University Digital Essentials
Please take time to go through the information and presentations given here for each section. They are really important for a smooth and efficient start to university learning.
Note. Some of the resources or websites listed throughout these presentations may be restricted to the University of Sheffield 'Student Hub' (see our guide below), which you will have full access to on the main website once you have completed final registration tasks as a student and your IT account is activated.
Any links to student resources provided throughout this site that are restricted to the Student Hub or other areas of the University website (MUSE login that are student member only) will be indicated.
Feel free to use this induction website as a 'refresher' to locate all your student resources once you are fully registered and at any time throughout your first year here.
Connect to wireless and log in to MUSE
When you arrive at Sheffield, you’ll want to connect to WiFi from your laptop computer or other portable devices. The University network is called ‘eduroam’ which you can access once your computer (IT) account is activated.
Once you receive your IT account (you will be issued with a username and password), you can then log into MUSE (My University of Sheffield Environment) and access a range of online services.
See our quick guide here:
Student hub
The student hub is a secure but restricted section of the Sheffield University website providing extra services and study support that is not viewable on the public section of the website.
Once you have signed into the University website with your IT (also known as MUSE) account, you can then access the Student hub to navigate to resources only visible to members.
See our quick guide here:
Student timetables
Student timetables for Semester 1 (Autumn) of the 2023/24 academic year will be published online from Monday 4 September.
There are two main ways to access your course timetable from your computer or via a mobile device.
View online via MUSE (My services > My timetable)
View in the 'iSheffield' app
See our quick guide here:
Digital learning tools
To support your studies online, there is a range of tools to help facilitate your learning. Some of these you may have used already in your educational studies but some may be new to you. A key service is:
Blackboard - this will probably be the most frequent service you access and is the University's VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). In Blackboard, you can find the course teaching modules you are registered for and access weekly content and other related materials. In addition, you can participate in online teaching sessions, and submit coursework assessments.
Other key tools include Turnitin (electronic submission) and Encore (lecture recording).
See our quick guide to the main digital tools you will use at Sheffield:
Google Apps (Workspace)
The University uses the Google educational suite (Workspace) offering all staff and students a wide range of apps and services.
As a student at Sheffield, you'll have access to all the Google products. When you log into your account via MUSE, you can directly access three common apps - Google Mail, Google Calendar and Google Drive.
See our quick guide to accessing Google apps at Sheffield:
IT and computing services
Once you are fully registered at Sheffield University, your student user username and password allows you to access a range of online services via MUSE.
One of the largest support services at Sheffield is the IT team that not only provides 24/7 support for your computing needs and essentials, but world class facilities to help you as a student whether on campus or studying at home.
See our quick guide to IT services at Sheffield:
Accessibility services
Accessibility covers a wide range of areas. For example, you may need assistive support for screen reading, help when using specific software or accessing digital learning tools.
In addition, the University provides assistance for any hardware or IT requirements, as well as ensuring all services, rooms and spaces are as accessible (and inclusive) as possible to all users. If you have any accessibility requirements, the University can help in all areas.
See our quick guide to learn about accessibility at Sheffield:
Student help services
To help you develop the essential academic and study skills, you can access these main (but not limited to) University services:
Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) - the central student information service that provides a variety of key services.
Careers Service - enhance your career options, transferrable skills and employability from the start with the Careers Service team.
301 Academic Skills Centre - develop the essential academic and study skills which underpin your learning at University.
The Library provides a range of services to support the learning, teaching, and research of the University. This includes access to extensive information resources, plus a wide range of flexible learning environments
See our quick introductory guide here:
