We've invested more than £100m over the last decade, so your study is supported by some of the most advanced learning, teaching and IT facilities in the UK.

Learning centres

When you're away from the classroom or lecture theatre, you're likely to spend time in one of our learning centres. They provide

• traditional library services
• computing and multimedia facilities and support
• an extensive collection of online information resources
• screened programmes linked to seminars and lectures
• free WiFi
• quiet study areas
• 24 hour opening from Sunday to Friday during most teaching weeks
• services for distance learners

Our Adsetts Learning Centre is one of the most innovative libraries and learning centres in the UK, and winner of a library design award. We recently invested £4m on an extension and a further £1.3m of improvements to provide additional facilities.

To make sure you get the most from your course, where possible, you're based in buildings dedicated to your subject area.

Specialist course facilities, containing the latest technology and equipment, help you reinforce and apply the theory you're learning. They range from engineering laboratories and architecture studios to an X-ray suite and photography studios.

We're continually updating our facilities to ensure you enjoy the best possible learning environment. Recent developments include

• a £13m investment in health and social care facilities
• a £32m investment in arts, computing and engineering facilities
• a refurbishment of the home of Sheffield Business School
• a £2m refurbishment programme for Sports facilities
• a £5m investment in our Students' Union building

You can view some of our specialist facilities by searching for your course on our online prospectus and browsing our University pages.

Blackboard, our virtual learning environment and e-learning system, is one of the most extensive and advanced of any university in the country. As a part-time student, you'll find it invaluable as it allows you to access everything you need when you're off-campus. Any time and any place.

A typical Blackboard site contains

• course materials and lecture notes
• instructions on assignments
• discussion lists
• file sharing
• your own virtual community where you can share ideas with other students and contact tutors
• links to other websites of interest

Ways to study

Our links with business and industry leaders ensure that your part-time learning is relevant to you.

We work closely with regional and national organisations, and professional bodies, and in many cases they help us to design our courses. So you can be sure you're gaining the knowledge required by industry, and that what you learn is relevant to your career aspirations. For example our integrated engineering foundation course was designed following consultation with Kimberley Clark, Rolls Royce, JCB and Tata Steel.

You can also benefit from the expertise of guest lecturers from a wide range of organisations – sharing their up-to-date, practical knowledge of their field.

You may also get the opportunity to work on real life projects, giving you valuable experience and putting your learning into context. The timing, length and structure of those projects will depend on your course.

These close working relationships we have with industry and professional bodies enable us to deliver courses that provide the expertise sought by employers.

If you're looking for a part-time course to enhance your professional skills and provide you with a recognised qualification, we can help.

Our courses are accredited by over 70 professional bodies, spanning various sectors and professions, from the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Our accredited courses have been audited to ensure that they meet industry recognised quality standards. Also they often provide exemptions from professional examinations and membership of professional bodies. In some instances our courses are also endorsed by industry partners.

Visit our online prospectus to see professional accreditations and exemptions for individual courses.

Our research

Our lecturers don’t just teach. They also carry out research and consultancy that pushes boundaries and leads to new discoveries. These research developments feed into our teaching, ensuring your studies are in line with the latest breakthroughs and developments, and adding credibility to our courses.

International organisations such as the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Nokia, Microsoft, Sony, Philips and BP have all used our research expertise, and our recent work includes

• developing a new navigation system for blind and visually impaired people
• helping Britain's Olympic athletes train
• testing rugby balls so Gilbert Rugby could win the contract to supply balls to the 2007 Rugby World Cup
• developing palm-sized robots which will soon be the first to enter burning buildings for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Completing your research degree with us

You may be interested in completing your own research degree with us. Studying for a research degree is very different from studying for a taught degree. As a researcher, you independently investigate a subject of your choice with the support of an academic supervisor, and become part of our respected academic community.

During your time as a research student, you may get the chance to get involved in teaching and seminars, giving you valuable experience if you want to pursue a career as a lecturer. You can also present papers at conferences and publish your work, establishing your reputation as an expert in your field.

Find out more about completing a research degree with us

Find out more about research at Sheffield Hallam