Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
NNVF
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Study the fundamentals of global tourism and hospitality operations.
- Develop vital skills in marketing, leadership and project management.
- Take opportunities to study abroad, gain experience and study a language.
- Deliver a consultancy project for a tourism or hospitality client.
- Build your network through our professional body accreditations and Institute of Travel and Tourism.
On this course you’ll develop your hospitality business acumen and your strategic thinking in tourism development. You’ll become a socially conscious management professional who’s able to meet tomorrow’s sustainability challenges and customer needs.
Accredited by
This course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, the international hospitality professional membership body for managers and aspiring managers who work and study in the hospitality industry.
This course is recognised by the Tourism Management Institute.
The Tourism Management Institute (TMI) is the professional body for destination management practitioners, with members drawn from all levels of the private and public sectors: national, regional,sub regional and local. TMI seeks to support professional development within the sector, for potential entrants as well as existing practitioners. Assessment and recognition by TMI means that students can be confident the course will provide them with knowledge, understanding, skills and experience which will fully prepare them for a career in tourism destination management.
Number 15 in the UK
We're the 15th best university in the UK for hospitality and tourism courses in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Number 15 in the UK
We're the 15th best university in the UK for hospitality, event management and tourism in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Sheffield Business School accreditation
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has been awarded the Business School Impact System label by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
Top 10 in the UK
This course is ranked 10th in its subject area in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
Tourism subject group award
Our Tourism subject group is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), the membership organisation for tourism industry professionals and educators.
How you learn
Our award-winning teachers have held key management roles in tourism and hospitality. They’re involved in impactful and world-leading research. You’ll be able to understand the latest trends and have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to live projects in collaboration with industry partners – making you stand out to employers.
In each year of study you’ll have the opportunity to engage with the industry. You can apply to access placements, volunteering opportunities and work experience through our vast network of industry links.
You learn through
- lectures, seminars and workshops
- sessions led by industry-leading expert guests
- live projects with external organisations
- field trips and site visits
- talks and resources developed by accrediting bodies
- independent study and group work
You’ll develop your understanding of consumer behaviour, using key metrics to make sound pricing and business decisions, as well as thinking ahead about a sustainable future for the industry. You’ll also gain the strategic skills you’ll need to shape tomorrow’s tourism and hospitality industry – including crisis management and planning for uncertainty. This will complement a core business focus – including marketing, people management and finance – to make sure you’re industry ready.
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through
- access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
Course leaders and tutors

Daniel Connell
Senior Lecturer in Aviation | Programmes Leader for Aviation, Hospitality & Tourism Undergraduate Courses | Professional Statutory & Regulatory Body Lead for Aviation & TourismStaff profile for Daniel Connell, Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you industry experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Previous students have undertaken placements with companies such as Jet2, Disney World, Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide, to name a few.
Live projects
In every year of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to work on live projects to build your skills and professional experience. Previous students have audited accessibility information for Access for All, provided market research for TUI UK and Ireland, reviewed the hospitality offer at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and advised a social enterprise on its catering and outdoor events.
Field Trips
Field trips are an important part of your studies. They’re the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow students and observe how theory plays out in the real world. Previous students have enjoyed a two-day visit to Malton's food market and York – with talks from the hotel manager and a ghost tour.
Networking opportunities
You’ll engage with tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders throughout the course. Many modules include guest speakers and you’ll benefit from a close relationship with the industry through our graduate networks and links with professional bodies.
Competitions
We’ll encourage and support you to take part in external competitions.
Recently, one of our students won the prestigious YCO Diamond Research Award – in which 40 countries were competing – based on her final year research project. Other students have won the debating competition at the Passion for Hospitality competition in London and one of our final year students won the prestigious Young Hoteliers Summit challenge award, organised by the École Hôtelière de Lausanne and Marriott International.
