MSD username

A Medical Sciences Division (MSD) username

Also known as an MSDIT login, network account, OES, or Novell.

It typically consists of a combination of letters from your first name and surname (e.g. jbloggs, joebl).
It is case‑sensitive and uses a separate password from the SSO.
If forgotten, you can update it here: Password & account problems — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences Division
This is your device login, Cisco (VPN) login, printer (iPrint), and OES (white “N” on blue background) login.
You can read more basic information about account here: MSD IT Network Account : University of Oxford

Who can receive an MSD IT username?

An MSD IT username can only be issued to individuals who hold an active affiliation within the Medical Sciences Division (MSD).

This affiliation may be established through:

A University card issued by an MSD department or unit
A non‑card MSD affiliation formally added by MSD HR to an existing University card

Affiliations such as @visiting, TSS, retired, college, Humanities, GLAM, and other non‑MSD affiliations are not recognised by MSD IT systems.
Individuals with these affiliations do not appear in our systems, and therefore we are unable to create, modify, or support MSD IT accounts for them.

For example, if a user presents a University card listing only visiting, TSS, retired, college, Humanities, GLAM, or any other non‑MSD designation, we cannot assign or update MSD IT details because they are not formally part of MSD.

Likewise, if you approached Humanities IT asking them to add someone who holds only an MSD affiliation to their network, they would face the same limitation — each division can support only users who are officially affiliated with that division.

Why MSD IT requires a valid MSD affiliation?

As part of the Medical Sciences Division, MSD IT provides access to systems that handle sensitive, high‑risk information, including research data, medical survey material, laboratory systems, and — where relevant — data relating to clinical research environments.
These systems are subject to strict security controls, and MSD IT accounts are a key element of those controls.

For this reason:

MSD IT provides more than one authentication mechanism
Users must be pre‑approved by the MSD department or unit granting access
Their affiliation must be active and valid before an MSD IT username can be issued

These requirements ensure compliance with GDPR, University Information Security standards, and best practices for protecting high‑sensitivity research and administrative environments.

A Network Account is required to access MSD IT digital 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 MSD IT 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. If the user only requires access to specific folders, a pre‑approved agreement (UAR form) is required: Change Ownership or Authorizers of Shared data

Please note:

Undergraduate students, rotation students, and TSS employees must always maintain an up‑to‑date affiliation. These accounts expire automatically after 12 weeks for security reasons. Their affiliation and any required extensions must be updated by HR or the relevant administrator.

If a user already has an MSD IT username but is moving to another MSD department, they must ask the Departmental Administrator or Group PI in the second department to submit a User Access Request Form.

It should not be necessary to issue a second network username.

How to activate your MSD IT account

1. Submit the online form

Complete the form , or check your Oxford email 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 and approved.

3. Activate your account

Go to: https://itstart.medsci.ox.ac.uk
Enter your surname and University barcode card number (the 7 digits above the barcode).
Click Activate — an activation code will be sent to your University email.
Copy and paste the activation code into the required field.
Create a password.
Set a Forgotten Password security question and answer - this will help you regain access if you forget your password.

After completing the process, you will receive an email containing your MSD IT username (e.g., jbloggs).

4. Additional notes

Your MSD username unlocks automatically after ~15 minutes if locked.
You may reset your password using the password reset link or contact local IT.
If you are an undergraduate, rotation, or TSS user, your access expires after 12 weeks and must be extended by MSD HR.
You can submit a help request at Freshservice Support (MSD IT ticketing system that enables users to monitor the status of their requests).

IT Support at Oxford

to access, active MSD affiliation required:
MSD IT – Who to Contact and When
MSD IT – FAQ and common issues
MSD IT – Pre-check and self-help

MSD IT – Our team