Multi-factor authentication

To help keep your account secure, the University of Stirling uses multi-factor authentication (MFA). This method allows users to show who they are with more than just a username and password.

The two stages of logging in with multi-factor authentication

When logging in to our portal, app, email, or Office 365, there will be two ways to log in:

with something you know - your username and password;
with something you have - your mobile phone.

When your status changes from applicant to student, you will be prompted to set up MFA when logging in to the University's portal.

How to set up multi-factor authentication

Watch our video for a step-by-step guide on how to set up multi-factor authentication.

Important reminders

You must set up MFA yourself - you will need to use your own phone to log in. If someone sets this up on your behalf, you will not be able to login without their phone.

Changing your SIM card on arrival in the UK? Make sure you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app as your default method of authentication. Even with a new SIM card, the app will continue to work. Many students set up a text message as their default method which of course stops working when the phone number changes.

Changing your mobile phone on arrival in the UK? We recommend setting up a non-phone-based authentication method, such as security questions. This will allow you to continue to log in to the portal even if you get a new phone.

Go to Microsoft to set up security questions or to add another non-phone-based authentication method like a personal email address. You can use this link at any time to update your authentication methods.

Set up more than one authentication method to ensure you can log in even if you forget your phone or have no mobile reception. You can change your default MFA method and add additional sign-in methods such as email or security questions on the Microsoft website.

What happens if I get locked out of my account?

You can contact the Information Centre in three ways:

Email askIT@stir.ac.uk
Fill in the Ask IT form on UniDesk
Visit the Information Centre - located near the University Library entrance