All your IT questions answered...
Student
DTS Guide
Digital Technology Services welcomes you to the University of Reading. During your time here you will need access to computers and digital services. This page provides a quick summary of our most popular services to get you started.
Start here
Office
365.
Office 365 is available to all University of Reading students for free. Collaborate with colleagues and friends with online Microsoft apps or download on up to 5 devices.
- Multi Factor Authentication
You will be asked to complete a Multi-Factor Authentication before you can use many of our applications, including Office 365 and Me@Reading.
In order to fully engage with your studies at the University you may wish to purchase or bring your own computer. We recommend using a laptop as you will able to take it between multiple locations (see below for details of a couple of suppliers which offer student discounts).
We currently advise the following minimum specification:
| Processor | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB+ SSD |
| Networking | AC WiFi |
| Display size | 13″ to 15.6″ |
| Peripherals | Built-in webcam and microphone Ability to connect an external monitor is recommended 2-3 USB ports (including USB C) |
| Operating system | Windows 10 or 11 (Windows 7 not supported) |
Some courses ask you to download specific software onto your computer and these programs may be more resource-intensive. Typically, the science programs (engineering, maths, computer science, etc.) require more powerful computers. We recommend contacting the department for special requirements or recommendations.
If you will be studying remotely, ie not based on campus, you will require a certain speed of Internet connection to be able to watch videos and engage in online video chats.
You can test the speed of your current Internet connection at https://fast.com/ (select “Show more info” to get your upload speed.)
You will need a minimum of 4Mbps download/1Mbps upload per person.
Bear in mind that if others in your household are also using the Internet your connection is shared, the minimum requirements here are for if nobody else is significantly making use of your connection.
We highly recommend a fibre package (up to 40Mbps down/10Mbps up) if it is available in your area, typically this is an extra £5/month over a non-fibre package, and will ensure you have enough bandwidth for University activities, with plenty left over for the rest of the household.
Essential information about University systems, including online teaching, timetable information, module & assessment information and how to keep in touch with University staff.
Top up and go
Printing
Use your Campus Card to print at any of the printers around campus.
Why do I need a username?
Your username will be very important to you. You will use it to access your mailbox for University email; and to log into any computer in the computer rooms on campus, or to access the internet on those computers, or to log onto the wireless networks on campus. You will also use that username to log into Blackboard and other virtual learning environments; into student timetabling; into the Finance Office database to make a payment; and, after you have collected your username, you will use it to log into the RISIS Portal, the student database.
When will my username be available?
Once the university has received your payment, or have received confirmation from your sponsor, and have had a copy of your visa and passport or photo identification, you will be able to follow a link to collect your University username. Once your username has been generated, the Username box in the Enrolment Overview will be orange to show that your username is ready for collection. Clicking on the Username box will take you to another page which will ask you to confirm your student number and your date of birth. It will also ask you for an account recovery answer in RISIS. Your username will then be displayed on screen and you will need to make up and enter a password to go with that username. After that, you will always use your University username and password on the first screen of the RISIS Portal, and your RISIS account recovery answer on the second screen
How do I collect my username?
Follow the steps below to get your username details after you have collected your campus card.
- Log into the RISIS portal at: risisweb.reading.ac.uk
- Click on the big blue button on the right of the page. This will take you to another page where you will see a reminder of your account recovery answer. This needs to be keyed in to the validation page in exactly the same format as it is shown on screen (capitals, spaces, characters, etc.)
- Make a note of your username and set your password. Your University username might not be ready if you haven’t completed the online enrolment process or you have another action to complete. You will see a message on the RISIS Portal that will tell you what you need to do.
The University of Reading has many computer labs in different locations across the University with computers free to use for all students. Some are even open 24 hours a day!
Easily accessible software
Apps Anywhere
AppsAnywhere is a web based tool which provides access to software applications you use for studying. Use a Windows device or a University-owned PC, from any campus location.
How to access AppsAnywhere
- In a browser, type the above URL and login using your usual University username and password.
- On this page you will see a list of icons. Click the first one; ‘AppsAnywhere Help’ to be taken to the help site.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to be guided through the AppsAnywhere and Cloudpaging player installation.
Software list
Over 120 apps are available to stream.
- Anaconda
- Android Studio
- ArcGis
- Arduino
- Chemdraw
- Endnote
- Genstat
- GMetrix
- Git
- JASP
- Matlab
- MindManager
- Minitab
- Python
- SPSS
- Stata
Simple
Email is provided through Office 365.
Go to https://outlook.office.com and login using your University username and password.
File Storage
OneDrive for Business
OneDrive for Business is a managed cloud storage that allows users to store and share files and folders online. All University of Reading students get 5 TB free!
How to access OneDrive for Business
- In a browser, type the above URL and login using your usual University username and password.
- You will be re-directed to a University of Reading login page. Login using‘username@student.reading.ac.uk’ and your password.
- On this page you will see a list of icons. Click the OneDrive for Business icon to be taken to your account.
5 terabytes
- 85,899,345 pages in Microsoft Word
- 132,152 books
- 17,000 hours of music
- 40 days of HD video
- 310,000 photos
Get support
Online
https://reading.ac.uk/dts
dts@reading.ac.uk
in person
First Floor Library
Keeping you safe
Cyber Security
DTS have a suite of technologies and measures to counter both internal and external cyber threats – but we all have a part to play in reducing the risk of cyber-attacks
Secure Software
Software applications have vulnerabilities. Keep your software up to date.
Removable Media
Removable media is very easily lost. Best practices can help you avoid losing data.