Get started by creating your computing account and explore the IT services you can access – including your email, Wi-Fi, printing, and free software.
Create your computing account
Step 1: Activate your account
You need a computer, a phone, and the ‘Create your CCCU computing account’ email to complete these instructions.
The email with subject line ‘Create your CCCU computing account’ is sent to the email address you used to apply. You receive it within 24 hours of getting your email invitation to register as a student and it includes your student username.
a. Go to https://outlook.canterbury.ac.uk/
b. Enter your username@canterbury.ac.uk.
You received this in your ‘Create your CCCU computing account’ email
→ click ‘Next’
c. Enter your temporary password.
Your temporary password is the word ‘Student’ (capital S), and your date of birth in the DD/MM/YYYY format. For example, if your date of birth was 15 January 2001, your temporary password would be Student15012001.
→ click ‘Sign in’
Step 2: Set up your multifactor authentication
‘Let's keep your account secure’ is a prompt to set up essential authentication methods. → click ‘Next.
You can use an authentication app of your choice but please note that we cannot provide IT support for apps other than Microsoft Authenticator.
If you don’t have a smartphone, click on ‘I want to set up a different method’ to use your phone number as an authentication method.
d. Download the Microsoft Authenticator App onto your smartphone from the app store.
→ allow notifications if prompted and click ‘Next’
e. In the app, tap on the plus symbol (+), then choose ‘Work or school account’, and select ‘Scan QR code’. Scan the QR code displayed on the computer screen.
→ click ‘Next’ on the computer
f. Approve the test notification you get on your smartphone.
→ click ‘Next’ on the computer.
Step 3: Update your password
Your new password must be at least 14 characters long and cannot include your name or date of birth.
Add a number or a special character to make it even more secure. Find some inspiration on the Your account, password and data page.
g. Enter your temporary password in the 'Current password' field.
h. Choose a new password and type your new password in the 'New password' and 'Confirm password' fields
→ click ’Sign in’
You will be taken to your University email inbox and the account setup process is now complete.
The majority of our IT services are Single Sign-On (SSO), which reduces the number of times you have to enter your username and password to log in. When you do get prompted to sign in manually, you will be asked to approve a notification from your Authenticator App.
Add your phone number as an additional sign-in method
You’ll be able to access your account even if you lose your phone or upgrade to a new one.
To do this, go to the ‘Security information’ section on your account page. Click on ‘+ Add sign in method’, then select ‘Phone’ and ‘Add’.
Select your country and type in your phone number. Choose if you want to authenticate with a text code or a call and click ‘Next’. You’ll receive a text code or a phone call for verification. Click ‘Done’ to complete the setup.
Have you studied with us before?
If yes, your old account may be reactivated, and you may not receive the computing account creation email. To check, try accessing your University email 24 hours after being invited to register. If you need to unlock your account or reset your password, follow our guidance on this page.
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If you have a computing account with another public sector institution (like the NHS, government, school), your browser may automatically default to this account when you try to log into the CCCU online services. To avoid this, clear your cache, use a different browser, or open a new ‘Incognito’/’Private’ window.
Explore the IT services you can access
In this section
Contact the i-zone
Related links
Bring your own laptop
We recommend that you have your own laptop as there will be lots of online resources, recorded lectures and activities for you to engage with to support your independent learning, both on and off campus.
Click here to read the recommended specifications.