Good work-life balance and cost of living

Sheffield used to be synonymous with steel (hence its name, Steel City), but its biggest areas of employment are now the health, education and retail sectors. The creative and digital industry has grown too – offering 25,000 jobs in the city.

With a population of over half a million, Sheffield is the gateway to the picturesque Pennines, and is also home to some great shopping (hello, Meadowhall!).

If you’re looking to achieve work-life balance, with a good cost of living, then look no further than Sheffield.

Sheffield Park Square bridge

Working in Sheffield

With an economy worth £55 billion, there are plenty of digital marketing opportunities both in-house, and at agencies, where you can specialise in social media, PR, content, SEO, PPC and more.

To get you started on your job hunt, take a look at our list of top 10 agencies in Sheffield below.

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If you want a career that will challenge you and develop your knowledge in the field, I would recommend searching for a role within a marketing agency. The wide range of clients you’ll work with, and the experience of the team you have to work alongside is an experience I believe you’ll get in no other organisation. When you are starting in a role, I would argue that initially the broader the better. This will expose you to different areas (PPC, SEO, social media etc) within teams, so you have an understanding of the best practices in each area, and this will also help you discover which area you have more interest in and where you would like to progress your career.

Matt Sellars, Converted

My advice to any new graduates trying to take their first steps in the industry is simple: get your foot in the door. Research agencies local to where you live, or where you want to live and find a handful with a personal development culture. Reach out to these agencies and put yourself on their radar – request work experience and show willingness. The best way to learn and improve within the digital marketing industry is to be in it; so, spending time at a digital agency is the best thing for you.

Aaron Watts, Converted

I achieved my first graduate job from an originally failed attempt at a university placement. After making the final two, I marginally lost out on the original position. The company contacted me two years later just before I graduated, about a position they thought my skills would suit. A week after my final exam, I started. It goes to prove that making a good first impression and trying to gain some work experience whilst at uni can make the difference. My advice to any new graduates trying to get into the industry is to have a go at everything when you graduate. Find something you like. Go and specialise in it!

James Bellamy, SEO Works

Does degree subject matter?*

0 %

Have degrees

0 %

Have marketing degrees

0 %

Have business degrees

Other

Degrees include product design and media technology

*stats from included agency owners/managers

Living in Sheffield

If you’re looking to save as much money as possible, then Sheffield is an ideal option – it’s the second cheapest city on our list, after Nottingham.

182% cheaper than London, 26% cheaper than Edinburgh, and 12% cheaper than Manchester; you don’t need to feel guilty spending your hard-earned cash on all the things Sheffield has to offer!

Living Costs*


Average cost of a one bed flat (monthly rent)

£584.76 (city centre)
£445 (outside city centre)


Average monthly commuting costs

£58.70


Monthly gym membership

£25.62


Average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant

£11.50


Average cost of a cappuccino

£2.66


Average cost of 0.5l beer

£3


*stats from Numbeo

Things to do in Sheffield

Awesome Walls

Awesome Walls

Garter Street, Sheffield, S4 7QX

Bamboo Door

Bamboo Door

Leopold Square, Sheffield, S1 2JG

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP

Delta Force paintball

Delta Force Paintball

Mortimer Road, Sheffield, S6 6JE

Escape Sheffield

Escape Sheffield

33 High Street, Sheffield, S1 2GA

Mayfield Alpaca Farm

Mayfield Alpaca Farm

Quicksaw Farm, Fulwood Lane, Ringinglow Village, Sheffield, S10 4LH

Millennium Art Gallery

Millennium Gallery

Millennium Gallery, Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP

Our Cow Molly

Our Cow Molly

Cliffe House Farm, Hill Top Road, Dungworth, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S6 6GW

Ponds Forge

Ponds Forge International Sports Centre

Sheaf St, Sheffield, S1 2BP

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2LN

Stanage Edge

Stanage Edge

Ringinglow Road, Hathersage, Derbyshire, S32 1BR

Tamper Coffee

Tamper

Sellers Wheel, 149 Arundel St. Sheffield, S1 2NU

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

73-75 Division Street, Sheffield, S1 4GE

Peak District

The Peak District

Peak District National Park

Tropical Butterfly House

Tropical Butterfly, Wildlife and Falconry Centre

Woodsetts Road, North Anston, Sheffield, S25 4EQ

Let’s thrive together

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