Off campus students
Part-time, distance learning, placement students and Salford students based overseas
We realise that your needs as a distance learner, placement, overseas or part time student are different from on campus learners and have developed services to help you access as much as possible from your home or workplace. The Library website gives you access to electronic information sources 24hrs a day and help and support is available online, by telephone and email. Most on campus library services are also available to off campus students, with additional services in place to help you study successfully without visiting the Library in person. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about using our services.
(Please note that some Library services may be restricted to UK-based, registered Salford students in order to comply with certain licensing restrictions. If you are studying on a University of Salford programme based at one of our partner colleges, see our pages for Partner students.)
- Off campus learning, part-time and placement students
- Distance learners overseas
- Distance learners UK
Off campus learners, part time & placement students
If you visit campus occasionally, but your course is conducted at a distance, these links are designed to help you connect to our services. Part-time and placement students can keep in touch, study, renew your library books and get help with your studies while you are off campus.
Help and support
Enquiry Desk: General Library help and questions about your borrowing account.
Email: library@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 5535 or see the ‘Ask a Librarian’ chat service on Library web pages.
ITS Service Desk for computing related enquiries and help with passwords, email and Blackboard.
Log a problem online
Email: its-servicedesk@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 2444 (Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00 GMT)
Academic Support Librarians: Contact the person who specialises in your subject area if you need help with finding information, referencing, Turnitin or online resources. In the first instance, email the subject team for your particular college/school.
Subject team email:
- College of Arts & Social Sciences – cass-library@salford.ac.uk
- College of Health & Social Care – chsc-library@salford.ac.uk
- College of Science & Technology – cst-library@salford.ac.uk
User guides: Detailed information on general library and computing services, subject areas and electronic databases.
Borrowing material
Off campus students are entitled to the same borrowing rights (and are subject to the same borrowing rules) as on-campus students. You can continue to borrow material from the library while you are on placement.
The Library is unable to offer a postal loan service and you must be able to visit the Library to issue and return your books in person.
Please remember to renew your books on time to avoid late charges.
You can renew your books:
- Online via the My Account option in SOLAR
- By telephoning the Enquiry Desk on +44 (0)161 295 5535
Using IT
All IT services can be accessed via links within the Student Channel
Student Email - Your University webmail account can be accessed via the link at the top of the Student Channel page. You will need your email address and password to log into your Student Mail account. These are located in the password.txt file on your F: drive.Important: All important University communication will be via your student webmail account. It is essential that you check this regularly.
Blackboard - Blackboard is the University of Salford’s virtual learning environment (VLE). Within it you will find resources for your programmes and modules, including lecture notes and assignment details. Blackboard is accessed online, via the Student Channel.
Passwords - You will need several passwords to access facilities and resources.
Access your filestore - Your filestore (F: drive) is a space allocated to you on the University’s central server. You can use it to save work securely; it also contains your password.txt file, which contains password information for accessing both your email account and Athens. You can access your personal filestore from any computer with internet access, 24 hours a day.
Self service - Update your contact details online.
Finding resources to help with your work
LaSU - the University of Salford's online reading list system. Search or browse to locate reading lists attached to the modules you are studying. Link directly to SOLAR to view the library holdings for that item, including electronic access (where available). LaSU can be accessed via the Reading Lists link in the Student Channel. A user guide is available.
SOLAR - Access the Library's information resources including electronic books, online journals and databases. Many of these may be searched through a single interface. A guide to using SOLAR is available.
Subject guides - Detailed guides outlining the main sources of information in your subject area.
Exam papers - View past exam papers online. Please note you will need to set up Off Campus proxy on your pc if accessing exam papers off campus.
USIR - The University of Salford Institutional Repository, providing access to research carried out at the University of Salford, including theses.
Information Literacy
Please contact your Library Subject Librarian if you need any assistance with Information Literacy, referencing or Turnitin.
Information Literacy - Information Literacy will help you develop skills in identifying, retrieving, evaluating and applying information, which will help you in your studies. There are online materials available to help you, but you can also ask for help from your Subject Librarian.
Referencing - If you use someone else's work within your assignments, you must acknowledge your original source. You will need to cite where the material is taken from both within your assignment and in a bibliographic list at the end of your work. Help with referencing is available from online guides and from your Subject Librarian.
Turnitin - Turnitin is the University's online assignment submission system. It is accessed via Blackboard. Where appropriate, you will be asked to submit work to Turnitin for marking.
Using other libraries
Visiting other libraries - Various schemes are available to help you to gain access to academic libraries. Part-time and placement students can register for Sconul Access.
Requesting material from other libraries - If you require a specific book or journal article, which the Library does not stock, we may be able to obtain a copy from another library using the Document Delivery service. This is a chargeable service. Requests and payment may be made online. Book requests must be collected and returned to the Library in person. It may be possible to obtain an electronic copy of journal article – see information on Secure Electronic Delivery for further details.
