Online learning and short courses

The Online Learning team provides UCL staff with support and advice around how to plan and develop new or review existing online courses. These could take many forms, including programmes, individual modules, short courses, and MOOCs.

About online learning at UCL

Although UCL has offered a small number of distance learning programmes for some time, prior to 2020 it remained a nascent form of teaching at the University. Online teaching and learning doesn’t suit everyone or indeed every discipline, but when it is right there can be many benefits to staff and students alike.

Chief among these are flexibility and choice, both in terms of the pace of learning and the ability to balance a course with other commitments. Learners can additionally access research-informed teaching from anywhere in the world, bring professional expertise to their learning (and vice versa), and be part of a rich, global cohort with diverse lived experiences.

A laptop screen showing the words skills, training, knowledge and ability

Learning design

UCL Extend

FutureLearn

Support and advice

If you’re planning to develop an online course, want to learn more, or have been running a distance education programme for years, the Online Learning team would welcome the chance to speak with you.