English Version Now Available: Keio University’s FutureLearn Article from Mita Review
Keio University offers accessible online courses on the FutureLearn platform, covering a wide range of topics such as rare Japanese books, cutting-edge quantum computing, Japanese subculture, and more, through which it showcases the university’s broad intellectual landscape.
FutureLearn is a global online learning platform founded in the UK, currently offering over 1,700 courses from more than 200 universities and institutions. One of FutureLearn’s distinguishing features is that learners can access course content free of charge, with only certain premium features requiring payment. However, Keio students and faculty can access these premium features at no cost, including unlimited course access and certificates of achievement. This is a valuable opportunity for Keio students and faculty to take advantage of the platform and explore what FutureLearn has to offer.
Keio University launched its first course on the platform in 2016, titled “Japanese Culture through Rare Books”. As of March 2025, Keio has offered a total of 13 courses on FutureLearn, with over 100,000 learners from 208 countries and regions registered. These courses are led by experienced and respected educators from various faculties, graduate schools, and research institutes at Keio, delivering unique learning experiences using the university’s rich cultural assets and cutting-edge research results as teaching materials.
Contrary to the stereotype of online learning, where learners are bombarded with endless videos, the FutureLearn platform takes a different approach. On FutureLearn platform learning is broken down into short “steps,” consisting of brief videos and articles that can typically be completed in 5 to 10 minutes. This format allows learners to study in short, convenient time slots, such as during commute, before bed, or between tasks. Additionally FutureLearn offers interactive experiences unique to online learning, including animated visuals, quizzes, and peer-to-peer discussions through comments.
The development and delivery of the courses are the result of effective and structured collaboration among the Digital Media and Content Integration Center (DMC), the Graduate School of Media Design (KMD), the Keio Global Research Institute (KGRI), and Keio University Press. Close collaboration among Keio University institutions not only leads to fruitful research and practice in online learning, bridging traditional classroom education and online environment, but also enhances the university’s global visibility and promotes Keio University internationally.
New courses are continuously being developed. This spring, a course on internet governance featuring Jun Murai, Senior Advanced Research Project Professor, is scheduled to be released. We hope you will join Keio’s FutureLearn courses, enjoy the learning experience, and find knowledge that contributes to both your personal and professional growth.
Project Assistant Professor
Shun Arima