Free online uni courses backed by Warwick

**The University of Warwick is taking part in a scheme which will provide free, online access to selected courses for students worldwide through FutureLearn Ltd, a new independent company launched and majority-owned by the Open University.**

The scheme aims to bring together a range of simple-to-use and accessible free online courses from leading UK universities including Warwick, Birmingham, King’s College London and St. Andrews. Partner institutions will be responsible for their own content and the Open University will facilitate course delivery and infrastructure.

Professor Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor of Warwick, said that Warwick would be “delighted” to bring its experience of delivering innovative online teaching to the initiative as part of an “exciting “ way for teaching and learning opportunities in the UK to be experienced by a global audience.

FurtureLearn aims to benefit students in the UK and worldwide by widening access to higher education as well as UK universities and their courses by promoting them to international students. One second-year Politics student described the scheme as “suiting Warwick perfectly” because of the international breadth in taught modules.

The scheme is based on the US “Massive Open Online Course” (MOOC) model. Before FutureLearn, UK universities were limited to working with US platforms. FutureLearn CEO Simon Nelson, argues that a UK program will “create something the UK will be proud of and the world will want to be a part of”.

Mr Nelson emphasised that the focus would be on providing quality education rather than targeting large numbers but predicted that the scheme would attract millions.

The news comes after the University of Edinburgh became the first university in the UK to offer full online courses, of which there will be six starting from January.

[Speaking to the _Boar_ in November](https://theboar.org/news/2012/nov/25/online-courses-future-university-education/), first-year History student Kate Balzan said: “It actually sounds like a really good option, considering the current economic climate.

“You don’t have to worry about having to take out a loan. Also it would be great for older people who are very busy but want to get back into education, as they can easily fit the course into their schedule.”

Futurelearn will announce future details of its structure and courses early in the New Year.

A spokesperson for the University told the _Boar_: “Everyone can benefit from Futurelearn as it offers free access to high quality university teaching from leading UK universities to anyone from around the world with internet access who wants it.”