Scaling up distance learning delivery with consistent pedagogy, a great student experience and high active study rates
Northumbria University and Pearson formed an Online Learning Services partnership. This was designed to support delivery of the university’s existing postgraduate online, distance learning programmes and to develop and launch new programmes together.
The institution had various goals when it formed this partnership:
- Increase student enrolment
- Develop standards and consistency for online programmes to facilitate scaling their delivery
- Become fit for the future in terms of technology and resourcing
- Grow the revenue from online courses
By working collaboratively and drawing on the strengths of each organisation, the partnership is successfully working towards these goals. Northumbria University’s teaching teams bring academic skills and unique subject matter expertise to each programme, while Pearson provides the experience of developing, scaling and supporting online provision.
Key Findings
- Significant growth in online students: 1500 in the 2020–21 academic year, up from 700–800 per year
before the partnership - Student retention rates are consistently over 70%, and often reaching 80%
- Increase in student satisfaction with every module where it had been delivered before partnering
with Pearson - Successful implementation and management of four intakes per year to allow more student flexibility
- Development of a consistent course structure for all online, distance postgraduate programmes, with
the flexibility to adapt depending on professional association requirements - Students find the online course materials more user-friendly, engaging and interactive
- Student Success Team receives high Net Promoter Scores; for 2020 it was 63 (NPS score range is -100 to +100).