I am late to the thread, but first of all, a warm welcome to Sheffield (when you arrive).
A few things to note, that I think will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Location - more students come to Sheffield to study, and decide to stay, than any other city in the UK. The reason?, well there are plenty and I am sure some will strike a chord with you, but one is location. You will be living and studying in one of the UK's largest cities, and yet a short 15-20 minute drive and you are in the Peak District national park, one of most beautiful areas of countryside you will find anywhere.
Beer and pubs - we have "craft beer" (from kegs, or cans) in trendy bars and traditional pubs, but more importantly we have "real ale", beer that is pulled by handle, to draw the beer from barrels. Over the last decade, real ale brewing and production has taken off all over the country, and if you try, and like, this type of beer, you will have a wonderful year because there is always something new to try. Sheffield is the capital of real ale brewing in the UK, we have lots of small breweries producing award winning ale. We have proper pubs serving proper beer.
Lifestyle - linked to location and beer and pubs, we have everything you will need on your doorstep; shops, pubs, bars, trendy bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatre, night clubs, live music venues. As a student, you will find certain pubs and venues geared towards you and your fellow students, one of them, "The Leadmill", is a legendary live venue that is a magnet for students at the weekend, where they play classic British pop and rock music.
Football - the reason you are on this forum. The beautiful game we call football, originates in Sheffield. The worlds oldest football club is Sheffield FC, the worlds second oldest football club is Hallam FC, the worlds oldest football ground is Sandygate, the home of Hallam FC, a 10 minute car ride from the city centre. The worlds oldest football trophy, the Youdan cup, was created and contested in Sheffield. The rules of modern football, as played all over the world, were written up in "The Plough", a traditional pub, opposite Sandygate (sadly the pub is closed at the moment but should be open again when you arrive). Sheffield is the home of football.
Sheffield United - If you want to enjoy watching live football while you are here, go to Bramall Lane (it will be walking distance from your accommodation). Go to "The Beer Engine", or "The Cremorne", on London Road, or "The Railway" on Bramall Lane itself, try one one of the hand pulled beers that I mention above, before the game, mix with the fans, listen to the "banter". Watch the game, listen to the fans, listen to the tradition of football fans singing football songs, some that are specific to the club. Get caught up in the atmosphere and passion of Sheffield United. Go for a beer after the game, talk to the fans, you will find they are a friendly bunch.
I would also suggest that you try and take in a game or two at Hallam FC (Sandygate), where just a few hundred fans gather to watch football played with passion and honesty, away from the big money of the professional game.
Most of all, enjoy your time in Sheffield, make the most of it and take some great memories back home with you.
