26 March 2026 - Special offers for the start of the semester Starting Your Studies in the Summer Semester 2026: IT for Students
Welcome to Heidelberg University!
To kick off the 2026 summer semester, the URZ team is introducing new students to the most important IT services.
Getting Started
Initial token for multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Newly enrolled students will receive an initial token by mail along with their university ID and the corresponding activation code. This token is a randomly generated password that can only be used ten times and is valid for a limited time. Please set up a permanent token via the MFA Token Self-Service platform as soon as possible after receiving the letter. You can access the platform from within the university network. If you do not have access to the university network, you can also reach the platform via VPN:
Step 1: Set up VPN access.
To do this, use your initial token to download the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client and log in with it. You can now use the VPN to establish a secure connection to the university network from anywhere at any time.
Step 2: Set up your permanent token.
Next, log in to the MFA Token Self-Service platform and set up your two-factor authentication permanently.
If you have any questions, our IT support team will be happy to help!
All services at a glance
Video presentation: “IT Services for Students”
We have prepared a recorded presentation for new students that briefly summarizes our services.
A brief overview of the most important IT services
General Services
University ID, Wi-Fi via eduroam, heiCO, heiBOX, Moodle, and much more—the University Computer Center (URZ) offers a wide range of IT services for students. Many of these services are essential for a successful academic experience and make everyday student life easier in various ways. You can find an overview of the most important services on the linked page.
Free Microsoft 365 licenses for students
Enrolled students can activate access to Microsoft 365 apps and Microsoft 365 online services. This allows data to be stored in the Microsoft cloud (important: the data is stored on Microsoft’s own servers and is outside the university’s control), shared with other users, and edited simultaneously. To use the apps and products, students must activate their university ID once via the university’s Microsoft licensing portal. For more information and instructions, see the linked news article.
University-wide AI platform “YoKI”
Since July 2025, staff and students have been able to access the university’s internal AI platform, YoKI, via the university network. This platform offers a selection of open-source language models. All models are operated on-premises, i.e., on university servers, and can be used in compliance with data sovereignty and privacy regulations. The models and the user interface are continuously updated and were recently updated.
Please review the terms of use.
Access to the university email account
You can access your university email at the link provided. Please check your email there regularly.
Here for you: Our IT Service
The IT Service provides support and advice on all URZ services. Our service staff can be reached by phone, video call, contact form, email, and in person at two IT Service Points (at the URZ at Neuenheimer Feld 330 and at the University Administration (Carolinum) in the Old Town).
24/7 IT support: Ask the IT support chatbot
Another new feature is our IT service chatbot! Following a successful test phase, the IT service chatbot “heiBOT-IT” has been expanding the URZ’s support and AI offerings since February 2026. Students and staff can use this open-source chatbot around the clock for IT questions. Do you have an IT question? Try out the chatbot: