# Technology and equipment

**Source**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/your-studies/equipment
**Parent**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/skills/

Check the equipment and technology you need to study at Sussex.

## Technology for most courses

Whether you study in-person or online, you will use two systems to support you:

- [Canvas](https://canvas.sussex.ac.uk/), the University’s online study platform, where you find your modules, including learning materials, multimedia content and other resources
- [Sussex Direct](https://direct.sussex.ac.uk/login.php), the University’s administration system, where you manage your University records and access course information.

[See more about how you’ll be taught](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/your-studies/teaching).

There is some **hardware** (physical stuff) and **software** (such as programs and apps) you may need.

### Hardware

You will need access to a computer for study and when [submitting assessments](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/assessment/submission).

You can use the dedicated [student PCs on campus](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/clusterrooms/clustercomputers). These are pre-loaded with a range of [software you cannot install at home](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software/list?filter=pc).

However, they are open-access [spaces to study](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/your-studies/spaces) so if you want the flexibility and convenience of using your own computer, we recommend a PC or laptop.

You’ll need a minimum Intel Core i3 or equivalent, 4 gigabytes (4GB) of RAM and a screen resolution of at least 1280 x 800.

You'll also need headphones or speakers, a microphone and a webcam (most laptops include a webcam).

Course content and activities may be accessible on a tablet or other mobile device, but we don’t recommend this as your main method of learning.

You may qualify for a University loan laptop if you're unable to purchase your own device. Find out more about our [Hardship Fund](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/money/help/hardship) to see if you're eligible for a loan laptop.

#### Operating system

Here are the minimum operating system requirements for your device:

- Windows – Windows 11 or later (Windows 10 remains in support until Tuesday 14 October 2025)
- Mac – OS 14 (Sonoma) or later (Mac OS 13 (Ventura) remains in support until Sunday 30 November 2025)
- Linux – Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 11.0+, Fedora 41+, Open SUSE 15 SP7+
- Android – OS 14.0 (Upside Down Cake) or later
- iOS – iOS18 or later

All lower numbers are out of support. The risk of using a device that is out of support is that it might not contain all the correct / supported / patched software - this can leave the device at risk of becoming compromised or incompatible with some of the many online systems the University operates.

#### Internet connection

To connect to the internet, you should use a broadband or high-speed connection of at least 2.5 Mbps.

#### Recommended browsers

You should use the latest versions of either:

- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge.

**Tip:** Make sure your browser allows JavaScript and cross-site cookie use.

### Software

We provide [software for computers](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software) in cluster rooms as well as applications you can install on your own computer for free.

All Sussex students have access to download and install [Windows 10 (Education edition)](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software/windows10education) and [Office 365](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software/owncomputer/office).

We also recommend that you download and install the [Zoom meeting client or mobile app](https://zoom.us/download/) as this is the University’s supported platform for online seminars and tutorials.

A range of other [software applications to install on personal laptops or computers](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software/list?filter=home_use) are available from IT Services.

#### Storing files

You have access to [download and install OneDrive](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/onedrive), a cloud-based solution that provides all Sussex students with 1 terabyte (1TB) of space to store and manage files.

#### Converting files

You can convert scanned PDF documents, presentations and pictures of text into other useful formats, such as an MP3.

Find out [how to use SensusAccess](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/tel/accessibility/sensusaccess).

#### Creating captions

You can get software-generated captions to appear on video and audio materials provided as part of your course.

[Download a captioning factsheet for course content (PDF 145KB)](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/your-studies/documents/factsheet-captions-for-media-content-and-teaching-university-of-sussex.pdf).

## Specific course technology

If you are studying a course that uses specialist software (such as creative software in a media subject) or hardware (such as a microscope), your [school of study](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/your-studies/schools) will tell you how to access this.

### Calculators

Some subjects (usually maths) specify certain types of calculator for exams.

See [what you may need for an exam](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/assessment/exams/during-exams).