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Important Update

Microsoft Licensing is Changing!

Microsoft has updated its licensing requirements for universities. The University must follow these rules, which may affect access to Microsoft 365 and University‑managed IT devices for some users.

Find out about Microsoft licensing
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Service Description

Digital Services manages a range of software purchased on behalf of the University.

Some software is available for installation on University owned equipment whilst other products are available to staff and students for installation on their own PCs or Macintoshes.

Business Process

Software purchases

Purchases of software for use on University-owned equipment must be carried out via the appropriate Software Co-ordinator.

Each faculty and department has an appointed Software Co-ordinator.

  • If you are in a corporate department, the software must be installed by Digital Services.
  • If you are in a faculty, your Software Co-ordinator will advise you on the internal procedure within your faculty.

Software licensing

It is the responsibility of each staff member to ensure that all software installed on University machines is legally held. It is a disciplinary offence to install software products for which a licence cannot be produced.

You must never download or install software without the prior approval of your Software Co-ordinator.

Faculties and departments must be able to provide licence details for audit purposes.

Software managed by Digital Services

Digital Services manages a range of software licences on behalf of the University e.g. anti-virus, Microsoft Campus and Select agreements.

The licences can be site or individual licences.

More details on software services available.

Software for Student IT areas (SITL)

Digital Services manage a range of hardware and software in student IT areas.

Requests for software deployments in these areas need to be made in conjunction with a Software Co-ordinator.

Please refer to the online form to make any Faculty Specific or additional SITL Software Requests.

Software for Home Use

Software is available to staff and students for use on their own equipment.

The software may be supplied directly by Digital Services or via a third party or vendor.

To obtain such software for personal use, the request does not require input from a Software Co-ordinator.

Information on obtaining Home Use products is available via the Portal - Digital Services Software and Downloads

Three products that are downloadable directly from the University Portal (at no charge),

  • SPSS statistical software (Windows and macOS versions available)
  • NVivo (Windows version available)
  • MATLAB (Windows and macOS versions available)

Other products may be purchased from a vendor via links on the Portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What software is installed on University PCs?

Every student PC or Macintosh supported by Digital Services has a standard desktop and a core set of applications.

For further information on what is available, please visit the link below:

Core Software

How to contact the Service Desk

Service Desk Hours

Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday to Sunday: 1:30pm to 5pm

Extended Closure - Easter and Christmas Holidays

View Extended Closure Service Desk Hours

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Cost (where applicable)

Varies according to product.

Eligibility

All current staff and students of the University (depending on product).

Service Owner

Digital Governance, Risk & Compliance

In this section

Microsoft Licensing and IT Provisioning

Learn how updated licensing requirements affect eligibility for Microsoft 365 and University‑managed devices.