MMedSci Vision and Strabismus pre-arrival information
Congratulations on securing your place to study Vision and Strabismus with us this September. On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to the University of Sheffield as smooth as possible.
We know this can be a busy time for you, and we want to make preparing to start your course as straightforward as possible. This pre-arrival page is just for new Vision and Strabismus students starting in September 2025. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete specific to you and your course.
Introductory day timetable
Each year will start with a series of online introductory days relating to the module(s) you have chosen.
The online introductory day for our Vision and Strabismus modules in semester one can be found below.
- Concomitance and Incomitance in Depth - Tuesday 23 September, 9am - 4.30pm
- Eye to Vision - Thursday 25 September, 9am - 4.30pm
- Stroke - Wednesday 24 September, 9am - 4.30pm
- Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists - Friday 26 September, 9am - 4.30pm
Online introductory days for subsequent modules can be found in the Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Google calendar. Schedules may change so please refer to the Google calendar for the latest information.
Access your introductory day
Please note: modules, organisations and sessions will be released on Blackboard few days before the start of your course.
Accessing our virtual learning platform – Blackboard
You should use Google Chrome as your web browser. Other browsers are known to cause issues.
All of your course materials can be accessed from MUSE (My University of Sheffield Environment) via the following steps.
- Visit the University of Sheffield website and log in with your username and password.
- Click on the My Services tab and select Blackboard, our virtual learning platform.
Blackboard has two areas you need to become familiar with: courses and organisations. The course is the module you will be studying in this next semester. The organisation is the umbrella platform for all modules, where information relating to every programme is found. All students should have access to both their course and the Vision and Strabismus organisation.
Finding the first online session – Blackboard Collaborate
We use Blackboard Collaborate as our virtual classroom. This has all the same features as software like Zoom or Google Meet and allows us to present slides and use online whiteboards.
Read our guide to Blackboard Collaborate
The first session can be found on the Vision and Strabismus organisation.
- Go to My Services on the University homepage
- Click on Blackboard
- Select Organisations
- Click on Vision and Strabismus.
- On the left-hand menu, click Blackboard Collaborate.
- From here, you can join the initial teaching sessions for the introductory day, which is entitled Introductions, Ice-breakers and Tour of Blackboard. Please join this session and not the course room.
Course-specific teaching will be hosted under Courses in Blackboard. We will familiarise you with the location of hosted teaching materials during our introductory session.
You can find more information on Blackboard using the links below:
There are two optional modules for Year 1 and Year 2 students on the MMedSci Vision and Strabismus programme, which you selected upon application. All sessions are recorded and can be accessed later using these instructions.
Our programme and modules are part of the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, which is part of the Faculty of Health at the University of Sheffield. As such, will we be supported by resources that have been developed by our school such as the general handbook, and other digital media produced by our faculty. These resources will be available through your Blackboard courses and organisation.
If you need more help, please email your module or programme lead.
Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Google calendar
Throughout your studies, you'll have the opportunity to attend virtual tutorials and catch-ups with your peers and tutors. To help you organise your time around your work and life commitments, please refer to our Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Google calendar for the latest scheduling information.
Dates and times are subject to change, so please subscribe to the calendar to make sure you have access to the latest information.
Subscribe to our Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Google calendar
Recommended reading
Please read the articles relevant to the module(s) you have selected prior to your online introductory day.
Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists
Please read the following HCPC (2016) standards for the use by Orthoptists by exemptions to sell and supply medicines.
Pre-arrival tasks
Complete your primary exemptions tutor support form
You will need to identify a primary exemptions tutor to work with you throughout the duration of the module. You will also need to complete and return a primary exemptions tutor support form which can be downloaded below. Please make sure you have sent the completed and signed form by email to ahpnm-support@sheffield.ac.uk before your module begins.
Primary Exemptions Tutor Support Form (PDF)
Primary Exemptions Tutor Handbook (PDF)
Contact us
Professional Lead for Orthoptics
MMedSci Vision and Strabismus Programme Lead
Module leads
| Module title | Module lead | Email address |
|---|---|---|
| Concomitance and Incomitance In Depth | Dr Gemma Arblaster | g.arblaster@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Stroke | Mr Karzan Hughes | karzan.hughes@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Insight into Disease | Dr Sonia Toor | Sonia.toor@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Low Vision | Dr Charlotte Codina | c.codina@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Eye to Vision | Dr Gail Maconachie | g.d.maconachie@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists | Mr Patrick Keating | p.d.keating@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Research Methods | Dr Viral Sheth | v.sheth@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Dissertation | Dr Charlotte Codina | c.codina@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Research project / Literature-based dissertation | Dr Charlotte Codina | c.codina@sheffield.ac.uk |
General contact details
Programme support: ahpnm-support@sheffield.ac.uk