Getting started with IT
Before you start
Watch our Getting started with IT video session on Moodle (36:50 mins).
Your Essex IT Account
Your Essex IT Account gets you access to the services and applications you need during your studies. Your username is the same as your email address, for example re16495@essex.ac.uk
Get your Essex IT Account
Change your password
Set up multifactor authentication (MFA)
Watch: How to change your password
Email and calendar
Outlook gives you access to your email, calendar, and contacts. It's important you check your student email regularly to make sure that you keep up to date with the University and your course.
Access your email with Outlook
Watch: How to access your email
IT Helpdesk
The IT Helpdesk is your first point of contact if you need any IT help or support. Support is available 8.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Excludes University closure days.
Microsoft Office
You get a free subscription to Microsoft Office 365, including all the Microsoft Office desktop and mobile apps. You can install it on five computers, five tablets, and five phones at no cost.
Get Office 365 for free on your own devices
Watch: How to download Office 365
Wifi on campus
eduroam is the wifi network for students. It's fast, free and available at all of our campuses, and at thousands of educational institutions around the world.
Connect to eduroam wifi
Watch: How to connect to eduroam wifi
Computers and laptop loans
Visit an IT lab to use a computer. Many open till late and some are open 24/7. If you prefer to be on the move you can loan a laptop from the Library for a few hours at no cost.
Find an available computer on campus
Loan a University laptop
Software and apps
Our online Software Hub gets you access to hundreds of applications wherever you are, and on almost any device. Pocket Essex is the University's official student mobile app.
Visit our Software Hub
Get the Pocket Essex mobile app
Printing
Tap your student card on one of our multifunction printers to print, scan and copy. You get £10 of virtual credit at the start of each academic year - it's not real money, just a virtual balance.
File storage
You get 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage as part of your Microsoft Office 365 account. You can also get 1 GB of local network storage (called your M:Drive).
Sign in to OneDrive
Learn more about your file storage options
Cyber safety
It's important you know how to stay secure online and protect yourself from scams and fraud. Never share your Essex password with anyone.
