MoocLab Study Shows UK MOOC Market is Losing Momentum

IPSWICH, England, March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Emerging data from a study conducted by e-learning resource website MoocLab.club show a dramatic drop in the number of new MOOCs provided by UK based universities in 2014 compared to 2013, that UK MOOCs represent just a tiny fraction of the global MOOC market, and that smaller enrolment numbers and shorter courses lead to higher completion rates. The findings of this UK MOOC Report are presented today by Carolyn McIntyre, CEO at MoocLab.club.

The study analysed data collected from 30 UK-based universities and institutions which provided at least one scheduled MOOC between February 2012 and November 2015. The report aimed to provide an insight into student interest in UK MOOCs, course completion rates as well as the impact played by certain criteria such as the course length or workload on student enrolment numbers and completion rates. The study also looked at MOOC growth in the UK and how the UK market compared to the global MOOC market.

A total of 182 scheduled MOOCs between February 2012 and November 2015 were recorded across 30 different providers and delivered through 5 different platforms.

Key findings: 

• MOOCs offered on a massive scale were first launched in the UK in 2013. The University of Edinburgh and The University of London were the first UK universities to offer massive open online courses through the US-based MOOC platform, Coursera.
• The majority of MOOCs provided by UK institutions were first launched in 2014, which saw more new MOOCs being offered by UK institutions than any other year so far.
• The progression in the number of MOOCs offered by UK institutions showed a dramatic increase of close to 500% in 2014 compared to 2013. The number of new MOOCs being launched, however, saw a decline of 20% in 2015.
• 2013 saw the highest average number of enrolled students per course with numbers falling by 44% in 2014 and rising again very slightly during 2015.
• 77% of courses were delivered via UK-based MOOC platform FutureLearn, and 19% via Coursera.
• Courses run through Coursera attracted on average twice the number of students enrolled on courses delivered through FutureLearn. However, course completion rates were 50% higher for courses delivered via FutureLearn compared to Coursera.
• Courses in Education, Personal Development, Computer Science and Humanities were among the most popular, and Physical Science & Engineering & Life Science courses were the least popular.
• The highest course completion rates were observed in courses in Life Sciences, Humanities and Education.
• Overall, two-week courses with a workload of 12 hours performed the best in terms of student enrolment and completion rates.

MoocLab's primary mission is to promote and raise awareness of online education through the publication of useful and informative content with a view to aiding learners to make the right informed choices in the context of online learning, and to facilitate and encourage the delivery of quality online educational resources.

Download full report

About MoocLab 
MoocLab.club is a community site at the heart of connecting people to online learning via forums, free guides, information & independent reviews for e-Learning enthusiasts. The site aims to provide a centralised resource for people to interact around online learning, obtain information and guidance as well as news and insights on MOOCs and e-learning. http://www.mooclab.club/

SOURCE MoocLab