GETTING STARTED
Before you arrive on campus (computer recommendations)
At the UFS, we have facilities that allow you to access and use digital technology. These facilities can be accessed for long periods each day. But some students like to have their own devices, which will enhance their study experience. You can buy a computer through PURCO, who negotiated prices on behalf of South African universities with specific suppliers for specific laptops offered to qualifying students. All transactions relating to procurement of the laptops, as well as all after-sale services will be between the computer supplier and the end-user. For more information, visit
http://www.stp.ac.za
Connect to Wi-Fi on Campus
- Select the Wi-Fi function on your device.
- Select the UFS_Wireless1 option.
- Click/tap on Connect. If the pop-up screen about connection issues appears, select “Connect”, and not terminate.
- Enter your student number and password.
- You are connected! Happy UFS browsing.
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is an online learning system where you will find material and assessments related to courses or modules (loaded 24 hours after registration).
Access Blackboard at:
https://learn.ufs.ac.za/ and log in with your student number and UFS campus password.
What is Kovsielife?
Kovsielife is a portal where you can find everything you need for a successful student life at UFS, including:
- Class and Exam timetables
- Exam marks
- Tuition account
- Internet billing account
- Study record
Visit
https://www.ufs.ac.za/kovsielife and log in with your student number and UFS campus password.
Student Email
You have a free email account from the University of the Free State.
All official communication from the university is sent to your UFS email account. Take note that this ufs4life email account is a Gmail account.
To access your ufs4life emails, visit the following website:
URL address:
https://www.ufs.ac.za/kovsielifeLog in with:
Username: student number
Password: UFS campus password
Set up your email step-by-step and get connected.
You can also forward your ufs4life emails to your personal email account. Please visit the EduTech Buddy organisation on Blackboard for steps – take note that we are not liable for any emails not successfully transferred to your personal account.
If you use Yahoo, MSN, etc., for email, it will count towards your Internet usage.
Locate computer labs and printers
The general laboratories on campus consist of the New Media Centre, the Media Centre, and the laboratory on Level 6 in the SASOL Library. A postgraduate laboratory on Level 6 in the UFS Library is only available to postgraduate students.
Lab Hours
New Media Centre:
Monday to Friday 07:00–24:00
Saturdays 09:00–24:00
Sundays 09:00–24:00
Holidays and public holidays 09:00–24:00
Media Centre (Thakaneng Bridge):
Monday to Friday 09:00–20:00
Closed during holidays and public holidays
Level 6 in Library:
Open according to library hours
Closed during holidays
Qwaqwa Campus
EU computer lab (in the Library as you enter on your left)
Monday to Friday: 08:00–21:00
Saturday: 09:00–13:00
Closed on Sundays, UFS holidays, and public holidays.
E-learning lab (entrance behind the library)
Monday to Friday: 08:00–21:00
Closed on weekends, UFS holidays, and public holidays
New Computer lab (Near the L-venues and Library)
Monday to Friday: 08:00–21:00
Closed on weekends, UFS holidays, and public holidays
Media centre (situated between the hostels on campus)
Monday to Friday: 07:00–03:00
Weekends and holidays: 08:00–23:00
Managing your password
- Keep your password secret.
- Change your password regularly. Use a random mixture of at least seven characters, including upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Do not make use of the “Save my password” option.
- Shut down the computer after use, especially after using a computer in a computer lab.
Change your password
Log into the UFS network with your student number and password, and access the self-service website:
https://selfservice.ufs.ac.za/Follow the instructions to change your password. For questions, visit the ICT Helpdesk.