eBooks
The BPP Actuarial Education textbooks come in paper or eBook format.
- Portable - enabling you to study on the move
- Space saving
- Easy to navigate - for example you can search an eBook for words or phrases
- Easy to annotate with your own comments.
They may also appeal to those who live outside the UK, where paper despatch costs are higher and delivery times longer.
Depending on the eBook, BPP ActEd eBooks are accessed using either*:
VitalSource Bookshelf
Bookshelf enables you to access your eBooks online through a browser or they can be downloaded to your laptop or mobile devices using the Bookshelf application or mobile app (for iOS, Android and Amazon Kindle Fire).
You can access a Bookshelf eBook on up to 4 authorised devices at any one time(2 laptops / PCs + 2 mobile devices, for example your work computer, your personal computer, a mobile phone and an iPad).
If using a company computer or device, check you have permission to install the required application.
If you print your eBook from Bookshelf please note that an automatic watermark will be added to every page you are printing. This cannot be removed as it is part of the software settings. The software will only let you print 100 pages each time you log into your account. We recommend to print gradually and avoid sending the entire eBook to the printer in one job.
Online access to your eBook will last for up to 3 years but offline access does not expire and eBooks will be available to read offline using your Bookshelf account for as long as the Bookshelf App is available.
Adobe Digital Editions (ADE)
ADE enables you to download and read eBooks on your PC or laptop. They can also be synced to compatible portable devices (eg your iPhone, iPad or Android-based device). They are compatible with the newer Amazon Kindle Fire tablets, but NOT Kindle dedicated e-readers.
These BPP ActEd eBooks are in a rights-protected PDF format and are read using the free Adobe Digital Editions software.
You can access an ADE eBook on up to 6 authorised devices, including for example your work computer, your personal computer and an iPad.
If using a company computer, check you have permission to install the required software.
The software will only let you print your eBook once from the device to which you first downloaded your eBook. Hence if you plan to print the material please first download it to a PC from which you are able to print. Before you print, please ensure that a working printer is connected to your PC and there is ample paper and toner in the printer. Print gradually. Do not send the entire eBook to the printer in one job.
*When you order a BPP ActEd eBook you will receive an electronic ‘token’ or ‘code’ which will enable you to access your eBook. Note that different BPP ActEd eBooks are available on different eBook platforms. It is not possible to choose which platform you use. It is not possible to transfer an eBook between Bookshelf and ADE or vice versa.
Once you have purchased your eBook and we have processed your order you will then receive two emails: one confirming your order and a second containing your electronic ‘token’ or ‘code’ enabling you to access and download your eBook. These emails should be sent within 24 hours. This may be slightly longer during our busy periods.
You will be required to create a Bookshelf or Adobe account (depending on the eBook ordered) before accessing your eBook. Full instructions will be provided in the emails.
If your eBook is in Bookshelf, before you redeem the ‘code’ you will have to have an online Bookshelf account, which you can create at https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/
Once you have an account you can download the PC application or mobile app and sign in with the same credentials to access your eBook across multiple devices.
If your eBook is in Adobe Digital Editions, it is important that before you click on the electronic ‘token’ please ensure you have completed the following steps:
- 1. Download and install Adobe Digital Editions
- 2. Create / log in with your Adobe ID and authorise your computer
- 3. Click the electronic ‘token’ link in the email to download your eBook
Failure to follow these steps and the instructions may result in a lost/corrupt eBook token. We reserve the right to charge for a new token.
Once you have downloaded the PC application and authorised it, you can sign in with the same credentials to access your eBook across multiple devices.
The Bookshelf instructions sheet provides more details about how to access your BPP ActEd eBooks using Bookshelf. Comprehensive instructions and help on how to use your eBooks in Bookshelf are available from https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-gb
The ADE FAQs document provides more details about BPP ActEd eBooks on Adobe Digital Editions, instructions on how to use them and contains the questions asked most frequently by students.