Without u:account, you’re lost
The u:account for students is your central access point to almost all IT services at the University of Vienna. It consists of the u:accountUserID and the u:account password. You set both of these yourself when you set up your u:account. Your user ID can be found in the welcome e-mail you received from the ZID (which stands for Zentraler Informatikdienst). You should make a note of it, as you will need it frequently, along with your password.
u:account UserID = user/login name in the form: doejamie99
All details about your u:account
Speaking of passwords
Before we introduce you to all the great IT services, we would like to draw your attention to the following:
- Always keep your access data secure and up to date. Please take a look at our info video on password security.
- You can change your password at any time. To do so, use the changing the password form.
- You can also do this if you have forgotten your password, but only if you have previously entered an emergency e-mail address and agreed that it may be used. If not, you will need to request a new password.
- Here you will find tips regarding the password. You should really read them, as they serve to protect your data and the entire IT infrastructure of the University of Vienna! Got it?
Ready for IT services?
Many of the University of Vienna’s IT services are managed by the ZID. On the ZID website, you will find all the important service information, detailed user guides and the relevant Servicedesk forms for questions and support.
There are a handful of IT services you can’t do without, first and foremost u:space, the portal you use to organise your degree programme. You can also use the library services with your u:account. But there are several more. Curious? We’ll give you an overview of the most important IT services and show you which services you can discover beyond the must-haves.
Well connected: e-mail and Wi-Fi
Even if you usually do everything via Snapchat or WhatsApp: At university, communication still often takes place via your university e-mail address. Admittedly, this is not particularly appealing. However, it is advisable to check your mailbox regularly via webmail.univie.ac.at so that you don’t miss any messages from the university. You can also forward your university e-mails to your private e-mail address.
All information about the e-mail service
The Wi-Fi at the University of Vienna is called eduroam. If necessary, use our Wi-Fi- user guides. And because IT security is important, there is a separate Wi-Fi password for eduroam. Also interesting to know: eduroam is an international project. It allows you to use the Wi-Fi of all participating institutions – worldwide. So if you ever visit TeamLab Planets in Tokyo, you’ll be connected right away.
All information about the Wi-Fi service
Deep dive: VPN and MFA
Did you know that you need aVPN connection (Virtual Private Network) to access certain services such as u:print or personal storage space from outside the university data network? You will then receive an IP address from the University of Vienna’s address range and an encrypted connection. Logging in to the VPN is secured with multi-factor authentication (MFA). This means that you need more than just your user ID and password to log in. This could be a one-time password generated by an authentication app on your smartphone, for example. You also need a second factor to log in to Microsoft 365 for students.
Learned and streamed: Moodle and u:stream
Without e-learning via Moodle, nothing works in your degree programme: this is where you exchange ideas with your lecturers and fellow students. You will also find teaching materials and assignments there. Video conferencing systems integrated into Moodle, such as Zoom, are also used for courses. In addition, there is u:stream, which lecturers can use to stream or record their courses online and make them available on demand, usually in Moodle.
Deep dive: using Moodle smartly
Whether you are just starting your studies or need a refresher in your fifth semester, our practical short video tutorials (in German with optional subtitels) will help you use the most important Moodle functions efficiently.
- Video Accessing Moodle course: find the right course quickly and easily
- Video Downloading files: access all documents offline with just a few clicks
- Video Subscribing to forums: never miss a post
- Video Uploading assignments: submit work easily via the platform
- Video Contacting other students: network with other students in Moodle
In the test environment Moodle Preview, you can set up a personal course, test the new features and find out about planned changes to Moodle. The e-learning team of the ZID also invites all students to actively help shape e-learning at the University of Vienna. You can use the feedback form to submit ideas for improving and further developing Moodle.
Called and teamed up: Zoom and Teams
Of course, you can make video calls via Facetime or WhatsApp, and Zoom is also available free of charge. But with the data protection-compliant Zoom of the University of Vienna, you can hold as many meetings as you like, lasting up to 24 hours, with up to 300 participants. Filters included.
