Getting Started

Click the expandable sections below for more details to help you get started with your online course(s).

Computer Requirements

To take an online course, you’ll need a high-speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam may be necessary. Please note that mobile devices are not recommended for online courses as they cause several known issues in onQ.

System Requirements:

Computer Specifications

  • Windows 8.1 or newer
  • OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
  • Dual Core 2 GHz processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • Soundcard
  • USB Headset
  • Webcam

Supported Browsers

  • Chrome (preferred - latest version)
  • Firefox (latest version)
  • Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
  • Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ

Internet Connection

  • Wired high speed access: Cable or better
  • Wifi is not recommended

Java

  • Latest version

Media Player

  • HTML5 compatible

Adobe Reader

  • Latest Version

Set up your NetID

Your NetID is your login for the Queen’s online Student Centre. Once you apply, you will receive an email with your student number. You will use this to create your NetID following these steps:

  1. Go to https://my.queensu.ca
  2. Click on Students, then select NetID Profile Manager.
  3. Click on Activate your NetID
  4. Record your NetID, you will need it every time you log into SOLUS, OnQ and your Queen’s email account.

Access your Queen’s Email

As a Queen’s student, you have a permanent Queen’s email address that consists of your netid@queensu.ca. All communication from Queen’s will go to this email address. Check it frequently or consider forwarding it to your most commonly accessed email address.

Log in to Queen's Email

To forward Your Queen's email to another email address

  • Click on the ‘Settings’ icon in the top right corner to open the Settings sidebar
  • Click ‘View all Outlook settings’ at the bottom of the Settings sidebar 
  • From the Mail settings list click ‘Forwarding’ 
  • Tick mark ‘Enable forwarding’ 
  • Enter the email address you want your Queen’s email to be forwarded to.
  • Click ‘Save’ 

Multi-Factor Authentication Process

To enhance cybersecurity protection at Queen’s University and to help keep users identity and personal information safe, IT Services has introduced multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all student accounts. This means all students will be required to provide their NetID and password as well as a second method to verify their identity when logging in.

What do I need to do?

What happens if I don’t enrol?

If you have not enrolled in MFA, you will be prompted to do so at each log in to most Queen’s applications. These prompts will continue for up to 14 days. If you still have not enrolled in MFA you will lose access to SOLUS until you complete the enrolment process.

Support

For further assistance, or if you do not have a device to use as your second factor, contact the IT Support Centre by visiting the online Service Portal and clicking on Get IT Help (log in with your NetID and password to fill out the form). You can also call 613-533-6666 (see the IT Services website for hours). Read the FAQs for more information on MFA.

Navigate SOLUS

SOLUS Student Centre is the Queen’s online student portal that you can use to pay tuition and fees, add/drop courses, view grades and print many forms including confirmations of registration or tuition tax receipts. Log into SOLUS using your Queen’s NetID and password.

  • Go to http://my.queensu.ca and select SOLUS in the top left corner
  • enter your Queen's NET ID and password
  • click "log in"
  • See SOLUS Frequently Asked Questions here
  • For help with SOLUS, call 613-533-2040 or email fees@queensu.ca

Course Enrolment

For everything you need to know about enrolling in courses, including step-by-step guides on how to add, drop and swap courses, visit our Course Enrolment webpage.

Pay your Tuition

Tuition is generally due on the first day of class. Please make note of the upcoming tuition due dates per term.

To Pay Tuition:

METHOD 1: Credit Card (only available to Distance Students)

  • Log in to SOLUS
  • Click on the green dollar sign
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to complete payment

METHOD 2: Bank Transfer

  • Using online or in-person banking, find Queen's University as a Payee
  • Use your 8-digit student number as the 'account number'
  • Once set up, you can pay this payee using funds directly from your bank account online, in person, or by telephone.

Please note that some payments can take between 3- 5 business days to reflect in your Queen's account.

