Your UWE Bristol account

Everyone at UWE Bristol – students and staff – has a UWE Bristol IT account with Microsoft to sign in to university systems and any of the Microsoft products and services available to you.

Your account 'credentials' enable you to access UWE Bristol systems and keep your information secure. The combination you use will depend on which systems you are using.

Your account is automatically created for you before you start your course. The order in which you get your details is below.

• After receiving confirmation for Admissions that you're a UWE Bristol student, we will create your account, which can take up to five working days.
• Your UWE Bristol username, email address, and instructions about generating your initial temporary password are sent to the email address you used when applying for your course.
• Once generated, your initial temporary password is also sent to the email address you used when applying for your course.
• Instructions about what to do next are included with your initial temporary password and will involve setting up your UWE Microsoft account and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• We will prompt you to set up authentication methods when logging into MYUWE to register. (MYUWE is our student app for everyday access to key systems, timetables, coursework, marks and personal information).
• While setting up your UWE Microsoft account, you should also change your initial temporary password. Passwords must be a minimum of 12 characters; we recommend using a passphrase of three random words and a password manager to store your passwords to save you from remembering them all.

Your account includes your:

• UWE Bristol email address
  When used with your password and MFA, it will enable access to most UWE Bristol systems.
  The format is your first name, possible numbers, a dot, your last name, and '@live.uwe.ac.uk'.
  Example: Joe23.Bloggs@live.uwe.ac.uk
• UWE Bristol username
  When used with your password and MFA, it will enable access to some UWE Bristol systems.
  The format is your first initial, possible numbers, a hyphen, and your last name.
  Examples: j23-bloggs
• Password
• MFA

You can manage your password and security settings in your Microsoft account:

Some details, such as your name, username and email address, are managed at an organisational level, and you can't edit them.

Your security info and authentication/sign-in methods

• You will need to use two authentication methods to reset your password yourself – for example, using the authenticator app and receiving a call or text, or using a personal email and the authenticator app.
• You will only need one authentication method to sign in to UWE Bristol systems – we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator app as it does not require data or an internet connection to generate time-based one-time passcodes.
• Setting up more than two authentication methods (such as text or call, authenticator app, email, alternative email or phone) covers you for most scenarios to prove who you are to get into UWE Bristol systems, meaning fewer unwanted interruptions from your studies. It’s also beneficial if you travel abroad as the way you authenticate could change from how you do it in the UK.

Please note that Microsoft doesn't allow email as a method for MFA.

Why you should use the Authenticator app

• You don't need an internet connection to receive time-based one-time passcodes.
• You can install the Microsoft Authenticator app on up to five mobile devices. If, for example, you don't have your phone and need to sign in and have access to one of the other devices, you can still input the onscreen code.
• You can back up most authenticator apps so that if you need to reinstall them onto a new device, you can restore them from the backup, meaning all your accounts will be visible.
• We strongly recommend the Microsoft Authenticator app for reliability; however, you can use an alternative authenticator app.

Download Microsoft Authenticator

You will need your existing password:

• Log into your Microsoft account using your UWE Bristol email address and existing password.
• You can change your password in the security info section. You will need to use authentication to get into this section.
• You must change the initial temporary password you received when you started.
• Passwords must be at least 12 characters long - we recommend using three random words and to avoid using personal information or a previous password.
• We recommend using a password manager. One is integrated with Edge, which you can access from any device by signing into Edge with your UWE account.
• Changing your password will take immediate effect, and we may prompt you to sign in again to any systems you are using.
• You must 'forget' eduroam and use your new password to rejoin.

You will need access to two of your authentication methods.

• Head to the Microsoft online password reset tool and follow the onscreen steps.
• Passwords must be at least 12 characters long - we recommend using three random words and to avoid using personal information or a previous password.
• Resetting your password will take immediate effect, we may prompt you to sign in again to any systems you are using.
• You must 'forget' eduroam and use your new password to rejoin.

You must change your password if you suspect a data breach or think your account has been compromised.

Report an incident or breach

Remember: the university will never email or call you to confirm your password. Never give this information to anyone.