In brief
LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES
Sheffield rises in global rankings
Sheffield rises in global rankings
Proudly a world top-100 university, this year has seen the University of Sheffield achieve increasing global recognition for innovative research and exceptional teaching.
QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
World top
85
Climbed 10 places to 82nd best university in the world, and 14th in the UK.
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
World top
50
Named 46th most international university in the world, and 16th in the UK.
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
12th
in UK
Rose four places in the prestigious THE World University Rankings.
GUARDIAN UNIVERSITY GUIDE
15th
in UK
Ranked 15th best university in the UK, and in the top 10 for 14 subject areas.
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY
No. 1
in UK
Voted best Students’ Union in the Russell Group.
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY
Top 3
in UK
Ranked third in Russell Group for student satisfaction.
'TRIPLE CROWN' ACCREDITATION
Top 1%
in world
Sheffield Management School received prestigious reaccreditation from AMBA, alongside AACSB and EQUIS.
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FRAMEWORK
National
leader
Recognised in the top tier for business, community, and public sector collaboration.
Iconic Arts Tower celebrates 60 years
The University of Sheffield’s world-renowned Arts Tower is celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking six decades as a defining beacon on the city’s skyline and a hub of academic excellence.
Opened in 1966 as the tallest university building in the UK, the Grade II* listed landmark has played a central role in University life for generations of students, researchers, and staff. Standing at 78 metres, the building remains celebrated for its pioneering modernist architecture and its famous continuous-motion Paternoster lift, one of the last working examples in Europe.
Beyond its architectural significance, the tower has served as the creative home for key departments, including the School of Architecture and Urban Studies and Planning, driving decades of impactful research and civic design.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the University is hosting a series of retrospective exhibitions and community events, architectural archives, and personal memories submitted by alumni across the globe.
South Yorkshire unites for £3.3bn life sciences hub
Leaders from government, the NHS, and academia have united to position South Yorkshire at the forefront of the UK’s £100 billion life sciences industry. The region boasts a thriving £3.3 billion ecosystem, employing over 15% of the local workforce and hosting the UK’s highest concentration of medical supply manufacturers.
The summit highlighted the University’s critical role in driving innovation through the Insigneo Institute, which uses digital twins and advanced modelling to transform patient care alongside the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub. Together, these facilities leverage cutting-edge data to tackle healthcare inequalities and develop new clinical tools for the region’s 1.4 million residents.
“We stand at a moment of real opportunity to make South Yorkshire a national leader in health innovation, turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”
By aligning research with the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, the partnership aims to turn Sheffield’s “innovation corridor” into a national leader for high-quality jobs and prevention-led healthcare.
The future of our campus
The University has been developing a new long-term plan to create a better-connected and more sustainable campus for the years ahead.
The Future Campus Framework was developed in response to changing work patterns, an ageing estate, and the need for better resource management. This new strategy will ensure our campus continues to support academic excellence, research strength, and a high-quality student experience.
At its heart is a vision for a campus that is greener, more efficient and easier to use. One that reflects Sheffield’s character while bringing people together in welcoming, inclusive spaces. Sustainability is built into that vision from the start, with plans shaped around decarbonisation, better use of space, biodiversity, wellbeing and active travel.
Two of the key projects being taken forward are the Central Teaching Labs and a new sports centre. The Central Teaching Labs will provide modern, energy-efficient facilities that strengthen teaching quality and help attract future students, while the new sports centre is intended to offer accessible, high-quality facilities that support wellbeing, healthier lifestyles and the wider student experience.
In memory of
Professor Nigel Dunnett
The University is reflecting on the extraordinary life and work of alumnus and staff member Professor Nigel Dunnett, who passed away peacefully on 26 April.
A proud Sheffield graduate (PhD Animal and Plant Sciences 1996), Nigel went on to enjoy a distinguished 30-year career at the University, serving as Professor of Planting Design and Vegetation Technology in the School of Architecture.
Nigel left an indelible mark on our community and a visible impact across the globe. He pioneered innovative, sustainable planting schemes in public spaces worldwide, including London’s Barbican, the Olympic Park, Italy’s Bergamo Square, the historic Tower of London moat for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and the Diamond Garden at Buckingham Palace.
Closer to home, his work transformed the very landscape of our city, altering how designers, institutions, and gardeners think about nature in urban environments.
“Nigel was one of our most inspirational colleagues. We will miss him, but his legacy grows all around us, especially in the city and the University he called home.”
Nigel touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and alumni during his 30 years at Sheffield. The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture invites you to visit their dedicated memorial space to read the moving tributes already left by our community, and to share your own memories, photos, or stories of Nigel.
In memory of
Professor Malcolm Tait
Alumnus Professor Malcolm Tait, who passed away on 3 June, built a long-standing connection with the University of Sheffield. He completed his MA in Town and Regional Planning in 1997, followed by a PhD at the University of Sheffield.
Across his career, Malcolm made an outstanding contribution to planning research, teaching and intellectual leadership in the field. He was a leading scholar of planning whose work was internationally recognised and helped shape debates in the field, exploring the purpose and practice of planning and how it engages with wider social, environmental and political questions.
“Malcolm's research and advocacy for socially just and sustainable planning was hugely influential, not just in academia but in shaping policy and practice. He was a lynchpin of our school community, known for his kindness and collegiality, and his calm and effective leadership and mentoring. We miss him deeply.”
Malcolm leaves a lasting legacy in the field of planning, in the University, and in the many people he taught, mentored and worked alongside. He will be greatly missed by colleagues, students, alumni and friends across the University and the wider planning community.
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