Over the years, online distance learning has become less and less the exclusive domain of a small number of universities…we are entering a new chapter, one that might over time lead to a changing of the landscape.

Product developments within existing technologies used by universities will be one of the main ways in which AI will continue to impact UK higher education. …What’s interesting is that they are largely targeted at educators, not students.

In many ways, this dataset continues a general trend in respect to online students at UK universities, which is steadily increasing numbers. While that is the picture as a whole, since 2019/20 some UK universities have grown international online student numbers significantly, highlighting growth potential.

It has been fascinating to observe 2U’s growing footprint in UK higher education against the backdrop of very transparent and widely publicised financial turmoil.

Ultimately, I think sometimes the sector doesn’t have a thoroughly convincing purpose behind some of the desires around blended learning, or what this is really about, which is the greater use of digital technologies within the on-campus model.

No one out there is saying what we really need is to add some more years to degree courses and make them longer. All the movement has been toward shorter courses and programmes.

What is evident in the UK context is that THE have not consulted with the growing number of senior online education professionals and leaders when developing this ranking.

My first reflection on this piece is that the discussion actually revolves around blended learning or some form of digitally facilitated learning, rather than fully online distance courses that lack any in-person component.

Developments in the last quarter do little to solidify the idea of a post-OPM reality, certainly not in the UK.

There is certainly some distance to travel in terms of learning design having a deep impact in UK higher education, but signs of more diverse and sophisticated approaches suggest strategies also need to follow suit.

The worry in the current climate is that universities are more susceptible to being seduced by alluring targets and projections that aren’t grounded in reality.

Ultimately, when it comes to creating great online learning experiences there’s a lot that goes into it and it all matters.

Despite business and management being a popular area for online education, particularly for postgraduate education, there are still quite a number of UK universities’ business schools that haven’t entered the online distance market. Given the popularity and association business and management courses have with online education, it’s striking when a business school has not moved into online education at all yet.

Changing times are exerting pressure on individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees through traditional means. Students face an existential housing crisis, rising cost-of-living, and the need to balance significant work commitments. Increasing the availability of online undergraduate options is about offering greater choice and access, not about competition between traditional and online education.

The news and announcements from the early part of this year highlight yet again, that despite turbulence in the online education company sector, there is still demand for partnerships with OPMs among universities. Universities are still seeking help to successfully navigate the online education landscape and in offering online degrees.

If we continue to see students' needs and demographics change, then the sector and the regulator will need to get to grips with an understanding of blended learning that results in a reduced place and time-based commitment.

While some continue the futile debate over whether online education is as effective as on-campus education, it's clear that on-campus education can learn much from its online counterpart in offering an accessible, appealing, and contemporary educational experience.

Evidently, trials are not expected to be flawless and are designed to reveal issues, but this trial seems to have been more about falling flat than failing forward.

Unless Blackboard and Moodle improve their competitiveness, it is likely that next year will see Canvas take second place in the overall market share, with Brightspace continuing to grow market share.

Ultimately, the path ahead for online education in the UK is one of more subtle shifts and ongoing developments, but year-on-year it’s playing an increasing role in reshaping UK higher education.