FutureLearn and The Open University announce MOOCs for credit

FutureLearn, the social learning platform owned by The Open University, has announced today (26 May 2016) that learners will now be able to use its massive open online courses (MOOCs) to earn academic course credits towards degrees and an MBA, professional qualifications and formal CPD accreditation. 12 FutureLearn Programs* from eight leading higher education institutions from around the world, including The Open University Business School, are rolling out in 2016.

The new Programs on FutureLearn will enable learners to take part in high-quality online courses and deliver access to some of the top universities in the world with degree course modules worth up to 30 UK academic credits. Also launching are a series of Programs that will allow learners to achieve formal professional accreditation with leading institutions. Learners will be able to take part in Programs 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.

The Open University Business School are offering two suites of courses that, when completed, can be used for 15 credits towards the MBA or 30 credits towards the BA in Business Studies.

To gain credits towards the MBA learners must study four MOOCs in The Digital Economy suite, purchase four Certificate of Achievement through FutureLearn and successfully complete the OU Assessment Module. To gain credits towards the BA in Business Studies learners must study eight MOOCs in The Business and Finance Fundamentals suite, purchase eight Certificate of Achievement through FutureLearn and successfully complete the OU Assessment Module.

The Open University Business School is also collaborating with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to offer a program where you can earn a CMI Level 5 Award in Management and Leadership - the first step to Chartered Manager status.

Courses are open for registration on FutureLearn from 26 May, with the first courses starting in June.

To be able to offer a route to credit through MOOCs is an excellent opportunity for The Open University Business School and it showcases our innovative approach to business education.

As well as the clear benefit to individuals, our new programs of MOOCs have real opportunities for organisations. The quality assurance process that underpins Open University Business School MOOCs should provide a level of reassurance to organisations that they offer genuine, high quality learning that creates an enormous opportunity for employees.

The MOOC programs we have launched today are designed with the same pedagogic approach as our qualifications - with practice in mind, and build skills and capabilities within the work place, bringing immediate benefit to employees and their employers.
Terry O'Sullivan
MOOC Programme Director at OUBS

We are delighted to be leading the OU’s innovative business curriculum offerings on developing Employability Skills and doing business in the Digital Economy through FutureLearn. These free MOOCs will further enhance the OU’s commitment to widen the access to high quality educational experience to the global audience.

We have designed a quality assured innovative pathway for these MOOCs to get higher education credit through OU assessment modules and we believe this creates an affordable and low risk opportunity for students to move from non-formal to formal higher education qualifications.
Dr Devendra Kodwani
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) at OUBS

This innovative offer towards 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.
Peter Horrocks
Vice-Chancellor of The Open University

The initial Programs are open for student enrolment from 26 May 2016. Further information is available on the FutureLearn website for the following programs:

* FutureLearn is an international platform with over 70% of its users based outside of the UK. We have therefore adopted the international spelling of Programs to appeal to our wide user base.