Skip to content

Access to PCs and laptops

Atoms/Iconography/360-white@2xion-briefcase - Ionicons Copy@2xAtoms/Iconography/calendar-dark@2xAtoms/Iconography/calendar-pinkAtoms/Iconography/calendar-pinkAtoms/Iconography/calendar-dark Copy@2x3B13F687-6EB2-452A-B918-16B02FF86090@2xchevron-right - FontAwesome@2x81A2B1C2-3C1E-48C0-8EAB-2BB76C1052E1@2xchevron-right - FontAwesome@2xchevron-right - FontAwesome@2xchevron-right - FontAwesome Copy@2x18D48E51-758C-47E9-949E-1E58FC9454A3@2xAtoms/Iconography/close-red@2xAtoms/Iconography/close-white@2xion-android-cloud-circle - Ionicons@2xAtoms/Brand/connected-uni-logo-white@2xAtoms/Iconography-download-icon-white@2xdropdown-chevron-black@2xAtoms/Iconography/dropdown-form-chevron-white@2xAtoms/Iconography/email-icon-light@1xF93E1E4C-136C-41CA-8FC9-02353765C1C0@2xA14CB21F-CD96-450C-BBD7-6647B25B0D0D@1xatoms/Iconography/facebook-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/facebook-iconAtoms/Iconography/google-plus-icon@2xion-ios-information-outline - IoniconsAtoms/Iconography/instagram-iconGroup@2xAtoms/Iconography/linkedin-icon@2xion-android-menu - Ionicons@2x934F565B-4D4A-4BBE-B4EA-29E0D367BC7F@2xAtoms/Iconography/minus-icon@2xAEC8A5E2-9638-45F8-9E94-3C320D2410A9@2xAtoms/Iconography/nav-icon-white Copy@2xAtoms/Iconography/pause-icon-white@2xion-android-person - Ionicons@2xAtoms/Iconography/phone-icon-white@2x5131105A-B2E1-443D-A44D-E6DCCBBF53DD@2xAtoms/iconography/pintrest-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/play-button-white@2xAtoms/Iconography-play-button-white-2@2xAtoms/Iconography/plus-icon-black@2xAtoms/Iconography/print-icon-light@2x34CD08DE-22EB-4484-B0B4-48190645DEBC@2xsearch - FontAwesome@2xAtoms/Iconography/search-white@2xAtoms/Iconography/snapchat-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/tick-green@2xAtoms/Iconography/twitter-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/twitter-iconAtoms/Iconography/youtube-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/youtube-icon@2xAtoms/Iconography/icon-tiktok-iconAtoms/Iconography/icon-tiktok-colour

Find a PC on Campus

If you need to use a computer on campus, we have a tool that can help you find an available machine or use the PC Availability tile in Beacon our Digital Coach app.

See how many PCs we have at each location, and which specific areas have computers available to use. 

pc-availability

Short term laptop loans

You can borrow a laptop from our self-service LapSafe cabinets, these are situated in the Science Centre, Catalyst Building, Blackheath Lane and London. The LapSafe devices are all full Windows 10 laptops, with the usual Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel as well as a number of web browsers, and can be borrowed for up to 24 hours.

They are perfect to borrow at the start of your day and keep with you around our campus.  Take notes in lectures, browse the web for help during tutorials, do group work with your friends in the coffee shop - or even just check out the latest memes while taking a break.

You won't get a power supply or any kind of charger, so we wouldn't recommend taking them home, but as long as you have them back within 24 hours you can take them wherever you like.

How do I borrow one?

You can find the LapSafe cabinets in the Science Centre, the Catalyst Building, Blackheath Lane and London

  1. Tap Borrow on the LapSafe screen
  2. Scan your student ID card under the screen
  3. Follow the on screen prompts
  4. Scan your student ID card on the scanner in the column you are borrowing from
  5. Open the door, remove your laptop, and close the door
lapsafe 300x225_tcm44-95620

That's all there is to it. You might want to check that you can log in to the device OK.

Long-term laptop loans

Long-term laptop loans applications are now open.

If you do not have a device that you can use for your studies at home, you can apply for a long-term loan of a device, which will last for the whole academic year. In order to make an application you must be:

  • A current and active student (you cannot have withdrawn or taken a break in studies)
  • Studying full or part time on an eligible course (if studying part time, you must be studying at 25% of a full-time equivalent course)
  • Enrolled onto a course which is a minimum of 1-year duration
  • Enrolled onto a course that leads to an award such as a HND, Foundation Degree, BA, BSc, BEng or Masters
  • Entitled to funding from Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland
  • In receipt of the full tuition fee loan or comparable funding

All students who meet the above criteria can apply for a long-term laptop loan. As we have a limited number of laptops available for long term loans priority will be given to students who are:

  • Lone parents
  • Disabled students (especially where DSA is unable to meet particular costs)
  • Mature students
  • Students who are Care Leavers
  • Students who are estranged from their parents
  • Students who are carers
  • Students from low income families
  • Students whose courses have additional costs

If you’re not in one of the priority groups listed, you can still apply but may want to consider whether using one of the PC’s on campus or a short-term laptop loan will meet your needs.

