Student essentials

Whether you’re a new or returning student, here are some handy hints and tips about changing your password, using the library and IT services.

For guides on using the University's IT and library services including the undergraduate and postgraduate welcome guides visit Getting Started .

Visit the latest news page to keep up to date.

Six students sat outside the Portland Building on University Park

Your library services

Opening hours

Some of the University’s largest UK libraries are currently open 24/7. Full details are available on the 24/7 news page .

Need a place to study?

We offer silent study areas and flexible learning spaces throughout our libraries , including bookable group study rooms in some

Stay secure

To ensure that your library and print accounts stay secure make sure you change your PINs from the default:

select user on the library catalogue UNLOC to change your library PIN
use the payment kiosks to change your print PIN

Don’t be a target for thieves

use a Kensington lock to keep your laptop secure
use the laptop anchor points or wind the cable round the table leg to stop laptop theft

Student Finance phishing scam

Any student who receives an email, addressed from Student Finance England, which asks for login or bank details, should not reply .

Student Finance England will never email students asking for these details. If you do receive this, please forward this email to phishing@slc.co.uk and then delete immediately.

Avoiding library fines

Like most academic libraries we charge fines for items that are returned or renewed late. This encourages prompt return and enables everyone to access the books. Return all your items on time and you need never pay a fine!

Short loan items are in the highest demand and therefore have the highest fines so print a receipt when you borrow and check the date and time for return

We send reminders a couple of days before books are due back

Return dates may change. We may recall your books early if someone else wants them

Check your University email regularly for reminders and recalls.

You can check what you have borrowed and when they are due back via the Library tab on the Portal or your user account on UNLOC .

Your University Card

If you lose your University Card or library card, please contact the University Card Office and the library immediately.

Your software

With the (External) Microsoft Ultimate Steal promotion students can buy Office Professional Academic 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access) and an upgrade version of Windows 7 at a discounted rate for PC or Mac.

Your University password

University account passwords expire every 180 days and when they expire you could lose access to some of our services. If your password is due to expire, you’ll receive a reminder email before hand, so check your University email account regularly.

Information about accessing your email account .

Changing your password

If you change your password now, it won’t need to be renewed until after the start of term. Instructions on how to do this are available on the password page .

The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to enter a password challenge profile of questions and answers. When you’ve submitted them, you can use them to change to a new password by choosing Forgot Password? . This will work even if your password has expired.