Menu and navigation

We are working on providing improved menu and navigation options in EdWeb 2 by developing a megamenu and reviewing our Information Architecture guidelines.

Information Architecture

The structure and navigation of the sites within EdWeb2 have been designed carefully following extensive user testing and consideration of the University Information Architetchture principles.

You can read about the improvements we made to our Information Architecture Guidelines on the Website and Communications (WAC) blog.

Megamenu for EdWeb 2

Sites on EdWeb 2 will have a horizontal megamenu instead of the left-hand menu previously used in EdWeb.

The placement of the horizontal megamenu at the top of each page allows users to engage with the content of your website 'above the fold', making them more likely to continue their journey on your website.

Meanwhile, dropdowns from the megamenu make it easier to see the content of each section of your website, creating a better user experience.

For updates on the development of the megamenu for EdWeb 2, see the 'menu' articles in the WAC blog:

Aims of the megamenu and updated information architecture

Our aim is to minimise the need for the user to click outside of the website interface while navigating the site. 

The website navigational options and labelling should negate the need for visitors to use their browser navigational tools (such as the back button) because they have confidence in the website interface.

In the menu, any one navigational panel or grouping of links should not contain more than 9 choices. There are exceptions, but only where there is a clear reason for such groupings, such as: 

  • Months of the year
  • Staff lists in alphabetic order
  • Modules of a particular course