SHU Progress provides support for applicants whose personal circumstances might mean that there are barriers to going to university.
The scheme provides additional support in the year of application and throughout the application process, including your transition to becoming a university student.
If you're looking to join Hallam in September 2025, the scheme is now open for nominations.
If you are a Black British student, you are also eligible to join our dedicated pathway programme. You can find more information about our Black British Pathway Programme further down this page.
What support do I get?
As an applicant to Sheffield Hallam University, SHU Progress offers:
A personal contact at the university who will be there to provide advice and answer your questions throughout the year
Referrals to specialist teams within the university such as Careers and Employability, Funding and Wellbeing (dependent on your circumstances)
Practical support throughout the year with key stages of the application process such as UCAS, Student Finance, accommodation, Disabled Student Support and transition
Exclusive and personal visits to the university, giving you the chance to meet current students and staff who can advise and support you
Support with the costs of visiting the university for our events and open days for you and a supporter
Support with making the best application to us, including access to workshops on preparing for interviews
Exclusive access to the SHU Progress Members' Area which provides updates of relevant additional financial or personal support, as well as more general support throughout the year
A personalised contextual offer for eligible students , depending on the course you've applied for, your qualifications and your circumstances
SHU Progress also offers additional consideration during the admissions process if you:
are in or leaving care
are estranged from your family
have caring responsibilities
have experienced significant extenuating circumstances
are homeless/at risk of homelessness
are from a refugee/asylum seeking background
or are from a Black British background.
This means we will share with our selectors that you’re on SHU Progress for them to consider when making a decision on your application to the university at confirmation, interview, or offer making stage.
In order to be eligible for this support, it is important you join SHU Progress before or at the time of submitting your application. In line with UCAS’s measures to safeguard bias with the admissions process, we will not disclose the reason you are on the scheme where it relates to your ethnicity.
Our Black British Pathway Programme runs for students in Y12 all the way through to the end of Y1 at Hallam, and you can join at any point. The programme includes bespoke visits, early access to academic departments and a student mentor to answer any questions you may have. Watch some of our mentors discuss the programme and why they found it beneficial.
To join or for more information contact the team at access@shu.ac.uk
Student testimonials
“They are all kind and helpful people and understand people's situation no matter what it is.”
“It has been of great support and a truly essential contact bridge for starting university. Very friendly and approachable members of the team who seem to do their best to help”
At Sheffield Hallam University we have a long-standing commitment of supporting underrepresented groups to progress to Higher Education. We are proud to be an earlier adopter of the Care Leaver Covenant, a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and committed to supporting estranged students through the Stand Alone Pledge.
