Google Mail can be accessed from any web browser, however, the TEL Team recommends using Google Chrome. The Google Mail Application is available to both users of iOS and Android. After signing into your OCA Email Account using the official Google Mail client, you are free to use any other third party email client.
How to Access Gmail
- Web Browser
Users who are using multiple Google Accounts that aren't separated by using Google Chrome Profiles may need to switch accounts before continuing. Please ensure you are signed into your OCA Email account, as outlined in the How do I sign into my OCA Email Account? article and not your personal Google Account.
When signed into your OCA Email Account, you can access your student emails directly via Google Mail (mail.google.com). You can also navigate to the 'Gmail' link available on the top-right of the Google homepage, or select the 'Gmail' shortcut from the Google Applications Menu. For more information, please see the How can I navigate the Google Homepage Interface? article.
- Google Mail Application
If you haven't already signed into your OCA Email Account, you will first need to ensure that you sign in using a web browser where you will be prompted to complete a mandatory password change.
If you are accessing your student emails using a Mobile or Tablet, the TEL Team recommends downloading the official Google Mail Application, available for free on iOS and Android. Once downloaded, you will need to sign into the application using your OCA email address and password.
- Third Party Email Client
If you haven't already signed into your OCA Email Account, you will first need to ensure that you sign in using a web browser where you will be prompted to complete a mandatory password change.
Students who wish to sign into their OCA email address via a third party email client, such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail, can view the Google Support Page for further guidance.
If you would like to prevent third party email clients, such as Microsoft Office and Apple Mail, from opening as default applications when selecting a hyperlinked email address (e.g. techsupport@oca.ac.uk), please see the How can I make Google Mail the default application when selecting hyperlinked email addresses? article.
How to send an email using Gmail
Once you have accessed Gmail from either a web browser, or Google Mail application, simply select 'Compose' to begin writing your email. As an OCA student, you have access to the directory of contacts and this means that when you begin typing an email address into the 'To' field, you will be presented with a list of suggestions. For example, typing 'Tech Support' will reveal the email address to contact if you require support - techsupport@oca.ac.uk.
You can find a list of contacts in the Student Handbook alongside the services each department provides.
For further guidance on using Gmail, please see the Google Support Page.