ISGuides: EGIS (Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society): IT Essentials

Getting Connected Digital Tour

As a Heriot-Watt University student or member of staff, you will have access to a wide range of IT systems and software.

This digital tour will guide you through the steps you'll need to take to get connected on your device and ready to start your studies or working with us. This tour covers getting logged-in with your HW username (including MFA and how to reset your password), Office365 (ncluding Email) and getting connected to WiFi (EduRoam), if you are working on-campus.

Getting Connected Digital Tour

IT Essentials

Email

Setting up your eMail (Office 365)
The email service used by HW staff and students is Microsoft Office 365.

Software

Free Microsoft Office
You can download the latest version of Microsoft Office onto your personal devices.
EndNote Guide (how to make referencing easier)
EndNote is reference management software. You can store reference details, and then if using Microsoft Word you can insert citations into your work and it will automatically format the reference list at the end. This guide has more information on EndNote and how to access it. Skills Hub webinars are available, or contact your Liaison Librarian for more advice.
Keyserver
Some specialist software for your studies may only be available on Heriot-Watt networked PCs on campus. Keyserver allows you to remotely log in to these computers so you can access this software from your own computer.
Software
Details of other free software that may be of interest.
Software Help Online workbooks, videos and training for: Acrobat Reader DC, ArcGIS, EndNote, MATLAB & Simulink, Microsoft Office 365, MindGenius, OneDrive for Business, Site Advisor Enterprise, Skype for Business, SPSS, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Vision (Blackboard), Yammer

File Storage

File Storage
You can access your home directory (HDrive) on any on-campus PC and off-campus via the Heriot Watt Virtual Private Network (HWVPN).

You have access to your HWU OneDrive through Office 365. Your OneDrive gives you 1 TB of storage space in the cloud.

WiFi

WiFi (eduroam)
Click here for details of how to to connect to the Heriot-Watt network at participating institutions.
eduroam
eduroam is the WiFi network used at many institutions around the world. Click here for information of where eduroam is available.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Canvas
This is the Heriot-Watt Virtual learning Environment (VLE). Here you will find your learning materials for taught courses.
Guidance for students using Canvas

Passwords and Authentication

Heriot-Watt UserID and password
Details of HWU password criteria and link to reset your password if required
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is a secure additional login process. It protects you and Heriot-Watt University from unauthorised access to your account, which may occur if you only use a username and password.

Portal (MyHWU)

My HWU: Student or Staff Portal
Log-in with your HW username/password and you will have access to the student or staff portal, where you can access many of your HWU services in one place.

Staff

Hardware (staff)

Printing, photocopying and scanning

Print/copy/scan (on campus)
Our Campus libraries, resource centres and student PC labs have various print, copy and scanning devices (multifunctional devices - MFDs). Find out more about lab locations, devices, print quota/costs/top ups and wifi printing.

Help

System Status page
Details of any known issues with Heriot-Watt systems or resources
General help with off-campus working
Wellbeing and Study Apps
The Student Wellbeing Service has put together some lists of mobile apps which you may find useful for supporting your studies.

WiFI On Campus and Near You

eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world‐wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. It allows students, researchers and staff from Heriot‐Watt to obtain Internet connectivity on‐campus and when visiting other participating institutions in 74 territories. Therefore, it may be possible for you to bring your laptop to a local university library and access the wifi there. You will then have the same access to resources as you would if you were on a Heriot‐Watt campus.

eduroam
eduroam is the WiFi network used at many institutions around the world. Click here for information of where eduroam is available.
WiFi (eduroam)
Click here for details of how to to connect to the Heriot-Watt network at participating institutions.

Note: Check local government advice and your local institution before making any journeys.

IT/Software Training

IT/software training

PC Labs Edinburgh Campus

Keyserver
Some specialist software for your studies may only be available on Heriot-Watt networked PCs on campus. Keyserver allows you to remotely log in to these computers so you can access this software from your own computer.
PC Availability at Edinburgh Campus

Other IT Essentials

IT Essentials Find out about email, software, WiFI, printing...all the IT essentials!

IT Help

Contact ITHelpDesk

Tel: 0131 451 4050