Situation
The University of Edinburgh is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research. Expanding the depth of human knowledge and improving the lives of people worldwide for more than 400 years, it attracts the world’s most promising learners to critical fields of study, including Law and Medicine.
Despite a reputation for academic excellence, schools including Law and Medicine struggled to deliver a seamless and rich online learning experience for short course learners, largely due to the lack of a dedicated learning platform for this audience.
Insight
The process for enrolling learners on short courses was inconsistent, and staff faced a high administrative burden and complex workarounds to give learners access to teaching materials. This created a poor experience for learners who expected and needed seamless access to high-quality learning - whether lawyers seeking CPD credits or clinicians balancing night shifts and family commitments.
Solution
Following a process which resulted in the procurement of Canvas and Eduframe, the University began to build a new learning platform and a central course catalogue. Edinburgh Medical School and the Law School were invited, alongside other Schools, to take part in an early adopter project which provided training, guidance and support to users, and enabled the University to test the service and gather valuable insights from staff and learners which informed further improvements.
Key objectives included:
- Frictionless enrolment - powered by Canvas’s Eduframe integration, giving learners a smooth journey from registration to certification.
- Flexible delivery modes - from fully self-paced online courses in Canvas to live seminars and hybrid experiences.
- Accessibility built in so that learners of all backgrounds and abilities can engage without barriers.
- Personalised learning paths using Canvas’s sections and group features, particularly valuable in the Medical School’s small-group teaching approach.
- Consistent course templates, developed as part of a University-wide initiative to deliver consistent and easy to use learning platform experiences for staff and learners.
Outcome
The University’s new Short Courses Platform supports institutional goals of delivering high quality lifelong learning. While still in an early phase of rollout within the organisation, the outcomes of this new platform are already significant for the Law and Medical Schools.
The central catalogue of short courses has helped the Law and Medical Schools reach new audiences and has removed barriers to enrolment that previously existed. Both schools are now able to diversify their income, reach a bigger pool of learners and provide a more positive experience for those who’ve learnt with them before. Early data shows both schools have already seen an increase in course enrolment since implementation.
Utilising the features in Canvas and with support from the University’s Short Courses Platform Service, both schools have been able to produce richer course content. For instance, using Canvas’s course collaboration tools, the Law School has successfully engaged professionals working in conflict zones in the Middle East and around the globe, enabling them to contribute to modules exploring peace processes.
Above all, both Law and Medical learners now access courses seamlessly, and learners no longer struggle with fragmented systems that weren’t fit for purpose. Instead, they can focus on what matters: learning, upskilling, and contributing their expertise to some of the UK’s most critical fields.
Canvas LMS has turned short courses into a strategic front door to Edinburgh Law School. A single, trusted experience is helping more professionals find us - and come back.
Neil Davidson
Learning Technologist, Edinburgh Law School
Our goal is simple: make high-quality learning easy for people doing critical work. Canvas LMS gives clinicians a clear, reliable route to the skills they need.
Olga Paterson
Learning Technologist, Edinburgh Medical School
Did you know Olga and Neil from Edinburgh Medical/Law School are presenting at CanvasCon Europe 2025?
Don’t miss the chance to hear more about their excellent work with Canvas LMS and Eduframe. Get your tickets