IT support
As a student at Karlstad University, you have access to a wide range of IT services. Most of them can be accessed by using your KauID student account.
Student support
The Student Support Centre can help you with questions related to your KauID, digital exams, student email, the wireless network, computer workstations in the library and more. The Student Support Centre also provides guidance on the most common Office questions and helps you if you have problems with your own computer. Student Support is located in the Welcome Centre. You will find the student support service in the Welcome Center, in building 1E.
- On site: Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM
- E-mail: studentsupport@kau.se
- Phone: 054 700 16 95
What is required from my computer?
- Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux. So called ChromeBooks are not recommended.
- Computer must have virus protection software.
- Some digital services do not work in every browser so make sure you have at least two installed.
- A word processor like Google Docs or Libre Office (Karlstad University provides students with Microsoft 365 for free. You can read more about this here: https://www.kau.se/nyheter/kostnadsfri-tillgang-till-office-365-studenter).
What do I need as a student?
Many courses are distance learning. Access to a computer is a must regardless of the type of programme you have chosen. Please note that Chromebooks and similar devices have limitations. For example, you will not be able to install standalone software that may be required for your programme. Chromebooks are therefore not an option for university studies. The Zoom website states that your computer needs to have at least 4GB of RAM, but the recommendation is at least 8GB for stable meetings in Zoom.
Equipment for distance learning and blended learning
In order to take part in lectures via Zoom (video meetings via the Internet), you as a student must have access to equipment that can handle this. An alternative may be to use computers at e.g. Learning Centres or libraries if there is a possibility to sit in private. You will need your own headset and a stable internet connection.
Internet access
To participate in video meetings, you need a stable connection to the Internet. The main problem with all e-meeting systems is the audio, e.g. hearing an echo of yourself, audio stuttering or not hearing anything at all. These problems are related to connection speed and bandwidth. It is required that you:
- Make sure your connection is as stable as possible.
- If you are at home, make sure that other family members are not engaged in bandwidth-consuming activities, such as watching online films and playing online games.
WiFi
At Karlstad University, you should connect to the eduroam Wi-Fi network. If you experience problems with the wireless network, you can help us improve by filling in our form at this link:
Microsoft 365
Karlstad University provides Microsoft 365 for free to all students. Read more about how to download it here:
If you want to have an email address linked to the university, you can use the email in Microsoft 365. By adding @student.kau.se to your KauID you will get your email address. You log in with your KauID password.