Learning Management System

New Learning Management System announced

We are pleased to confirm that a new Learning Management System (LMS) has been selected to support the future of learning and teaching at Imperial. We aim for Canvas to be rolled out by the beginning of academic year 2026-27. 

This decision follows a comprehensive and transparent procurement process. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed, your input has been instrumental in reaching this important milestone. 

To ensure a smooth and successful rollout, the Canvas implementation teams will be working in close collaboration with the DEPP Team and key stakeholders across Imperial.  

In the meantime, please consult our updated FAQs for implementation information. For any additional queries, you are welcome to contact your faculty or area's LMS Learning Technologist or DEPP representative. 

Imperial Decision on New Learning Management System  

We are pleased to confirm that a new Learning Management System (LMS) has been selected to support the future of learning and teaching at Imperial. This decision follows a comprehensive and transparent procurement process. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed, your input has been instrumental in reaching this important milestone. 

As we are still in the procurement phase, we are unable to disclose the name of the selected supplier until contractual negotiations are finalised. We will share details about the LMS supplier and implementation process in the autumn, once the procurement phase is complete. 

To ensure a smooth and successful rollout, the supplier’s implementation teams will be working in close collaboration with the DEPP Project Team and key stakeholders across Imperial. 

In the meantime, please consult our updated FAQ’s for implementation specific information. For any additional queries, you are welcome to contact your Faculty or area's LMS Learning Technologist or DEPP representative.

Product Demonstrations Complete 

At the end of March, each of the shortlisted LMS suppliers visited Imperial to deliver product demonstrations and take part in Q&A sessions with the project team and key DEPP representatives. The events were filled with exciting presentations and demonstrations from the suppliers, along with stimulating discussions on how the Imperial community could benefit from each of the shortlisted LMS’. 

We would like to thank all those who attended the events for their contributions, engagement and energy. 

Proof of Concept Testing Underway 

In April, a significant milestone for the project was reached with testing of each of the potential new LMS’ beginning across Imperial. The shortlisted LMS suppliers have provided testers with sandbox environments to complete test scripts specifically designed by the LMS LTs to ensure the shortlisted products meet Imperial’s needs. 

When all test scripts have been completed, the results will be scored, analysed and reviewed as part of the final LMS selection decision. 

Procurement Phase – Final Steps 

Once testing has concluded, final consultation with key DEPP representatives and review of all suppliers and their systems will take place. A decision will then be made on which supplier and LMS for the Imperial community is preferred, followed by contract negotiations and implementation, scheduled to begin in late 2025. 

Tender Evaluation: Stage 1 complete 

After concluding scoring of all responses to the Invitation to Tender received from potential LMS suppliers earlier this year, we have now shortlisted our final selection of suppliers who will be progressing to the next stage of the evaluation process. 

Stage 2: Product Demonstrations & Proof of Concept Testing 

The next stage of the evaluation process, scheduled to begin in late March, will see potential LMS suppliers give demonstrations of their products to the LMS project team and key DEPP representatives.  

From April, extensive Proof of Concept testing of the potential systems will begin across Imperial, using test scenarios specifically designed by the LMS LTs. 

Once the evaluation process is complete, final consultation and review of all suppliers and their systems will be undertaken, before a final decision on which new LMS will be selected for Imperial is made. 

Tender Evaluation 

Having issued the Invitation to Tender to several potential LMS suppliers at the end of last year, we are now awaiting their Tender responses which, once received, will undergo rigorous scoring and shortlisting to determine which of these suppliers will move to the next stage of the evaluation process. 

Next Steps: Proof of Concept Testing 

Scheduled for Spring 2025, shortlisted LMS products will undergo Proof of Concept testing; a critical piece of work designed to help ensure any new LMS product chosen is fit for purpose.  

In preparation for this, the project team has developed a comprehensive set of test scenarios which will be used to test potential LMS products. 

User Story Consolidation Complete

Over the last few months, the project team and your Faculty / area representatives have successfully consolidated and synthesized over 1800 collected user stories from across Imperial, to a final total of c.1000 that we are confident are an accurate representation of your requirements for a new LMS.

These user stories have been included in the Invitation to Tender issued to potential LMS suppliers, marking a significant milestone and achievement for the project. 

We would again like to thank all the academics, learning designers, students, administrators, course leaders, ed-tech staff, ICT specialists etc. who have given their thoughts, ideas and time during this important stage of the project.

Proof of Concept Testing Preparation

Ahead of the Proof of Concept testing of potential LMS products scheduled for next Spring, the LMS LTs have begun exciting work creating representative personas of Imperial LMS users and preparing test scenarios to ensure any new LMS product selected is fit for purpose.

Milestone Achieved

Over the past six months the LMS learning technologists (LTs) have been busy engaging with academics, learning designers, students, administrators, course leaders, ICT specialists etc. across Imperial, listening to your thoughts and ideas to understand your needs and priorities for a new LMS.

To date, the LMS LTs have collected c.1000 unconsolidated user stories from all corners of Imperial and we would like to sincerely thank those who contributed for their time and enthusiasm in this fundamental stage of the project.

Next Steps

From October, the project team and your faculty/ area representative will be working together to consolidate the user stories for inclusion in the Invitation to Tender (ITT), to be issued in November.

We are delighted to now have a full contingent of LMS LTs on the project so for faculty specific updates please do approach them directly if you have any questions:

We were delighted to welcome the first of our, currently, eight LMS learning technologists (LTs) to the project at the beginning of April.

Following rigorous requirements gathering training, the LMS LTs have now started organising workshops, interviews, focus groups and drop-ins to collect your thoughts and ideas to feed into user stories.

Given the significant scale of the project and the feedback that we have received, we are extremely keen to speak to academics, students at all stages and types of study, and support staff e.g. education technologists, administrators, learning designers etc.

Please do take the opportunity and look out for emails and local/ faculty-based advertisements from your LMS LT representatives, to ensure that your views and needs are documented.  

Alternatively, if you are unable to participate in the activities scheduled but would still like to register your thoughts, please do approach your LMS LTs directly:

This is a critical stage for the project and we very much welcome your feedback as to what you need from your LMS.