Computers

You'll find free WiFi across Talbot and Lansdowne Campuses and in all campus buildings, as well as on our UNIBUS service. If you’re living in a halls of residence building, you will also have access to the internet via a wireless network.  

By connecting to the BU wireless network, you agree to abide by the BU Acceptable Use Policy. For more information on wireless and for guides on connecting to the WiFi, visit: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/wireless

BU provide computer facilities for you to use on both campuses, all running the latest Windows 10 software and Office applications:  

• The library – computers are available at both libraries
• Open Access Centre (OAC) – PG22 (ground floor, Poole House) is a large computer lab with Windows PCs which is available for all BU students to use, open 7 days a week, all year round. You'll need your student ID card to get access outside of the usual working hours of 9am - 5pm (make sure it's up to date by visiting Poole House reception between 9am-5pm during term-time and using an ‘updater point’) 
• PCs in the Bournemouth Gateway Building (BG - G16) are bookable via MyPC out of teaching hours (7pm-8am, Monday - Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday)
• Touchscreen techno-booths – take a look at our techno-booths in the Student Centre on Talbot Campus (these may be temporarily unavailable due to Covid-19 restrictions)
• Computer labs – some with specific software/hardware for your course. Speak to your course leader about these facilities

With BU's laptop loans scheme you can borrow a MacBook Air for up to 4 hours, for free, during building opening times, by simply scanning your BU student ID card. There are 36 laptops available to use from The Sir Michael Cobham Library, 24 from The Student Centre and 12 from The Weston Library. The laptop loans can be found in lockers in the following locations (check the map to see where these buildings are on each campus): 

• The Student Centre, Talbot Campus: 24 laptops 
• Sir Michael Cobham Library, Talbot Campus: 36 laptops  
• The Weston Library, Bournemouth Gateway Building, Lansdowne Campus: 12 laptops. 

If you’re planning on investing in a new laptop, or other device, there are a number of discounts and offers available to you as a BU student: 

• BU has partnered with the StudentStore, an independent provider that works with universities all over the UK, to offer BU students up to 30% discount and enhanced warranty on a wide range of IT kit. This includes Lenovo computers, tablets, monitors and IT accessories, as well as Chromebooks. Simply visit https://www.studentstore.co.uk/bournemouth and register with your BU email address (you’ll need to confirm you’re not a robot each time you log in) 
• Apple offers university students savings on Macs and iPad purchases 
• Offers are frequently available through the TOTUM student discount card and the UNiDAYS websites.  

If you do decide to invest in a device of your own, we recommend that your computer is less than four years old with up-to-date anti-virus software installed for security reasons. Screen size and laptop weight is down to personal preference, but in general you should consider a screen of at least 13-inches or more and a weight of no more than 1.6Kg to ease portability. To help you stay in touch with your peers and course leaders, a laptop with a webcam, microphone and speakers is also preferable. 

For a computer experience like that on campus, you may wish to use a Windows 10 or Apple Mac computer. What you use your laptop for will determine which type and specification is most suitable for you - your course leaders will be able to advise if there are any recommended IT specifications for your course. 

If you do not have your own laptop, or need financial support to buy one for your studies, please check our BU Laptop Support Fund page for information.

You should always update your personal devices with the latest software and operating systems. Out of date systems and software run the risk of being open to security threats and you may also be unable to use certain applications. Please see Page 10 of the Mobile Security Manual for details on how to do this.  

It's important that you know how to protect your own devices and personal information, so we've put together some useful links and guides which show you how to do this. Find out more about securing your device. 

BU offers all students access to download and use the standard Microsoft Office suite of applications on personal devices (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), from https://www.office.com/, as well as collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, and cloud-based storage through OneDrive. Please see the Free Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus section for more details. 

AppsAnywhere is also available off campus on personal devices, as long it’s running Windows 10. Please see the AppsAnywhere section for more details.