FutureLearn’s 2021: Year in Review
In 2021, FutureLearn gained 2M learners, appointed a new CEO, and introduced close to 100 ExpertTracks.
In 2021, FutureLearn gained 2 million new learners, more than the 1.3 million from 2019, and less than the 5 million from 2020, during the pandemic boost. More than 17 million learners have joined FutureLearn since the company was established in 2013.
After 9 months of operation with an interim CEO following the resignation of Simon Nelson, the company’s first CEO, at the end of 2020, Andrew (Andy) Hancock took up the reins in October.
Now, FutureLearn has over 250 partners; 108 of them are universities.
2021 saw the introduction of FutureLearn’s first subscription-based ExpertTracks. Two-thirds of ExpertTracks are produced by specialist organizations rather than universities.
For Class Central‘s complete analysis of FutureLearn’s 2021, keep reading. For our previous years’ analyses, follow the links:
- FutureLearn’s 2020: Year in Review
- FutureLearn’s 2019: Year in Review
- FutureLearn’s 2018: Year in Review
- FutureLearn’s 2017: Year in Review
- FutureLearn’s 2016: Year in Review
By the Numbers
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Courses1 | 578 | 736 | 883 | 1,158 | 1,377 |
| Microcredentials/Programs | 13 | 22 | 35 | 68 | 67 |
| Academic Certificates2 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
| Degrees2 | 4 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 24 |
| Learners | 7.1M | 8.7M | 10.0M | 14M | 17M |
| ExpertTracks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
- [1] The numbers represent the total number of courses offered in that particular year.
- [2] Graduate and Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are listed under academic certificates, not under degrees.
Courses
The number of active courses on the platform increased to 1377 (up from 1158 last year). Data collected by Class Central shows that in 2021, FutureLearn launched 591 new courses, 306 of which are new free MOOCs.
Around 40% of courses launched by FutureLearn came from non-universities.
Below, you can see FutureLearn’s ten most popular MOOCs launched in 2021. Enrollments in these ten courses totalled 209k, with the top two accounting for more than half of this number.
Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People was the most popular course by far.
Most Popular 2021 Courses by enrollment:
Several of these courses made it into this year’s list of the 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses from all providers.
40 FutureLearn courses also made it onto Class Central’s Best Online Courses of All Time list.
ExpertTracks
January 2021 saw the launch of a new subscription-based model, ExpertTrack. During the year, nearly 100 ExpertTracks were launched attracting over 26k enrollments, according to our data. Around one third are offered by universities including The University of Michigan, University of Leeds, and Coventry University. Other ExpertTracks are offered by a wide range of partners including National STEM Learning Centre, ClickSlice, British Council, and BBC Good Food.
Microcredentials and Programs
WIth the introduction of ExpertTracks, the total number of regular microcredentials and programs has stagnated. 67 are currently listed, which is one less than last year. But a closer look shows that 50 of these offer university credit, up from 30 in 2020. As with any university course, before enrolling you need to check if you can transfer the credit if your degree will be issued by a different university.
A few microcredentials offer a certificate issued by FutureLearn or its partner for the course.
Microcredentials are generally not available for free audit. As in the past, courses in Programs can generally be audited for free. Programs may be the loser from the rise of ExpertTracks, with only 9 listed in late 2021, compared to 36 in 2020.
Academic Certificates
FutureLearn currently offers one postgraduate diploma and 16 graduate/postgraduate certificates, one fewer than last year. To be eligible to apply, learners need to already hold an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree. Academic certificates can be found on FutureLearn’s Degrees page. Some entries offer a choice of a Masters or a Graduate Certificate.
Online Degrees
Two bachelor’s degrees and 22 master’s degrees are currently available for new enrollments, down from last year.
Previously, some degrees cost the same for UK and EU students. Some prices and conditions may have changed for EU students following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Some degree costs have decreased for UK students, while some have increased for international students. Some have not changed from 2020.
| Degree Name | University | Cost |
| [+] MA Educational Leadership* | Coventry University | N/A |
| [+] MSc Digital Marketing with Data Analytics | Coventry University | UK students – £14,250
International students – £17,900 |
| [+] MSc Global Healthcare Management | Coventry University | UK students – £10,400
International students – £16,600 |
| BA Management and Leadership | Coventry University | UK students – £9,250 (per year) International students – £13,900 (per year) |
| Bachelor of Arts | University of Newcastle | N/A |
| MSc Project Management | Anglia Ruskin University | N/A |
| MSc Mental Health | Anglia Ruskin University | £7,250 |
| MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing | Anglia Ruskin University | £7,250 |
| Master of Business Administration | Coventry University | N/A |
| MBA (Marketing) | Coventry University | UK students – £15,450
International students – £18,950 |
| MBA (Cyber Security Management) | Coventry University | UK students – £15,450
International students – £18,950 |
| MBA (Health Care Sector) | Coventry University | UK students – £15,450
International students – £18,950 |
| MBA (Sustainable Tourism) | Coventry University | UK students – £15,450
International students – £18,950 |
| MBA (Artificial Intelligence) | Coventry University & Institute of Coding | UK students – £15,450
International students – £18,950 |
| MBA International Human Resource Management | Coventry University | UK and International students – £20,100 |
| MSc Business and Organisational Psychology | Coventry University | UK students – £10,400
International students – £16,600 |
| MSc Construction Management with BIM | Coventry University | UK students – £10,400
International students – £16,600 |
| MSc Construction Project and Cost Management | Coventry University | UK students – £10,400
International students – £16,600 |
| MSc Cyber Security | Coventry University & Institute of Coding | UK students – £15,450
International students – £16,600 |
| MSc Disaster Management and Resilience | Coventry University | N/A |
| MSc Emergency Management and Resilience | Coventry University | N/A |
| Masters Degree in Leadership | Deakin University | $19,450 AUD |
| Masters Degree in Digital Learning Leadership | Deakin University | $14,850 AUD |
| MSc End of Life Studies | University of Glasgow | £12,450 |
| [-] Masters Degree in Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action | Deakin University | $12,400 AUD |
| [-] Cyber Security | Deakin University | N/A |
| [-] Information Technology Leadership | Deakin University | $19,150 AUD |
| [-] MSc Nursing | Coventry University | £14,700 |
| [-] MSc Global Logistics | Coventry University | £16,600 |
| [-] MA Management (Advanced Standing) | Coventry University | £4,600 |
| [-] BSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management | Coventry
University |
N/A |
| [-] BA in International Business (Top Up) | Coventry
University |
£9,250 (UK/EU students) £13,900 (International students) |
[*] MA Educational Leadership offers a choice of a fully online version or a blended version; the blended version combines online distance learning with two 3-day face-to-face residential seminars.
FutureLearn Partners
FutureLearn now boasts more than 250 partners, up from 202 last year.
Post-Pandemic
After the 2020 explosion of online learning, FutureLearn, like other course providers, found 2021 quieter, but new courses continue to be released. In 2021, driven by the predominantly non-university-created ExpertTracks, a lower percentage are from universities.
New CEO
After Simon Nelson resigned as CEO at the end of 2020, Josh Nester stepped up as interim CEO. In October, Andrew (Andy) Hancock quietly slipped into the CEO position. He has experience in growing businesses in a competitive market. Another recent appointment is Yvonne Chien who joined FutureLearn as Chief Growth Officer in September. She will focus on commercial strategy, data and marketing.
