Course settings

Why use it?

Moodle course settings control everything about how a course appears, functions, and is accessed - including course information, layout, visibility and completion tracking. Users with Teacher Editor or Manager permissions have the ability to update course settings as required.

Step 1: Access the course settings menu

Select Settings from the course navigation menu.

Open

Course settings menu

Step 2: Review course settings

General

Course full name

This is the name that will be displayed in the searchable course index. Course full names are normally followed by the academic year (e.g. XY100 - Studies in Important Things 2026/27)

Course short name

Course module code followed by academic year (e.g. XY100_2526).

Course category

Course category is used by Moodle administrators to ensure the archiving and rollover process functions effectively and efficiently. Please check with the Digital Education team if you have any questions about this setting and before making updates.

Course visibility

Updates the course visibility setting to Hide or Show. If a course is hidden, Students will be unable to access it and the course name will appear greyed out in course searches. A hidden course is accessible for all users with editing permissions.

Course start / end date

The course start and end date dates impact a range of Moodle behaviours, including when automatic course enrolments commence and the date the course moves into ‘Read only’ status as part of Moodle archiving. Please check with the Digital Education team if you have any questions about this setting and before making updates. See further guidance onMoodle Rollover and Archiving Process - FAQ - Moodle How-Tos - LSE Digital Education Guides

Course ID number

This field impacts a range of important functions, including the automatic course enrolment integration. It is only editable by Moodle administrators.

Description

Course summary

A short course description that normally provides the contents of the course and its objectives. It is displayed on the enrolment page of a course that users are not yet enrolled in.

Course image

Image displayed in search results and in the course background.

Course format

Format

Structures course content into different layouts.

See further guidance on use of Course Formats

Appearance

Menu options to control whether students can see gradebook, activity reports and activity dates.

Files and uploads

Sets course maximum upload size, set to course upload limit by default.

Completion tracking

Enables completion tracking and controls whether student can see completion conditions.

Groups

Menu to manage groups and groupings within a Moodle course. See further guidance on use of Groups and Groupings - Moodle How-Tos - LSE Digital Education Guides