Connect remotely to UCL systems

VPN

Some UCL services, such as MyFinance and room bookings, can only be accessed from within the UCL network or VPN (Virtual Private Network). Departmental or research-group systems can generally be accessed using SSH (Secure Shell) but only via specific hosts, and in December 2025 even this access was blocked by ISD without advance notice for the duration of the Christmas closure period. So it is worthwhile to install VPN client software on your laptop or home computer even if you don't normally need to use it. Instructions are available from the UCL VPN page and even work on Linux (at least for Fedora 42 as of 5th January 2025).

SSH

For security reasons SSH access from outside the UCL network is only allowed to a limited number of specific servers, so to connect to a departmental or research group cluster you will normally have to first log in to a dedicated login node before continuing to other machines. There is also a central server, ssh-gateway.ucl.ac.uk, which you can connect to using your UCL credentials.

Desktop@UCL Anywhere

Desktop@UCL Anywhere is a virtual desktop service, providing access to the Desktop@UCL Windows environment via a web browser or using the Citrix Workspace software. Even if you don't normally use Desktop@UCL for your work, Desktop@UCL Anywhere provides a relatively simple way of accessing the UCL network without the hassle of configuring VPN software.

To connect, browse to https://ucldesktop.cloud.com/ and click "Desktop@UCL Anywhere". To use the "lite" version, which works in the browser without requiring additional software, browse to https://ucldesktop.cloud.com/ and then click on the account icon in the top right corner, followed by "Account Settings". Then click "Advanced" and "Use web browser" before selecting "Home" and finally clicking "Desktop@UCL Anywhere".