These two strategies will help universities stay relevant

The higher education sector stands at a crossroads. In countries like the United Kingdom, faced with rising financial pressures, challenging enrolments and shifting demographics, universities are pressed to rethink their ways of working to deliver education in a financially sustainable and impactful way.

Moreover, learner needs are shifting: in an age of remote learning, continuous upskilling, varied career pathways and rapid technological innovation, students expect educational models to adapt accordingly.

Without decisive change, many institutions risk becoming less relevant in an evolving landscape. Two powerful strategies hold the potential to address these pressing needs: modular learning and AI-driven personalisation.

Together, and with the right technological foundation, these approaches can open up access, improve learner outcomes, enhance operational efficiencies and create more flexible, future-ready education systems.

Modular education

While traditional degree programmes continue to provide a robust foundation for life and work, modular learning unlocks greater accessibility by enabling students to pursue education in smaller, stackable modules and pathways, often called micro-credentials.

This model allows learners to customise their education to match their individual goals, progressing at their own pace, whether they are recent graduates, adult learners, career changers or working professionals.

A flexible, skills-based approach allows students to develop expertise in targeted areas without committing to a full degree upfront. Micro-credentials support this model, making it easier for lifelong learners to reskill or upskill in response to industry changes.

Micro-credentials enable universities to be more responsive to employer needs. Institutions can collaborate with industry leaders to co-design courses that ensure graduates are job-ready, addressing skills gaps in high-demand fields, such as digital technology, data science, healthcare and renewable energy.

Additionally, the ability to stack micro-credentials towards a full qualification allows learners to accumulate knowledge at their own pace, making higher education more accessible to a broader demographic.

Universities can offer micro-credentials that build towards full degrees or serve as standalone credentials, creating opportunities for a wider array of students and enabling institutions to respond swiftly to local and global market demands.

Embracing modular learning isn’t merely a response to financial pressures; it’s a strategic investment in future relevance. Institutions that adopt flexible, technology-enabled learning models can scale efficiently and respond to changing demands, positioning themselves as leaders in a sector increasingly driven by agility and learner-centric approaches.

Today, contemporary SaaS-based virtual learning environments (VLEs), such as Instructure’s Canvas LMS, integrate seamlessly with micro-credentialing platforms, reducing costs and enabling institutions to manage and deliver a diverse array of programmes at scale.

This agile model not only provides appealing flexibility for prospective students but also equips universities to evolve in sync with industry needs, ensuring their offerings remain relevant.

AI-driven personalisation

As modular learning gains traction, the next question to consider is personalisation: How can universities ensure each learner receives the support they need when they need it? Here, AI-driven personalisation is invaluable.

AI is already reshaping education by integrating adaptive learning pathways within VLEs, allowing universities to customise support based on individual student progress.

With AI-powered tools, institutions can analyse learner data to inform adjustments to content and pacing, ensuring each student’s needs are met. For instance, one student may receive additional support in challenging areas, while another can accelerate in subjects where they excel.

For universities, this means AI-driven personalisation helps tackle the challenge of scaling tailored support.

By leveraging VLEs that incorporate advanced analytics and AI insights, universities can create a more inclusive, responsive educational experience, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Real-time data analysis allows universities to identify at-risk students early, make informed decisions and enhance both student outcomes and institutional efficiency.

Of course, it is crucial that these AI-driven initiatives are implemented with a commitment to ethical standards and transparency, underpinned by clear policies that safeguard student privacy and ensure data is used responsibly.

Universities must also take into consideration the digital divide and ensure that AI-powered tools incorporated in the classroom remain accessible to all students, regardless of socioeconomic background or technological access.

Upskilling the nation

The stakes of not adopting these innovations are high for both educational institutions and employers. Universities that cling to outdated ways of working risk losing relevance as learners and employers gravitate towards flexible, skills-focused educational models.

In a labour market that increasingly values practical skills alongside academic credentials, graduates with micro-credentials will be well-positioned for career success.

For employers, partnering with universities to co-develop micro-credentials aligned with industry needs represents a strategic opportunity.

Institutions that embrace these changes will not only maintain their competitive edge but also play a pivotal role in cultivating the future workforce.

Governments are looking at different ways to support higher education. In the UK, for instance, the government is currently evaluating new ways to support lifelong learning.

It is crucial that it considers how funding can incentivise the development of micro-credential programmes. With plans for Skills England underway, incorporating micro-credentials can help ensure universities play a central role in upskilling the nation.

By leveraging technology and reimagining educational delivery, higher education can meet the needs of today’s learners and help drive a dynamic, skills-orientated economy fostering innovation, employability and long-term economic growth.

Professor Martin Bean CBE is a former vice-chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom and RMIT University in Australia.

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.