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Futurelearn: Everything You Need to Know
By
Cait Steele
Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.
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Kira is a content writer at Scholarships360. Kira earned a Bachelor of Media and Journalism with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Futurelearn is more than your average online learning platform. It’s not just about creating a space where anyone can learn a few new things and move on. Futurelearn wants to help you grow and provide you with the credentials to show it! Futurelearn offers everything from free courses to full degree programs. Keep reading to learn more about Futurelearn and how it might help you keep learning!
Values and missions
It’s important to know what values an institution holds before deciding to make them a part of your educational journey. When applying to a college, you would most likely look over their mission and their values before applying. It’s no different with online learning platforms. So, let’s take a quick look at what Futurelearn values and their mission!
The important thing to know about Futurelearn is that they are driven by purpose, people, and ingenuity. They understand that the world we live in today is full of untapped potential. Futurelearn seeks to engage people from all walks of life who are dedicated to learning together. You can explore their full mission and vision more on their website!
Finding the right path
In order to find the right path on Futurelearn it’s important to know the answers to the questions below. Take a moment to look them over and then take a look at the areas of study that Futurelearn offers.
Questions to consider
- Why are you looking to grow your knowledge?
- What are you looking to grow your knowledge about?
- How much time do you have?
Areas of study
- Business courses in ethics, strategy, finance, marketing, and accounting.
- Creative arts & media arts courses in fiction writing, short films, journalism, and fashion design.
- Healthcare & medicine courses in occupational health, clinical research, veterinary services, and nutrition.
You can view a full list of courses they offer on the Futurelearn website. There are many more categories in addition to the few explored above. Once you know what topics you’re interested in and have a better idea of how much time you have to put into studying, you can choose how you’d like to learn with Futurelearn. They offer several tracks that we will discuss below!
Short courses
Short courses do not offer any certifications, but they are still a great tool for those who are looking to expand their knowledge by exploring new topics. If, after completing a short course, you would like to upgrade and receive a certificate, you have the option!
A short course is designed to take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours of learning. Courses are broken down into manageable lessons and include all the materials you’ll need. And the best part? Most short courses are available for free!
Expert tracks
Expert tracks are the next step up from short courses. These plans are designed to make you an expert fast! This level of learning does offer certifications, though it does not offer academic credit.
Completing an expert track does cost more, however, they do offer a one week free trial so you can be sure a course is right for you. Expert tracks take between 20 to 120 learning hours and can be a great resource to help you excel in a given subject.
Microcredentials
Microcredentials require a little more time and commitment than the above two options. With short courses and expert tracks, there are no specific start or end dates. However, microcredentials offer features made possible through start and end dates to courses.
While this may feel inconvenient, the pros are that you will receive tutor support and work within a small cohort of other people who are also taking the course. Academic credit is available after completion of microcredential courses, which take between 100 and 150 hours.
Online degrees
Believe it or not, online degrees are available through Futurelearn. Various degree programs from a plethora of various universities are available. If you’ve been using Futurelearn for a bit, or you feel that a traditional degree isn’t for you, it may be worth exploring their online degree options!
Each degree option will be slightly different, however, in order to help answer your questions, there is a helpful option where you can request information about a degree and the school that offers it.
Alternatives to Futurelearn
When it comes to online learning options, Futurelearn is just one of many. In order to make sure it is the right fit for you, it’s a good idea to consider your alternatives. These include Google Certificates, Coursera, Udacity, and many others. For an extensive list of alternatives to consider, check out our list of the top 10 online learning platforms!
Related: Top scholarships for online students
Key Takeaways
Frequently asked questions about Futurelearn
Can you cancel Futurelearn at any time?
What if I live in a different time zone than where my class is being taught?
Do I need to be online at certain times?
Does Futurelearn have an app?
