Student IT access
2026/27
All students are required to use Multi Factor Authentication for accessing there college accounts.
To be able to access your account at college and at home, you will need to follow all steps below.
Step one:
Set your password
- Enter your college email address.
- Enter the Capture Characters.
- Get an access code.
- Enter the access code and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step two:
Set your account security
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of protection for your college account. In addition to your password, you will be asked to verify your identity when signing in. This helps prevent unauthorised access and protects your account, even if your password is compromised.
Step three:
log in
Log in to view student induction material and access your Office 365 account.
When logged in, you will be able to access all your course materials.
Student account security (Microsoft Authenticator) video
Frequently asked questions about the Microsoft Authenticator app:
Do I really need to?
Q: I don’t really want to set up Account Security (Microsoft Authenticator), do I really have to?
A: Yes. Microsoft Authenticator is required to access Wiltshire College systems. MFA helps protect your account and College data from unauthorised access, even if your password is compromised.
Do I need a smart phone
Q: I don’t have a smartphone. Can I still use MFA?
A: Microsoft Authenticator is the College’s approved MFA method. If you do not have access to a compatible smartphone or tablet, please talk to your lecturer or a Digital Advisor in the LRC to discuss your options.
I don't have a mobile phone
Q: What should I do if I don’t own a mobile phone?
A: Please contact your Digital Advisor in the LRC. We can discuss alternative arrangements where appropriate.
Deny Approval Alert
Q: I accidently hit Deny instead of Approve on the MFA notification alert, what do I do?
A: Selecting Deny may cause your account to be temporarily blocked.
Please go to your campus Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and a Digital Advisor will be able to help.
Getting a new phone
Q: What happens if I get a new phone?
A:Install Microsoft Authenticator on your new phone and sign in as soon as possible. If you no longer have access to your old phone, please visit your local Learning Resource (LRC) for and speak to a Digital Advisor.
Losing my phone
Q: What if I lose my phone?
A:Speak to your lecturer or a Digital Advisor immediately. We can help secure your account and reset your MFA registration so you can access your account again safely.
Using MFA on campus
Q:Why am I being asked for MFA on campus?
A:MFA is now required for all students, whether you are on campus or off campus. This provides additional protection for your account and College systems.
Can I use MFA without mobile data?
Q: Can I use MFA without a mobile data connection?
A: Yes. Microsoft Authenticator can generate one-time passcodes that can be used even when your phone has no mobile signal, although an internet connection is recommended where possible.
Can I use a different Authenticator app?
Q: I already use another Authenticator app. Can I use that instead?
A: Wiltshire College recommends Microsoft Authenticator because it is fully supported by our IT team and works best with Microsoft 365 services such as Outlook, Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint. It also provides secure sign-in notifications and simpler account recovery. It can also help protect other online accounts you may use every day, including Google, Apple, Facebook, Instagram and Discord, allowing you to manage your account security in one place.
No notifications when app is closed
Q: Why do I only get notifications when the app is open? When the app is closed, I don’t get notifications.
A: If you’re getting notifications, but not an alert, even with your ringer on, you should check your app settings. Make sure the app is turned on to use sound or to vibrate for notifications. If you don’t get notifications at all, you should check the following conditions:
- Is your phone in Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode? These modes can prevent apps from sending notifications.
- Can you get notifications from other apps? If not, it could be a problem with the network connections on your phone, or the notifications channel from Android or Apple. You can try to resolve your network connections through your phone settings. You might need to talk to your service provider to help with the Android or Apple notifications channel.
- Can you get notifications for some accounts on the app, but not others? If yes, remove the problematic account from your app, add it again allowing notifications, and see if that fixes the problem.
Registering a device
Q: Is registering a device agreeing to give Wiltshire College access to my device?
A: No. Registering your device simply allows it to securely access Wiltshire College services. It does not give Wiltshire College access to your personal files, photos, emails, messages, or other content stored on your device.
Can I opt out of MFA?
Q: Can I opt out of Multi-Factor Authentication?
A: No. MFA is a mandatory security requirement for accessing Wiltshire College systems and services. It helps protect your account, College data, and other users from cyber threats and unauthorised access.
If you are unable to use Microsoft Authenticator due to exceptional circumstances, please contact the IT Service Desk for advice and support.
MFA isn't working
Q: What if Microsoft Authenticator isn’t working?
A: First, check that your phone has an internet connection and that notifications are enabled for Microsoft Authenticator. If the issue continues, contact IT Support.
Receiving an unexpected approval request
Q: I received an MFA approval request that I wasn’t expecting. What should I do?
A: Select “Deny” immediately and change your password as soon as possible. An unexpected approval request may indicate that someone is trying to access your account.
Do I need to approve MFA every time?
Q: Do I need to approve MFA every time I sign in?
A: Not always. Depending on the application, device and location you are signing in from, you may only be prompted occasionally. However, you should be prepared to approve sign-in requests when prompted.