Description

This Apify Actor efficiently scrapes and extracts detailed course information from the University of Sheffield's discovery platform, including titles, summaries, durations, and start dates....

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Sheffield Discovery Parser Spider

Introduction

The Sheffield Discovery Parser Spider is a powerful Apify Actor designed to scrape and extract detailed course information from the University of Sheffield's discovery platform. It efficiently searches for courses based on user-defined keywords and URLs, delivering structured data on programs, durations, and more. This tool is ideal for researchers, educators, and organizations seeking accurate, up-to-date academic data for analysis or integration.

Features

• Comprehensive Course Extraction: Parses detailed information including titles, subtitles, summaries, images, durations, and start dates from Sheffield's search results.
• Flexible URL and Keyword Targeting: Supports multiple starting URLs and customizable search keys to tailor scraping to specific needs.
• High-Performance Scraping: Built on Apify's robust infrastructure for reliable, fast data collection with minimal errors.
• Structured JSON Output: Delivers clean, machine-readable data perfect for downstream processing or database integration.
• Error-Resilient Design: Handles network issues and site changes gracefully, ensuring consistent results.
• Scalable and Customizable: Easily configurable for batch processing or targeted searches across various academic domains.
• Apify Store Integration: Seamlessly runs on Apify's cloud platform with built-in monitoring and export options.

Input Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description	Example
Urls	array	Yes	An array of starting URLs to scrape from the Sheffield discovery platform. Must be valid HTTP/HTTPS URLs.	["https://sheffield.ac.uk"]
SearchKey	string	No	The keyword or phrase to search for courses. Defaults to a general term if not specified.	"computer science"

Example Usage

Input Configuration

{
  "Urls": ["https://sheffield.ac.uk"],
  "SearchKey": "computer science"
}

Output Example

[
  {
    "page": 0,
    "search_key": "computer+science",
    "title": "Advanced Computer Science | MSc",
    "url": "https://dxp-uk-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/redirect?collection=uos~sp-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheffield.ac.uk%2Fpostgraduate%2Ftaught%2Fcourses%2F2026%2Fadvanced-computer-science-msc&auth=Bkfk8KMDDU8bZkaULT5usA&profile=_default&rank=1&query=computer+science",
    "subtitle": "School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering",
    "summary": "With the rapid evolution of technology, understanding both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computer science is vital. This MSc places you at the cutting edge of developments in this field, giving you the knowledge essential…",
    "image_url": "https://sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/two_thirds_2x/public/2025-05/Robotics-10.jpg?h=732b3878&itok=SC9rHalH",
    "duration": "1 year",
    "course_start": "2026",
    "actor_id": "NfiSIaineFmH0d1lY",
    "run_id": "17J8aRJemVbOeywGy"
  },
  {
    "page": 0,
    "search_key": "computer+science",
    "title": "Computer Science | MSc",
    "url": "https://dxp-uk-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/redirect?collection=uos~sp-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheffield.ac.uk%2Fpostgraduate%2Ftaught%2Fcourses%2F2026%2Fcomputer-science-msc&auth=PiAby%2FOa%2F2%2BAZ90hAJxC6A&profile=_default&rank=2&query=computer+science",
    "subtitle": "School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering",
    "summary": "Are you looking to expand your career possibilities in tech? This masters degree is for ambitious graduates with a non-computing background - no coding experience needed. Develop skills in programming and a range of topics including computer science…",
    "image_url": "https://sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/two_thirds_2x/public/2025-09/Machines%20and%20Intelligence-8.jpg?h=18537e05&itok=P-oS1bYb",
    "duration": "1 year",
    "course_start": "2026",
    "actor_id": "NfiSIaineFmH0d1lY",
    "run_id": "17J8aRJemVbOeywGy"
  },
  {
    "page": 0,
    "search_key": "computer+science",
    "title": "Computer Science | BSc",
    "url": "https://dxp-uk-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/redirect?collection=uos~sp-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheffield.ac.uk%2Fundergraduate%2Fcourses%2F2026%2Fcomputer-science-bsc&auth=uUPSQpouT95ADALbB7XRlg&profile=_default&rank=3&query=computer+science",
    "subtitle": "School of Computer Science",
    "summary": "You’ll receive a thorough grounding in both the theory and the practical skills associated with this dynamic subject, encountering application areas such as cybersecurity, deep learning, speech recognition, cryptography and robotics. We’ll equip you with skills needed to succeed in your career.",
    "image_url": "https://sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/two_thirds_2x/public/2025-05/Machines%20and%20Intelligence-8.jpg?h=18537e05&itok=OEAt_e_k",
    "duration": "3 years",
    "course_start": "2026",
    "actor_id": "NfiSIaineFmH0d1lY",
    "run_id": "17J8aRJemVbOeywGy"
  }
]

Use Cases

• Market Research and Analysis: Gather data on academic programs to identify trends in education offerings.
• Competitive Intelligence: Compare course structures and specializations across universities.
• Price Monitoring: Track tuition-related details indirectly through course durations and starts.
• Content Aggregation: Build databases of educational resources for online platforms.
• Academic Research: Collect metadata for studies on curriculum development.
• Business Automation: Automate data feeds for recruitment agencies or educational consultants.

Installation and Usage

1. Search for "Sheffield Discovery Parser Spider" in the Apify Store
2. Click "Try for free" or "Run"
3. Configure input parameters
4. Click "Start" to begin extraction
5. Monitor progress in the log
6. Export results in your preferred format (JSON, CSV, Excel)

Output Format

The Actor outputs an array of JSON objects, each representing a scraped course. Key fields include:

• page: The page number from the search results.
• search_key: The encoded search query used.
• title: The course name and qualification.
• url: Direct link to the course page.
• subtitle: Department and faculty information.
• summary: A brief description of the course.
• image_url: URL to an associated image.
• duration: Length of the program.
• course_start: Starting year.
• actor_id and run_id: Metadata for tracking the scrape.

Support

For custom/simplified outputs or bug reports, please contact:

• Email: support@getdataforme.com
• Subject line: "custom support"
• Contact form: https://getdataforme.com/contact/

We're here to help you get the most out of this Actor!