If you have forgotten your passphrase, you can reset it online. You will be asked for some personal information including your NetLink ID and V Number.
If you know your passphrase, you can change it at any time online.
If you can't access your account because it has been locked or deactivated, please contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance.
Important note: there may be some disruption in services following a NetLink ID change. It’s important to consider the timing of the change (e.g., it would not be recommended to change your NetLink ID right before an online exam). Many systems will update automatically, but others may take as long as 2-3 business days. Devices using wifi will have to be updated manually.
If you wish to change your NetLink ID (e.g. due to a name change) please contact the Computer Help Desk at 250-721-7687 or helpdesk@uvic.ca.
- There is no charge to change your NetLink ID with a valid reason.
- Repeated requests may incur a cost.
- Requests must abide by university policies.
- We reserve the right to refuse requests if they will adversely impact the integrity of our systems.
You can learn more about managing your online name on the University Systems website.
A passphrase is a series of words or text used to access UVic systems such as Online Tools or Brightspace, along with your NetLink ID. A passphrase is used similarly to a password, but is generally longer for added security.
Your NetLink passphrase must be between 12 and 128 characters long and can contain the following characters:
- lowercase letters
- uppercase letters
- digits
- spaces
- these special characters: !"#$%&'()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\]^_`{|}~
The passphrase will also be validated against known data breaches from Have I been Pwned.
Learn more about passphrase requirements and tips
Your V Number is the identifier UVic provides you when you first join. Since 2007 - everyone connected with UVic is issued a V Number.
- Undergraduate students will have received their V Number when they were accepted into UVic. You can find your V Number on your student card or in your application confirmation email. Contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance.
- Graduate students will have received their V Number when they were accepted into UVic. You can find your V Number on your student card or in your application confirmation email. Contact the Graduate Admissions and Records Office for assistance.
- Continuing Studies students will have received their V Number on their registration receipt. Contact Continuing Studies for assistance.
- Faculty and staff (current and former) will have received their V Number upon becoming an employee. Contact Payroll for assistance.
- Former students and alumni will have the same V Number as when they were a student or will have been assigned one in 2008. Contact Office of the Registrar for assistance.
- Affiliates will have received their V Number from their UVic sponsors. Contact your sponsor for assistance.
The University of Victoria is committed to treating personal information in accordance with FIPPA and the university's privacy policy. The collection of personal information by the University of Victoria is in accordance with section 26 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the University Act.
The university uses the personal information for the purposes of providing educational and related services. For a detailed listing of the collection purposes see Protection of Privacy Policy: Schedule A, Procedures for the Management of Personal Information on the University Secretary's website.
Should you have any questions concerning your personal information please contact the access and privacy office at privacyinfo@uvic.ca.
As an employee you are required to use a UVic approved email address when conducting University business. A UVic approved email address is hosted by UVic or a service provider that has been approved to host UVic email.
The use of non-UVic approved email address to transmit personal information is not authorized by UVic’s Protection of Privacy Policy and poses a significant problem for compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Along with being a disclosure of that personal information to your third-party email provider who is not authorized to have access to that personal information.
For instructions on how to change your preferred email address you can refer to the how to update preferred email. If you have any questions, want to request a different email domain to be approved, or require any assistance, please contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance:
To get a NetLink ID, you must have a V Number, which can be assigned to you through many means (see 'What is my V Number?') If you know your V Number, you can get your NetLink ID.
You are eligible for a NetLink ID if you are a:
- applicant who has submitted their application to UVic
- current undergraduate or graduate student
- continuing studies student
- faculty or staff member
- former student or alumni
- affiliate with a UVic sponsor
