IT accounts and passwords
Your Essex IT Account lets you access the services and tools to support your work.
Your password
You must change your password at least once a year.
Get help changing your password
Your username
Username format
Your username, also known as 'login name', is created automatically.
- The format of your username is ab12345, made up of two letters related to your names, two digits for the year in which the account is created, three numerical digit.
- Your username is also your email address. For example, for username re16495 the email address is re16495@essex.ac.uk
- You can't change your username, but you can create an email alias if you want something like firstname.lastname@essex.ac.uk
Forgotten your username?
Your Essex IT Account details are sent to your personal email address when you get your Essex IT Account.
- Search for an email with the subject Your University of Essex account details - this email contains your username.
- If you can't find this email please contact the IT Helpdesk for assistance.
MFA (multifactor authentication)
Your account is protected with multifactor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security when you sign in. You'll need to set up MFA when you first sign in.
Signing in
Use the format username@essex.ac.uk to sign in to most services. For example, username re16495 you would use re16495@essex.ac.uk
Problems signing in?
- Try signing in with just your username (don't add @essex.ac.uk after it).
- Change your password if you have forgotten it or if it has expired
- Check the IT service status for known problems
- Your account may have been locked for security reasons. If this happens contact the IT Helpdesk.
Getting an account
New staff: getting your account
You get an email telling you when to get your Essex IT Account, containing your employee number (Personal Record Identifier or PRID for short).
- Not got the email? If your start date is less than a week away, tell your line manager.
- Please activate your account from home before your first day.
Account closure when you leave
Your account will close when you leave Essex. When this happens, you won't be able to use your account and you will lose access to services, files and resources,
You must follow the University's staff leaver’s process to prepare for your account closure.
- The closing date for your account is emailed to you.
- If your leaving date is wrong or if your account has been closed incorrectly, please contact staffing@essex.ac.uk
Regulations
By using your account you agree to the IT Acceptable Use Policy.
