University of York and FutureLearn set out new vision for online learning
Posted on Wednesday 14 October 2026
Following a competitive tender process, FutureLearn has been selected to support the University in marketing and recruiting students to its existing online degree portfolio, while working with York to develop a new model for the future of digital education.
The University of York and FutureLearn first partnered nearly a decade ago to make high-quality York education accessible to learners beyond the University’s campus. That experience has created a significant community of over 330,000 learners worldwide.
Through the partnership, York’s online short courses have expanded global access to York’s teaching and supported its widening participation initiatives, enabling more learners from underrepresented backgrounds to engage with the University.
New chapter
The announcement marks a significant new chapter in the partnership that brings together York’s academic expertise with FutureLearn’s experience and innovation in digital education, learner acquisition, technology and online student recruitment to create a flexible and scalable model for online education.
Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at the University of York, said: “Online learning is one of the ways in which we aim to widen access to higher education for people from a variety of backgrounds, regardless of where they live in the world, and allows us to shape and deliver flexible degrees that fit around the balance of professional ambition and the demands of everyday life.
“FutureLearn have already worked with us for some years now, and bring industry-leading expertise to our online learning community.”
Connected ecosystem
The ambition of the partnership is to move beyond individual online courses and programmes to create a more connected York Online ecosystem, giving learners multiple entry points and clear opportunities to progress through York’s digital education portfolio that can evolve with the needs of learners, employers and the wider higher education sector.
The Rt Hon Lord Jo Johnson, Executive Chairman of FutureLearn, said: “We are proud to deepen our long-standing relationship with the University of York. For nearly ten years, our collaboration on short courses has helped widen access and inform contextual admissions at York.
"This next phase enables us to support the University’s online degree growth, extend its global reach, and co-create an innovative model that sets a new standard for digital higher education in the UK and beyond.”
Recruitment activity for the existing online programmes will begin early in 2027, ahead of the spring 2027 intake.
To find out more about online programmes, visit the online and distance learning webpages.
Further information
FutureLearn is a leading global digital education platform, partnering with universities and organisations around the world to deliver online degrees, short courses, microcredentials and professional certificates.
With a community of nearly 23 million learners and more than a decade of experience working with leading universities, FutureLearn combines digital education, marketing, learner recruitment and product expertise to help institutions expand their reach, develop new digital education opportunities and connect learners with high-quality education. FutureLearn is part of Global University Systems.
