield Museums Trust’s website.

Casita’s Most Affordable Student Accommodation Sheffield Options

Truro Sheffield

Truro Sheffield is a student accommodation in Sheffield that provides non-ensuite rooms, en-suite rooms, studios, and apartments. Options there start at £75/week (subject to change). It is a 12-minute walk to Central Sheffield.

Leadmill Point Unite

Leadmill Point Unite is a student accommodation in Sheffield that provides non-en-suite and en-suite rooms. Options there start at £79/week (subject to change). It is a ten-minute walk to Central Sheffield.

The Forge Sheffield

The Forge Sheffield is a student accommodation in Sheffield that provides en-suite rooms and studios. Options there start at £79/week (subject to change). It is a 17-minute walk to Central Sheffield.

To find the cheapest student accommodation in Sheffield, visit Casita.com’s website, search by city, and sort by price to get the most affordable results. You can also contact our helpful staff for more accommodation options.

And there you have it—these are the must-know costs of living in Sheffield and all the ways to enjoy the city on a budget. You can also check out our useful guides, including Tips to Reduce Cost of Living in the UK, Top Things to Do in Sheffield: A Guide for Students, and Best Places to Live in Sheffield for Students.