UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning - PPC Market Share Analysis October 2025

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the UK Online Universities/E-Learning category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Online Universities/E-Learning – UK

Google AI Overview visibility for Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning UK

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 32.677210973
67.322789027
32%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 61
39
61%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 15%
Transactional 3%
Navigational 0%
Seasonal 0%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 14%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
arden.ac.uk 8.29
coursera.org 7.58
open.ac.uk 4.45
udemy.com 4.44
openstudycollege.com 4.05
getsmarter.com 3.15
learndirect.com 3.05
icslearn.co.uk 3.04
mytutor.co.uk 2.96
coursesonline.co.uk 2.4
others 56.59
  • arden.ac.uk - 8.29%
  • coursera.org - 7.58%
  • open.ac.uk - 4.45%
  • udemy.com - 4.44%
  • openstudycollege.com - 4.05%
  • getsmarter.com - 3.15%
  • learndirect.com - 3.05%
  • icslearn.co.uk - 3.04%
  • mytutor.co.uk - 2.96%
  • coursesonline.co.uk - 2.4%
  • others - 56.59%

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In the education sector’s PPC landscape, ‘others’ dominate with 56.59% click share, while Arden University leads individual advertisers at 8.29%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date coursera.org arden.ac.uk icslearn.co.uk learndirect.com udemy.com openstudycollege.com open.ac.uk getsmarter.com mytutor.co.uk coursesonline.co.uk
2025/10/01 6.77% 11.18% 9.28% 2.89% 3.81% 3.45% 3.7% 1.56% 2.68% 1.85%
2025/10/02 6.59% 7.75% 9.06% 3.41% 3.31% 2.8% 6.86% 2.47% 2.6% 1.72%
2025/10/03 5.86% 9.92% 8.07% 3.03% 3.63% 4.52% 3.79% 2.63% 2.56% 1.84%
2025/10/04 4.61% 8.5% 9.75% 2.69% 3.28% 3.25% 3.26% 2.31% 2.48% 2.38%
2025/10/05 5.46% 10.24% 8.75% 2.32% 4.42% 4.46% 3.03% 2.29% 2.33% 2.48%
2025/10/06 6.95% 8.23% 6.58% 2.16% 4.31% 3.67% 4.35% 2.59% 2.24% 2.49%
2025/10/07 6.86% 10.11% 6.17% 2.79% 3.35% 3.35% 5.67% 3.75% 2.39% 2.17%
2025/10/08 7.28% 9.83% 6.56% 2.48% 3.52% 2.81% 2.7% 4.15% 2.42% 2.22%
2025/10/09 5.43% 9.23% 6.02% 2.66% 2.71% 2.96% 2.6% 5.59% 2.47% 2%
2025/10/10 5.46% 9.65% 6.31% 3.91% 4.19% 3.36% 2.94% 4.91% 2.46% 2.2%
2025/10/11 5.96% 5.66% 7.39% 2.58% 4.19% 4.17% 4.56% 5.64% 2.45% 2.36%
2025/10/12 6.89% 5.91% 6.13% 2.29% 4.29% 4.08% 2.52% 5.41% 2.72% 2.51%
2025/10/13 7.6% 5.98% 6.01% 2.12% 3.88% 3.32% 2.92% 4.92% 2.4% 2.67%
2025/10/14 5.93% 5.86% 6.45% 2.87% 3.27% 3.16% 4.94% 3.39% 2.59% 2.37%
2025/10/15 7.37% 5.9% 6.68% 2.69% 3.86% 3.24% 4.5% 4.17% 2.84% 2.55%
2025/10/16 6.02% 4.02% 6.63% 3.26% 3.48% 3.73% 4.74% 3.7% 2.94% 2.2%
2025/10/17 7.93% 7.8% 6.5% 3.37% 3.75% 3.77% 3.3% 2.82% 2.4% 1.99%
2025/10/18 7.08% 6.19% 6.5% 2.61% 3.23% 4.91% 7.36% 4.89% 2.53% 2.33%
2025/10/19 6.93% 5.36% 5.76% 2.61% 3.43% 3.79% 3.59% 4.4% 2.68% 2.92%
2025/10/20 7.34% 7.69% 5.88% 2.87% 3.37% 3.29% 4.55% 3.24% 2.89% 2.44%
2025/10/21 5.64% 10.29% 6.22% 3.01% 3.4% 3.75% 3.51% 2.33% 2.6% 1.72%
2025/10/22 7.66% 9.99% 7.02% 2.39% 2.46% 3.57% 3.47% 3.72% 2.79% 1.97%
2025/10/23 6.8% 8.92% 6.62% 3% 2.57% 4.14% 4.15% 3.22% 2.48% 1.24%
2025/10/24 5.72% 11.91% 6.2% 3.07% 2.44% 3.82% 4.13% 2.25% 2.62% 0.1%
2025/10/25 7.45% 7.38% 7.89% 2.5% 2.11% 3.98% 4.85% 3.85% 3.01% 2.57%
2025/10/26 7.83% 6.24% 7.22% 1.83% 2.97% 3.27% 4.02% 4.42% 2.32% 2.32%
2025/10/27 8.66% 9.13% 6.54% 2.19% 2.93% 4.45% 4.35% 3.08% 2.61% 2.39%
2025/10/28 7.62% 7.1% 7.08% 2.49% 1.98% 3.3% 3.94% 4.49% 2.61% 2.38%
2025/10/29 7.93% 8.97% 5.84% 2.51% 2.85% 2.79% 6.66% 2.36% 2.16% 2.24%
2025/10/30 6.1% 8.05% 6.62% 2.74% 3.26% 2.76% 3.76% 2.6% 2.34% 1.65%
2025/10/31 8.44% 8.28% 6.88% 3.81% 3.39% 3.19% 2.98% 2.12% 1.81% 1.65%
  • coursera.org
  • arden.ac.uk
  • icslearn.co.uk
  • learndirect.com
  • udemy.com
  • openstudycollege.com
  • open.ac.uk
  • getsmarter.com
  • mytutor.co.uk
  • coursesonline.co.uk

