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Difference Between Instructor-paced and Self-paced Courses

Understand Course Pacing Models in Open edX

Overview

The choice between Instructor-Paced and Self-Paced course modes is one of the most important decisions you will make during the course creation process in Studio. This setting dictates how your content is released and how learners interact with deadlines.

Note: Ensure you have logged in to Open edX Studio before proceeding. You can find this setting under Settings > Schedule & Details.

Instructor-Paced Courses

Instructor-Paced courses follow a structured timeline set by the course team. This mode is ideal for courses that require a cohort of learners to move through the material together.

  • Fixed Release Dates: You control exactly when each Section and Subsection becomes visible to learners.

  • Hard Deadlines: Assignments and exams have specific due dates. Once the deadline passes, learners can no longer submit work for a grade.

  • Cohort Experience: Because everyone accesses the same material at the same time, discussion forums tend to be more active and focused on current topics.

  • Certificate Generation: Certificates are typically generated in bulk once the course reaches its official end date.

Screenshot 2026-05-18 at 2.02.42 PM

Self-Paced Courses

Self-Paced courses offer maximum flexibility, allowing learners to progress through the material as quickly or as slowly as they wish.

  • Immediate Access: All published course content is available to the learner as soon as the Course Start Date occurs.

  • Flexible Deadlines: There are no fixed due dates for assignments. Learners only need to complete the work before the overall Course End Date.

  • Suggested Schedules: Learners can opt-in to a "Personalized Learning Schedule" that provides suggested target dates based on their own enrollment date to help them stay on track.

  • On-Demand Certificates: Learners can receive their certificates immediately upon reaching the passing threshold, rather than waiting for the course to end.

Screenshot 2026-05-18 at 2.04.42 PM

Feature

 Instructor-Paced Self-Paced
Pacing Guided and synchronous. Flexible and independent.
Content Availability Released on specific dates. All available on the Course Start Date.
Assignment Deadlines Strict, fixed dates and times. No fixed dates; work must be done by Course End.
Best For Cohort-based learning and live sessions. Continuous enrollment and professional training.

Important Procedures & Rules

  1. Selection Timing: You must select your course pacing before the course starts. Once the Course Start Date has passed and learners have enrolled, the pacing mode cannot be changed.

  2. Changing Modes: To change the mode before the start date:

    • Navigate to Settings > Schedule & Details.

    • Find the Course Pacing section.

    • Select your preferred mode and click Save Changes.

  3. Subsection Settings: Even in a Self-Paced course, you must still "Publish" your units for them to be visible, but you do not need to set individual release dates for Subsections.