Pros
* FutureLearn tries very hard to maintain an open, supportive culture, and this is for the most part a glowing success. People empower each other, don’t take credit for each other’s achievements, and work together effectively. They also tend to be enormously talented at their jobs.
* There are good career development and learning opportunities. Free access to FutureLearn courses, learning hours, good training budget. Learning is – perhaps obviously – a big priority.
* HR are incredible beyond belief, not only in supporting daily operations but in their work to develop and maintain a positive culture and improve policies, and improve diversity & inclusion. The policies on flexible working, parental leave etc. are also great as a result. The work-life balance is generally amazing.
* The company has immense potential to transform access to education, and it’s built a solid foundation for doing so. Working here is working with an actual purpose.
Cons
* Being a small company, progression opportunities are limited after a certain point. This has led to valuable, experienced people leaving as there was nowhere to go.
* The company is data-driven, rather than data-informed, to an excessive amount at times. Thinking big is one of its values, but the strategy is limited by a prescriptive view of data and insights.
* The gender pay gap continues to stagnate, with largely unsuccessful efforts to diminish it. The ethnic pay gap is not reported, probably because it’s so abysmal.
* The leadership team is not diverse at all, which influences the above. The composition of the leadership team also informs the general lack of diversity in ideas, perspectives etc. Decision-making continues, despite efforts, to bottleneck at the top – another symptom of the lack of big thinking and trust placed in employees. However, there are also amazing people on the leadership team, who really “get it”.
Features of FutureLearn
- Take classes online using a variety of devices
- Over 700 courses, programs, and degree options available
- New free and paid classes, programs, and degrees are being added on an ongoing basis
- Courses are taught by university faculty
FutureLearn offers rich, diverse, and flexible learning opportunities for anyone that is at least the age of 13 and has a mobile phone, tablet, or desktop computer to view and interact with course material. All courses are taught by instructors from over 80 top academic institutions around the globe.
With the click of a button, students can join free courses and begin their learning experience. Some courses have specific start dates and others can be started at any time. Course lengths vary from weeks to months. Subjects offered include:
* Business & Management
* Creative Arts & Media
* Health and Psychology
* History
* Languages & Cultures
* Law
* Literature
* Nature & Environment
* Politics & the Modern World
* Science, Engineering & Maths
* Study Skills
* Teaching
* Tech & Coding
Courses are delivered via video, slides, courseware, and other means that can translate well through connected devices. FutureLearn also provides options so students can get the most out of the platform, including a learning guide packed with study tips, available support with each course, a feedback tool, and more.
Overall, FutureLearn is a great platform for a learner to absorb a variety of subjects from some of the best universities in the world – for free. Some may be deterred with the new pricing model that requires students to upgrade in order to receive a course completion certificate, but others who are looking to just complement their existing knowledge shouldn’t worry. It still is an excellent tool for ongoing learning.”