Library and IT Services

Our libraries have a team of subject librarians who are happy to help you find information that you need for your assignments and reference the information that you use. You can email the team with any questions, or to arrange a one-to-one appointment: engineeringlib@swansea.ac.uk

There are also subject-specific guides with links to the best resources for both Engineering and Sport and Exercise Science students.

You can find updated contact details here. 

Students will receive an introduction to the library at the start of their course and library staff are happy to answer questions at any time.

The ‘Reading List’ section within each module on Canvas will list your set textbooks and link to iFind, the library catalogue, so you can check to see if they are available for loan. Where available, you will also find the link to the ebook on iFind. We welcome suggestions for new books to buy. Email us at engineeringlib@swansea.ac.uk.

Please check the Access to Our Libraries page for up-to-date information in accordance with any COVID-19 related restrictions.

iFind will help you to find books, e-books, journal articles and databases from the library. It links to online resources or a call number (a code on the spine of the book) for each item in the library so that you will be able to find it on the shelf.

Signing in to iFind

You should sign in to iFind to request items from other libraries, request items that are on loan to others and access our online resources. The link to sign in is located on the top right corner of the screen.

What if I can’t find what I want?

• Is the item in iFind? - Check iFind to make sure that it hasn’t been borrowed by someone else. If it has been borrowed, you need to make a reservation request.
• Ask for help at the Information Desk - If you cannot find what you are looking for in iFind, ask for help at the Library Information Desk or email engineeringlib@swansea.ac.uk.

The Library run regular support sessions on a number of topics. You can view all available sessions here.

You can find updated contact details here. 

We have the following software available for students to download at no cost. Please be aware the below list is always subject to change due to license agreements.

• Altair Hyperworks
• Ansys Student
• AutoCAD (and almost all other Autodesk software)
• Bentley Staad.Pro
• Changelog
• Endnote
• Matlab
• Microsoft Office Student
• Solidworks
• SPSS

Please use the Software for Engineering Guide for guidance. This guide is available on the Canvas HUB: Engineering Resources page and also to the Canvas HUB: Engineering Community page under Software.

To help students during the COVID19 pandemic, IT Services have invested in a web-based portal called Labstats, which will allow the remote access of PCs on campus. This will give you access to all the relevant software you will need throughout your studies from your own personal device via a web browser. Please see the University's Remote PC Access Service webpage for guidance on how to access the service. 

As the Remote Access Service is accessed via a web browser, please be aware its performance will be affected by your local broadband speed/connectivity. Please see the University's Help with Home Wi-Fi and Broadband While Studying at Home advice page for tips and hints regarding internet performance.

Even though you can access software through the above mentioned Remote Access Service, we would recommend you download any software you need to your personal device if possible using our Software for College of Engineering Guide for guidance. This guide is available on Canvas (log in to Canvas, go to your Dashboard, then select the HUB: College of Engineering Community or HUB: BSc Sport and Exercise Science to find the Software Guidance). The guide is also available on the Common L: Drive in the College of Engineering folder.

You can find instructions on how to book a Library PC and/or Study Space here. 

As a student at Swansea University, you will have access to Office 365. OneDrive for Business is an integral part of Office 365 which provides a place in the cloud where you can store, share and sync your work files.  Please see the University's One Drive for Business File Storage webpage for more information and answers to FAQs as well as the OneDrive for Business Quick Start guide.

Current Students: Note that any files that were formerly saved on the P:Drive will have been moved to OneDrive for Business Swansea University.

To use Self Service Password Reset, you need to enter security information, called authentication methods, to prove your identity when you reset your password. You must register at least one of the following authentication methods:

• Install an authenticator app on your mobile device to generate codes or requests to approve. Please see the MFA via app PowerPoint presentation for guidance.

• Phone number for call or text message

You can select the following options as back-up options (note, these back-up options are only suitable for SSPR and cannot be used for MFA):

• An alternative email address, i.e. not your University (@swansea.ac.uk) email account

• Answers to some pre-defined security questions, e.g. what was the name of the first school?

Note: You are strongly advised to register more than one authentication method as a backup.

When you log into Swansea University services you will see a More information required registration prompt.

Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.

New/Incoming Students - Students studying our Engineering programmes will typically use a number of software packages throughout their degree. To enable best use of these and to optimise time studying online, most of our students choose to purchase a good quality laptop for their studies, and this will be particularly useful during the current pandemic situation to allow you to work remotely. 

There is no need to buy new equipment if you already have something in place to use for remote working. However, if you are planning to buy a new laptop at any point, please see the College's minimum and recommended PC hardware specifications below:

• OS: Windows 10 (Windows 7; Mac OS will not be supported).
• CPU: Intel i5 4 core  (AMD r5).
• RAM: 16GB.
• Hard drive: SD 512GB.
• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 (1080p).
• For VR GPU: Nvidia 1070.

Note: The majority of engineering software is not supported on Mac OS. Therefore, access via the Cloud-based solution is recommended if the primary device you use for your studies is a Mac.