• Your ULCN user name is a lowercase letter s, followed by your student number. So, for example, s1234567
• When logging into applications via the Microsoft log-in screen, you must enter your ULCN user name + vuw.leidenuniv.nl. So, for example, s1234567@vuw.leidenuniv.nl

Within two or three days of registering in Studielink or via the student administration department, you will receive an email with your ULCN account details. Haven’t received your account details? Get in touch with the Student Affairs Front Office. Also check your contact details are correct in Studielink so you don’t miss any future correspondence. 

You then need to set up your account by following the steps below.

Set your own password

• Have you received a ULCN user name and a temporary password? You must reset your password in Account Services within 7 days, otherwise the password will expire and you must request a new one.
• Have you received a ULCN user name only without password? You must activate your account then set a password in Account Services.

Note that after activating your account or changing your password, it can take up to 30 minutes before you can use your account.

Set up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

When setting up your account, you will be asked to set up Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). Do this right away as many university systems require MFA for access.

MFA means that as well as entering your username and password, you will confirm your identity via an additional method. It can take up to 15 minutes to set up, so don’t wait till the last minute just before you need to log into an application. Having problems setting up MFA? Contact the ISSC – see contact details on this page, or visit your faculty’s ICT desk.

Set up password recovery

After setting up your account, it is important to also set up password recovery in Account Services. This will make it much easier to re-set your password at a later date if you forget it or it expires.

If you forget your password or it expires, there are two ways of resetting it:

1. Go to Account Services and reset your password yourself. Note: you can only use this option if you already set up password recovery in Account Services. 
2. Get in touch with a Helpdesk. You can then receive your password via one the following methods: 
   • By post: first check your address is correct in Account Services. If not, update it via studielink or via the Student Affairs Front Office.
   • By text message: this is only possible if you previously entered a mobile phone number in Account Services.
   • In person at the Helpdesk: remember to take your LU-Card or another valid ID along with you!

If you need to change your password, you will receive a reminder to do so by email. You can change your password in Account Services.

If you cannot log into the Account Services page to change your password, then you can often solve this by using a different browser (Chrome, Firefox of Internet Explorer). If that doesn't work, then clearing your browser’s cache might help.

Still having log-in problems? Try the following:

• When logging in via the Microsoft log-in screen, remember to enter your user name + vuw.leidenuniv.nl (not your uMail address). Your user name is a lower case letter s, followed by your student number + @vuw.leidenuniv.nl. So, for example: s1234567@vuw.leidenuniv.nl.
• Use lower case letters and make sure CAPS LOCK isn’t on.
• Is this a new ULCN account? Make sure you have activated your account.
• Try switching language from Dutch to English or vice versa, then try again.
• If you can access one application but not another, the issue is the application not your account. Look on the page about the specific application for suggestions.
• Try clearing your browser cache, history and cookies. Your browser has a help function that will explain how.
• Still can’t access your account? Contact the ISSC helpdesk – see contact details on this page.

Terms of use

The use of your account and Leiden University’s IT facilities is governed by the Regulations on ICT and internet use. By logging into the university’s IT facilities with your account, you agree to abide by these regulations.

Privacy

ULCN saves your data in a secure manner. Your name, uMail address and study programme can be viewed by staff of Leiden University. If you are unhappy about this, you can submit an objection by email to the Student Administration department. For further information on data security and privacy, see the relevant Privacy Notice. 

Deactivated after 60 days

60 days after your student registration ends, your student account will be deactivated. This means you will also lose access to uMail and personal data storage (OneDrive). Read about the steps to take before you lose access.

Alumni account

If you have graduated from Leiden University, your student account will be converted to an alumni account. This means you can still access the university library with your LU-Card, although you must first unblock your LU-Card. Questions about your alumni account? Contact the Student Affairs Front Office.