Canvas student guide

Get started with Canvas

Use the buttons to expand or collapse the section.

• How to log into Canvas and find your subject

  Logging in 

  • Go to canvas.uts.edu.au. If you are already logged into secure single sign-on (SSO) you will be redirected straight to Canvas.
  • If you are not logged into SSO you will be automatically prompted to log in using your student email address and UTS password.
  • Authenticate with multi-factor authentication (MFA). For help using and setting up MFA head to uts.edu.au/MFA

  Forgot your password? 
  Reset your student password. 

• Set up your profile

  Set your profile picture 

  If you would like to, you can upload a picture of yourself that will display next to your name when you interact on Canvas, for example, in discussion forums. 

  • Select Account in Global Navigation menu, then select Settings.
  • Select the Edit Settings button.
  • Follow the prompts to either upload an image or take a picture.
  • When you are finished, select the Save button.  

  Set your pronouns 

  At UTS, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive learning environment for everyone, embracing all identities and experiences. If you feel comfortable, we encourage you to share your personal pronouns on Canvas as a way to encourage a supportive and respectful online community. 

  Note: You are under no obligation to share your personal pronouns with staff or peers. 

  You can set your Canvas profile to include your personal pronouns. Once you do, they will appear next to your name in a variety of locations throughout Canvas. Follow these instructions to update your pronouns in your UTS Canvas profile. 

  • Select Account in Global Navigation menu, then select Settings. 
  • Select the Edit Settings button. 
  • Go to the Pronouns dropdown menu and select your personal pronouns. 
  • Update Settings. Your personal pronouns now appear in your User Settings. They will also display after your name in many other areas throughout Canvas. 

• Set up your notifications

  To set up your notifications:  

  • Go to Account > Notifications 
  • Set Announcements to "Notify immediately” 
     
    Read more: How do I manage my Canvas notification settings? (link opens in external site) 

• How to use Canvas on your mobile device

  Mobile app 

  Download the Canvas student app from Google Play or the App Store.

  Once installed on your device: 

  • Search for and add University of Technology Sydney
  • Log in using your student email address (firstname.lastname@student.uts.edu.au) and UTS password
  • Then authenticate with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access your Canvas home page and subjects.

  For help using and setting up MFA head to uts.edu.au/MFA

  Most Canvas features will work on mobile devices, but it will work best in the browser on your laptop or desktop computer. 

  Web browser 

  Use your mobile web browser to log in at canvas.uts.edu.au. Make sure you’re using a supported web browser. 

• Find your way around Canvas

  Subjects

  Subjects you’re enrolled in are found on your Canvas Dashboard. Subjects are called ‘Courses’ in Canvas. 

  Read more: How do I use the Dashboard as a student? (link opens in external site) 

  Global Navigation menu

  Use the Global Navigation menu to access frequently used Canvas features, such as: 

  • Course list 
  • Groups 
  • Calendar 
  • Help 

  Read more: How do I use the Global Navigation Menu? (link opens in external site) 

Communication tools in Canvas

Use the buttons to expand or collapse the section.

• Announcements

  What are announcements?

  Your subject coordinator will use announcements to tell you important information about your classes and assessments.  

  Read more: How do I view announcements as a student? (link opens in external site) 

  Turn on announcement notifications 

  To set up your announcements: 

  • Go to Account > Notifications 
  • Set announcements to "Notify immediately" 

• Find and participate in discussions

  You may need to take part in online discussions as part of your subject. Discussions in Canvas are used to start conversations, spark ideas and encourage reflection among you and your peers. Your subject coordinator may allow you to create your own discussions. 

  Read more: How do I view Discussions as a student? (link opens in external site) 

• How do I use the Calendar?

  Select the Calendar link in the global navigation menu on the left-hand side of Canvas. 

  Read more: How do I use the Calendar? (Link opens in external site)   

Assessments in Canvas

Use the buttons to expand or collapse the section.

• Find your assessments

  Find your assessment information 

  In Canvas, assessment information can be found in both the Subject Information, and under Assignments in the course menu.

  Read more: How do I view Assignments as a student? (link opens in external site) 

• Submit your assessments

  When you're ready to submit an assignment through Canvas, navigate to the Assignments link in your course menu.  

  Most of the time, to submit an assignment, select the blue ‘Submit Assignment’ button to submit your work. If your assignment is a quiz, select the blue button that says ‘Take the quiz’.

  Read more: 

  • How do I submit an online assignment? (Link opens in external site)
  • How do I take a quiz? (Link opens in external site) 

  If your assignment uses a different submission type, the way you submit an assignment might look a little different. Check your Subject Information or ask your subject coordinator if you can’t find where or how to submit an assessment. 

• View your marks or grades

  Your final results will always be released via My Student Admin. 

  Where your subject coordinator allows it, you can view grades for specific assessments throughout the session in Canvas. You’ll receive a Canvas notification when these are available to view. 

  Read more:  

  • Results at UTS 
  • How do I view my grades in a current course? (Link opens in external site)