IT requirements

The NCA’s online programme has been designed to accommodate students with varying levels of technical ability, bandwidth and computer equipment. For this reason, to ensure that all students can access the online programme, we have set a minimum specification - although we have worked hard to ensure that the specification does not place a burden on students. The minimum specification we recommend is set out below. We are constantly working on improvements to make our programme available on more browsers. If you use other browsers or operating systems to access e-learning sessions, please note that:

    (i) some features used in our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or e-learning sessions may not be available, or may not function correctly; and
    (ii) NCA is unable to offer technical support for browser/operating systems other than those outlined below.

NCA does not accept technical problems caused by non-compliance with the minimum specification as a reason for non-attendance of online sessions. During your course, it is your responsibility to upgrade and maintain compliance in order to avoid entire or partial absence from online sessions.

Please do not use a version of Microsoft Windows operating system prior to Windows 11, or a version of Apple Mac operating system prior to macOS 14 (Sonoma), as prior versions are no longer supported by Microsoft and Apple respectively, and they may increase the chance of compatability issues.

We do not support Linux desktop operating systems. Users of this OS may need to install 3rd party software to use some of our systems and we are unable to help with this.

N.B. You may not be able to study successfully using only a tablet or smartphone alone.

 

Minimum specification

To fully access the NCA online programme you must have a compatible web browser. We currently recommend the latest versions of one of the following browsers:

On a PC (Windows 11):

  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Firefox

On an Apple Mac (macOS 14 Sonoma or later):

  • Safari
  • Chrome
  • Firefox

On an iPad (iPadOS 18 or later):

  • Safari. On an iPad, Safari is an integral part of iOS and should stay automatically up to date. To check, go to Settings/General/Software Update – this triggers your iPad to check for software and update itself.

Note that full access to e-learning sessions on an iPad or iPhone may involve some ‘workaround’ practice; you can easily watch a whole e-learning session on an iPad or iPhone, but some of the extended activities are likely to require access to a computer. For instance, some e-learning sessions ask you to download and print documents: depending on your equipment set-up it is possible that you will need to either email the downloaded documents from your iPad or iPhone to a computer, or just access the session on a computer where you can download them direct.
For this reason, NCA advises that you have access to a computer in addition to an iPad or iPhone, in order to access e-learning sessions fully.
Note: You may have some difficulty opening PowerPoint presentations, caused by an iPad compatibility problem. Try pressing and holding the link until you get a context menu up then select 'open in new tab'. Depending on your installed apps, the presentation should open.

 

You will also need:

  • Access to a computer or tablet that meets Microsoft Teams specifications. You will not need to buy a subscription to use this. Teams is a video conferencing/instant messaging service and is the preferred method of such services used by the College. It allows instant messaging, voice over IP and video conferencing. It is being used now for online teaching, online tutorials, Q&A sessions, admissions interviews and attendance at some college meetings. All NCA courses use Teams.
    If you are using a tablet, you will need to download the free Microsoft Teams app from your app store before joining any Teams meetings.
  • A headset/earbuds with microphone plus a webcam is required for Teams classroom teaching, meetings and tutorials.
  • Broadband access. You will need a reasonable speed of connection - 25 megabits per second (Mbps) or above is ideal. A standard domestic broadband line should deliver this at most times without difficulty. Click here to check your current connection speed.
    You may also need to check your internet contract for data usage details: a standard domestic broadband contract should be easily sufficient, but bear in mind your existing internet usage; your e-learning access may nudge your contract into the next data band up, and you may need to contact your internet service provider to upgrade your contract. If you are already a heavy internet user, please do this before you begin accessing e-learning, as NCA obviously cannot take responsibility for any ‘unfair usage’ penalties or fees that your internet service provider may levy.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for PDF access. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. It is free of charge. Please note that there is a compatibility issue between Adobe Acrobat Reader and other PDF readers. For this reason, NCA recommends that you use Adobe Acrobat Reader for your e-learning PDF viewing and completion. Please make sure you are using the latest version of this software. Information on how to update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is available here.
  • Access to a printer, preferably colour. Some exercises and worksheets will require printing out to complete, and some of them require colour to understand the diagram or illustrations they use.
  • As a student, we will provide you with a Microsoft Office 365 account, which includes online versions of Word and other Microsoft applications, which may be sufficient for your use. You will also be provided with an "@nca.ac.uk" email address and we will require you to use this new email address for all college communications once enrolled on the course. However, you may find using the full desktop app versions of Microsoft more benefical, in which case please check the Microsoft website to explore their offers. Please note that any subscriptions you choose to sign up to with Microsoft directly are sepearate from the web browser application access that the ollege provides you during your studies.
  • Anti-virus software is also advised.

DISCLAIMER:

We make every effort to keep our specification up to date without imposing extra burdens on our staff and students. Due to the rapidly evolving browser market, the recommendation for compatible browsers is likely to change.

 

Contact details:

For technical questions, please raise a help ticket here.

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