Future careers
The tourism and hospitality industries are among the UK’s largest employers. The course prepares you for managerial roles in
- hotels and resorts management
- tourism product development and management
- restaurants and food service management
- tourism operations management
- destination marketing and management
- meetings, exhibitions, conferences, and events
- theme parks, visitor attractions and heritage sites
- pricing analysis
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- Marriott International
- Hilton Worldwide
- TUI
- Jet2
- Welcome to Yorkshire
- Visit Britain
- The Red Carnation Hotel Collection
- Four Seasons
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
- Center Parcs
- Mitchells and Butlers
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- a state-of-the-art kitchen and restaurant space
- specialist industry software to manage operations and elaborate pricing strategies
- specialist hotel management, food costing, menu management and business management simulation software
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112-120
This must include at least 64 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- BBC-BBB at A Level
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma
- Merit overall from a T level qualification
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
GCSE
- English language or literature at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade D or 3
GCSE equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
• entry with prior credit - we consider applications for direct entry to the final year from those holding Higher National Diplomas or equivalent qualifications
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Aims:
Students will develop academic skills for successful completion of Level 4 and progression to further undergraduate study, and skills for lifelong learning. These skills will be applied to a live brief relevant to their sector
Indicative content:
- Understand the importance of academic research and referencing.
- Learn to effectively read, analyse, evaluate and synthesise academic literature.
- Apply the development of study skills to academic report and essay writing.
- Engage with an external organisation and apply research and analytical skill development to identify and articulate solutions to a current organisational challenge.
- Practice and develop verbal and digital communication skills.
- Identify and act upon development needs and recognise progress.
- Undertake and reflect upon a range of study skills activities.
Aims:
The aim of this module will develop an understanding of the operational management and design principles that underpin successful hospitality businesses.
Learners will have developed a strong and comprehensive foundation in the discipline of operations management, theories, and concepts, in an applied context.
Indicative content:
- An overview of the Hospitality Industry Characteristics and the Sector
- The Servicescape – layout, design, and the customer/service experience
- Operations performance metrics
- Stakeholders involved in hospitality operations
- Rooms Division Operations
- Food and Beverage Operations
- Facilities Operations
- Theories of Operations Management
- Professional Bodies
- Quality management
- Workspace and Service Design
- Skills and Competencies of the Hospitality Manager
Aims:
This module introduces the fundamental aspects of data analysis, accounting concepts and applications. Students will learn how data is used to assess what drives financial performance and to forecast future financial scenarios. The module will enable students to develop the level of knowledge of accounting practices, management accounting, finance and data management and analytics needed to oversee and analyse financial transactions and gather and interpret data.
Indicative content:
- Data Analysis and key concepts
- Introduction to Basic Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Costing
- Budgeting
- Interpreting financial statements
- Cash flow statements
- The difference between cash and profit
- Financial ratios
- Sources of finance
- The stock market
- Use of financial and non-financial information to make decisions
- Presenting financial information
An introduction to the global tourism sector which aims to develop an understanding of tourism as a global activity and an economic sector.
Indicative content:
● Awareness of organisations and enterprises working and operating within the sector.
● Size and scope, mission and value orientation, and relationships and interactions between all organisations and enterprises within the sector for example supply, marketing and distribution relationships.
● The international, national, and regional nature of such factors and relationships.
● The relationships between private sector businesses, public sector organisations, SME’s, non-profit organisations etc.
● Value and operation of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills within global tourism activity
Year 2
Compulsory modules
The aim of this module is to develop students’ research skills to enable them to successfully design an independent research project. Students will critically reflect upon research to develop understanding and researching skills.
Indicative content :
- How to conduct a literature review and identify gaps in current knowledge of topical subjects
- How to write a literature review
- How to articulate a research aim and objectives
- Research philosophy and associated methodologies
- Plan qualitative and/or quantitative research as relevant to the chosen research aim
- How to analyse qualitative and quantitative data
- Conduct a risk assessment
- Consider the research project’s ethical implications
- Reflect on the limitations and ethical dimensions of the research design
- Understand the differences between academic and industry practitioners’ data/market intelligence requirements in tourism and hospitality
Aims:
To develop a sustainable, ethical, and responsible management philosophy in the design and development of hospitality facilities and evaluate how people, planet and profit impact and shape the design and delivery principles.
