Undergraduate Pre-arrival Information
Everything you need to know before starting your university experience as a Biomedical Engineering student in our school.
Before you arrive
Here you can find all the information you'll need before you arrive - as well as some extra information you might find useful on the best spots in the city, how to find your way around and how to access support if you need it.
Registration reminder
How you prepare to join us in September is up to you, but the one thing you must do before arriving is register. You won't be able to start your course until you're registered so make sure to get it done in advance. But don't worry, it's super easy to do.
Here's all the information on how to register:
2024/25 Registration for Home Students
2024/25 Registration for International Students
You can’t start your course/attend lectures & seminars until you have registered with the University. If you haven't registered by 21 October 2024, you must get in contact with us (biosupport@sheffield.ac.uk).
Welcome Week Timetables
Monday 23 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 10am - 11am | Stephenson Lecture Theatre 2 | Welcome to Biomedical Engineering |
| 11am - 12pm | Stephenson Lecture Theatre 2 | Introduction to Year 1 of the Bioengineering course |
Tuesday 24 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 10am - 11am | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 1 |
Welcome to School Talk Head of School - Prof Joan Cordiner |
| 11am - 11:55am | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 7 |
Maths And Statistics Help (MASH) Talk English Language Teaching Centre Talk Modern Language Teaching Centre Talk |
Wednesday 25 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 11am - 1pm | Online - Blackboard |
Race and Consent Session |
| 2:30pm - 5:30pm | John Carr Design Suite Portobello | Design & Build Competition |
Thursday 26 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 10am -12pm | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 1 | Student Societies Introduction |
| 2pm - 4pm | Diamond Computer Room 3 | BioEngSoc Student Social |
Friday 27 September 2024
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9am - 10am | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 1 | IMechE Student Talk |
| 11am - 12pm | Diamond Basement Lecture Theatre 5 | Diamond Introduction Lecture |
| 1pm - 2pm | Sir Fredrick Mappin Building, IPE Blue Room | Biomedical Engineering Drop-in Session |
You can also view your timetables through either Google Calendar, MUSE or the iSheffield app. Information on how to read your timetable can be found here.
Alongside showing your timetable, the iSheffield app also has information on the libraries, campus maps, social events and support services etc.
Undergraduate checklist
For a full checklist including weekly tasks (from registering to celebrating your success on social media) take a look at our undergraduate checklist, designed to get you ready for Sheffield.
Suggested reading
Whilst there is no need to prepare or do any specific reading, there are resources available if you would like to take a look at anything before you arrive. Everyone comes to Sheffield with different backgrounds, so you will be taught all you need relating to maths, biology, chemistry and physics in your first year. However, if you haven't studied some of these at A Level and would like to make a head start, we'd recommend having a look at some of the materials in the 'academic support' dropdown above.
Your guide to Sheffield
Whether you already live in Sheffield, or you're coming to us from elsewhere, there's plenty to see. From the stunning Peak District right on our doorstep to the trendiest cafes and bars all the way to Tramlines music festival, we've got it all.
We have a full guide to Sheffield, including food and drink, sports, arts and culture and how to get around.
Another guide to the city can be found here, which includes information on our festivals, augmented reality art trail 'Look Up' and an alternative LGBTQ+ guide to the city.
There are also maps of Sheffield and information on local public transport to help you navigate the city. In fact, we have a range of different maps to help you find your way around and find what you need:
After registration
Here we've put together information you might find useful for after you've registered. Some of this you won't be able to access until after you've registered, so make sure to check back then.
IT Services
If you need support with anything IT related, there are some resources here, including information on Google Workspace, Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive
Here are some other helpful guides and explanations:
- Connecting to University WiFi
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- IT Help & Support
- Self Service Portal
- UCards
Blackboard
Blackboard is an online learning environment designed to enable access to module information, previous exams, exam feedback, reading lists and an array of revision material. As long as you're fully registered for a module, you'll have automatic access to Blackboard. Please refer to the digital learning pages for additional information.
There are also undergraduate community pages on Blackboard where students can access a wide range of information relevant to their whole time in the department e.g. electronic copies of the undergraduate course handbooks, timetables and staff-student committee information.
Mental health support
Starting university is a huge change, and there may be times when you need some extra support.
The Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service can help you navigate your support options and agree on a tailored plan of psychological support. Any University of Sheffield student can register online with the service. Further information on the service can be found on the Student Hub.
NHS support for mental health is also available via the University Health Service or at the Sheffield Walk-In Centre Wellbeing Hub. For the Walk-In Centre, no appointment is required. However, you can call to book a video consultation, phone consultation, or an appointment slot for you to attend.
The University Counselling Service (UCS) runs a number of mental wellbeing workshops, free of charge and operating on a drop-in basis. These require no registration and are free to all students.
Togetherall is an anonymous digital mental health support service available to all students, so you can have free access to support at home or while abroad. It provides immediate access to 24/7 online peer and professional support, with trained counsellors.
The Student Wellbeing Service offers short-term, tailored one-to-one support if you’re experiencing difficulties and challenges, to help you manage your wellbeing and succeed at University. If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life, your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor can assist you in improving your wellbeing and help you get back on track.
Careers service
Throughout your studies with us the department will provide, with support from the Careers Service, opportunities to help develop your employability, including tutorials, workshops and networking events. You can also book 1-1 appointments to discuss your CV, applications etc and take part in a Mock Interview Panel event. You will also benefit from opportunities to interact with industry and develop contacts and skills to help to secure positions at a later stage.
- Individual appointments with advisers to discuss personal career plans
- CareerConnect- the latest graduate jobs and work experience
- Skills for employability
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Further support and information is available through the ‘Skills for Employability’ modules and companion resources on Blackboard. Job opportunities, placement schemes and other employability-enhancing opportunities will be published regularly on the University’s Career Connect service, which can be accessed via MUSE. Furthermore, a roundup of relevant central information as well as targeted opportunities, just for CBE students, will be communicated to you via the weekly newsletter published by the department.
- Careers & employability conference
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Every year in October, the department organises a Careers & Employability conference, with numerous talks and workshops targeted at CBE students. This is an excellent opportunity to meet potential employers, interact with recent alumni, and learn about possible options you might want to consider for your future after graduation. This conference is tied to the ‘Skills for Employability’ module’s assessment, so keep that in mind!
- University Careers Service
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The University Careers Service offers comprehensive information on all your career and study options, advice on the careers open to you after your studies, and expert help with making applications. It hosts events where you can meet employers and advertises hundreds of part-time jobs, internships and graduate jobs every month.
Help available provided by the Careers Service includes:
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The service supports all students, at all stages of study, for 5 years after graduation, and provides additional services for International Students, Taught Postgraduates and Postgraduate Researchers.
There's also a dedicated team in the Faculty of Engineering to help you to find relevant work experience, including year-long placements you can include as part of your degree, as well as the ‘What can I do with my degree?’ pages which includes information and ideas for students in every academic department.