Online Courses: The University of Basel Cooperates With British Platform FutureLearn

FutureLearn offers massive open online courses (MOOCs) with academic standing in which everybody may participate for free. The British platform currently has more than 220 courses and over a million registered users. The first MOOC from the University of Basel will be published on FutureLearn by the end of the year. Production of the first courses that focus on the thematic focal areas of the university is underway.

Promoting global knowledge transfer

The University of Basel has decided to engage in the development of MOOCs as it wishes to enhance its visibility worldwide and aims at promoting its excellence in teaching and research. At the same time MOOCs stimulate the global exchange between students and support the efforts of internationalization. The productions of these online courses are also meant to encourage creative approaches to teaching at the university. The courses will expand the range of programs for students in Basel in the future, and encourage research-oriented training and education on the international stage.

“The University of Basel has chosen FutureLearn as their partner for MOOCs because the platform places a high priority on the quality of the courses offered,” states Professor Maarten Hoenen, Vice Rector for Teaching and Development. “Quality management and usability are of major importance to the platform.”

A network of leading institutions

In addition FutureLearn has many partners that are highly attractive to the University of Basel. As of today more than 40 institutions are affiliated with FutureLearn, including universities that already have a joint program with the University of Basel as the University of Cape Town, and renowned institutions as the British Library and the British Museum. FutureLearn also collaborates with BBC and the National Film and Television School.

The MOOCs will be produced at the New Media Center of the University of Basel. After a piloting phase the University plans to produce three MOOCs every year, covering the strategically most important areas the University has to offer. Excellent educators eager to experiment with new forms of teaching will conceive the Basel MOOCs.

FutureLearn Chief Executive Simon Nelson said of the partnership: “As a research-intensive institution, the University of Basel provides a valuable gateway to some of the most cutting edge developments coming out of Switzerland. I am delighted that learners all over the world will get to experience those insights through free online courses on FutureLearn.”

Further information

Matthias Geering, University of Basel, Head of Communications & Marketing, phone: +41 61 267 35 75, cell: +41 79 269 70 71, email: matthias.geering@unibas.ch