Announcement of online courses heralds new era for the Press

Cambridge University Press is playing a key role in making its University’s world-class teaching, thinking and research available to professionals worldwide through a new programme of online courses announced today.

Cambridge Advance Online will develop into a portfolio of 50 short, cross-disciplinary courses over the next five years.

They will be created and led by University of Cambridge academics, and designed and developed by the Press to meet the needs of today’s professional learners.

The major initiative is the first for a new design and development unit – Cambridge Online Education – which strengthens partnerships between the University, the Press and Cambridge Assessment.

Anna Wood, Managing Director of Cambridge Online Education, said: “The pandemic has accelerated the already-increasing move to online learning and with it the need for easy, remote access to high quality learning materials.

“At the same time, there is a growing desire from learners, teachers and researchers to engage with Cambridge in a joined up digital way, with innovative products that combine our expertise.

“These courses showcase the potential of that integrated approach and of an organisation that’s able to provide world-leading learning, assessment and academic research offerings globally, under the Cambridge brand and backed by first class teaching and research departments.”

Cambridge Advance Online further bolsters the Press’s commitment to grow its support for higher education, following on from the launch of its new Higher Education textbook website in August last year.

The first Cambridge Advance Online courses will open for enrolment in the summer. They will allow learners to develop their skills and to specialise in emerging areas that address global challenges.

The certificated courses will reflect the Cambridge experience and values, with low student to tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards. They will allow students to engage directly with academics at Cambridge, and are centred on rich interaction between students and subject experts, and enhanced peer-to-peer networking. Each course will offer participants the opportunity to join live sessions with academics and interact in collaborative exercises with learners around the world.

Professor Graham Virgo, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University, said: “Being able to draw together the combined expertise of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment allows us to develop these courses using the skills and experience we have ‘in-house’ and puts us in a unique position.

“It means we have the expertise and freedom to create a truly great digital product and be able to wield the right tools rather than make compromises. These courses will be as interactive as we can make them, with Cambridge tutors and academics leading discussions, and will ultimately create global networks of professionals. An exceptional learner experience is key, so Cambridge Advance Online will be tailored to meet the needs of individuals specifically in an online environment, rather than just trying to replicate an in-person teaching environment online.”

Professor Richard Prager, the Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Advisor on Online Education, said “Excellence in education is at the heart of the mission and success of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment have unique resources to develop and support a state-of-the-art educational platform and framework. Cambridge Advance Online will bring the best of Cambridge professional education to a wide audience.”

Anna Wood added: “It has been fantastic to work with the University and to build this new programme of courses, which will give forward-thinking professionals the opportunity to harness the latest ideas, discussions, research and innovations from Cambridge to change society for the better. Professionals can now join with Cambridge’s global community of thinkers and with peers who share their passion for knowledge.”