Digital and Technology Services

Before you start

Congratulations on gaining your place at Nottingham. Before you start there are some key tasks we recommend to kick-start your IT induction and ensure your equipment and IT account are activated and up and running well in advance of your arrival.

Student at laptop
 

We're looking forward to welcoming you

Once you have accepted your offer at Nottingham, you will be required to undertake a number of key tasks to: 

  • activate your IT account
  • set up your university email
  • and complete online registration.

These are vital steps before you start your course - all instructions are detailed below. 

For our introduction, play the IT Induction video - Part 1

 
1

Equipment advice and recommended specs

If you are planning to purchase new equipment or using an existing device to help with your studies, expand the box below for a summary of our advice and general specification. Please contact your school or department before purchasing a new device if you have any queries.

What do you need?

Getting prepared - check our advice on what equipment you need: 

check_circle   All students get Microsoft 365 for free during their studies. 

check_circle   You will need access to a phone, tablet and/or laptop device to activate your IT Account and set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

check_circle   We recommend you have a suitable laptop to work on, as per this general specification:

FeatureSpecification
Operating system Windows 11 (not S mode), macOS
Processor Intel Core i3, i5, AMD Ryzen 5 or similar
RAM 8GB or 16GB
Storage 256GB SSD
Other Integrated webcam and mic

Check the student equipment page for all recommendations and items that could help improve your comfort while studying. 

Equipment advice

 

 


2

Activate your IT account

Check your personal email inbox three weeks before you are due to start your course. You will receive an email containing your student ID – this is what you'll need to activate your IT account. 

Please ensure that you set your security questions and change your password.

Student IT account

 

3

Set up MFA

Many services will require you to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to approve access.

We recommend installing the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone.

Setting up MFA

 

4

Check your email and get app ready

Once you have an active university account, sign in to Microsoft 365 and check your Outlook email regularly - this is how we will communicate with you.

Access your university email

 Sign in to Microsoft 365 and select Outlook to access your email.  

check_circle   We recommend using the Microsoft Outlook app on your smartphone.

check_circle   Find out how to configure a range of devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, etc) to connect to your email.

Get up and running by following our email account guidance:

Email account guidance

 
Download the latest apps

Get the Microsoft 365 and Teams apps

check_circle   Download the latest Microsoft mobile apps on your smartphone.

check_circle   Download Microsoft Teams as you'll be using this throughout your studies. 

All students can install Microsoft 365 (desktop and mobile) applications on up to any five devices for free for the duration of your studies.

Microsoft 365

 

 


5

Online registration for new students

As a new student, you must register no later than three weeks after your course start date. Otherwise, you will not be able to join your course.

check_circle   You must first activate your IT account - see step 2.

check_circle   Once you have activated your username and password, we will send an email to your university email address inviting you to complete online registration. 

Online registration

Completed these steps?

Move on to the second part of your IT induction when you arrive.

When you start
When you start

Need help?

Our dedicated IT Service Desk is available 24/7, and we have experts available to help with all your IT needs.

check_circle   We offer specialist support with IT accounts, passwords, MFA and all other IT services.

check_circle   Call on +44 (0)115 95 16677

check_circle   From Monday - Friday, between 8am - 5:15pm, our in-house team will be on hand to take your calls. Outside of these hours, you will be put through to an out-of-hours team, who will endeavour to resolve your issue.

IT Service Desk

 

 

 
This page was last updated on 07 September 2024 at 10:52 (GMT)

University of Nottingham

University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5151
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3666
email: Contact us