I Analyzed Every Property Near Sheffield Hallam. Here's What I Found.
Let me save you hours of research.
I spent the last week going through every single student property near Sheffield Hallam University. I checked prices, read Trustpilot reviews, looked at crime data, and mapped walking distances to campus.
The result? Sheffield is genuinely the cheapest place to study in the UK. And I'm going to show you exactly where to live.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Here's what the data shows:
- 54 properties within easy reach of Sheffield Hallam
- Cheapest room: £73/week at Westhill Hall
- Average rent: £107/week
- Most expensive: Around £270/week (avoid these - you're overpaying)
Now compare that to other cities:
| City | Average Weekly Rent | |------|---------------------| | Sheffield | £104 | | Liverpool | £137 | | Nottingham | £150 | | Manchester | £241 | | London | £347 |
You're reading that right. Sheffield is literally 3x cheaper than London. Over a 51-week contract, that's £12,393 you'd save. That's not a rounding error - that's a car, a holiday, or a massive chunk off your student debt.
The 5 Cheapest Properties (With My Honest Take)
I've ranked these by price, but I'm also going to tell you what the reviews actually say.
1. Westhill Hall - £73/week
The cheapest option in Sheffield. Run by Unite Students (2.7★ on Trustpilot).
Here's the thing about Unite - they're the Ryanair of student accommodation. The price is unbeatable, but don't expect frills. Common complaints include slow maintenance and basic facilities.
My take: If you're on a tight budget and just need a clean room with WiFi, this works. If you want a social experience with fancy common areas, look elsewhere.
What you get: En-suite room, shared kitchen, bills included, and a 15-minute walk to campus.
2. Archways - £78/week
Also Unite Students, just £5 more than Westhill. Slightly newer building, similar setup.
My take: Between this and Westhill, I'd spend the extra £5/week. That's £260 over the year for marginally better facilities.
3. Sharman Court - £80/week
Capitol Students property. Less known than Unite, but that's not necessarily bad.
What I found: Fewer reviews, but the ones I read were generally positive. Smaller company = sometimes more responsive to issues.
4. Solly House @ Central Place - £82/week
Student Roost (2.4★ on Trustpilot). I'll be honest - 2.4 stars isn't great.
Common complaints: Deposit disputes and maintenance delays. But at £82/week with a central location, some people make it work.
My take: Only book if you're on a tight budget AND you document everything at move-in. Take photos of every wall, every mark, every appliance.
5. iQ Brocco - £83/week
iQ Student Accommodation (2.7★). Similar to Unite in terms of reviews - hit or miss depending on the building.
What I like: Modern building, good facilities. What I don't: Some complaints about hidden costs and aggressive upselling.
Why Sheffield is Actually Great (Not Just Cheap)
I know what you're thinking. "It's cheap because Sheffield is boring."
Wrong.
Here's what Sheffield actually offers:
Nightlife: West Street and Division Street are packed with students. It's not Manchester, but it's not dead either. And because everything is cheaper, your nights out cost half what they would elsewhere.
Nature: The Peak District is literally on your doorstep. In 20 minutes, you can be hiking in some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Try doing that from central London.
Jobs: Sheffield has a growing tech scene. Companies like Sumo Digital (game developers) and WANdisco are based here. Plus it's 50 minutes from Manchester and 2 hours from London by train.
Cost of living: It's not just rent. Pints are cheaper. Food is cheaper. Haircuts are cheaper. Everything is cheaper.
The Real Talk: What Sheffield Hallam Students Say
I dug through Reddit threads to find actual student opinions. Here's the sentiment:
"I was worried Sheffield would be dead but honestly the night life is solid. West Street on a Wednesday is chaos."
"My rent was £85/week all-in. Friends at Manchester were paying £180. I don't understand why everyone doesn't come here."
"Unite was fine. Not amazing but nothing went wrong. Just basic student housing."
The pattern? Most people are pleasantly surprised. Sheffield under-promises and over-delivers.
What to Avoid
Properties over £150/week: You're paying for a brand name, not a better room. Sheffield's premium market is overpriced.
Anything with under 2.0★ on Trustpilot: Life's too short. Bad landlords make a bad year.
Properties far from city centre: Sheffield is walkable. Don't end up in the suburbs needing buses.
My Bottom Line
If I were starting university again and I cared about saving money (which, let's be real, everyone should), I'd seriously consider Sheffield.
At £73-100/week, you're paying less than half what London students pay. The city is underrated. The nightlife exists. And you graduate with thousands less debt.
Here's what I'd do:
- Browse all Sheffield properties here
- Compare your top 3 picks
- Book early - the cheapest rooms go by March
The data doesn't lie. Sheffield is the best value in UK student housing.
Last updated: December 2025. I verified every price myself from provider websites.