6. Starting a Course#

As soon as you enroll in a course, you can access some information about the course. However, if the course start date has not passed, you cannot access course lessons or assignments.

For information about availability of course content, see Accessing Course Content and Information.

6.1. Find a Course Start Date#

You can enroll in a course before the start date. You cannot access course materials before the start date.

Note

If you want to start the course as soon as possible, you can find the start date for a course, and then set a calendar reminder for that date. Some courses also publish a start time.

After you enroll in a course, the course is visible on your dashboard. The course start date is located below the course title.

A course listing on a learner's dashboard, with the start date under the name of the course.

For more information about different course statuses, see Course Availability

6.2. Start or Resume a Course#

After you enroll in a course, the course is visible on your dashboard together with the course start date. After the course start date has passed, you can access course content.

After the course start date has passed, you can access course content.

6.2.1. Start a Course#

Note

When you start a course, you do not need to sign in exactly when the course begins.

To start a course, locate the course on your dashboard, and then select View Course.

The course opens to the Course page. On this page, below any messages from the course team, the course outline is visible. Above the outline is a Start Course option.

The Course page, showing a welcome message and the course outline in the left pane.
  • To start the course at the first section, select Start Course.

  • To start the course at a different location, expand the course outline, and then select any part of the course.

6.2.2. Resume a Course#

When you resume work in a course, you can return to the unit that you completed most recently in all of your courses, or in a specific course.

Note

A unit is complete when you have completed all of the following actions.

  • Watch all videos.

  • Submit answers to all problems.

  • View all text or other content for at least five seconds.

When you complete a part of a course, a green check mark is visible on the course outline. For more information, see Progress Indicators.

6.2.2.1. Return to the Most Recently Completed Unit in All Courses#

To return to the unit you completed most recently in all of your courses, select the arrow next to your username on any page, and then select Resume your last course.

The course that you were most recently working in opens to the unit that you most recently completed.

6.2.2.2. Return to the Most Recently Completed Unit in a Specific Course#

To return to the unit you completed most recently in a specific course, you have the following options.

  • On your edX dashboard, locate your course, and then select Resume Course next to the social media sharing options.

  • Open the course, and then select Resume Course on the Course page.

When you select Resume Course, the course opens to the unit that you most recently completed.