Learn VLE (Blackboard)
The University's main virtual learning environment (VLE) for most students and staff. It provides access to online teaching, learning and assessment-related materials.
This system has been known historically by different names:
- Blackboard
- Learn
- The VLE
- Ultra
- Yorkshare
- A combination of these.
The system is officially referred to as the Learn VLE.
Key features
- Individual websites for each module taught.
- Provides access to teaching, learning and assessment content.
- Links to related third party tools such as Panopto for videos, Leganto for reading lists, Padlet pin boards, Mentimeter polls, and TurnItIn submissions and originality checks.
Access instructions
Sign in with your York username and password. Duo two-factor authentication is required.
Available to staff and students
You can use this service on University-managed and personal devices.
App and web-based
This service works in your web browser. The mobile app is compatible with Android and iOS.
Free to use
This service is free to use.
Additional information
Usually, staff and students will automatically be given an account ready for when they start at the University.
- Most students gain access when they register for a programme.
- Most staff get access when they start work at the University.
There are some exceptions:
- students studying one of our York Online distance Masters programmes will not have access to the Learn VLE. Instead, they will use the Canvas VLE.
- the Department of Mathematics has moved to using Learn VLE from 2024/25, with content from previous years archived on the Moodle VLE.
Access instructions
Sign in with your York username and password. Duo two-factor authentication is required.
Related tools
Guides and help
How-to guides and set up
- Help logging in to Learn VLE
- Staff guides for the Learn VLE and related tools
- Student guides for the Learn VLE and related tools
- Troubleshooting help
Search all our guides and help
Training and best practice
Staff can visit VLE support pages for guidance on best practice use of our systems, including:
Accessibility
- Learn VLE utilises Ally to allow staff and students to access alternative file types:
- Learn VLE can be used in conjunction with your device’s operating system accessibility settings, and with supported tools such as the Read&Write browser extension.
- Staff Accessibility Guidance.
- Student Accessibility Guidance.
- Learn VLE accessibility statement.
- You can find more accessibility tools in the University's Digital accessibility A-Z.
Contact for support
If you experience issues or have queries whilst using the Learn VLE, please refer to the online support materials or contact the Digital Education Team.
Service commitments
The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.
Availability
- This is a live service, available 24/7.
- Planned maintenance to the Learn VLE and its related systems will be advertised on the VLE homepage and the Digital Education Team’s Linktree account.
- Check the status of this service and any planned maintenance.
Support
- This service is managed by the Digital Education Team (aka VLE Support).
- They are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults. Support is available during their opening hours.
Standards
The Digital Education Team’s service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with customers, and monitor the quality, timeliness and access to facilities and services.
The standard service level agreement for this service is three working days.
We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve this service. Feedback can be sent to the Digital Education Team (vle-support
Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024