How to take part in our online events

We host online events for prospective postgraduate students using several platforms like Gecko Engage, Microsoft Teams, Collaborate and Zoom. This page tells you what to prepare before an event, how to join and how to ask for support.

Registration and confirmation of your booking

1. Select the sessions you wish to attend

2. Complete all other details on the registration form and click 'Submit'

3. You will receive an email confirmation of your booking with a link to your event 'e-ticket' and instructions on how and when you can join the event

4. On the day of the event you will receive a reminder email to join the event which will also contain the link to your event 'e-ticket'.

Accessibility & extra support

The University of Edinburgh is fully committed to ensuring that the services we provide are both usable and accessible to all users. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments (e.g., materials in advance or materials in different formats) please make us aware through the event registration form in the section that asks about Accessibility Requirements. 

We will then follow up with you individually by email to discuss how we can best support you.

Before the event

  • Use a desktop or laptop where possible for the best experience.
  • Check your internet connection and test your connection speed.
  • Use an up-to-date browser. We always recommend Google Chrome for Windows or Firefox for iOS.
  • Make sure your device is charged.
  • Know the correct start time and check time zones.
  • If you expect network or access issues in your country, using a VPN can help. 

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a method of securing the communications between your computer and another network. It provides a degree of privacy by hiding your data from potential cyber eavesdroppers, including your passwords.

Previous participants joining from outside the UK have told us that they experienced minor difficulties in accessing platforms, but that these have easily been resolved by joining the event after registering for a VPN service.

Firewalls

Some organisations use security or firewalls that may block live streaming videos. If you are using an organisation issued laptop, please speak to your IT team in advance, or use a personal device instead.

A screenshot of an e-ticket from a postgraduate online event

On the day (how to join)

  1. Find your event e-ticket link in your booking confirmation or reminder email.
  2. Click the session link in the e-ticket to open the event.
    1. The session link will activate 15 minutes before the start time, allowing you to join the session.
    2. You may have to wait in a 'lobby' area until the moderator lets you into the session.
  3. If prompted, enter a display name for yourself (you can use a fake name if you prefer not to show your real name).
  4. Check your audio settings to make sure that you can hear the presenter speaking.
  5. Use the Q&A or Chat area, depending on the platform used, to ask questions.

Camera & Microphone settings 

Your camera and microphone will be disabled for most of the events to reduce distractions for other attendees during the session and for anyone watching the recordings. 

You can ask questions or raise any comments in the Q&A or Chat area in the live session.

Technical support

If you experience any technical issues during the session, you can:

  • Refresh the page or open the session link in a new browser tab.
  • If audio or video fails, check your device settings and browser permissions.
  • Use a VPN if you expect restrictions on accessing the session.
  • Contact your IT team if you are using a device issued by your university or organisation
  • Use the session chat to tell the moderator you have a problem. 

Getting to your next live session 

If you have opened a new browser tab to join a session, please close that tab and return to your e-ticket. If you have closed the e-ticket, you can retrieve it in the email we sent you on the day of the event. 

Session recordings & personal data

Most of our events are recorded so you can watch them later. Any information that you provide during a session, for example in a Q&A, is optional and in doing so you give us consent to process this information. 

Closed captions

The session recording(s) will include closed captions in English. They will be automatically machine captioned so while they are very reliable and accurate, there may be minor inaccuracies. 

Contact us

Email us if you have any questions about our events or encounter issues with accessing a session. 

PG.Events@ed.ac.uk 

Platform information

We use Microsoft Teams for most of our events but also use other platforms like Collaborate and Zoom for larger, multi-session events. Registration forms are hosted on a platform called Gecko Engage. 

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