Minimum IT equipment specification for taught students

To help you purchase suitable equipment, we’ve put together the following specifications. Some courses have specialist requirements, so if you’re unsure, please check with your department before buying anything. 

You can also find out about our supported software and discounts on tech.

Postgraduate researchers

If you're a postgraduate researcher, you should contact your department, as requirements differ greatly. Some departments provide equipment so you won’t need your own.

Students studying online

If you are applying for, or have been accepted onto, an online programme, you will have been provided with a minimum specification. The guidance here is for taught students not studying an online programme specifically, and does not override the guidance you have been given. 

Recommended hardware specification

We advise the following minimum specification:

• Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB+ SSD storage
• AC wifi compatible
• 13" to 15.6" display
• Windows 11 operating system

It’s also useful to have:

• a built-in webcam and microphone.
• ability to connect an external monitor eg via HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort or similar.
• at least 2 USB ports (including USB-C).

A machine of this specification should cost about £400.

Other things to consider

• If you intend to carry your laptop around campus, we suggest a weight of less than 1.5kg.
• If you have a higher budget you will gain more storage, CPU power and RAM, a higher resolution screen or a lighter build. For non-specialist courses you will see no benefit from a higher specification than an i5 processor/16GB RAM/500GB SSD.

Internet connectivity

If your course includes online learning activities (eg video lectures and online tutorials), you’ll need a suitable internet connection.

We recommend the following minimum speeds, per person:

• 4Mbps download
• 1Mbps upload

If others in your household are also using the internet, your connection will need to be faster in order for each person to get these minimum speeds.

You can test the speed of your current internet connection at Fast.com (select "show more info" to get your upload speed).

We highly recommend a fibre package (up to 40Mbps download and 10Mbps upload) if it’s available in your area.

Zoom has certain connectivity requirements depending on the way you are using it and the level of video quality you'd like:

• Zoom minimum requirements (zoom.us)