Digital Learning Tools
Learning at ÎÞÂëȺ½» involves a range of different resources and many of these are now digital. This includes our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), ‘Canvas’ as well as a number of our library resources, such as research and referencing guides.
The following resources are available to ÎÞÂëȺ½» On-Campus, ÎÞÂëȺ½» Online and many ÎÞÂëȺ½» Global Students, while some ÎÞÂëȺ½» Global students will find alternative excellent resources available to them in-country.
Please note that many of these resources are only available to matriculated students
Therefore, we strongly recommend you complete the matriculation process as soon as possible to get ensure early access.
Follow our guide to Accessing ÎÞÂëȺ½» Systems to set up your ÎÞÂëȺ½» account
- Software Guidance
- Online Learning
- Research Tools
- Referencing and Citation Tools
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Matriculated ÎÞÂëȺ½» students can download Microsoft 365 (MS 365) using their university username and password. It is a general assessment rule that submitted work is completed using MS 365 software packages and if you are unfamiliar with these or need a refresh it might be useful for you to review the training resources for MS 365 available below:
- Microsoft Applications Guidance - including details on individual package training
Within MS 365, the following are the most likely software packages you will use:Ìý
- Excel – used for the presentation and processing of numeric data. Often used in classes and some forms of Assessment.Ìý
- Word – used for submission of reports, essays, reflective exercises, blogs, etc.Ìý
- PowerPoint – used for presentations, which could include posters, individual and/or group presentations. Also used in teaching for the presentation of in-class/online lectures and activities.Ìý
- Teams – used for online meetings and for getting in touch with academic staff.Ìý
- Outlook – collates your email, calendar and tasks into one handy resource. If you own a smartphone device, we highly recommend downloading the Outlook app for quick access to your university inbox.
- OneDrive – this is a cloud-based storage platform where you can save your MS files/documents. Ìý
- SharePoint – a web-based collaborative platform used for shared content collection and collaboration (a useful tool when working in groups or on shared projects).Ìý
Other applications in the MS 365 package that you may find useful include OneNote, Forms, and To Do.Ìý
For security, you may need to approve access to your ÎÞÂëȺ½» account when using MS 365 via Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) – either via the Authenticator application or via text.
ÎÞÂëȺ½» uses Canvas as its Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Each of your programme areas of study will have an individual module page. On each of these module pages you will find week-by-week lecture and seminar presentations, reading lists, an assessment specification and other resources that the academic staff member has selected for you.
If you are unfamiliar with Canvas, we recommend reviewing our Guide to Canvas or watching the on YouTube.
If you have any further questions on, or issues with accessing, the Canvas platform please reach out to our Helpdesk team for support.
Please Note
Canvas is the VLE for ÎÞÂëȺ½» UG & PG (Edinburgh Campus), ÎÞÂëȺ½» Online & ÎÞÂëȺ½» Global students studying via a Franchise collaborative partner - Validated partners may offer programmes via an alternate VLE.
Tools to assist with research
One of the underpinning principles of university education is that students are reading for a degree. As such, it is important that you understand how you access the library material made available to you as a matriculated student.
ÎÞÂëȺ½» operates a Library Resource Centre (LRC) which grants matriculated students access to millions of books and what articles through a range of databases. Prior to engaging with your studies, we recommend that you take a moment to watch our to get a better understanding of how to access the many resources available through the LRC.
The LRC staff have helpfully created specific subject areas designed to support your studies. Do remember to familiarise yourself with the relevant Study Guide found in Study Resources where you will also find details on how to access a great many other tools such as a links to statistics and data resources, books, journals and so on.
Tools to support referencing and citing
- Referencing and Plagiarism - When submitting your assessments and in your seminars, it is important that you tell us what you are reading and how this has informed your thinking. The is a valuable resource which can provide guidance on how to reference correctly, and how to avoid plagiarism.
- Cite Them Right - is a very useful point of reference to help you understand the importance of referencing and how you reference at ÎÞÂëȺ½». A is also available on their website.
- MyBib - There are a number of useful tools which can assist in generating citations and reference lists for your academic work. is a free and easy-to-use reference generator, with many other similar tools (both free and paid-for) available online.
- Grammarly - Matriculated students now have access to use , a generative AI service which helps you to submit work that meets the expected standards of English grammar. This resource is particularly useful for students for whom English is not their first language.
Generative AI Policy
The use of Generative AI is governed by academic policy at ÎÞÂëȺ½». It is important that all students understand when Generative AI can be used and when it is explicitly prohibited. Please review our before utilising any such tools or pieces of software. More information can be found on our webpages.
