You get a big, loyal student scene in an affordable, down-to-earth city with a national park on the doorstep. It is green, welcoming and easy to feel at home in.

• The University of Sheffield (Russell Group) and Sheffield Hallam give it a big, loyal student scene.
• A third of the city sits inside the Peak District National Park.
• It is affordable, green and famously down-to-earth.

Broomhill, Crookes and Ecclesall Road are the student heartlands, while Kelham Island has become the hub for nights out. The city's music heritage runs deep.

• Broomhill, Crookes and Ecclesall Road (Eccy Road) are the student heartlands.
• Kelham Island is the hub for craft beer, street food and nights out.
• The Studcasa Sheffield group helps you find flatmates and gig company.

Sheffield is one of England's cheapest student cities, so rent and everyday costs both go far. A young-person travel pass and the food halls help keep spending low.

• Budget around GBP 750-1,200 a month, one of England's cheapest student cities.
• A South Yorkshire Zoom young-person pass cuts tram and bus fares.
• Cutlery Works and the Moor Market do cheap, good food.

Broomhill, Crookes and Crookesmoor are the prime student areas near the universities, with lively Ecclesall Road nearby. Kelham Island suits those wanting a trendier base.

• Broomhill, Crookes and Crookesmoor are prime student areas near the universities.
• Ecclesall Road and Sharrow are lively and central.
• Kelham Island suits those wanting a trendier, city-centre base.

The Supertram links the centre, universities and suburbs, backed up by buses on a shared pass. The city is hilly, so plan your walking routes around the climbs.

• The Supertram (yellow, blue and purple lines) links the centre, universities and suburbs.
• First and Stagecoach buses fill the gaps, and a TravelMaster pass covers both.
• The city is hilly, so factor the climbs into your walking routes.

Two large universities give the city a big student community. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.

• The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University are the hosts.
• Terms run late September to June.

Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.

What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

Local food traditions and a strong music and sport scene shape the city. The regenerated Kelham Island shows off the modern food culture.

• Splash Henderson's Relish, the local spicy sauce, on everything.
• Kelham Island's Cutlery Works food hall showcases the city's food scene.
• The Crucible hosts the World Snooker Championship each spring.

The city runs from the student districts near the universities to the regenerated industrial quarter. Each has its own balance of price and buzz.

• Broomhill and Crookes for classic student life.
• Ecclesall Road for cafes and bars.
• Kelham Island for craft beer and regeneration cool.

The Peak District is essentially your back garden, and other northern cities are close by train. Grand houses and reservoirs make easy days out.

• The Peak District (Stanage Edge, Castleton, Bakewell) is about 30-45 minutes away.
• Manchester is about 50 minutes and Leeds about 40 minutes by train.
• Chatsworth House and Ladybower Reservoir are easy day trips.

With a national park on the edge of town, walking boots earn their keep. The hills make the tram a better bet than a bike for daily travel.

• Get walking boots, as the Peak District is basically your back garden.
• The hills make cycling hard work, so the tram is your friend.
• Try real ale at the Fat Cat and Kelham Island Tavern.