Systems you will use
You'll use a number of systems during your time at the University of York - find out more here.
Many IT facilities are available off campus. Find access instructions for a specific tool, software or service.
IT Services can help you with many of your IT needs, including:
- Connecting to the University network and your filestore from off campus
- Accessing eduroam on your own computer to access wifi when visiting other universities
- Online IT training
- Obtaining free or discounted software to install on your own computer
You will need to set up your account through York Identity Management to log in to the University’s IT systems and facilities, complete pre-arrival tasks and gain access to the virtual learning environment (VLE) and other learning resources.
Directions on how to set up your IT account (including your username and password) will be sent with your joining instructions. We'll send these to the personal email account you provided to us, as soon as your place at the University is confirmed.
Please keep your password safe and do not share it.
The University uses Google Apps for Education to provide our email, calendar and other online services. When you have set up your IT account, you will be given an email address with the format username@york.ac.uk.
From now on, all email contact will use your University email address. This will include messages from Admissions, Registry and other central services as well as from your academic department.
- Log into your email account at https://mail.google.com, or on any other Google page (for example www.google.co.uk) through the Apps menu (top right of page).
- Visit information for new users for more information
Divert your University email to another account
Many of our distance learning students find it useful to set up a divert for their University emails to go to their own personal or work email addresses. Google provides a set of instructions.
Please test that this has worked to avoid missing any important emails from the University.
e:Vision is your view of your student record, the personal information you have given to the University.
You can log in to e:Vision using your IT username and password to access and update your details online.
Tasks you will be asked to complete on e:vision before your course begins:
• Enrol online
• Upload a photograph for your University Card (if applying)
• Set up direct debit payments for tuition fees and any other relevant payments to the University
For any further enquiries about e:vision, contact student-records
Most departments at the University of York use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Yorkshare. Students from the Department of Mathematics and Social Policy and Social Work use the Maths Moodle and Canvas VLE systems (as well as Yorkshare to complete things like the Academic Integrity Tutorial).
Use the VLE to:
- Access teaching and learning materials supplied by your department (Yorkshare or Moodle)
- View Academic Skills tutorials (Yorkshare)
- Make use of Turnitin* to check the references for your academic submissions (Yorkshare)
- Complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial (Yorkshare)
*Turnitin is text-matching software that aims to help develop your writing skills and the integration of source material.
To get started on Yorkshare see the Yorkshare Quick Start Guide.
You could also learn more about Yorkshare by watching a series of videos to help you navigate and get the best from this learning environment: YouTube VLE videos.
For Yorkshare VLE queries, contact vle-support
Staff and students at York use a variety of Google applications.
You can view the full list on the IT Services pages.
As a student at the University you are eligible for a free version of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office).
Learn more about accessing Microsoft 365.