Major UK universities, including Leeds and The Open University, are set to offer a new route into higher education – enabling learners to earn credits towards qualifications like degrees, MBA or professional accreditation via massive open online courses (MOOCs).
In a European first, learners will be able to take a series of short courses on the OU’s social learning platform, FutureLearn, which can then form part of a credit-bearing university module, earning up to 30 credits. FutureLearn has also unveiled a number of programmes to achieve valuable professional qualifications and CPD accreditation.
OU Vice-Chancellor, Peter Horrocks, said:
This innovative offer of credit is a clear demonstration of the disruptive potential of MOOCs in offering more efficient, competitive and learner-focused study options. It is a modern illustration of the OU’s historic mission to extend quality education to the greatest number of people possible.
“The OU is deeply proud of FutureLearn, the world’s leading social learning platform, and a fantastic advert for UK higher education,” he added
The model offers students the option to ‘try before they buy,’ as they can take the series of short courses on FutureLearn before deciding whether to buy the certificates of achievement required to enrol on the formal assessment module. The new programmes also represent an overall cost saving when compared with the standard qualification entry route. Further details on how the process works is available on the FutureLearn website.
The OU courses being launched as part of the new Programs initiative have all come from The Open University Business School (OUBS). They include:
- The Digital Economy, offering a path to 15 credits towards the OUBS MBA
- Business and Finance Fundamentals, offering the chance to earn 30 credits towards the OUBS BA in Business Management
- Management and Leadership, offering the first step towards becoming a Chartered Manager (in conjunction with the Chartered Management Institute)
Unique and flexible approach
Simon Nelson, CEO of FutureLearn, said: “Allowing people to take part of a degree course with the flexibility offered by our platform means that they can achieve meaningful qualifications whilst still being able to work and manage the other important parts of their lives.
“Our unique approach means that learners will be supported through a social learning experience that allows them to learn with thousands of people from all over the world and collaborate within small groups.”
FutureLearn have also published more details on a series of programmes that will allow learners to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development and achieve formal professional accreditation from leading institutions such as St George’s (University of London), the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and the British Council.
As with the academic credit programmes, learners will be able to take part for free, trying out the course experience and checking its suitability for them before making the decision to pay for a Certificate of Achievement or the final assessment.
