IT and equipment

Last updated: 09/08/2023 14:25

Information on the IT equipment you will need, and the funded laptop scheme.

IT requirements

As we employ a blended-approach to programme delivery in the new academic year, it is important that you have the necessary equipment required for effective remote learning.

You will need access to a reliable computer; we suggest that, as a minimum, you will need a desktop or laptop with Windows 10 or above or a Mac desktop or laptop with OS X 10.13 or above. You will need speakers (or headphones), a webcam and a microphone. While tablets are useful as a second device, we do not recommend them as the sole machine for study.

You must ensure appropriate internet access – at least 3Mb/s internet speed. Don’t forget that some internet providers enforce a monthly cap on data; check whether your service provider has a data cap (especially for mobile solutions like dongles), if your past usage is approaching the cap limit, and if necessary, extend your monthly data allowances or move to an uncapped service.

You will also need access to Microsoft Office and anti-virus protection, which you can download free of charge as a Cardiff University student.

For students experiencing financial hardship and unable to cover essential costs, help may be available through the Financial Assistance Programme.

Finally, we are pleased to let you know that our student digital learning resource is now complete and fully bilingual. We hope this will be a useful resource for you to prepare for the coming year but also to refer back to throughout the year.

Funded laptop scheme for students studying Dental Therapy and Hygiene or Healthcare Sciences subjects

Pre-registration students from Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland studying Dental Therapy and Hygiene or a Healthcare Sciences programme may be eligible for a laptop to support you for the duration of your studies.

In Wales, England and Scotland, eligible students are those whose registered home postcode address ranks (by postcode) in deciles 1 or 2 (0-20%) of the relevant ‘Index of Multiple Deprivation;’ you can check your status. For Northern Ireland, eligibility is based on postcodes ranked 1-178 of the ‘headline multiple deprivation rank’, which can be checked on the NI Multiple Deprivation Measures web search.

Eligible programmes include Dental Therapy and Hygiene, Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, all Nursing fields, Midwifery, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Further information about the scheme, including the device, checking for eligibility and collection of laptops for eligible students, will be communicated to offer holders throughout the student recruitment/offer holder cycle.

Further information regarding the collection of devices will be provided closer to enrolment and induction for Autumn and Spring intake confirmed student places.