What you will need for your study

Regular computer access with data

Most courses within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences such as School of Population Health or School of Nursing require you to have access to a fairly recent computer and internet.  You will need to organise regular weekly time to have access to computer facilities with broadband data either at home, at work or through one of the university campus libraries.  This will be really important to be able to stay on top of your course readings and assessments - many of which are accessed online.

If you are outside of Auckland and studying, you should talk to your employer about any options for study space and / or access to these types of computer resources that may be available to you through your work place.

If you live inside Auckland, there are also dedicated MAPAS spaces for Māori and Pacific students to use with these types of computer facilities - you can contact a MAPAS Postgrad Advisor about this once you are enrolled in FMHS.  

Why worry about what sort of computer you have?

Many courses no longer have printed readings or course books and will expect you to be able to access these essential course resources from course websites in Canvas online.   You will also be expected to be able to regularly access and download readings available online through the Libraries and Learning Services website and databases. Note:  You will only be able to login to Canvas and Library databases once you are enrolled and have been given your Username (it will be the first initial from your first name and three more letters from your last name followed by three or four numbers).

Getting set up with the right resources and spaces for study

As the Tongan proverb for this section highlights "Fangota kihe kato 'ava" [translation: Fishing with a bag that has holes in it] ... even if you have the right skills and right attitude, if you don't look after your basic needs and resources, you will find it hard to be effective in your study.

You may find it helpful to ask yourself, your whānau or your work colleagues a few of the following questions to think about other kinds of resources, spaces and study supports you may be able to organise before you begin your postgraduate study.

Reflective questions to help you prepare:

Do I have a fairly quiet space where I can work each week (where I can have a bit of thinking time away from children, whānau or work interruptions most of the time)?   What time of day will be possible for me to study and have a block of time to myself? (... early morning? ... later in the evening?)  Is there anyone at work who is also studying who could be a study partner for face-to-face or over the phone, Skype or email chats? Do I know anyone with whom I could make a study group?  Maybe through my whānau, work colleagues or community?  Am I aware of the university library spaces I may wish to visit - for example, to attend a library workshop, a study group meeting or to locate a printed reading/text book? Do I know where I can access on-campus computers, quiet study spaces, printing facilities and/or support through the Information Commons for students in Philson, Tāmaki and / or the City campus?

Read the next section to help you to explore answers to some of these questions above.

Make a bit of time to consider a few of the following places you can visit online to get thinking about preparing yourself and your resources for study.

• For tips for students working and studying part-time visit the University of Auckland's Libraries and Learning Services Study Skills page Studying part-time.

• To learn about spaces available on campus to parents who are studying and who need to bring their children on to campus with them, visit the University of Auckland's page Parent Space and Parenting Support.

• To learn about the Information Commons spaces for students on city campus and Tāmaki campus where you can access free computer resources, study spaces and access to information resources and/or learning support visit the University of Auckland's page Information Commons.

• To learn more about physical Libraries that you may need to visit during your study at the University of Auckland see the next "optional" resources section. 

Libraries you may need to visit while studying at the University of Auckland

Te Herenga Hauora

(Philson Library at Grafton campus, Auckland)

Philson Library is the main library for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.  It is located in Grafton, Auckland.

Visit the Philson Library homepage for details about location, opening hours.

 Physical location of Philson Library:  

Building 503, Level 1
(entry via the Atrium, Building 505)
85 Park Rd
Grafton, Auckland

Te Herenga o te Wahanga o Tāmaki

(Tāmaki Library and Information Commons at Tāmaki Innovation Campus, Glen Innes, Auckland)

Tāmaki Library and Information Commons is the main library for the School of Population Health.  It is located in Tāmaki Campus, Glen Innes, Auckland.

Visit the Tāmaki Library homepage for details about location, opening hours.

Physical location of Tāmaki Library:

Building 730.283, Level 2
Tāmaki Campus
Corner of Merton & Morrin Roads
Glen Innes, Auckland

Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui

(Main University of Auckland Library at Princess Street, Auckland)

The General Library is the main library for the entire University of Auckland.  It can be accessed just off of Princess Street or Symonds Street, Auckland on Alfred Street.

Visit the General Library homepage for details about location, opening hours.

Physical location of General Library:

Building 109
City Campus
5 Alfred Street, Auckland

Considering purchasing a computer for your study?

The following outlines recommendations if you are considering purchasing a computer or laptop for your study.

Hardware and software requirements

It is suggested that a minimum computer specification would include:

·         IBM-compatible 500MHz

·         1GB free memory on hard drive

·         128MB RAM

·         SVGA monitor and graphics card with minimum 800x600 resolution at 16-bit colour

·         CD-ROM drive (32x or above)

·         56K modem and reliable internet connection

·         Printer

·         Sound card

·         Speakers and/or headphones.

The minimum software requirements would be:

·         Windows 98 or above

·         Adobe Acrobat Reader

·         Shockwave Player

·         Quicktime Player

·         MS Word and MS Powerpoint applications.

Computer programmes you will need loaded on your computer

Before you start your first course, update your computer web browser, Adobe Reader and media players with at least the following minimum recommended programmes.

Programmes you will need - Microsoft Suite

You will also need to ensure you have a fairly current version of the Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) loaded on your computer.  You will be required to create Word and PowerPoint documents and likely Excel documents using the Microsoft suite.

As a student at the University of Auckland (UOA), you are entitled to download a free copy of Microsoft 365 while you study with us.

Once you have a student username and password (which you get when you are enrolled in study with us) you will be able to go to the UOA "Software Available for Staff and Students" page to find out more about your free access to Microsoft 365 while you are studying at the UOA.