Last updated: 1 Dec 2025
The University of Bristol recently implemented necessary security changes requiring all non-Bristol owned Windows devices to be properly registered so that complies with their existing policies. This means that those that have not received a laptop from Bristol, it is possible that you may not be able to use your institutional laptop to access Blackboard (and other Bristol based platforms).
- FIRST CHECK whether you can access Blackboard or another Bristol based platform (e.g. myERP) via your institutional laptop (this may still be possible!).
- IF NO, contact swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk and provide the requested details below.
VERY IMPORTANT:
- To avoid configuration challenges and a potential security issue; if you are granted a policy exclusion it is critical you DO NOT then also configure a personal device. You cannot and must not try to use a non-mobile personal device to connect, only your institutional device is allowed. This will have serious security ramifications and will actually lead to having any access revoked.
- You must complete the University of Bristol’s ‘Cyber Security and Data Protection Essentials’ training annually otherwise your access will be rescinded. This can be found on Develop.
Details to provide to swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk
1. Your name
2. Your Bristol account (in the format xy12345@bristol.ac.uk) DO NOT include your password!
3. Which institution has provided your laptop: Bath / Cardiff / Exeter / Swansea / UWE / Plymouth / Rothamsted
4. Institutional email address:
5. Year of study: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
6. Have you attached a screenshot to the email (what to take a screenshot of)? Y/N
7. Will you be undertaking research at Bristol as part of your rotation project/PhD project? Y/N
8. Will you be undertaking work (e.g. teaching assistant or demonstrating role) at Bristol? Y/N
IMPORTANT: If answers to Q8 or Q9 becomes YES, you must update swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk
Please note this is only being offered to users where the IT Services at Bristol can see that the institutional device is already tightly managed / secured. Students with Bristol managed laptops, access to Blackboard will continue to work.