Passwords & Authentication

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As part of the enrolment process and from time to time during your studies, you will need to reset your password and set up authentication so you can safely access all of your online resources.

Here we have put together guidance on resetting your password, setting up authentication as well as how you can manage these yourself during your studies if anything changes.

Password Resets

As part of the enrolment process, you will be required to change your password. This will either be changing your password from a temporary password we have provided you with or reset your password using your personal email address that you provided us with at the point of your application.

Temporary Passwords
If we have provided you with a temporary password you will need to click on the Change Password option on Selfcare.

Once you have logged in using your User ID and temporary password you will be asked for a new password.

Not received a temporary password?
Not everyone receives a temporary password, so don't worry if you don't have one. You can still reset your password without one. Using Selfcare you click on the 'Reset Forgotten Password' and follow the guidance below.

Reset Forgotten Password
If at any stage during your studies you forget your password, you can reset it yourself using the personal email address we have for you. Using Selfcare, click on the 'Reset Forgotten Password' and then simply put in your full student email address as userid@student.sunderland.ac.uk. Complete the quick captcha and click next. On the next screen, you will see part of your personal email. This is the email we will send a verification code to.

If you're happy with the email, click the button to send the verification code. You will then need to access your personal email for the code. Once you have entered the code you will be asked for a new password.

If there's no email showing up, please contact our IT Service Desk.

Setting Up Authentication

The process of authenticating is here to keep you safe and secure online. It's a mandatory requirement that all students set up authentication via our provider, Microsoft Authenticator. Authenticating your login simply means you are telling us that it is yourself accessing your own account.

To set up your authenticator you will need to decide whether you would like to set it up using a Mobile App or via a Phone Number. We recommend, if possible that you use the mobile app and that you follow the below steps via the mobile web browser.

Step 1: Go to https://aka.ms/mfasetup
Step 2: Login using your University User ID as userid@student.sunderland.ac.uk and your password. A prompt will appear saying “more information required”, press next. You will then see additional security verification and how should we contact you?
Please select ‘I want to set up a different method’ located at the bottom of the page. You can then select Authentication Phone or Authentication App.

If you select to use the Microsoft Authenticator via your phone please enter your preferred mobile phone, this will let you choose to have a code sent via text or via phone call whenever you log in. If you selected this option, select setup and finish. If you have chosen this option you may be asked to provide additional security verification, just ignore and press cancel. You will now be set up with authentication.

If you have chosen to authenticate via a mobile app, please continue with the steps below.

Step 3: Download the Microsoft Authenticator App. This is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Once downloaded, you will need to configure the app.

Step 4: Select add school account and click on the ‘pair using this link’ option if you are using your phone for the setup. On some occasions, you may need to press back and select add school account again to pair your device.

If you are using a laptop for the MFA setup, you can scan the QR code with your mobile device. Please note that this is personal to you and should only link to your account.

Step 5: Once you have added the account, press next on the screen. You will receive a notification or a code on the app, approve or enter this on the screen. At this point, you may be taken away from the web browser. If you are simply navigating back to your web browser once you have approved your notification where you can then select 'finished'.

You may be asked if you want to provide additional security verification, please select cancel.

You will then be set up with authentication and can log in to your online resources, so please ensure your authentication method is accessible during these times.

You can also set up multiple authentication devices, therefore you can set this up on a tablet alongside your phone so if you ever lose a phone you can still authenticate via a different device.

New Device Authentication

If you are getting a new phone, it's important to change over your authenticator to your new device. This is something you can do yourself.

Step 1: Log in to myaccount.microsoft.com
Step 2: Click 'Update Info' under the 'Security Info' tab
Step 3: Click 'Delete' against the old authentication device
Step 4: Click 'Add sign-in method'
Step 5: Follow the on-screen prompts, this may also include following the above guidance for setting up authentication via your mobile phone number or new authenticator app.

Please note: If you are switching phones and will not have access to your previous authentication device, we recommend doing this ahead of time. So as you are trading in your old device, remove your previous authentication beforehand so that when you have your new phone you can get straight into the set-up.

If you no longer have access to your previous authentication device, you will need to contact our IT Service Desk.

Password & Authentication FAQs

Here we have put together answers to common questions around password resets and your authentication. This includes questions from the best passwords to use and when you will require authentication.

Find out more