Please note these laptops only have the basic 'Open Access' image on them and are not intended to replace the on Campus machines which run the applications applicable to your course.

No additional software can be installed on these loan laptop - they are intended for general use (e.g. Microsoft Office and web browsing).

Long-term loan – terms and conditions

        If you application is successful, these are the terms and conditions of the loan:
        • The University is lending the Laptop to you only for the purposes of your studies while you are an enrolled student at Staffordshire University.
        • The Laptop remains the sole property of the University.
        • You must take care not to lose or damage the Laptop and return to the University it in good condition (fair wear and tear only excepted) at the end of the loan period.
        • The University reserves the right to demand the return of the Laptop at any time but you must in any event return it in any of the following circumstances, even if you do not receive a separate demand to do so:-
        1. If you withdraw from your course or if you intermit you must return the Laptop as soon as possible and in any event within 7 days of withdrawal or intermission.
        2. At the end of the academic year for your course or by the latest 31st August 2024.
        This is a requirement even if you will be a returning student in the next academic year because software will need to be updated annually and you will need to make a new application if you wish to borrow a Laptop in a future year.
        • You must return your Laptop in person to the Cadman Building, College Road. If you are unable to return it in person owing to illness or for some other serious reason you should contact Digital Services on 01785 353800 or 3800@staffs.ac.uk to let us know who will be returning the Laptop on your behalf and when they will be doing so. Please be aware that the safe return of the Laptop is your personal responsibility even if it is agreed that someone else may return it on your behalf. The University does not accept returns by any postal or courier service.
        • Proof of delivery/receipt should be obtained from a member of staff  and retained as proof of return of the Laptop.
        • The Laptop will be inspected upon return for damage and proof of return is not an indication that the University accepts that the Laptop has been returned in good condition. You will be contacted if the University inspection reveals issues with the condition of the Laptop.
        • The Laptop is a valuable device. As stated in your Laptop details above it has a replacement value of £700. If you fail to return the Laptop in good condition at the end of the loan period you may be invoiced and required to pay up to this amount to the University as compensation for loss of or damage to the Laptop. You are strongly advised to consider having insurance to cover the value of the Laptop while it is in your possession.
        • If you fail to return the Laptop in accordance with the terms of the loan you will be invoiced for the full replacement value stated above.
        • All hard drives will be wiped on return.
        • The University is not responsible for any work that is saved onto the Laptop hard drive so please ensure that you make appropriate back-up arrangements.
        • Work should only be saved on OneDrive

What is the process for getting a device?

  1. Complete the application form.
  2. Application is considered by a panel and decision made, student is then notified via their student email account
  3. Digital Services contact the applicant to arrange for collection of the device from Campus
  4. Device collected

How quickly can I get a device?

Applications are considered and approved every couple of days and then arrangements need to be made for you to attend campus to collect the device. This process should take no longer than 10 working days from submitting your complete application. If there is any missing information from your application this could cause a delay.

What is the specification of the loan device?

The device spec may vary slightly but the current devices have Windows 10 Pro operating system, the usual Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel as well as a number of web browsers, and:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2500U
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4-SDRAM
  • Hard Disk Drive: 256GB SSD
  • Optical Drive: DVDRW
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8
  • Screen Size: 15.6 inch

Please note - No additional software will be available on these devices - they are for general use only.

Access to external funding for equipment

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student with a disability or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA).

If you are an apprenticeship student with a disability or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia you may be eligible for the Learning Support Fund.

Both these funds can supply computer equipment and specialist software so for more information please email disability@staffs.ac.uk.

Using Your Own Device

Bringing your Own Device (BYOD) is supported and encouraged by the University where it can assist your studies. Most resources are available online and there is a range of standard software available free of charge while you are a student at the University.

Hardware requirements depend on the course you are studying, although we recommend laptops with a mimimum i5 processor and 8GB RAM.

Use of Chromebooks is not recommended, as not all standard University applications are compatible with these devices.

If you need advice on the hardware requirements needed to support your course, speak to your school/tutor.

Purchasing a Device

The Universities IT partner, Stone Technologies, can provide students with a 10% discount on items from their Stone Refurb site. All items from this site are professionally refurbished and come with a warranty. To get your discount please use the code SRHESU-Q22022 at checkout.

Stone Refurb Website