Only students on a degree program are eligible for government funding such as OSAP. You may also benefit from applying for an Alternative Payment Arrangement. For more information on how to pay, visit the Registrar's webpage.

The Office of the Registrar can help with all questions about fees and payments. 613-533-6894 or fees@queensu.ca

Student Awards can help you with questions about OSAP, financial aid, bursaries and awards. 613-533-2216. 

Access your courses (in onQ)

Our online courses are run through OnQ, our online learning platforms. 

You will be able to begin your online course on the first day of class (or, in the case of a late enrolment, within 24 hours after you enrol in SOLUS) by logging into OnQ. From here you will be able to access the course syllabus, timeline and lesson modules, submit assignments and check your grades. You can also communicate with your instructor, TA, and other students in the course. Your instructor or TA will email you at your Queen’s email address within the first week of the term to introduce themselves and the course to you.

Watch this video for an introduction to onQ

onQ
  1. My Home - this will take you back to the My Home page from anywhere in onQ
  2. My Courses - navigate to any of your courses from this link
  3. Message Alerts - access the Email and Pager tools and see any new Pager messages
  4. Subscription Alerts - view course updates to news, discussions, quizzes, etc.
  5. Update Alerts - shows new Discussion tool messages
  6. Profile - access and edit your profile, customize notifications for activities in your courses, modify your account settings, and access the Logout link.
  7. Navigation Bar - Access the course's different sections
  • Course Home - click on to access the course’s main page.
  • Syllabus - outlines all important information pertaining to the course, such as grade breakdown, teaching team contact information, course description, learning outcomes etc.
  • Modules - access to course content such as weekly overviews, course notes, videos etc.
  • Activities - access a list of all Assignment Submission Folders, Discussion Forums, and quizzes, as well as the course's grade book.
  • Timeline - overall view of course broken down week by week with links to all course content.
  • People - access your groups, the classlist, and the teaching team expanding biographical information.
  • Help - access to course questions forum as well as a list of helpful resource links.

Order Textbooks

Textbooks can be ordered from the campus bookstore and shipped anywhere in the world. You can buy textbooks from other sources if you wish, as long as they are the exact same edition as outlined in the course description. The correct textbooks for your course will be automatically populated when using the online ordering system at www.campusbookstore.com - alternatively, you can view the required course materials on the individual Course pages. 

To order a textbook for your course:

  • Visit www.campusbookstore.com and click ‘Textbooks’ tab from the top menu
  • Click ‘Textbook Search Engine’ 
  • Select the department code (first 4 letters of the course you need it for eg. ENGL) 
  • Click ‘Continue’ 
  • The section below this box will update with the possible course codes for your request. 
  • Select the matching course code and term with the option that has 700 next to it (eg. ENGL100-700) 
  • Click ‘Search for Textbooks’ 
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your purchase and arrange for shipping. 

Register for Orientation

Prior to the start of each term, we offer a webinar to our new students (and to those who would like a refresher) to discuss all things important to getting started and being successful as a student at Queen’s. Please visit our Current Students Event section on our website to register.

Sign up for an Orientation webinar.

Order a Student Card

As a distance student, you can get a Queen’s Student Card that you can use for your exams as well as other privileges and perks that many retailers and service providers may extend to students. Please visit the Registrar's website and select the "I am studying off-campus" tab if you would like to get a Queen’s photo ID Student Card or a validation sticker for your existing Queen's Student Card. Please make sure that your current address is up to date in SOLUS as this is where the card will be sent. If you have any questions about this process, please email student.card@queensu.ca.

Tips for Success

We have put together an infographic with information on effective time management and productivity strategies that are particular to online students, as well as an understanding of what online students should expect in terms of workload and class participation. 

Inclusive Queen's 

You belong here. Learn about the resources, programs, and new initiatives that are helping us to build a campus that embraces diversity and empowers all members of our community to thrive at Queen’s.

Inclusive Queen's