Borrowing laptops

Information Services offers laptop loans free of charge to students on the varying loan periods below.

48-hour loans

If you are studying in the Library or need a device to use in a class, you can use your student card to borrow a laptop from the Library for up to 48 hours. You borrow these from the laptop loans cabinets near to Short Loan on level 2 of the Library. A power supply can be borrowed from the Lending desk at the Information Centre.  These loans are non-renewable.

This is a free service, however, fines will be incurred for late returns. You must have your student card in order to borrow a laptop. Scroll down to see a video guide to borrowing a laptop.

When you return a laptop, remember to plug in the locker power cable ensuring that the light outside the locker turns red.  If the light doesn’t turn red the laptop will still be issued to you and you may incur fines. Contact the Information Centre if you need any help.

Four-week loans

The cabinet near the Library entrance has a bank of four-week loan laptops. These can be checked out with your student card and you can pick up a power cable from the Lending desk. 

These loans are non-renewable. If you require a device for longer than four weeks, please request a long-loan laptop.

Long-term loans for those without a suitable device for study -  this scheme is now closed for Spring Semester as all devices have been loaned to students.

These devices are for those experiencing digital poverty, that is, those who do not have a suitable device for university study and cannot afford to buy one.

The Library has a limited pool of devices. These devices are usually loaned to you up to the end of the academic year. You can apply for a long-term loan device by filling in the request form on our UniDesk laptop loan page (the link is only available when we have devices in stock).

See our FAQ for further information.

Step-by-step instructions on how to borrow and return a laptop

How to borrow a laptop

  • Select "borrow" on the touchscreen.
  • Place the card on the contactless area to authenticate.
  • Accept terms and conditions (listed below).
  • The locker number is displayed on the screen and the corresponding locker light flashes.
  • Place card on appropriate column contactless area to open locker.
  • Take the laptop and close the door, ensuring the charging cable is safely inside the locker.

How to return a laptop

  • Select "return" on the touchscreen.
  • Place card on the contactless area to authenticate.
  • The locker number is displayed on the screen, and the corresponding locker light flashes.
  • Place the laptop inside the locker, connect the charging cable, and ensure the door is securely closed (failure to complete this step in full will result in the item remaining on your account). You will know when the laptop has been returned by the light outside the locker turning red.
  • If you want a return receipt, press the option on the touchscreen.

Terms and conditions

  • Do not store any of your data on the laptop as we cannot guarantee that it will be saved. All data should be saved to OneDrive
  • You are fully responsible for the borrowed laptop and any loss or damage incurred. There may be charges for repair or replacement of hardware, up to £760
  • You should contact the Information Centre immediately, should you notice any damage to a laptop
  • Laptops must be returned by the specified loan time
  • If a laptop is not returned by the due time your borrowing rights may be suspended and you may incur fines
  • You may only borrow one laptop at a time