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In October 2025, Coursera’s PPC spend fluctuated, peaking at 8.66 on the 27th. Arden’s spend was volatile, with a high of 11.91 on the 24th. ICS Learn maintained steady spend, while Learndirect saw a slight increase. Udemy’s spend was consistent, and Open Study College experienced a peak on the 18th. Open.ac.uk’s spend was stable, with a notable peak on the 18th. GetSmarter’s spend peaked mid-month, while MyTutor and CoursesOnline had minimal fluctuations. The month concluded with Coursera leading in spend.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2025/10/01 430
2025/10/02 442
2025/10/03 452
2025/10/04 447
2025/10/05 449
2025/10/06 459
2025/10/07 452
2025/10/08 452
2025/10/09 455
2025/10/10 446
2025/10/11 445
2025/10/12 455
2025/10/13 436
2025/10/14 438
2025/10/15 441
2025/10/16 461
2025/10/17 445
2025/10/18 450
2025/10/19 442
2025/10/20 451
2025/10/21 458
2025/10/22 432
2025/10/23 425
2025/10/24 437
2025/10/25 424
2025/10/26 418
2025/10/27 435
2025/10/28 429
2025/10/29 430
2025/10/30 421
2025/10/31 415

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October began with 430 advertisers, peaking at 461 mid-month. A decline followed, ending with 415.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
readingeggs.co.uk 2.1%
quizlet.com 1.94%
law.ac.uk 1.09%
education.gov.uk 0.8%
icslearn.co.uk 0.71%
iqtestfoundation.org -0.44%
brunel.ac.uk -0.54%
mcarthurmorgan.com -0.57%
coursesonline.co.uk -0.73%
udemy.com -1.32%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Quizlet.com and Readingeggs.co.uk lead with significant click share gains, while Udemy.com and Coursesonline.co.uk experience notable declines.

