11 FutureLearn and Coursera features overview
| Feature | FutureLearn | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Pedagogy | Social learning model, promoting interaction between learners (and educators) in discussions and comments. | A range of pedagogical approaches including video lectures, peer-reviewed assignments and hands-on projects. |
| Typical target market | Primarily UK and European learners, but also has a global reach. | Global audience but particularly strong presence in the Americas. |
| User interface | Simple, uncluttered interface with clear guidance on use. Week-based ‘to do’ lists of content. Comments available on every step. | Lesson-based structure. Simple text-based interface. Discussions limited to specific areas. |
| Course types | Offers short courses, micro-credentials and full degrees. | Offers a wide range of courses including short courses, guided projects and full degrees. |
| Cost | Many free courses, with paid options for certificates and degrees. | Free courses available, with paid options for certificates, specialisations and degrees. |
| Content providers | Universities and organisations, many from the UK, but also from other educational institutions globally. | Partnerships with leading universities and companies globally. |
| Certification | Certificates available for paid courses and programmes. | Certificates and degrees from accredited institutions. |
| Accessibility | Courses accessible on all devices. WCAG2.1 compliant. |
Accessible on multiple devices. Requires WCAG2.1 compliance. |
| Learner numbers | 18 million registered learners as of 2023. | 175 million registered learners as of March 2025. |
