MSD username
A Medical Sciences Division (MSD) username:
also known as a MSDIT login, network account, OES, or Novell.
A Network Account is required to access digital services provided by MSD IT Services
New users in most MSD locations need to complete our online form. Once submitted, they will receive an email with instructions on how to activate their MSDIT account electronically.
- To obtain network access or access to folders within the requested unit— which must be part of the Medical Sciences Division (MSD)—the user must have an appropriate affiliation. For example:
name.surname@tropic.ox.ac.uk for a specific unit within NDM, or
name.surname@paed.ox.ac.uk for the Paediatrics unit.
- We do not have the technical or administrative rights to add a new user to the MSD network if they do not belong to an MSD department. Alternatively, if the user is working with a small group and only requires access to specific folders, a pre‑approved agreement (UAR form) is required.
Change Ownership or Authorizers of Shared data
- Undergraduate students, rotation students, and TSS employees must always maintain an up‑to‑date affiliation. At present, these accounts are set to expire automatically after 12 weeks. This requirement is in place for security reasons, as these users often change locations without notifying us and should not retain access to certain networks or folders once their affiliation ends. Their affiliation and extension must be updated by HR or the relevant administrator.
If an account is extant, it may be reactivated, provided the user have current affiliation with a Department in the Medical Sciences Division.
- If a user already has an MSD IT network username but is changing roles and needs access to network services or to work in another department supported by MSD IT, they need to request from Departmental Administrator or Group PI in the second department to complete and submit a request. User Access Request Form.
- It should not be necessary to issue a second network username.
How to activate your MSDIT account:
1. Submit the online form
- Complete the form, or
- Check your Oxford email inbox to see whether your HR team has already submitted a request on your behalf.
2. Look for the confirmation email
- A confirmation message will be sent to your Oxford email once the request has been submitted.
3. Activate your account
- Go to: https://itstart.medsci.ox.ac.uk
- Enter your surname and University card number (the 7 digits above the barcode).
- Click Activate — an activation code will be sent immediately to your University email (@unit.ox.ac.uk).
- Copy and paste the activation code into the required field.
- Create a password.
- Set a Forgotten password security question and answer (minimum 8 characters). This will allow you to reset your password in the future.
At the end of this process, you will receive another email containing your MSDIT username (e.g., jbloggs).
4. Additional notes
- If your MSD username becomes locked, it will automatically unlock after approximately 15 minutes.
- You can also use the password reset link on the MSDIT page or contact local IT to unlock your account.
- If you are an undergraduate, rotation or TSS, your network access typically expires after 12 weeks.
- To extend access, your MSD HR team must request an extension on your behalf.
- Please set a reminder so this can be actioned before your access expires.
- For any future queries, you can submit a help request online to your local IT team.
If you are a returning user, please also complete the form mentioned above.
If you require access to folders in a part of the network outside your primary department, please complete a UAR form.