Add access restrictions to Moodle content
Updated on: 23 April 2026
Control the availability and visibility of course content with access restrictions.
Overview
The restrict access feature lets you apply conditional release criteria to course content.
You can apply access restrictions to the following items.
- Activities and resources
- Sections and subsections
You can add more than one restriction to the same item.
In addition to controlling access, you can also use restrictions to control the visibility of an item. This means you can choose whether students can see the item but not access it yet, or whether it is completely hidden until the conditions are met.
Prerequisite: You must have an editing role in a course to add access restrictions.
Condition options
There are various restrict access conditions to choose from. Most conditions are core functionality. Where used, plugin functionality is clearly indicated.
| Condition | Student access depends on |
|---|---|
| Activity completion | Finishing a specific activity or resource |
| Date | A set date and time (from or until) |
| Grade | Achieving a required grade in an activity |
| Group | Being in a specific group |
| Grouping | Being in a specific grouping |
| User profile | Information in Moodle profile, for example, email address |
| Section completion plugin | Completing all activities in a selected section |
| Restriction set | Meeting multiple conditions combined with advanced rules |
When certain conditions can be used
Some restriction conditions are only available when certain features have already been set up in the course, or require additional understanding.
Activity completion
Appears only when completion tracking is on and at least one activity has completion enabled.
Group
Appears only if groups have been created in the course.
Grouping
Appears only if groupings have been created in the course.
Section completion
Always appears, but only works if completion tracking is on and activities in the chosen section or subsection have completion enabled.
Selecting a section does not include any subsections within it
If you want an item to stay restricted until everything in a section and its subsections is complete, you must add a restriction for the main section and for each subsection separately.
Visibility options
When setting restrict access conditions on an item, you can control how the item appears to students using the eye icon.
In most cases, leaving the eye open provides a better user experience, as it helps students understand what is coming up and why access may be restricted.
Visible but restricted (eye open)
Item is shown in the course, but students who do not meet the condition cannot access it. They will see a message explaining why it is unavailable.
Hidden (eye shut)
Item is completely hidden from students who do not meet the condition. They will not see it at all in the course. If multiple conditions are used, a hidden condition takes priority over visible ones.
Add a restriction
- Open the Edit menu (⋮) next to the item
- Select Edit settings
- Expand Restrict access
- Click Add restriction…
- Choose the condition you want
- Set the required criteria
- Decide whether to leave the eye icon open or shut
- Click Save changes
The restriction appears under the item on the course page, where you can quickly edit it if needed.
Restrictions at rollover
Access restrictions are copied into the new course if your School requests Moodle content be copied as part of their rollover. After rollover, review and update your restrictions in the new course. For example, check and change any date-based restrictions so they match the new course timeline.
Moodle documentation
For more information, refer to the Moodle documentation on restrict access.
Links to external sites and information
The University is not liable for external web content and may not be aware when this content is changed or removed.