FAQs

Imperial is upgrading its digital education environment with the introduction of a new Learning Management System (LMS), powered by Canvas.

This change is being delivered by the centrally based Digital Education Platform Project (DEPP) to achieve a single LMS for the whole university. You can visit the project team webpage to find out who has been involved in the overarching approach to Canvas thus far. Our goal is to provide a world-class, user-focused digital education experience that makes teaching and learning easier, more consistent, and more engaging.

The new Canvas LMS will replace Blackboard and Insendi currently used by faculties, creating one central hub for learning and teaching. This change aligns with Imperial’s strategic goals for digital transformation and a commitment to equitable, accessible learning. We are also reviewing other systems that could transition to Canvas and will keep you updated.

Staff and students will benefit from a modern interface, improved access, and a consistent experience across departments.

This upgrade will bring greater efficiency, better insights, improved accessibility, and smarter decision-making, helping Imperial stay at the forefront of digital education.

We would encourage you to set aside some time to attend our Awareness and Training Sessions (dates to be confirmed) and familiarise yourself with our walkthrough videos (to be uploaded soon).

Whether you are a member of staff or a student, your voice matters. We will provide multiple opportunities to share your feedback, join training sessions, and attend workshops during the transition. Feedback surveys will be issued regularly, and we will also capture input at every stage to ensure the new platform meets your needs.

We will keep you up to date with launch dates and the actions you need to take via our project webpages and your departmental contacts.

Change Enablers from your area will also be available to cascade information and provide support. In addition, learning resources will be available, including hands-on training, walkthrough videos, reference guides, and day-in-the-life scenarios.

We have partnered with an LMS migration specialist to ensure a smooth and secure transfer of all teaching and learning data to Canvas. Our Learning Designers and Technologists will prepare the content in the correct format behind the scenes and may contact you if any input is required. They will also be available to provide guidance and support throughout the migration process.

We are working with Instructure to ensure a smooth and secure transfer of all teaching and learning data to Canvas. Our Learning Designers and Technologists will prepare the content in the correct format behind the scenes and may contact you if any input is required. They will also be available to provide guidance and support throughout the migration process.

If you have any questions, please visit our contact webpages.

You will be supported through the transition process with a range of support and learning resources and we will tell you much more about the benefits of the Canvas LMS as we move closer to launch dates.

In the meantime, here are just some of the benefits to us as individuals and as an organisation. 

• A seamless experience: One unified platform replacing multiple legacy systems for easier navigation and consistency.
• Designed for you: Intuitive, user-friendly tools that make teaching and learning simpler and more engaging.
• Future ready: A modern, scalable solution that supports innovation and adapts to evolving educational needs.
• Collaboration made easy: Enhanced communication and resource sharing across faculties and teams.
• Reliable support: Dedicated learning technologists and robust training to support you with a smooth transition.
• Accessible and inclusive: Features like screen reader compatibility, alternative text, and customisable settings enable every student to engage fully and equitably.

We will provide you with a preparation checklist of activities in advance, but in the meantime, we are anticipating the following activities will be required:

The new LMS will go live in for our Academic year 2026/27, and our priority is a smooth launch and sustained adoption.

We will keep you up to date with dates for your area via direct communications, team briefings and on these project webpages.

We are also planning to build a network of Change Enables – representatives from your areas of the university who will help cascade information and provide support. Keep a lookout for additional information on these project webpages introducing your Change Enablers.

We will provide dedicated support for departments, centres, institutes, and services. Due to the size and complexity of the Canvas implementation, we will phase our approach and are working to the following milestones:

Please note that Earth Sciences ESESIS and Computer Science Scientia will not be impacted. 

We are working hard to ensure that we minimise disruption during the transition and that your move across to the new Canvas LMS is as seamless as possible. Our programme team includes:

• Sponsor: Professor Alan Spivey - Interim Vice Provost (Education and Student Experience)
• The team is led by stakeholders across the university and supported by experienced Education Office staff
• Change Enablers from your area will also be on hand to cascade information and provide a point of contact and support
• EdTech labs and Learning Technologists will form part of the Training and Support team, and we will tell you more about the new Canvas LMS and how it has been tailored to meet the needs of departments.

Yes, our new Canvas LMS will have the same look and feel wherever you are in the university, and our new ways of working will be rolled out across all of our teams.

Yes, our central communications teams will ensure that all students are made aware of the introduction of the new Canvas LMS platform as we move closer to launch. Local communications teams will also support the rollout of announcements by working alongside project team members to provide more bespoke approaches when required. 

Students are exposed to significant amounts of information in their daily life at Imperial. To encourage sustained interest and engagement with announcements, communications with students will be prioritised for phases of the project in which there are clear ‘calls-to-action'.

For example, as we near the student onboarding phase of the project, learning technologists, ICT, and communications colleagues will work together with Canvas developers to ensure training resources and opportunities are widely promoted across programmes in advance of academic year 2026/7.