M06b - Enrolment key

Keywords: enrol, self-enrolment, password, key

What is it?

The enrolment key is a password which gives any logged in Moodle user (think: potential student) access to your course. 

Why use it?

They are useful because they can be memorable, given out to students but also prevent others from accessing your course materials. 

Who can use it?

Tutors and Course Administrators can set them. 

Students and other staff use them to log in, depending on what roles the staff set up to access the course via enrolment keys.

Before I start...

Think of a suitable password. Make the key easy for someone else to copy/write down but don't set it to the same as the course or module title - as these are too easy to guess. You may click the Unmask option to view your key in plain-text. For example a colour e.g. 'purple' is easy to spell, doesn't use any special characters, but is difficult to guess.

How do I set one up?

There are are few options to specify when setting up an enrolment key, such as student enrolment duration, start/end dates, maximum number of enrolled users and the course welcome message - which is emailed to all new students in your course (and can be an effective introductory touch)  

From within your course click the Settings navigation tab, if you are within an activity you may need to expand the Course administration sub-menu. From within Course administration expand Users and then expand Enrolment methods. Click on the 'Edit' pencil alongside Self enrolment (Student). This will load a page of options, including where to set the Enrolment key. If no key is set, you may enter any key phrase or term into this area.

Caution

When selecting a suitable enrolment key:

• Don't use the course code or name.
• Don't use something too complicated. E.g. stick to all lowercase letters, no special characters and something easy to spell.

Examples and case studies

-

Questions & Answers

-

Further information

-