English
Launching MicroBachelors® programs
Project funding
Supported by the Yidan Prize project funds
Education theme
Equity, access, and diversity
Lifelong learning
Technology
Contents
Overview
Background
About the idea
Impact and results
More to explore
Opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for learners globally
420,000+
learners* from 155 different countries have enrolled in a MicroBachelors® program
60%
of MicroBachelors® program learners felt they improved and strengthened their resumé
*Data from January 2020 to December 2022, during our period of support.
MicroBachelors® programs are credit-backed, open-admission credential programs designed for adult learners without a traditional four-year degree. Leading companies and non-profit universities worldwide offer these rigorous, career-focused programs in partnership with edX.
Laureate(s)
Background
Education unlocks opportunities—and innovative approaches can lower barriers to learning
The edX team recognized that widespread access to quality education is crucial for our shared future—especially in a world where digitalization and automation are rapidly changing the career landscape. Learning while working requires commitment of time and resources which not many people can afford. While new technologies can present a need and challenge to upskill and reskill the workforce, it also offers opportunities to make access fairer and more affordable.
edX is a global online learning platform developed in 2012 by Harvard and MIT, and 2018 laureate Professor Anant Agarwal, to make the world’s best education available to everyone. Today, as a part of 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), edX connects over 78 million people with online learning to meet every professional moment.
edX-powered MicroBachelors® programs were launched in 2020 using Anant’s Yidan Prize project funds as seed funding, tackling obstacles to getting a bachelor’s degree. MicroBachelors® programs are credit-backed, open-admission credential programs designed for adult learners without a traditional four-year degree.
About the idea
MicroBachelors® programs are built for adult learners looking to progress their career
Created in partnership with colleges, universities, and corporations, edX’s MicroBachelors programs are a series of college classes that have been customized and grouped together to help learners gain relevant, in-demand skills.
Leaners accumulate certificates they can exchange for real college credit, at an average cost of US$166—a fraction of many traditional undergraduate courses in the US. By stacking MicroBachelors programs together, students can follow a more flexible and affordable path to a full bachelor’s degree, helping them start or advance their careers.
Breaking down barriers to higher education globally
MicroBachelors programs welcome students internationally and do not require a formal application. Most programs are self-paced so learners can work them into their schedule flexibly.
Every program offers meaningful credentials and immediately job-relevant skills. The modular approach allows learners to earn real, transferrable academic credits along the way, which can be stacked to earn a full bachelor’s degree at one of edX’s university partners.
Our 2018 laureate Professor Anant Agarwal used his project funds as seed funding to develop and launch the edX MicroBachelors® programs from January 2020 to December 2022.
Impact and results
In its first three years, 420,000 learners from 155 countries enrolled in a MicroBachelors® program
The program opened learners up to new skills and knowledge that helped them build confidence and reach their career potential. From October 2021 through January 2022, edX surveyed program completers and in-progress learners, and conducted interviews with program completers. 60% said they improved and strengthened their resumé, 3% reported a salary increase, and 5% started their own business.
The team identified three different kinds of learners who came to the platform: degree-focused learners, credential seekers, and lifelong learners.
Degree-focused learners use the MicroBachelors programs as a way of enhancing their current undergraduate studies. Some have academic experience they want to build on, while others come in with no experience and use the program to explore subjects at a college level.
Credential seekers usually have an entry-level job and an undergraduate degree, but find their current credentials not enough for the career they want to do. They can use the program to close the gap without needing to do a second degree.
Lifelong learners are those who enrol because they love the joy of learning—they want to explore new topics and do something totally unrelated to their career.
The feedback from all three groups was overwhelmingly positive—97% said they would recommend the program to others and 62% said they plan to take another program.