Distance learners overseas
These are the main services available to Distance Learning based students based overseas.
Help and support
Academic Support Librarians: contact the person who specialises in your subject area if you need help with finding information, referencing, Turnitin or online resources. In the first instance, email the subject team for your particular college/school.
Subject team email:
College of Arts & Social Sciences – cass-library@salford.ac.uk
College of Health & Social Care – chsc-library@salford.ac.uk
College of Science & Technology – cst-library@salford.ac.uk
Enquiry Desk: General Library help and questions about your borrowing account.
Email: library@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 5535 or see the ‘Ask a Librarian’ chat service on Library web pages.
ITS Service Desk for computing related enquiries and help with passwords, email and Blackboard.
Log a problem online
Email: its-servicedesk@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 2444 (Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00 GMT)
User guides Detailed information on general and computing library services, subject areas and electronic databases.
Passwords, ID cards and PINs
You will need to access the following to make full use of all the services and facilities available to you:
Network username and password - You will need this to access Blackboard and your filestore (F:drive) from off-campus.
Student email address and password - You will need these to access your student email account. You need to check your student email account regularly as all official communication from the University will be sent there.
Self service PIN - You will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to update your contact details and access your records online.
ID card - You will need a Student ID card if you have occasion to visit the University of Salford in person and wish to use the Library facilities. You will also need it to use the Document Delivery service and if you wish to register for Sconul Access.
Using IT
All IT services can be accessed via links within the Student Channel
Student Email - Your University webmail account can be accessed via the link at the top of the Student Channel page. You will need your email address and password to log into your Student Mail account. These are located in the password.txt file on your F: drive.Important: All important University communication will be via your student webmail account. It is essential that you check this regularly.
Blackboard - Blackboard is the University of Salford’s virtual learning environment (VLE). Within it you will find resources for your programmes and modules, including lecture notes and assignment details. Blackboard is accessed online, via the Student Channel.
Collaborate - Collaborate is a web conferencing tool where staff and students can interact in an online environment in real time. You can chat to each other using a headset and even see each other if you have a webcam. Your lectures and tutorials may take place in a virtual classroom in collaborate and sessions can be recorded by the tutor for later viewing. Collaborate is accessed via Blackboard
Passwords - You will need several passwords to access facilities and resources.
Access your filestore - Your filestore (F: drive) is a space allocated to you on the University’s central server. You can use it to save work securely; it also contains your password.txt file, which contains password information for accessing both your email account and Athens. You can access your personal filestore from any computer with internet access, 24 hours a day.
Self service - Update your contact details online.
Finding resources to help with your work
LaSU - the University of Salford's online reading list system. Search or browse to locate reading lists attached to the modules you are studying. Link directly to SOLAR to view the library holdings for that item, including electronic access (where available). LaSU can be accessed via the Reading Lists link in the Student Channel. A user guide is available.
SOLAR - Access the Library's information resources including electronic books, online journals and databases. Many of these may be searched through a single interface. A guide to using SOLAR is available.
Scanning service for Distance Learners - Distance Learning students can request scanned copies of journal articles or book chapters taken from items held in the Library. There is no charge for this service, but copyright limits apply and you must be on a registered Distance Learning programme to qualify.
Document Delivery for Distance Learners - If you require material, which the Library does not stock, we may be able to obtain a copy from the British Library using the Document Delivery service. This is a chargeable service. Requests and payment may be made online. Please read the information on Secure Electronic Delivery before placing a request.
Subject guides - Detailed guides outlining the main sources of information in your subject area.
Exam papers - View past exam papers online. Please note you will need to set up Off Campus proxy on your pc if accessing exam papers off campus.
USIR - The University of Salford Institutional Repository, providing access to research carried out at the University of Salford, including theses.
Information Literacy
Please contact your Library Subject Librarian if you need any assistance with Information Literacy, referencing or Turnitin.
Information Literacy - Information Literacy will help you develop skills in identifying, retrieving, evaluating and applying information, which will help you in your studies. There are online materials available to help you, but you can also ask for help from your Subject Librarian.
Referencing - If you use someone else's work within your assignments, you must acknowledge your original source. You will need to cite where the material is taken from both within your assignment and in a bibliographic list at the end of your work. Help with referencing is available from online guides and from your Subject Librarian.
Turnitin - Turnitin is the University's online assignment submission system. It is accessed via Blackboard. Where appropriate, you will be asked to submit work to Turnitin for marking.
Distance learners UK based
Help and support
Academic Support Librarians: Contact the person who specialises in your subject area if you need help with finding information, referencing, Turnitin or online resources. In the first instance, email the subject team for your particular college/school.
