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Remote (off-site) access to University resources

A range of options are available for off-site access to University facilities and information. This page provides a guide on which services to use and when. If you are unsure which service is appropriate for your needs then use AskIT, our community forum.

Please note: Staff should not process restricted data on a computer that is not owned by the University. Please see: Processing data off campus. It is possible to use the services below to access information and keep data secure.

Quick access to information such as Gmail, Blackboard, Calendar and Timetables

The University portal, MyBristol, www.bristol.ac.uk/mybristol, provides a gateway to a host of University information from anywhere via an internet connection.  You can access e-mail, calendar, timetables, Staff and Student Info, the University contact directory, My Student Bookmarks, Library account and much more.

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Student and Staff Remote Desktop services

The Student Remote Desktop and Staff Remote Desktop services allow you to access a University desktop from any computer with an internet connection.

You will have a full remote desktop, which works in exactly the same way as if you were sat at a PC on campus.

You will have access to:

  • Your MyFiles
  • Departmental file stores
  • Common applications, and some specialist applications
  • Web browsers (allowing you to access and search for information from the University network)
  • to print either to your local printer or to University printers

Please note: Using the remote desktop services means that information is kept on the University network and it is the recommended way to access secure or confidential data when off-site. The Staff Remote Desktop is personal to each user and you can configure your own shortcuts, filestore mappings, desktop backgrounds and icons as required.

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Access your PC from home

The Remote Desktop Gateway service gives you secure access to your PC from on or off campus.

This service allows you to use your work Windows PC's desktop from any other computer. You can then use your work PC as if you were sitting in front of it. Remote desktop access to your own PC is particularly useful if you need to use software that is only available on your desktop and not on the Staff Remote Desktop (see above).

Please note: you need to request access to this service from the IT Service Desk. Your work PC must be left switched on and "locked" when accessed remotely. Please note that this prevents other users from using it locally at the same time.  

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Electronic Library resources (ejounals, ebooks etc)

Most of these electronic resources are available to use outside of the University where access is controlled by a system of authentication that may differ depending on the publisher or service provider of the resource.

A large number of electronic resources allow you to login using your University of Bristol username and password. You will either be prompted for these details directly or the website will provide an ‘institutional’, or ‘alternative login' link, (possibly called 'UK Federation' or 'Shibboleth').

Alternatively you may use one of two options that makes it possible to gain network access from off-site:

  • The Student Remote Desktop service (see above)
  • The Off-site Proxy service - where you will need to perform a short, one-off, set-up operation on your computer. Full instructions are available on the Off-site Proxy page.  

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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The UoB Virtual Private Network (VPN) (UoB only) provides a 'tunnel' to connect  from off-site to the University so that your computer is placed on the University network and your traffic to the University flows via the University.

It is recommended that the Staff or Student Remote Desktop (see above) be used instead of the VPN service where possible and appropriate.  

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Access Gmail, Calendar and Drive

You can access your UoB Google services over the internet. Login to those services is available via the links at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/it-services/applications/google-apps/.

You can also access Gmail, Calendar and Drive on your mobile device. For information on setting that up visit: http://www.bris.ac.uk/it-services/advice/mobile/.  

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