We want to make it a truly global degree and to be able to do that it needs to be online

FutureLearn confirmed is is looking for "new investment partners" to aid its growth into the degree market of online international education, though it did not say if the figure of £40m was accurate.

OpenClassrooms, the Paris-based online vocational education provider, has launched its first full degree taught in English and is developing career services mentoring for its degree students.