Campaign Efficiency

UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date coursera.org arden.ac.uk udemy.com learndirect.com icslearn.co.uk openstudycollege.com open.ac.uk coursesonline.co.uk mytutor.co.uk getsmarter.com
2025/10/01 8.49% 14.91% 6.6% 2.59% 3.25% 4.39% 3.83% 2.83% 3.65% 0.86%
2025/10/02 8.03% 9.05% 5.79% 3.31% 2.93% 3.44% 8.84% 2.59% 3.51% 1.74%
2025/10/03 6.47% 12.26% 5.81% 2.76% 2.99% 5.82% 4.02% 2.7% 3.33% 1.77%
2025/10/04 4.93% 10.65% 5.13% 2.48% 3.7% 4.06% 3.23% 3.71% 3.28% 1.42%
2025/10/05 6.01% 12.33% 6.55% 1.99% 3.01% 5.94% 2.89% 3.53% 2.91% 1.48%
2025/10/06 7.85% 9.25% 6.34% 1.84% 2.34% 4.28% 4.94% 3.59% 2.82% 1.77%
2025/10/07 8.33% 8.36% 4.82% 2.79% 2.21% 4.02% 7.39% 3.22% 3.14% 3.09%
2025/10/08 8.88% 12.4% 4.88% 2.43% 2.22% 3.26% 2.75% 3.23% 3.09% 3.01%
2025/10/09 6.18% 11.67% 3.48% 2.71% 2.21% 3.33% 2.72% 3% 3.26% 5.32%
2025/10/10 6.4% 11.8% 5.46% 4.19% 2.51% 3.84% 3.14% 3.14% 3.02% 4.07%
2025/10/11 7.12% 5.89% 5.67% 2.6% 2.56% 5.02% 5.39% 3.28% 2.98% 5.33%
2025/10/12 8.52% 6.28% 6.19% 2.41% 2.21% 5.24% 2.47% 3.45% 3.39% 4.68%
2025/10/13 9.58% 6.72% 5.56% 2.02% 2.56% 4.04% 3.13% 3.68% 2.84% 4.32%
2025/10/14 7.18% 6.38% 4.73% 3.12% 2.48% 3.67% 5.68% 2.99% 3.03% 3.06%
2025/10/15 9.3% 5.98% 5.65% 2.72% 2.43% 3.37% 4.82% 3.01% 3.11% 3.71%
2025/10/16 7.75% 3.9% 5.5% 3.35% 2.64% 4.27% 5.26% 2.69% 3.49% 3.35%
2025/10/17 10.77% 8.86% 6.13% 3.61% 2.4% 4.54% 3.2% 2.39% 2.75% 2.35%
2025/10/18 8.83% 6.23% 4.7% 2.53% 2.23% 5.52% 7.69% 2.6% 2.74% 4.38%
2025/10/19 8.89% 5.35% 5.25% 2.61% 1.99% 3.94% 3.28% 3.46% 3.11% 3.96%
2025/10/20 9.05% 8.07% 5.17% 2.79% 2.45% 3.34% 4.2% 2.81% 3.25% 2.61%
2025/10/21 7.41% 11.37% 5.48% 3.13% 3.01% 4.07% 3.21% 1.95% 2.99% 1.9%
2025/10/22 9.42% 10.65% 3.78% 2.3% 3.05% 3.73% 3.03% 2.23% 3.16% 3.42%
2025/10/23 7.99% 8.91% 3.86% 2.88% 3% 4.36% 3.66% 1.38% 2.73% 2.8%
2025/10/24 6.74% 10.68% 3.77% 3.11% 2.97% 3.96% 3.77% 0.04% 2.95% 1.91%
2025/10/25 8.83% 7.21% 3.01% 2.35% 3.7% 3.92% 4.57% 2.95% 3.53% 3.51%
2025/10/26 8.93% 6.13% 4.36% 1.63% 3.47% 3.28% 3.74% 2.61% 2.6% 3.8%
2025/10/27 9.93% 9.09% 4.21% 1.99% 3.32% 4.55% 3.98% 2.74% 2.91% 2.58%
2025/10/28 8.82% 7.54% 2.84% 2.38% 4.09% 3.27% 3.57% 2.85% 3.05% 4.46%
2025/10/29 8.62% 9.2% 3.75% 2.23% 3.01% 2.71% 6.82% 2.56% 2.38% 1.82%
2025/10/30 7.15% 8.54% 4.4% 2.48% 3.36% 2.65% 3.39% 1.96% 2.68% 2.21%
2025/10/31 10.01% 8.89% 4.48% 3.66% 3.2% 3.14% 2.49% 1.94% 1.93% 1.59%
  • coursera.org
  • arden.ac.uk
  • udemy.com
  • learndirect.com
  • icslearn.co.uk
  • openstudycollege.com
  • open.ac.uk
  • coursesonline.co.uk
  • mytutor.co.uk
  • getsmarter.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Coursera’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 10.77% on October 17. Arden’s share started strong but dipped mid-month. Udemy’s share remained relatively stable. By month’s end, Coursera led with 10.01%.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning - Last month
  1. 1
    University Open Courses https://study.arden.ac.uk

    Apply for October 2025 — Gain A Recognised Qualification Through Online Learning Without Putting Your Life On Hold. Join...

  2. 2
    The Open University Online Courses | Coursera https://www.coursera.org

    The Open University is the UK’s largest university and has pioneered distance learning for over 50 years, delivering award-winning research, teaching and high-quality, flexible learning solutions to global...

  3. 3
    Free Data Analytics Course - Generation UK - London https://uk.generation.org › free_course › london

    Over 19 & unemployed or zero hours contract? Apply for our London data analyst bootcamp. Love crunching numbers? Apply for our free data analysis bootcamp. Limited Places! No Experience Needed. 1-1 mentorship support.

  4. 4
    Open College Online Courses | Choose From Over 700 Courses https://www.openstudycollege.com

    Want an alternative to Open University? Discover flexible learning with Open Study College. Fully accredited online courses designed to be studied...

  5. 5
    Udemy - Courses On Demand | Learn From Anywhere https://www.udemy.com

    Find the right instructor for you. Choose from many topics, skill levels, and languages. Shop thousands of high-quality on-demand online courses.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online education, Arden University emphasizes flexibility, while Coursera highlights its pioneering legacy. Generation UK offers free, accessible data analytics courses, Open Study College provides alternatives to traditional universities, and Udemy focuses on diverse, on-demand learning.

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