Indicative content:
- Facilities and design principles within multivenue outlets, independent business, branded hotels, SMEs, social enterprise, cost sector and related services in the day and night-time economy
- Designing and managing the complexity of different types of hospitality outlets within a single business
- Assessing service performance for operational excellence
- Managing cultural complexity, diversity, inclusion, and wellness of the hospitality labour force
- Exploring the role of creativity and innovation in sustainable hospitality businesses
- Mega trends impacting the future of the hospitality industry
- Understanding the cost and affordances of high technology versus the impact of high touch in delivering effective and memorable hospitality experience
- Ethics, responsibility, sustainability, and the implications of these practices
Elective modules
Module summary
Language study will develop your self-confidence, and intercultural skills. It will give you new opportunities for learning and working across cultures. Language skills are highly sought after by employers and give you a real advantage in whatever you hope to do in the future.
You will study your chosen language at the appropriate level based on your existing language ability – please refer to the individual module descriptors for each language and level for further details on the teaching and assessment.
Aims:
This module examines innovations in tourism and destination marketing. Although this industry employs established marketing approaches, the intangible nature of the product requires conceptualising services and experiential marketing. Furthermore, there is increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical products and experiences.
Indicative content:
- Marketing mix
- Marketing communications
- Innovative product development
- Digital marketing
- Experiential marketing
- Sustainable and responsible marketing
- Inclusive marketing
- Destination marketing
- Innovative tourism experiences
Aims:
Developing and applying operational management systems to enable the success of a food and beverage outlet. Appreciation of the diversity of offer within international food and beverage to widen the understanding of contemporary and developing global issues.
Indicative content:
- The application and understanding of technology and food and beverage software and systems
- The application and understanding of technological food production and service systems
- Menu planning and design, menu engineering and sales analysis
- Food and beverage purchasing and supply
- Financial planning and profitability
- International food and drink offer and systems
- The application of and selling of the meal experience
- Quality Assurance and control of Food and Beverage systems
- Legislation
Aims:
To enable students to spend time working in a relevant environment, offering an opportunity to enhance employability experience and skills and develop their contemporary knowledge which connects their discipline to the world of work
All Learning in the Workplace placements will be agreed by the University in consultation with the placement provider.The types of settings in which these placements occur will be characterised by activity of relevance to students undertaking hospitality, tourism or events study and include organisations and/ or institutions in the private, public or voluntary sectors
This module seeks to provide students with an opportunity to experience a real world work context for an extended period of time (typically a semester of teaching or 10-15 weeks) to achieve two main objectives:
- Broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of the sector, the business environment, the challenges and opportunities that present themselves but also the type of roles within an organisation and the diverse stakeholders external to that organisation and how they interconnect.
- Enable students to grow into life long learners able to reflect on their professional experience by drawing on the theory from a range of disciplines and reflecting on their experience of applying them
Indicative content:
The content will be focused on supporting students to understand how they apply the theory to their workplace knowledge. Relevant information, activities and models will be provided to the students to engage with, and develop their thinking, analysis and reflection skills.
Aims:
The aim of this module is to provide opportunities for students to prepare for and experience work environment(s) relevant to their sector and reflect on and hone personal and professional skills relevant to graduate employment including legal context, leadership, responsibility and accountability with due consideration of the sector-relevant, policies, procedures and culture. It is expected that the students will undertake the equivalent of 120 hours of work experience and professional development activities to enhance their understanding of the sector and plan their career.
Indicative content:
Module content may vary in response to the changing professional landscapes but could include:
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Process and procedure to support the employment lifecycle
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Standards of ethics, conduct and performance
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Training, personal and professional development; emotional intelligence
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Use of relevant sector-specific digital technologies to support personal and organisational development
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Leadership, followership and mentorship
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Managing conflict individuals, teams, and organisations; Managing group dynamics
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Ethical practice relevant to profession; equality, diversity, inclusivity in the workplace and corporate social responsibility (sector-specific economic, environmental and social value)
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Understanding organisational culture, human resource management, talent and performance management, managing diversity in organisations, understanding stress and building resilience, employee wellbeing and developing empathy
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Highly skilled employment opportunities which could include work experience and/or an enterprise residency
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Identifying enterprise opportunities and responding to those
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Engaging with external CPD and PSRB opportunities
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Maximising exposure to the world of work and professionals through site visits, field trips, attendance to professional conferences and engaging with guest speakers
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Undertaking volunteering work
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Engaging with career fairs and assessment centres
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada. Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability. Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification. Please check and refer to the webpage “How study abroad works”. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Year 3
Optional modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
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Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
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Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
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Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
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Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
To prepare students for a career as a professional in festival, entertainment, hospitality, tourism and aviation management by providing an opportunity to work on a company-based project or their own venture, focusing on the application of business and management skills within an organisational context. Students will either respond to a project brief, analyse and interpret information to develop a suite of enterprising solutions which are sustainable and financially viable or develop their own venture and business plan. In doing so, students will reflect on their personal and professional development.This module encourages students to develop, synthesise and apply knowledge and experience gained in previous levels of study.
