Online learning

What you need to know.

Our online teaching has been developed by expert academics and from student feedback, to ensure that you get the full University of Cumbria experience.

You will need to ensure you have the correct technical set up in order to participate fully in the course. We strongly recommend the use of a laptop or desktop computer for all courses – whilst you may be able to follow the course from a tablet you may not be able to participate in all activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that when you're embarking on your exciting new journey of studying at university, you want to be sure you've got all the information you need on how your learning will work, and how you can expect to be supported throughout your Cumbria education. Which is why we have answered all of our FAQs below.

How do online classes work?

Our online classes are typically delivered in one of two ways, Zoom is preferred for our CPD courses whereas Collaborate, a tool embedded into Blackboard, a Virtual Learning Tool, is preferred for our undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Your joining instructions will confirm which will be used for your programme and how you will access that for your first session. Please check in advance whether you are able to access these from a work device: you may need to use a personal device.

When undertaking video conferencing please be mindful of activity taking place in the background and if appropriate please use the tools available on the video conferencing platform to add a virtual background.

Blackboard is available via the Student Hub or you can login directly at: https://mylearning.cumbria.ac.uk/

For more information on our digital programmes, visit: https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/Student-Life/Learning/Resources/Studying-from-home/Online-Learning/

For Non-exam courses what will I need?

How are courses which include formal examinations conducted online?

Additional software is required to provide a secure and robust online examination and to use remote invigilation (often called proctoring) to ensure the integrity of the exam environment. These systems have been used by universities, especially in the USA, for a number of years and are now increasingly being used by professional bodies. Your joining instructions will set out the specific arrangements for your exam.

To access exam courses, you will need to:

Have access to a PC or laptop. Tablets cannot be used for taking exams, although they can be used for the taught part of the course.
Have access to an internet connection
Provide a suitable email address to receive the exam registration links - if you are using a personal device, this is likely to be a personal email address. Please remember to look out for this email, and check spam/junk email if it is not received 48 hours before your exam.
Have a compatible browser – Google Chrome is recommended
Have access to a webcam, earphones and microphone
Have a well-lit private room to take the examination where you can work quietly and without interruption from other household members.
Use either your webcam or your smartphone camera to allow your invigilator to see the whole room before and during the exam. You will need to install an app for this on your computer and on your smartphone where used. You might choose to cover or remove any pictures or personal items you would prefer the invigilator not to see.

Will we have free access to any software we might need?

If I have a mix of online and face-to-face teaching, how will I know which are which?

Your course timetable will give a clear indication of which classes are online and which are face to face. Even if you have online classes, you are still welcome to come onto campus and use our facilities to attend these virtual classes.

Students will have access to cafes, study spaces and libraries to help make the most of their time studying independently or working in groups. All our campuses are Covid-safe and we have risk-assessed the facilities, spaces and activities students can access.

Online Learning