The next phase of the project is to figure out the best way to implement the change needed to solve the current issues with how education is structured.
I wanted to figure out the best way to approach the issue. I felt a good place to start would be to look a current alternative education options. Most alternative options for higher education seem to consist generally of what most universities do, however they do approach some aspects of education a little differently.
The Open University
The Open University is probably the most recognisable alternative to a traditional university. It’s fully remote, which works well for people who can’t commute or need something more flexible, but the obvious downside is the lack of day-to-day social interaction you’d get on a campus. It seems to mainly support people who need that flexibility the most, like part-time learners, carers, and mature students.
For me, this is what makes The Open University stand out. It gives people whose daily responsibilities might stop them from attending a regular university the chance to study and work towards qualifications they might not have been able to access otherwise.
It’s also a lot cheaper than most universities and doesn’t have strict entry requirements. When you combine that with how flexible it is, it becomes clear that its whole purpose is to open up higher education to people who might not fit the usual route. Some of the sources I found even suggested that OU students can sometimes be seen in a positive light because the style of study shows a level of independence and motivation.
Online Learning Courses and Adult Education - The Open University
The London Interdisciplinary School
The London Interdisciplinary School is a newer university that takes a very different approach from traditional degrees. Instead of focusing on one subject area, LIS builds its courses around real world problems and mixes different disciplines together. Students end up learning a blend of data, design, communication, ethics, and practical problem solving, which feels much closer to how modern industries actually work.
What I find interesting is that LIS is trying to rethink the idea of a degree entirely. It’s less about following a fixed academic route and more about developing a broad, adaptable skillset. Because it’s so new, it doesn’t have the same level of reputation or resources as older universities, which might put some students off, but it also means it can be more experimental and responsive.
Overall, LIS is a good example of how higher education can be reimagined in a more flexible, interdisciplinary way, which directly supports the direction of my own concept.
Undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses | LIS
The Minerva Project
The Minerva Project is quite different from a traditional university. It doesn’t use lectures at all instead, everything is built around small, discussion based classes and active learning. Students move between different global cities throughout the course, including time in London, and the focus is on solving real problems rather than studying one subject in isolation.
What makes Minerva interesting is that it deliberately avoids the usual university structure. There are no separate departments or fixed subject routes. Students pick up a mix of skills across different areas, which feels much closer to how modern industries work.