Checklist for new students

There are two ways of signing into university resources and services. After registering you will receive details for your university email address (e.g. j.bloggs@edu.salford.ac.uk) and your network username (e.g. abc123). For security purposes these accounts have a temporary password which you will be prompted to change when you first sign in. 

Your email address is used to sign into the following tools:

• Microsoft 365 account
• Blackboard
• the Student Hub.

Your network username is used to access services such as:

• Library Search
• adding credit to your printing account
• Advantage – the system for booking onto university events.

Not sure which one to use? Look at how the sign in box is labelled for the system or resource you want to access. Does it ask for your email address or a username?

Changing your password

We recommend that you sign into your Microsoft 365 account, or the Student Hub, so that you will see the prompt to change your password to one that only you know. Your two accounts will synchronise, so that you will use your new password for your network username too.

Choosing a strong password is very important to protect your accounts. Don’t use the same password for everything and follow our Top Tips to Create a strong password (note: student login details needed to access this content).

One of the benefits of all of this is that you will not be prompted to change your password again, but if you do forget your password or want to change it for security reasons then register for Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) so that you can reset it yourself anytime, anywhere.

Multi Factor authentication (MFA)

University systems are protected by Multi Factor authentication (MFA). It requires a second form of authentication when logging in to any of the protected systems such as Microsoft 365 and its tools, the Student Hub and Blackboard. The first time you login to Microsoft 365 you will be prompted to register for MFA.

You will also be encouraged to sign up for Self Service Password Reset (SSPR)

Find out more about Multi Factor authentication (MFA) and Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) and watch our step-by-step videos.

When you register and have been given a university email address, you will be able to log in to Microsoft 365 to access your emails (Outlook), use collaborative spaces where you can chat to your peers (Teams), save your files in the cloud (OneDrive), as well as make to-do lists, store your notes (OneNote) and access Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more.

The Student Hub is your gateway for all things student-related. You can access it after registering by signing in with your university email address. It is the best way to access links to most of the systems you will use as a Salford student. You will also find links to university events, news stories and important announcements that you need to know about.

Blackboard is the University’s virtual learning environment. You can access it via a web browser and by installing the Blackboard Learn app to your smart devices.

It is an essential tool as you will use Blackboard to view module announcements, access your learning materials, participate in discussion board topics, blogs and wikis, submit your work for e-Assessment, and find your grades. You can also access your timetabled online lectures in your Blackboard module areas, using the Microsoft Teams link that will be included.

Once you've completed registration, you'll also need to log on to Blackboard to find all the materials related to your school induction. 

You can find lots of information online, including a Blackboard tour video in our Blackboard introduction and guide. 

Remember: You must have completed registration first before you can access Blackboard and in order to attend your online induction. This is a compulsory part of your learning and is a requirement of your CAS/visa (international students only). Your CAS/visa may be withdrawn if you do not attend the online induction sessions.

If you are having problems accessing Blackboard, please visit the FAQs page for more information.

Advantage is the system where you can find job opportunities, sign up to workshops and masterclasses and book appointments with different advisors across the University. You’ll use your network login to access Advantage so, once you are registered, take a look at what’s online and book on as many workshops and masterclasses as you like, including many of our Welcome events.

Visit the Skills website and our IT Essentials eLearning resource for additional support with accessing and using our IT systems.

If you still require additional guidance, the fastest and easiest way to get help with accessing IT systems or resources, is via the IT Service Desk portal and its guides and FAQs.

For password enquiries, or if you are unable to use the portal, telephone +44 (0)161 295 2444 to speak to a member of the team (Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00 BST).

If you cannot call during business hours and are unable to log into the portal, email Digital-ITServiceDesk@salford.ac.uk

Drop-in Support at the Tech Bar: face to face help from the team’s Tech Bar is available from Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 16:00 in the Clifford Whitworth Library.

We use Study Goal to help record your attendance during your academic sessions and other workshops. The staff member running your session (session leader) will provide you with a session code to register your attendance.

It’s important to attend academic sessions. We record your attendance because there’s a strong relationship between attendance and how well you do in your assessments. This isn’t just because of academic work you complete in your sessions – it’s also because the connections you make with staff and other students have a positive impact on your academic performance and your wellbeing.