Indicative content:
- The nature of consultancy/role of the consultant
- The tender process
- Business models
- Consultancy project planning and management
- Data collection and analysis for consultancy purposes
- Effective communication and relationship management
- The application of appropriate frameworks (and industry experience) to understand stakeholders, organisations, and the contemporary business environment
- Identifying enterprise opportunities and responding to those
- Change management and leadership
- Financial appraisal of the solutions developed
- Personality theory and team roles
- Reflection on current knowledge, achievements, skills, abilities and aptitudes in relation to graduate employability and improving career potential
- Introduction to as wide a range of situations as possible to allow students the opportunity to experience decision making situations and to develop relevant skills in the area from the viewpoint of managers and other stakeholders
- Taking a professional and ethical approach to consultancy with sustainability and inclusivity (among other principles) in mind
Aims:
Providing students with a credible and broad grounding in the subject of applied strategic management within tourism and hospitality. Evaluating natural and human made risk and applying appropriate analytical tools to evaluate their impact and mitigate damage. Allowing students to demonstrate the appropriate application of knowledge in relation to real world scenarios
Indicative content:
- Understanding strategy
- National, regional and international risk and crisis, developing mitigating scenarios
- Strategic Management and CSR delivery in the hospitality and tourism sector
- Strategic context - internal and external
- Strategic context - business level, corporate level and network level
- Strategy process, formulation, implementation
- Strategic Management in the international context
Elective modules
Module summary
Language study will develop your self-confidence, and intercultural skills. It will give you new opportunities for learning and working across cultures. Language skills are highly sought after by employers and give you a real advantage in whatever you hope to do in the future.
You will study your chosen language at the appropriate level based on your existing language ability – please refer to the individual module descriptors for each language and level for further details on the teaching and assessment.
Aim:
To explore and critically evaluate theories and practical approaches of hospitality management through cultural theory, internationalisation applications, revenue management, performance analysis within the sector. Enabling students to analyse relevant data and make decisions which positively impact organisational development and profit.
Indicative content:
The students will be using a business simulation software enabling them to implement the learning and knowledge they develop on the contents below from a holistic perspective:
- Cultural theory and its practical applications
- Operations management
- Facilities management
- Experience management
- Business ethics: theory and applications of CSR and EMS
- Competitive benchmarking
- Channel selection and digital revenue management
- Tactical and strategic revenue management
- Price setting
- Performance Metrics
- Data analytics and big data
- Decision making
Aims:
The module aims to engage students to identify a research question and to design and develop a research method to investigate this question presenting results in an academic research project format.
Indicative content:
- Critical appraisal of academic research literature and the logical synthesis of this into a literature review
- How to articulate clear research aim and objectives
- Critical appraisal of research methods and approaches
- How to source, analyse and synthesise qualitative and/or quantitative data
- Ethics in research
- Risk assessment
- Developing research skills and presenting research outcomes which demonstrate academic rigour
Aims:
This module aims to extend, develop understanding and knowledge of responsible governance of planning for global tourism destinations and the importance of policy and decision making in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Indicative content:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals and Tourism
- Global bodies and sustainable tourism (UNEP, UNWT)
- Over -tourism in destinations
- Sustainable Tourism Planning strategies, goals, methods.
- Innovative destinations and transitions to sustainability in destinations
- Public and private interactions for tourism destination management and planning.
Sustainable Tourism Planning: Objectives and Character - Tourism planning processes: Formal Planning & Adaptive Planning
- Tourism Growth Management
- Partnerships in tourism policy-making
- Planning for sustainable tourism in different contexts
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 255.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
Student success story

As part of the learning in the workplace scheme, student Amy Scott travelled to Colorado in the USA to spend nine months working for the famous Stanley Hotel. Find out more about her experience.