In addition to Zoom, you can also get Teams. This is available in a package with Microsoft 365 for students and offers features such as chats, calls and (video) calls. Teams also makes it easy to collaborate with others, for example by creating and editing documents together, exchanging files or brainstorming via whiteboard. You also get some free storage space in OneDrive.
Saved and shared: online storage space and u:cloud
This brings us to our topic. Of the ZID, you have several options for storing, sharing and saving your data. These include personal storage space and u:cloud cloud storage. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. We have already written a detailed article on this topic Where should I store my data? Feel free to check it out.
All information about storing and sharing data
Deep dive: FileSender
You may be familiar with this situation: you want to send a file, but your e-mail won’t work because it’s simply too large at 12 GB. That’s where FileSender comes in. It’s a very useful tool that allows you to make files up to 250 GB in size accessible to others.
Surfing and printing: computer rooms and u:print
Don’t feel like lugging your laptop around with you? Is your printer on permanent strike and you don’t have the right software? Then head to the computer rooms. Just last year, the computer rooms celebrated their 30th birthday and were equipped with state-of-the-art and powerful devices running Windows 11. The list of locations tells you where to find the computer rooms and when they are open. All PCs are equipped with standardised software. However, some locations also have subject-specific software.
All information about the computer rooms
The computer rooms also have u:print printers, which you can use to print, scan and copy. You can even send a print job from home. You can find out how u:print works in the user guides.
We have the hardware: u:book
Are you looking for the right laptop for your degree programme? We have just the thing for you. With th u:book promotion, you can purchase top-of-the-line laptops, tablets, convertibles and accessories at discounted prices at the beginning of each semester. The u:book sales period is open until 20 October 2025!
Click here to visit the u:book shop
Deep dive: u:book labels and filter function
Are you looking for a device that meets specific criteria? In that case, the filter function in the u:book shop is very helpful. You can select the screen size and a maximum price, for example, and you will only receive product suggestions that meet your requirements. Or you can search specifically for labels. These are only awarded to selected devices that meet certain requirements. This makes it easy to find the right laptop.
And we also have software for students
As a student, you can get inexpensive software via AcadCloud through the ZID. Unfortunately, there’s no Zelda or Monster Hunter, but there are very useful tools for your degree programme. However, there are a few goodies included. You can get Microsoft 365 for students completely free of charge. The Adobe programmes via Adobe Creative Cloud are also nice to have. User guides are provided for all available products.
All information about software for students
Deep dive: Overleaf
You can use an Overleaf Free licence via the University of Vienna to collaborate on LaTeX documents online. Overleaf helps you simplify the collaborative writing, editing and creation of research papers or project reports. With a license, you can collaborate with others on an unlimited number of projects in real time and use templates. Feel free to read our article Not a LaTeX guru? Overleaf will help you anyway!
In the thick of it: IT courses
Now you know how to get hardware and software. But how proficient are you with it? Would you like some tips on Office apps? Or have you got SPSS completely under control? The inexpensive IT courses offered by the ZID can help you here. The majority of IT courses are held in the form of online webinars. The course topics include:
- Windows and Office
- Degree programme and research
- Graphics and audio/video
- Internet and social media
All information about the IT courses
Deep dive: free MATLAB short training courses
Want to solve complex problems, interpret data, create models or develop algorithms? The manufacturer of MATLAB shows you everything that is possible with the software in two different free short training courses. Information and login can be found via u:rise.
Last but not least: using IT securely
Do you think IT security is only for pros? Think again. IT security concerns everyone. It’s not just about your data. It is the responsibility of all users to save the IT infrastructure of the University of Vienna. It’s not difficult. With our tips for users, you’ll be well prepared. If reading is too boring for you, then check out our entertaining videos:
- Video: Dangers in e-mails
- Video: Password security
Deep dive: IT security quiz
If you think you already know all this, test your IT security knowledge with our quizzes.
Let’s be honest: Did you know about all these IT services or have you even used them? Visit us on our Instagram channel and write us a post about IT services in the comments section, telling us which services are your favourites and least favourites and why. We’re really excited to hear from you!
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