New Student Technology Setup 2026¶

Welcome to the FHARGA technology setup guide for new students. Completing these steps will give you access to the university systems, learning platforms, and communication tools you need to start the academic year smoothly.

Before you begin, complete your academic registration on SunStudent.

Please complete all required steps below. Steps marked with * are compulsory.

Also make time to review the EMS welcoming programme for 2026.

Step 1 - Check Whether You Already Have a Working Password *¶

If you already know your student number and you can sign in successfully, continue to Step 3.

If you have forgotten your password, never received it, or cannot sign in, continue to Step 2.

Step 2 - Reset or Create Your Password¶

1. Open Password Management.
2. Select Forgot Password?
3. Complete the verification step and continue.
4. Enter your student number.
5. Choose the most accessible recovery option, such as SMS or email.
6. Follow the prompts to create your new password.
7. Continue to Step 4.

If you need to update your personal details first, review Step 6.

Step 3 - Change Your Password¶

If you are able to sign in, change your password once so that it is synchronized across university systems.

1. Open Password Management.
2. Select Change current password?
3. Sign in with your current password.
4. Review the password requirements.
5. Enter your current password.
6. Create and submit a new password.
7. Continue to Step 4.

If you still need to set up campus Wi-Fi, use the Eduroam section on the FAQ page.

Step 4 - Set Up Multifactor Authentication (MFA) *¶

MFA adds a second verification step to your university account and is required for Microsoft services and other protected systems.

1. Go to portal.office.com and sign in with your full university email address, for example 12345678@sun.ac.za.
2. When prompted for more information, select Next.
3. Choose Mobile App as your preferred verification method.
4. Install Microsoft Authenticator from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
5. Open the app and scan the QR code shown on your computer.
6. Approve the test notification.
7. Add your mobile number as a backup method if prompted.
8. Select Done to complete setup.

If you are not prompted automatically, use the direct MFA setup page.

More help:

• Stellenbosch University MFA information
• MFA guide for third-party software

If you do not have a smartphone, choose SMS and make sure your mobile number is correct in both SunStudent and Microsoft security info.

If you already have your student card, continue to Step 5. Otherwise continue to Step 6.

Step 5 - Load Printing Money (Optional)¶

Once you have collected your student card, sign in to SunStudent and load printing funds:

1. Select Requests from the left-hand menu.
2. Open All Requests.
3. Select Raise Request.
4. Choose Printing Quota.
5. Set Request Category to Printing Services.
6. Enter the amount you want to load.
7. Select Upload & Submit.
8. In the next screen, select Save.
9. Confirm that the service request appears on your student account.

For printing instructions and tariffs, see the FAQ printing section and the 2026 printing tariffs.

Step 6 - Sign In to My.SUN and Check Your Details *¶

Sign in to My.SUN and check the following:

1. Class timetable
2. Open Undergraduate
3. Open Studies
4. Select Class Timetable (First Years)
5. Timetables are usually available from the Thursday before classes begin.
6. Student email
7. Open Undergraduate
8. Open General
9. Select Web E-mail, then Outlook Cloud Email (Office 365)
10. You can also go directly to Outlook on the web
11. Personal information
12. Open Undergraduate
13. Open Administration
14. Select Personal Information
15. Use Change Information to update your phone number, address, or email address

Step 7 - Complete the Technology Survey *¶

Complete the FHARGA technology survey using your full university email address and password.

Step 8 - Sign In to SUNLearn or EMSLearn *¶

SUNLearn and EMSLearn are the learning platforms where lecturers share module material, announcements, and online activities.

1. Open EMSLearn or access SUNLearn through My.SUN.
2. Select Log in.
3. Enter your student number and university password.
4. Accept the policy agreement if prompted.
5. Open your registered modules.
6. When finished, log out from the menu next to your name.

Step 9 - Install Microsoft Teams and Office *¶

1. Sign in to portal.office.com.
2. Use your full university email address and password.
3. Select Install Office.
4. Install the applications you need for your computer and mobile devices.

Step 10 - Download Useful Apps¶

1. SU campus map: Google Play or Apple App Store
2. Microsoft Authenticator: Google Play or Apple App Store
3. Web campus map: campusmap.sun.ac.za

Step 11 - Read the FHARGA Code of Conduct *¶

Finish by reading the FHARGA general information and code of conduct.