Changing your Password

Forgot your password?

You can reset your own password by verifying your identity using the the Multi-Factor Authentication service - please see Microsoft's instructions at Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password - Microsoft Support

Creating a strong password

Using a strong password or passphrase is essential in protecting access to your University accounts.

A strong password is:

  • Long - A minimum length of 14 characters.
  • Contain characters from three of the following four categories:
    • English uppercase characters (A through Z)
    • English lowercase characters (a through z)
    • Base 10 digits (0 through 9)
    • Nonalphabetic characters (for example: !, $, #, %)
  • Unique - Only used for University accounts
  • Difficult to guess
  • Memorable (for you)

Three random words

To support service users in creating memorable passwords, the University recommends the use of the National Cyber Security Centre's “Three Random Word” guidance when creating the alphabetic component of a password.

  • For the avoidance of doubt, the words MUST be both random and non-obvious.
  • For example, Applenemobiro13 would meet the minimum length and password complexity requirements for a standard user account, be “long enough” and “strong enough” for most purposes, but which can also be remembered more easily

Find out more about the three random words password approach. 

To change your password on a University PC

  1. Login to a University cluster or quick access PC
  2. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del together.
  3. Select the option to change your password.

Changing your password online

  1. Sign in to office.com/signin
  2. Go to Settings > Change your Password.
  3. Enter your old password
  4. Create a new password and confirm it
  5. Select Submit to finish and change your password

If you are experiencing issues resetting your password via the Self Service option, please give us a call on 0191 208 5999 (Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 17:00) and we can assist you over the phone

Don't forget! After changing your University password, ensure you update any saved passwords on your laptop / mobile phone for connecting to campus WiFi and University email