And there are many graduates who have gone on to make waves in academia, economics, politics, culture, sport, law and more besides.
Here are 9 prominent individuals who gained a degree from the University of Sheffield that you probably didn’t know about.
![BBC Breakfast host and sports journalist Dan Walker studied history at Sheffield University, then took an MA in journalism there.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZiMjRhNDQyLTNkZWMtNDlmYS05MDlhLTNkOGZlN2EwMzdiNDphYzkzMzRiYy0wNDVhLTRlNzAtYWMzOC00ZTRkMDgzMWU0ODQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Dan Walker
BBC Breakfast host and sports journalist Dan Walker studied history at Sheffield University, then took an MA in journalism there. Photo: Jeff Spicer
![Born in France and brought up in Ireland and England, Eddie Izzard studied accountancy at Sheffield University but the entertainer left the course to pursue a career in comedy. Eddie was later awarded an honorary degree and more recently has expressed a desire to stand as an MP in the city.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNiODQ2NGMwLWFlZjgtNDUzMi1hYjJjLWJmY2QyNzNiMmQ3MDowNDQwOWY1NS1kOTI5LTQ5MmEtOWQyZC0wMTY0MzkzYmY2NDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Eddie Izzard
Born in France and brought up in Ireland and England, Eddie Izzard studied accountancy at Sheffield University but the entertainer left the course to pursue a career in comedy. Eddie was later awarded an honorary degree and more recently has expressed a desire to stand as an MP in the city. Photo: Getty Images
![Sheffield-born Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill studied psychology at Sheffield University.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYyM2NiNGQ0LWMxYjMtNGQ2OC1hZjFhLWIyZjhkYjk1Yzk2Yjo2MGM0YjFhYi1kZTg5LTRjYzEtYTA3Mi1kNGFlMDVjZmMzZWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
Sheffield-born Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill studied psychology at Sheffield University. Photo: Steve Riding
![Sheffield-born scientist and astronaut Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, studied chemistry at Sheffield University.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVjYjhhYzM4LTczYzUtNGUyZS05YWMwLWIwN2I1Y2VmMjE1MzoxNTQ5MWE5NS1kOWQwLTQ5NTUtOTFkMC1lZjJiNDkxZWExNTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Dr Helen Sharman
Sheffield-born scientist and astronaut Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, studied chemistry at Sheffield University. Photo: JPI Media