Students - What should I bring?
Buying a new device for your studies
Choosing a new device for University? It's important to think about the level of performance you'll need and the software you expect to use during your studies.
Tablet versus Laptop
Modern tablets are powerful devices that compare favourably with laptops in many regards, but the range of software available and can be accessed from tablets is limited.
They can be used well for note taking and accessing online resources. They also have scaled-back versions of Microsoft Office which will allow you to carry out most tasks.
Not supported: Chromebooks and Linux Devices
Please be aware that we do not support Chromebooks or Linux-based systems.
Chromebooks are intended primarily for online use and generally have lower hardware specifications. They do not install software in the traditional manner and as such we do not recommend them due to limitations in their functionality.
Similarly, Linux devices may present compatibility issues with certain software and support tools we use. As a result, we are unable to guarantee full functionality or provide technical support for either systems.
MacOS versus Windows
For most courses and purposes there is little difference between a Mac, or a Windows device and it comes down to personal preference, but there are some key software applications that will not work on an Apple device – for example, NX which is a drawing package heavily used in Engineering Schools.
We recommend that if you are studying an engineering course you have a Windows PC.
Recommendations
Operating systems and performance spec
Operating systems and performance spec:
It is important that your device must have a current, supported, updated and licenced operating system:
- Microsoft Windows 11
- Android 14 and newer
- Apple MacOS 14 and newer
- Apple iOS 16 and newer
If your version of Mac OS or Windows is out of date you may have issues connecting to eduroam, the campus Wi-Fi network, or installing course-specific software.
Engineering, Computer Science, or Design courses: For courses that have more demanding software requirements, we recommended the following.
The minimum performance specification we recommend is:
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A Windows 11-supported Intel Core i3 / AMD Ryzen 3 processor or better, with at least four processor cores |
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*Whilst this is a minimum specification, we would recommend increased RAM and a larger capacity SSD (at least 500GB) if possible. Contact the School for course specific requirements. |
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Accessories
Headphones
You will require a set of headphones to participate effectively in online and on-demand sessions.
Ethernet capability
You will get better network performance using a wired connection. Please check whether your device has a built-in Ethernet port, as some laptops may require you to purchase a USB or USB-C Ethernet adapter.
Printers
We do not support personal printers on our wireless network and you will not need one.
There are multiple printers available around campus, charged on a per page basis and can be accessed from your own MacOS/Windows computer.
Please visit Campus Printing /services/creative-print/print-post/campus-printing/.
If you do bring a printer, it is recommended to connect to your printer via a USB cable. This allows you to print directly from your computer/laptop without the requirement for an internet connection. Please refer to your device manual for instructions to enable a USB connection.
Student discounts
HP Advantage for Students offers discount on a range of systems and electronics. For further information, please visit:
Available software
All students have access to the Microsoft Office 365 package to install on up to 5 devices and a range of specialist software to download on their personal devices.