Learners all over the world will be able to learn with Newcastle University online for free thanks to a new partnership.

It is one of three world-renowned universities to team up with FutureLearn, the UK’s first multi-institution provider of open higher education courses.

Professor Suzanne Cholerton, Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Newcastle University said, “Our partnership with FutureLearn will allow us to expand our existing suite of online programmes with the launch of two massive open online courses (MOOCs) in 2014.

“Newcastle University started delivering online programmes over ten years ago and we now offer a variety of health-related courses ranging from clinical trials to oncology. We have also recently launched a programme in ageing which is one of the University’s major research themes. This new venture will enable us to reach new audiences to give them a taste of Newcastle’s wide-ranging subject expertise.”

The other new higher education partners to join FutureLearn are the University of Liverpool and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. The organisation has also just started working with its first business sponsor BT, the UK's major provider of telecommunications networks and services.

The company will work with FutureLearn’s university partners to develop MOOCs to enhance the knowledge of telecommunications professionals, engineers and technologists worldwide. It also hopes the courses will inspire school and university students to aim for a career in technology.

Clive Selley, CEO, BT Technology Service & Operations and BT Group CIO said: “MOOCs provide a unique opportunity to open up learning to the next generation of scientists and technologists and give everyone the opportunity to benefit from some of the world’s best academics.”

Simon Nelson, CEO of FutureLearn added: “In the two weeks since making the website live to the public, I have been delighted with the growth that FutureLearn continues to experience. These new developments highlight the potential that universities and industry leaders see in developing MOOCs for our website.

“I welcome the University of Auckland, the University of Liverpool and Newcastle University to FutureLearn and look forward to working with them to add to our diverse roster of high quality free courses.”

Adapted from a FutureLearn press release. Please see their website for the full press release.

published on: 3 October 2013