According to the author of Oxford’s official history, the university must “embrace online learning”, and finalise plans to raise billions of pounds to go private, or face an “uncomfortable future.” The book, which was launched earlier this week, warns that new technologies such as online courses could make traditional universities redundant, and that it is a case of when, not if, virtual learning transforms tertiary education. The author recommends that Oxford University should start offering undergraduate degrees online, to resolve the ongoing controversy around student access to elite institutions. On the subject of going private, the book warns it would be expensive (replacing current levels of research council funding alone would require an endowment of £8bn), however, it would free the university from government demands.
According to the author of Oxford University’s official history, the university must “embrace online learning”, and finalise plans to raise billions of pounds to go private, or face an “uncomfortable future.” The book, which was launched earlier this week, warns that new technologies such as online courses could make traditional universities redundant, and that it is a case of when, not if, virtual learning transforms tertiary education. The author recommends that Oxford should start offering undergraduate degrees online, to resolve the ongoing controversy around student access to elite institutions. On the subject of going private, the book warns it would be expensive (replacing current levels of research council funding alone would require an endowment of £8bn), however, it would free the university from government demands.