Loughborough’s award-winning free MOOC (massive open online course) in Innovation and Enterprise is to be run for a second time starting later this month.

Offered as part of FutureLearn, the first UK-led provider of MOOCs, the course enables students to find out more about entrepreneurs and innovators, how to spot opportunities and transform bright ideas into something tangible. It is aimed primarily at foundation- and undergraduate-level students.

The course will begin on 20 October and will last for six weeks. It is delivered through Loughborough University’s Glendonbrook Centre for Enterprise Education within the School of Business and Economics.

The course, which was initially run in April this year, proved hugely popular, attracting more than 13,000 students.

Dr Julie Holland, Director of the Glendonbrook Centre for Enterprise Education and programme director for the MOOC, said: “When we launched in the spring, we were thrilled by how many registrations we had. Learners came from 137 countries, and a number of our own students took part in their spare time. 

“As a result of their positive experience, we won the Loughborough Academic Award for e-learning. Our MOOC project was also nominated for the National Enterprise Educators Award at the 2014 International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference.”

Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback from students on the inaugural course, the delivery format and objectives for its second iteration remain largely unchanged. However a Google Hangout has been introduced in week five, to allow students to ask questions about funding issues for entrepreneurs.

FutureLearn courses centre on social interaction, engaging students in conversations around the learning material. The website is designed to work on smartphones and tablets, as well as desktop computers, so that learners can access the material easily, regardless of their location. 

Phil Wilkinson-Blake, Director of IT and e-Learning and FutureLearn Project Leader for Loughborough University, said: “The University's commitment to delivering high-quality online learning has been demonstrated through the Innovation and Enterprise MOOC and will continue to raise our profile globally. Our partnership with FutureLearn has ensured that our online teaching is delivered on a high-profile platform with excellent technical support.”

To view the course trailer and sign up online, go to the Loughborough University Futurelearn website.