Online short courses
There are lots of optional online courses that you can start in August to help you better prepare for University. These are all free to join.
There are free online courses that all new students should complete before you start University and optional online courses that will help you prepare for studies and university life.
Micro-courses
We are committed to ensuring our campus is a safe and inclusive environment for everybody. You are encouraged to complete 2 micro-courses on ‘Consent’ and ‘Active Bystander’ before you start University.
Please look out for messages from UEdinburgh and GoodCourse containing links for you to access short courses on Consent and Active Bystander training. These links will be sent via SMS text and to your student email.
Top 6 Task - Complete introductory courses
Optional courses
We offer a range of short online courses on Learn. The course content is extremely useful as you enter your academic journey, but also using the main platform where you will do most of your learning will also be of huge benefit.
Preparing for study (available from September on Learn)
This course introduces you to the key digital study skills and tools you will use as a new undergraduate student, learn how to find the support you need and discover how to be a good digital citizen.
The course covers five key topics:
- First steps
- Study skills and tools
- Plans and goals
- Support and wellbeing
- Digital safety and citizenship
After completing the course, you will be able to:
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Identify our various support teams, and how they can help you with your studies
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Describe what hybrid learning is, and understand how it differs from on-campus learning
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Explain the importance of digital safety, how to protect yourself online, and how to be a good digital citizen
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Use online collaboration tools and blogs confidently
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Access our wellbeing support services
The course will be available for six weeks with discussion boards from the end of August and will remain as a static resource after that.
Support for Taught Postgraduates (available from September on Learn)
This course focuses on career development and planning and encourages you to practice key academic skills and learn how to find the academic support you need, whether you are studying on-campus or on a fully online programme.
This course will help you to explore your options, set goals, and gain confidence in your career plans. It also includes further information on support and wellbeing, and digital safety, and citizenship.
After completing the course, you will be able to:
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Set goals for what you want to achieve from postgraduate study
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Identify your own expectations and those of the University
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Explore career options for taught postgraduates
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Access our support services
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Use online collaboration tools and blogs confidently
Getting started with postgraduate research
This three-week online course is suitable for all new postgraduate researchers, sharing essential information, tips and advice, giving you an opportunity to interact with other students at the same stage:
Getting Started with Postgraduate Research
The Institute for Academic Development (IAD) host study skills workshops and events tailored to the requirements of all PG students.
These following courses are introductory courses recommended for all new students.
Most are available from mid-August, and all can be found on Learn.
Information Security Essentials
This course is a lightweight course that gives students information and advice to help avoid information security threats, and accompanying material gives information on where further support and information is available at the University.
Find out more about the Information Security Essentials course
Successful Academic Communications
This course will help you to understand how to use academic language appropriately for different audiences and purposes through interactive lectures and self-study tasks.
On completion of this courses, you should be able to:
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Plan, structure, and organise your academic writing
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Investigate your lecturers’ expectations
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Develop the critical reading and writing skills needed to have your voice heard
Academic Integrity
This course will help you to explore how we teach and learn at Edinburgh.
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
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Describe the behaviours and standards of the Edinburgh academic community
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Explain why these behaviours and standards are important to your academic community
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Demonstrate that you understand the principles of good academic practice, and how to put them into action in your studies
LibSmart I: your library research starts here
This course will help you to practice core information literacy skills
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
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Find the library support you need
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Access, explore, evaluate, and reference various library resources
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Know how to explore your own subject pathway and information landscape
Find out more about the LibSmart I course
Digital Skills Awareness
This course will help you to identify which digital skills you already have. You will cover topics at a beginner level and will be provided with additional resources to help you develop your digital skills further.
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
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Know what digital skills are required for your courses
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Know where to get more information, tips and resources on digital skills
Our diverse community brings together different perspectives, personal experiences as well as different religious and cultural backgrounds. As a new member of this community, you have an important role to play in creating and sustaining a respectful, safe, diverse, and inclusive community.
There are many considerations and ways to learn about creating an equal environment. The most important and practical things you can do are to take the free online ‘Consent Matters’ and 'Tackling Harassment' courses to learn about the importance of sexual consent, recognizing harassment and where to get further support for you or others.
Consent Matters
This course covers sexual consent, relationships and bystander intervention training. It also will help you to identify and recognise any abusive behaviours and lack of respect, as well as challenging the behaviours & attitudes of those who don’t respect personal & sexual boundaries.
Tackling Harassment
This course addresses all forms of harassment and discrimination. It examines harassment and hate, and how members of the University community can recognise problematic situations and intervene safely.
Consent Matters and Tackling Harassment courses
You may also want to find out more about our approach to other areas of discrimination and how your behaviours will have a positive impact.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for students
Introduction to Sustainability
This course will introduce you to what sustainability is including key issues facing the world today.
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
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You will have more awareness and knowledge on climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis, and social inequality, plus topics such as energy, waste, travel, food, and purchasing
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Think about and write down what actions you have chosen to increase your personal sustainability impact
We offer free, online, non-credit bearing courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University, whose first language is not English.
As a student at the University of Edinburgh, you now have access to free MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses). These flexible learning online courses give you the opportunity to access learning from other Universities at any point. You can find courses on topics related to your chosen subject or on other areas that you would like to learn more about. You can enrol through any of the MOOC platform partnerships (these links take you to websites outside of the University of Edinburgh):
The University offers discounted short courses to learn languages or alternatively delve into different subjects not part of your degree programme.
If you come across any issues with accessing any of the courses above, contact EdHelp