You do not have to wait until you start at Cambridge to begin using the IT services at the University. There are 8 tasks that you can complete ahead of the new term.
You need to complete your student registration and get your University account first if you have not already done this.
You can also find out about further IT services that are available once you're on campus.
Before you arrive, you can:
- Set up additional sign-in methods for your IT account
- Do your cyber security training
- Get software for your personal devices
- Get familiar with Moodle, the online learning environment
- Set up eduroam wifi
- View your student record
- Check how your name appears in the University's directory
- Familiarise yourself with our rules
1. Set up additional sign-in methods
You will be prompted to set up your second factors for authentication the first time you access your University email account or sign in to a University system. You'll be asked to download the Microsoft Authenticator app, or an alternative authenticator app, on your phone. Then, set up call or text verification using a phone number.
You can also add more sign-in methods to ensure you never lose access to your account. For example, if you download an authenticator app to a tablet, you can still get into your account if you lose your phone. Learn how to add more sign-in methods.
2. Do your cyber security training
Complete our cyber security awareness training for students to understand the cyber security risks and how to stay safe online.
Freshers could be targeted by scammers, particularly if English is not their first language. Fraudsters could contact you by email, social media or phone and:
- tell you that you are due a tax refund
- ask you to make payments
- ask you for your personal information
Find out more about student scams and phishing, and social media profiling.
If you've clicked on something suspicious:
- Follow our instructions to change your password, but don't use the same device you used to click the link, as it may have become infected and could detect your password change.
- Contact your local IT support or the UIS Service Desk.
3. Get free software for your personal devices
Free antivirus software
Keep your computer up to date with antivirus software to access the University’s data network
Free office and collaboration software
Your University Microsoft account gives you Office 365 apps for your personal devices.
Google Workspace for Education
Download Google's suite of office apps, including Google Calendar and Google Drive. Use your @cam email address to sign in.
Get Google Workspace for Education
Discounted software
You can get an educational discount on software if you buy it from our authorised resellers.
Find out about discounted software
4. Get familiar with Moodle, the University’s online learning environment
Moodle is used to share recordings of lectures, ebooks and other materials relevant to your course. Sign in to Moodle with your University IT account.
We've created a course in Moodle to help you find your way around the platform.
Take the get started with Moodle course
5. Set up eduroam wifi
Use eduroam to connect your laptop and phone to the University wifi network. Set it up once, and your device will connect automatically across the University and at other participating institutions around the world.
You can set up eduroam before arriving on campus using your home wifi network or a mobile hotspot. Once you've completed the setup, your device will be ready to connect automatically when you are in a location where eduroam is available.
6. View your student record
The Cambridge Student Information System (CamSIS) manages your student information and transactions with the University. Your record covers your application through to your graduation.
You can access CamSIS using your University IT account.
You'll use CamSIS to:
- manage your personal information
- view your supervision reports and request official transcripts
- view your exam results
7. Check your name in Lookup, the University's directory
The display name you add in Lookup controls how your name appears in various places. For example:
- in the University-wide email address book
- in Microsoft Teams
- in your University Google account
You should check and update your display name, if needed.
Check your display name in Lookup
8. Read our rules
Be aware that you must follow the Acceptable Use Policy when using University IT services. It aims to protect staff, students and the institution from cyber crime. It also reminds us all of ways of working that can help to protect ourselves from crimes like identity theft, scams, and the loss of information.
Essential and immediate actions
- Choose a strong password
- Enable multi-factor authentication
- Complete cyber security awareness training
- Don’t share or re-use your password
Regular actions
- Run antivirus software
- Install antivirus updates promptly
- Manage confidential and personal data appropriately
- Use encrypted devices to store confidential data
- Lock your screen when you leave your computer
- Don’t use a non-University email account to send confidential data
Important awareness
- Don’t trust unexpected communications or open links or downloads that are unexpected
- Secure or delete confidential data before repair, disposal, return or re-use
- Report incidents or suspected incidents as a matter of urgency
- Report a compromised password, malware infection or security weakness to your IT support
- Report any breach of personal data via your local mechanism or to the Information Compliance Office
When you arrive in Cambridge
You can also find out about further IT services that are available once you arrive at Cambridge.
Get help
Our advisors are available 24 hours a day via live chat for any IT-related queries.