# Recommended Kit List New students to UAL Creative Computing Institute often ask us what equipment we recommend before you start with us: # 1. Your own computer Having your own computer is not a requirement of any of our courses because we operate laptop lockers at all CCI locations that can be used anywhere on that site, and desktop PCs in open access and technical areas. That being said, it is more advantageous to have your own computer as it gives you flexibility about when and where you can study as all our courses are part of a computing curriculumn so it's our main tool. If accessing your own laptop is financially difficult for you, [you may be able to access limited funding through the hardship fund which kicks off after the start of each year](https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/fees-and-funding/scholarships-search/university-hardship-fund). We have advice where you can [read more about buying a new computer](https://wiki.cci.arts.ac.uk/books/it-computing/page/how-to-pick-a-new-computer).

UAL Diploma in Apple Development
Students studying on UAL Diploma in Apple Development you should choose a Mac as the Apple software development tools only work on macOS.

# 2. Reliable Internet Connection [Read more about finding an internet provider](https://wiki.cci.arts.ac.uk/books/it-computing/page/how-to-find-an-internet-provider). # 3. Webcam, Headphones and Microphone All our courses have returned to in-person teaching, however generally we find students prefer to attend tutorials with academics and get technical support from technicians online. For this reason we recommend all students have a seperate headset because the speaker phone feature picks up a lot of background noise from your computer and keyboard which can make it hard to hear you. If you already have some nice headphones for listening to music, many people like AirPods, these will be fine, however you don't need to spend this kind of money, any simple "headphones with microphone" search online will find you headsets for a range of prices, some good brands include: [Logitech](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Headset-H390-Noise-Cancelling-Black/dp/B000UXZQ42), [Sony](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Foldable-Headphones-Smartphone-Control-Metallic-Blue/dp/B00I3LV3P4), [EPOS/Sennheiser](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-PC-Chat-Communication-Learning/dp/B07GBTY82Q). Similarly for video calling it's not only nice to see a face, but to show people what you are working on, so if you haven't got a webcam in your computer, a simple low cost webcam would really help, we like the [Logitech StreamCam](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-StreamCam-Streaming-camera-mount-versatility/dp/B07W4DHS5B) because it's the best quality for the price, but cheaper generic brand webcams will be fine. # 4. Software We don't recommend any specific software be procured before your course as you can access Microsoft Office for free as a UAL student and other software would be course/year dependent and try to avoid commercial options where it makes sense.