7. 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 more information, see When is a Course Available? and Differences Between Instructor- and Self-Paced Courses.

7.1. 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.

The course start date is available in several locations.

  • The course card on edx.org. The course start date is located at the bottom of the card.

    A course card, showing the course start date at the bottom of the card.

  • The course About page. The course start date is located above the Enroll Now option.

    A course's About page with the start date above the Enroll Now button.

  • The course 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 When is a Course Available?

7.2. 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.

If a course is not visible on your dashboard, select the edX logo at the top of the page to view the edX course catalog, and then select and enroll in the course that you want.

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

7.2.1. 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.

7.2.2. 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.

7.2.2.1. 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.

7.2.2.2. 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.