In 2020, Microsoft made significant changes to their education licensing model. The University of Aberdeen moved to the new model in March/April 2021.
The new Microsoft 365 education licences are available in different tiers - A1, A3, and A5 - and are assigned based on user classification. Essentially, each user is now licensed individually for the products they use. Find out more about the new model below.
- How do the licensing tiers compare?
-
A1 Staff A3 Staff A3 Students A5 Staff User
Honorary staff
Infrequent users of Microsoft tools
Project/Secondary AccountsSome staff users
Users requiring Audio Conferencing or Power BIAll students -
Undergraduates, Taught Postgraduates, Research PostgraduatesMost staff users
Users of Teams Telephony and/or both Audio Conferencing and Power BI
Office apps
Web apps
onlyOutlook
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
OneNoteDesktop and Web apps
Outlook
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
OneNote
Publisher**
Access**Desktop and Web apps
Outlook
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
OneNote
Publisher**
Access**Desktop and Web apps
Outlook
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
OneNote
Publisher**
Access****Windows devices only Services
Exchange
OneDrive
SharePoint
Teams
Sway
Forms
Stream
Power Automate
Power Apps
Planner
To-Do
Whiteboard
YammerExchange
OneDrive
SharePoint
Teams
Sway
Forms
Stream
Power Automate
Power Apps
Planner
To-Do
Whiteboard
Yammer
BookingsExchange
OneDrive
SharePoint
Teams
Sway
Forms
Power Apps
Planner
To-Do
Bookings
WhiteboardExchange
OneDrive
SharePoint
Teams
Sway
Forms
Stream
Power Automate
Power Apps
Planner
To-Do
Whiteboard
Yammer
Bookings
Power BI ProInstallation of software
Cannot download and install Microsoft 365 apps
Install the Microsoft 365 apps on up to five devices per user
Install the Microsoft 365 apps on up to five devices per user
Install the Microsoft 365 apps on up to five devices per user
- How are licences assigned?
-
Microsoft recommend that any member of staff who uses Microsoft 365 as part of their role is assigned an A3 or A5 licence. At Aberdeen, this is most teaching, research, and professional services staff.
Members of staff who don't regularly need to access Microsoft 365 will be assigned an A1 licence.
All students are assigned an A3 licence.
- More about the A1 licence
-
A1 Licence
Members of staff who don't regularly need to access Microsoft 365 apps are assigned an A1 licence.
Included
You have access to Microsoft 365 web apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), and also to Microsoft 365 services such as OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and Stream.
Also known as Office online, you access these apps via your web browser:
- Sign in at https://www.office.com/ with your University username@abdn.ac.uk and password.
- You'll see a list of available applications on the left, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Select the application you want to use. Any files you create are automatically stored in your OneDrive for Business.
Not sure what the web apps are, or how to use them? See our dedicated Microsoft 365 web apps - FAQs section below to help you get started.
Not included
- You will not be able to download free copies of Microsoft 365 desktop apps to your personal devices.
- You can however purchase the Microsoft 365 desktop apps at 30% discount via Microsoft's Workplace Discount Programme - see below for guidance.
Prefer to use the Microsoft 365 desktop apps?
Purchase the Microsoft 365 desktop apps at 30% discount via Microsoft's Workplace Discount Programme
Microsoft's Workplace Discount Programme - formerly known as the Microsoft Home Use Programme - is an employee purchase program that offers Microsoft 365 desktop apps - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher (PC only), Access (PC only) - 1 TB cloud storage per person, advanced security, and more, at a 30% discount.
Use University managed devices
You can use Microsoft 365 desktop apps on classroom and lecture theatre PCs.
- Microsoft 365 web apps - FAQs
-
What are Microsoft 365 web apps?
How do I know if I'm using the web apps?
What is OneDrive for Business?
How do I access Microsoft 365 web apps and OneDrive for Business?
Which browsers work with Microsoft 365 web apps and OneDrive for Business?
How do I get my Office files onto my OneDrive for Business?
How do I edit my files using the Microsoft 365 web apps?
How do I sign out of Microsoft 365?
Where can I find out more about using Microsoft 365 web apps?
- How does the new licensing model differ from the old one?
-
Microsoft's education customers have had to switch from the Full Time Employee (FTE) based counting model to the new Education Qualified User (EQU)* model.
Essentially, each user is now licensed individually for the products they use.
This represents a huge shift for all HE and FE organisations. It means we need to purchase more licences than we did before, increasing licensing costs significantly. It is therefore important to ensure that each user's licence is the right fit for their requirements - rather than everybody having access to everything, regardless of their needs.
Our previous licensing agreement provided staff and students with Microsoft services (e.g. OneDrive for Business, Teams, SharePoint, etc.) and Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). It also allowed you to download a free copy of Microsoft Office on up to five personal devices.
The new Microsoft 365 education licences are available in different tiers - A1, A3, and A5 - and are assigned based on user classification.
*Microsoft definition of an Education Qualified User (EQU): '...an employee or contractor (except students) who access or uses an Education Platform Product for the benefit of the Institution'.
