Get connected

One of the first things you’ll want to do at UCT is to go online. Here’s how:

Set up your WiFi

Connect to eduroam using your studentnumber@wf.uct.ac.za and your network password.
Change your password

Your username (which is the same as your student number) and password give you access to UCT’s online services. After registration, go to password.uct.ac.za and change the temporary password you were given.
Sign into your UCT email

All official communication (including messages from your lecturers) will come to your UCT email account. Sign in via myuct.ac.za. Remember to check email regularly.
Check out Vula

Vula (vula.uct.ac.za) is UCT’s online environment for teaching and learning, collaboration and research. Your lecturers will make heavy use of this facility, so don’t get left behind.
Secure your devices

Ensure that you use an antivirus package. You can download McAfee for free from the ICTS website. The ICTS website provides information about update services for Windows and Mac.
Get the software you need

Before buying any software, first see what site-licensed software is listed on the ICTS website. Office365 is available via your myUCT log-in. In addition, UCT has signed up to use Google Apps for Education.

Need some more help?

ICTS Front Office on Cissie Gool Plaza, upper campus

Log a call

Use the online call logging system to log a support request https://uct.service-now.com/

Ask for help on social media

Visit the student computing labs

Ask one of the lab assistants for help when you’re in a student computing lab.

IT in student residences

Ask your House Committee IT Rep or send an email to resnet@uct.ac.za.

Keep your antivirus up to date. If you use McAfee, updates occur automatically
Use the internet responsibly and in moderation
Respect the email and internet usage policy
(see IT Guide for Students)
Obey all student computing lab rules
Save your work in the cloud or be sure to back it up onto an external hard drive regularly to avoid losing valuable information.

DON'T

Don’t share your username or password with anyone
Don’t use the internet for anything illegal (including streaming, sharing or downloading copyrighted content)
Don’t connect too many devices to the WiFi. The more WiFi you use, the slower the connection becomes for you and everyone around you.

Read more from the
2016 Orientation edition.