Eduroam is a guest WiFi network for students and staff at universities and research institutions

Eduroam (Education Roaming) is a WiFi network available at thousands of universities, colleges, and research institutions worldwide. Instead of connecting to your school's main network, you use your institutional login credentials — the same username and password you use for email or the student portal — to join Eduroam from any participating campus.

The main advantage is that your login works at any institution that participates in Eduroam, not just your own. If you visit another university or attend a conference at a research center, you can connect using the same credentials. Your school's IT department manages your access, not the visiting institution.

Eduroam is separate from other campus networks you may see listed. It is not the same as your school's main WiFi network, a guest network, or a public hotspot. You will need your institutional username and password to connect.

Key Takeaways

  • Eduroam uses your institutional login (the same credentials as your email or student portal), not a separate password.
  • Your username format depends on your school — it may be firstname.lastname, your student ID, or your email address without the domain.
  • The connection process is the same on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but the exact steps differ slightly by device type.
  • If connection fails, the most common causes are a typo in your username, an expired password, or your account not yet being activated by your school.

Find your institutional username before you connect

Your Eduroam username is not always the same as your email address. Different schools use different formats. Check your school's IT help page or email to find the exact format your institution uses.

Common formats include:

  • Your email address (example@university.edu)
  • Email without the domain (example@university.edu becomes example)
  • First initial plus last name (jsmith)
  • Student ID number
  • First name, period, last name (john.smith)

If you are unsure, contact your school's IT help desk or check the IT website. They can tell you the exact format in seconds. Using the wrong format is the most common reason connections fail.

Connect on Windows

Open your WiFi settings and look for the Eduroam network in the list of available networks. Click on it and select "Connect".

A dialog box will appear asking for your username and password. Enter your institutional username in the format your school uses (not your email address, unless your school specifically says to use it). Enter your institutional password — the same one you use for email or the student portal.

Check the box that says "Connect automatically" if you want your device to join Eduroam whenever the network is in range. Then click "Connect". Your device should connect within a few seconds. If a certificate warning appears, click "Yes" or "Connect anyway" — Eduroam uses a security certificate that Windows may not recognize on first connection.

Connect on Mac

Click the WiFi icon in the top-right corner of your screen and look for Eduroam in the network list. Click on it and select "Join".

A window will open asking for your username and password. Enter your institutional username in the exact format your school uses. Enter your institutional password. Leave the "Remember this network" box checked so your Mac connects automatically in the future.

Click "Join". If a certificate dialog appears, click "Continue" or "Trust" — this is normal for Eduroam. Your Mac should connect within a few seconds.

Connect on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find Eduroam in the list of available networks and tap on it.

A login screen will appear. In the "Username" field, enter your institutional username in the format your school uses. In the "Password" field, enter your institutional password. Leave "Trust this Network" toggled on. Tap "Join".

If a certificate warning appears, tap "Trust" — this is expected. Your device should connect within a few seconds. After the first connection, your iPhone or iPad will reconnect automatically whenever Eduroam is in range.

Connect on Android

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find Eduroam in the list of available networks and tap on it.

A login screen will appear. For "EAP method", select "PEAP" if it is not already selected. For "Phase 2 authentication", select "MSCHAPV2". Leave "CA certificate" set to "Do not validate" or "System". In the "Identity" field, enter your institutional username in the format your school uses. In the "Password" field, enter your institutional password.

Tap "Connect". Your device should connect within a few seconds. Android will remember these settings and reconnect automatically in the future.

What to do if the connection fails

If your device shows "Cannot connect" or "Incorrect password", the most likely cause is a typo in your username or password. Double-check both, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. Usernames are usually lowercase, but some schools are case-sensitive.

If you have not used your institutional account in a while, your password may have expired. Log into your school's email or student portal to verify your password works there. If it does not, reset it through your school's account management page or contact the IT help desk.

If your password works for email but not Eduroam, your account may not yet be activated for Eduroam access. New students and staff sometimes need a day or two after account creation before Eduroam access is turned on. Wait a few hours and try again, or contact your IT help desk to confirm your account is active.

If you see a certificate error or security warning, this is usually safe to ignore — click "Yes", "Trust", or "Continue" depending on your device. Eduroam uses a certificate that some devices do not recognize automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my email address as my Eduroam username?

Only if your school specifically says to. Most schools use a shorter format like your student ID or first initial plus last name. Check your school's IT help page or email to find the correct format. Using the wrong format is the most common reason connections fail.

Will Eduroam work at other universities?

Yes. Your Eduroam login works at thousands of participating institutions worldwide, including most universities and many research centers. You do not need to set up a separate account. Just look for the Eduroam network and log in with your institutional credentials.

Is Eduroam secure?

Yes. Eduroam uses encryption to protect your connection. Your password is not sent in plain text, and your traffic is encrypted. It is as secure as your school's main network.

What if I forgot my institutional password?

Reset it through your school's account management page or student portal. The same password usually works for both email and Eduroam. If you cannot find the reset page, contact your IT help desk.

Do I need to disconnect from Eduroam when I leave campus?

No. Your device will automatically disconnect when you move out of range. You can also manually disconnect from WiFi settings if you want to use mobile data instead.