Sheffield is home to two major universities — the University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield Hallam — with a combined student population of around 60,000. Each creates its own distinct moving pattern, with different locations, different peak dates, and different access challenges. This guide covers both.
University of Sheffield Students (S10 Belt)
The University of Sheffield's main campus sits in the Western Bank area, with the vast majority of student housing concentrated in the S10 postcode — Crookes, Broomhill, Commonside, Walkley, and the streets immediately north of the A57. This is the steepest residential area in Sheffield city proper.
Where UoS Students Live
- Crookes — the densest student zone. Terraced streets off Crookes Road, Lydgate Lane, and Springvale Road. Victorian through-terraces with no off-road parking and tight access.
- Broomhill — slightly more mixed, closer to Western Bank campus. Some larger shared houses. Generally better parking than Crookes but still controlled zones.
- Commonside / Walkey — overflow from Crookes. Walkley Lane is notoriously steep and narrow in sections.
- Ranmoor — UoS's own halls of residence for first years. Broad Lane access, lift service in some blocks. Generally easier van access than private rentals.
Controlled Parking Zones in S10
The Zone B CPZ operates in Crookes and Broomhill on weekdays 8 AM–6 PM. During the academic year (October–June), residents' permit holders dominate the few available spaces. Our drivers know to arrive early (before 7:30 AM) or late (after 6 PM) on weekday moves, or to use the small number of loading bay exemptions on Crookes Road itself.
Peak Moving Dates for UoS
The academic year at the University of Sheffield typically ends in late June, with the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) end date of 1 July driving the largest exodus. The last two weeks of June — and especially the 30 June weekend — are the busiest period we see all year. Book at least 4–6 weeks ahead if you're moving out of S10 in late June.
Sheffield Hallam Students (S1 City Centre)
Sheffield Hallam's main campus sits at the top of Howard Street in the city centre, with Collegiate Campus on Ecclesall Road. First-year halls are clustered around S1 — Owen Building area, Charles Street, and the Ponds Forge/Arundel Gate vicinity.
Where Hallam Students Live
- City Centre (S1) — purpose-built student blocks on Furnival Gate, Charles Street, and Howard Street. Managed access, goods lifts, loading bays — generally the most van-friendly student accommodation in the city.
- Collegiate Campus area (S11) — houses and flats on Collegiate Crescent and Banner Cross. Better parking than S10 but further from city centre.
- Ecclesall Road corridor — popular with second and third year Hallam students. Mix of HMOs and modern purpose-built flats.
Accessing Hallam City Centre Halls
The Supertram runs along Arundel Gate and Church Street — two of the main routes to Hallam's city centre halls. Loading directly on these streets is restricted. We use the loading bays on Norfolk Street and Furnival Street, which add about 10–15 minutes of carry distance but avoid tram-line penalties. City centre NCP car parks charge for loading vehicle stays — we build this into quotes.
Peak Moving Dates for Hallam
Hallam's term dates differ slightly from UoS. Their summer semester typically ends mid-June, making the 14–28 June window the peak Hallam exodus. Many first-year Hallam students moving out of managed halls can book flexible move-out slots, so mid-week Hallam moves are easier to arrange than UoS Crookes moves.
What to Book and When
| Move type | Book ahead | Peak dates |
|---|---|---|
| UoS Crookes / Broomhill (June) | 4–6 weeks | 25 Jun – 2 Jul |
| UoS halls (Ranmoor) | 2–3 weeks | Late June |
| Hallam City Centre halls | 1–2 weeks | 14–21 Jun |
| September move-in (all areas) | 2–3 weeks | 2–9 Sep |
What to Tell Us When Booking
To give you an accurate quote, we need:
- Collection postcode and specific street (gradient matters in S10)
- Whether there are stairs and how many flights
- Whether the accommodation has a goods lift (relevant for Hallam city centre blocks)
- Rough volume — single room, double room, or full flat
- Preferred time slot (morning moves generally easier in S10 before CPZ hours)
Most student moves are completed in 1–3 hours. Crookes terraces with steep stairs typically take slightly longer than flat-access halls. Get a free quote or call 020 3318 4720.