Online short courses

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: 

1. First steps  
2. Study skills and tools  
3. Plans and goals  
4. Support and wellbeing  
5. Digital safety and citizenship  

After completing the course, you will be able to:  

• Identify our various support teams, and how they can help you with your studies 
• Describe what hybrid learning is, and understand how it differs from on-campus learning 
• Explain the importance of digital safety, how to protect yourself online, and how to be a good digital citizen 
• Use online collaboration tools and blogs confidently 
• 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:  

• Set goals for what you want to achieve from postgraduate study 
• Identify your own expectations and those of the University 
• Explore career options for taught postgraduates 
• Access our support services 
• 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.  

IAD Open Workshops 

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: 

• 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
• Think about and write down what actions you have chosen to increase your personal sustainability impact 

Introduction to Sustainability 

We offer free, online, non-credit bearing courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University, whose first language is not English. 

English Language Support for International Students 

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): 

Coursera  

FutureLearn  

EdX 

The University offers discounted short courses to learn languages or alternatively delve into different subjects not part of your degree programme.  

Find a short course