We welcome international students with families. However, please note that we do not offer family accommodation or support with childcare costs.

Offers to study at Sheffield Hallam University are based on academic achievements and qualifications. We do not consider any other information when making an offer. Therefore, an offer from Sheffield Hallam should not be interpreted as awareness of your personal circumstances and a commitment from the University to provide additional services related to securing family accommodation and childcare.

Please read the information below carefully before you decide to bring your family to the UK while studying.

Immigration

You can bring your husband, wife, unmarried partner, and children (under 18) to the UK with you as a Student Visa dependant if you are studying one of the following:

• PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
• research-based higher degree

Read more about bringing your dependants on the Gov.UK website. 

Accommodation

Sheffield Hallam University does not provide accommodation for families and, beyond the advice published on this page, we are unable to provide additional support for international students looking for family accommodation.

The rental market for family accommodation in Sheffield is severely restricted. You should take this into consideration when deciding whether to accept an offer from Sheffield Hallam University.

Because the supply of affordable family accommodation in Sheffield is extremely limited, it can take 2-4 weeks to secure a house for your dependants. Ideally, you should arrange accommodation for your family prior to arrival in Sheffield. If this is not possible, we strongly advise you to travel on your own initially, secure family accommodation and then bring your spouse and children to the UK.

Securing accommodation prior to arrival

You can contact any local letting agent and view properties on their websites. However, we do not advise you to sign any contracts before you have actually viewed the property. Aim to have a list of 3-5 suitable properties ready to view when you arrive or ask a trusted friend or a family member to view them on your behalf.

Travelling on your own, then bringing dependants

If you have been unable to secure family accommodation prior to arrival, you must travel to the UK on your own 2 - 4 weeks before the start of teaching to search for accommodation. You will need to arrange temporary accommodation for the period of house-hunting.

You must not sign long-term rental agreements if you plan to move house once your family arrives. If you do, you will be liable for the entire cost of the contract even if you move out.

You should bring your dependants to the UK only after you have found suitable accommodation.

Rent Guarantor Scheme

You will be expected to have a UK-based guarantor. Without one, you may be required to pay the full annual rent on acceptance of an offer of accommodation. You can contact Housing Hand who may be able to assist you with a guarantor for an additional fee.

House-hunting tips for students with families

• You should expect to pay around £800 - £900 for family accommodation in Sheffield or nearby towns.
• Family accommodation close to the campus, or to schools, is limited and is likely to be more expensive.
• You will be able to find more affordable accommodation in areas which are 20-30min bus ride away. Please use Travel South Yorkshire to check travel times and costs when considering your accommodation options.
• We have received excellent feedback from international students who chose to live in Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley and Chesterfield and we strongly encourage you to consider these locations.
• You must comply with the distance-from-campus requirements for international student accommodation in order to meet the conditions of your student visa.
• You must disclose all relevant details to letting agents or landlords when searching for accommodation. For example, you must tell them if children will live in the property because some properties are not suitable for younger children.
• In most cases you will be asked to pay rent upfront for at least 3 months, and in some cases up to 12 months. If you cannot do this, you will be asked to provide a UK-based guarantor. There are many companies which offer this service; make sure you check their website for the terms of service and that the landlord will accept them before applying with guarantors.
• Landlords are not likely to accept offers to pay less than the advertised rent

Childcare and children’s education

It is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16 to attend school. Your child will be accepted into a local state school at no charge. To apply for a school place for your child, you will need to know when you will be arriving in Sheffield and the address you will be living at. You should not apply for a place more than six weeks before you and your child will arrive. See the UK Government website for general information on school admissions.

The best way for caring for children under the age of five is for you and your spouse to organise your study and free time to ensure that you personally meet the needs of your children. Childcare for children under five is expensive and places are limited. You should expect to pay upwards of £650 per month for full time childcare for pre-school aged children. Sheffield Hallam University does not cover childcare costs.

Please ensure you make adequate provision for childcare so that you can engage fully in your studies. Sheffield Hallam University is an adult learning environment. Bringing children to lectures and seminars is not permitted.