Research Computing

Python is free and open-source software distributed under the Python Software Foundation licence. No UCL licence or activation key is required.

• Download Python
• Official Python documentation
• Python licence

Windows

The official Python documentation recommends the Python Install Manager.

1. Download it from python.org or install it from Microsoft Store.
2. Complete the per-user installation.
3. Open a new terminal and check Python:

python --version

1. Create a separate virtual environment for each project:

python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

macOS

Download the current supported macOS installer from python.org and run it. Avoid changing or removing the Python installation supplied by macOS.

Check the installation and create a project environment:

python3 --version
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Use python while the environment is active. Keep project dependencies in that environment rather than installing packages globally.

Myriad

Use a centrally installed module rather than the operating system Python:

module avail python
module load python3
python --version

The exact module name can change, so use a name shown by module avail python. Create a virtual environment for the project in an appropriate persistent location:

python -m venv ~/Scratch/my-project/.venv
source ~/Scratch/my-project/.venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Use the same module whenever you activate that environment. Do not run substantial computation on a login node. Submit Python programs to Sun Grid Engine:

#!/bin/bash -l
#$ -l h_rt=0:10:0
#$ -l mem=2G
#$ -l tmpfs=10G
#$ -pe smp 1
#$ -N python_example
#$ -cwd

module load python3
source ~/Scratch/my-project/.venv/bin/activate
python analysis.py

Submit with qsub python-job.sh. Confirm the current module name before using the example.

Condenser

Ubuntu normally provides Python 3. Ask the VM administrator before changing the system installation. For project work, create a virtual environment:

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

If venv or development headers are missing, ask the administrator to install the relevant Ubuntu packages. Do not use sudo pip or replace the system Python.

Licence

Python itself does not require a UCL licence. Third-party packages have their own licences, which must be checked when redistribution or commercial use matters.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026.