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Online Education & Training in the UK Industry Data and Analysis
Over the five years through 2026-27, industry revenue is expected to drop at a compound annual rate of 0.4% to £4.7 billion. The industry has benefitted from the surge in interest in online education and training opportunities due to the pandemic, which forced the closure of schools and universities and prompted remote work. This forced many of the industry’s major buyers to invest in online education and training. However, industry performance has since naturally slowed as in-person activities have resumed, making investment less essential. Buyers have also struggled with tight budgets, which have weighed on digital investment and training spend. This is causing industry revenue to drop by 0.4% in 2026-27 and has weighed on profit over the past five years.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released September 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom operates under the SIC industry code SP0.143. Operators in this industry provide electronically supported learning systems. The industry offers digital education and training through synchronous and asynchronous methods. Synchronous methods include text chat, voice calling, video calling and live streaming. Asynchronous practices include digital curriculum material, email communication, discussion boards and social networks. This industry includes digital learning ventures through human and non-human interactions. Related terms covered in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom include learning management system (lms), massive open online course (mooc) and augmented reality (ar).
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom include Learning management systems, Online education and training courses and Virtual schools.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom include Pearson plc, QA Ltd and Instructure Global Ltd.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom is £4.6bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
There are 768 businesses in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom?
The Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom?
The Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom are Pearson plc, QA Ltd and Instructure Global Ltd
What does the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom include?
Learning management systems and Online education and training courses are part of the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom is Pearson plc.
How competitive is the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Online Education & Training industry in the United Kingdom.
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