Subject team email:
- College of Arts & Social Sciences – cass-library@salford.ac.uk
- College of Health & Social Care – chsc-library@salford.ac.uk
- College of Science & Technology – cst-library@salford.ac.uk
Enquiry Desk: General Library help and questions about your borrowing account.
Email: library@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 5535 or see the ‘Ask a Librarian’ chat service on Library web pages.
ITS Service Desk for computing related enquiries and help with passwords, email and Blackboard.
Log a problem online
Email: its-servicedesk@salford.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 295 2444 (Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00 GMT)
User guides: Detailed information on general and computing library services, subject areas and electronic databases.
Passwords, ID cards and PINs
You will need to access the following to make full use of all the services and facilities available to you:
Network username and password - You will need this to access Blackboard and your filestore (F:drive) from off-campus.
Student email address and password - You will need these to access your student email account. You need to check your student email account regularly as all official communication from the University will be sent there.
Self service PIN - You will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to update your contact details and access your records online
ID card - You will need a Student ID card if you have occasion to visit the University of Salford in person and wish to use the Library facilities. You will also need it to use the Document Delivery service and if you wish to register for Sconul Access.
Using IT
All IT services can be accessed via links within the Student Channel.
Student Email - Your University webmail account can be accessed via the link at the top of the Student Channel page. You will need your email address and password to log into your Student Mail account. These are located in the password.txt file on your F: drive.Important: All important University communication will be via your student webmail account. It is essential that you check this regularly.
Blackboard - Blackboard is the University of Salford’s virtual learning environment (VLE). Within it you will find resources for your programmes and modules, including lecture notes and assignment details. Blackboard is accessed online, via the Student Channel.
Collaborate - Collaborate is a web conferencing tool where staff and students can interact in an online environment in real time. You can chat to each other using a headset and even see each other if you have a webcam. Your lectures and tutorials may take place in a virtual classroom in collaborate and sessions can be recorded by the tutor for later viewing. Collaborate is accessed via Blackboard.
Passwords - You will need several passwords to access facilities and resources.
Access your filestore - Your filestore (F: drive) is a space allocated to you on the University’s central server. You can use it to save work securely; it also contains your password.txt file, which contains password information for accessing both your email account and Athens. You can access your personal filestore from any computer with internet access, 24 hours a day.
Self service - Update your contact details online.
Finding resources to help with your work
LaSU - the University of Salford's online reading list system. Locate reading lists attached to the modules you are studying. You can search by tutor or module name or simply browse through the list of modules offered by your school. From each module list, you can link directly to SOLAR to view the library holdings for that item, including electronic access (where available). LaSU can be accessed via the Reading Lists link in the Student Channel. A user guide is available and is accessed from the bottom of each LaSU page.
SOLAR - Access the Library's information resources including electronic books, online journals and databases. Many of these may be searched through a single interface. A guide to using SOLAR is available.
Scanning service for Distance Learners - Distance Learning students can request scanned copies of journal articles or book chapters taken from items held in the Library. There is no charge for this service, but copyright limits apply and you must be on a registered Distance Learning programme to qualify.
Document Delivery for Distance Learners - If you require material, which the Library does not stock, we may be able to obtain a copy from the British Library using the Document Delivery service. See Using other libraries for further details.
Subject guides - Detailed guides outlining the main sources of information in your subject area
Exam papers - View past exam papers online. Please note you will need to set up Off Campus proxy on your pc if accessing exam papers off campus.
USIR - The University of Salford Institutional Repository, providing access to research carried out at the University of Salford, including theses.
Information Literacy
Please contact your Library Subject Librarian if you need any assistance with Information Literacy, referencing or Turnitin.
Information Literacy - Information Literacy will help you develop skills in identifying, retrieving, evaluating and applying information, which will help you in your studies. There are online materials available to help you, but you can also ask for help from your Subject Librarian.
Referencing - If you use someone else's work within your assignments, you must acknowledge your original source. You will need to cite where the material is taken from both within your assignment and in a bibliographic list at the end of your work. Help with referencing is available from online guides and from your Subject Librarian.
Turnitin - Turnitin is the University's online assignment submission system. It is accessed via Blackboard. Where appropriate, you will be asked to submit work to Turnitin for marking.
Using other libraries
Sconul Access - This scheme allows you to borrow material from participating university libraries in close proximity to where you live or work. You will need a valid Student ID Card and have to register with Sconul Access before visiting another institution.
Document Delivery for Distance Learners - If you require material, which the Library does not stock, we may be able to obtain a copy from the British Library using the Document Delivery service. This is a chargeable service. Requests and payment may be made online.
Book requests must be collected and returned to the Library in person. Please do not request a book or book chapter unless you can easily visit the library. See information on Sconul Access for an alternative option.
Journal articles can be supplied by email, where available. Please read the information on Secure Electronic Delivery before placing a request.