UK Education & Training Online Universities/E-Learning - PPC Market Share Analysis September 2026

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 44.8629488324
55.1370511676
44%

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 53
47
53%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 13%
Transactional 4%
Navigational 4%
Seasonal 0%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 13%

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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
open.ac.uk 31.42
udemy.com 12.17
coursera.org 10.65
quizlet.com 7.17
arden.ac.uk 5.64
education.gov.uk 2.91
icslearn.co.uk 2.58
readingeggs.co.uk 2.48
superprof.co.uk 2.23
openstudycollege.com 1.88
others 20.87
  • open.ac.uk - 31.42%
  • udemy.com - 12.17%
  • coursera.org - 10.65%
  • quizlet.com - 7.17%
  • arden.ac.uk - 5.64%
  • education.gov.uk - 2.91%
  • icslearn.co.uk - 2.58%
  • readingeggs.co.uk - 2.48%
  • superprof.co.uk - 2.23%
  • openstudycollege.com - 1.88%
  • others - 20.87%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the education sector’s PPC landscape, Open University’s 31.42% click share dominates, followed by Udemy at 12.17%. Others collectively hold 20.87%, showcasing diverse competition.

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 arden.ac.uk open.ac.uk icslearn.co.uk coursera.org learndirect.com openstudycollege.com udemy.com superprof.co.uk education.gov.uk hdruklearn.org
2026/09/01 10.69% 39.92% 3.4% 5.39% 1.16% 1.76% 2.58% 2.47% 2.45% 0.07%
2026/09/02 11.86% 31.89% 4.41% 7.93% 1.42% 1.68% 2.66% 1.97% 2.91% 0.53%
2026/09/03 11.99% 32.33% 4.53% 9.6% 1.4% 1.86% 1.89% 2.19% 2.77% 0.4%
2026/09/04 11.83% 33.63% 4.89% 8.56% 0.98% 2.01% 2.49% 1.76% 2.66% 0.23%
2026/09/05 10.8% 27.86% 5.29% 8.87% 0.84% 4.52% 2.61% 1.36% 2.98% 0.28%
2026/09/06 10.75% 31.93% 4.48% 8.09% 0.99% 4.03% 2.06% 1.57% 2.7% 0.37%
2026/09/07 11.59% 21.81% 6.33% 8.52% 1.81% 2.8% 2.51% 1.39% 3.24% 1.07%
2026/09/08 13.61% 33.27% 5.17% 7.92% 1.6% 1.88% 2.23% 1.29% 1.68% 0.77%
2026/09/09 10.97% 36.37% 4.52% 6.44% 1.34% 2.76% 2.02% 2.13% 2.5% 1.04%
2026/09/10 11.36% 31.02% 4.44% 8.81% 2.54% 4.13% 1.93% 2.31% 2.57% 2.15%
2026/09/11 7.16% 28.62% 4.92% 11.56% 3.03% 3.04% 2.1% 2.56% 2.69% 1.68%
2026/09/12 5.72% 34.67% 4.14% 14.81% 1.32% 1.29% 2.04% 2.56% 2.9% 2.97%
2026/09/13 7.53% 30.28% 5.11% 14.57% 2.51% 2.17% 2.14% 2.43% 2.63% 2.85%
2026/09/14 7.94% 31.46% 4.45% 13.64% 1.21% 1.65% 1.24% 1.99% 2.64% 2.34%
2026/09/15 6.19% 37.06% 5.49% 7.64% 1.92% 2.08% 2.29% 2.16% 2.02% 1.76%
2026/09/16 14.06% 30.23% 5.84% 7.65% 1.93% 4.19% 1.65% 1.13% 1.64% 0.76%
2026/09/17 15.1% 26.29% 7.33% 6.64% 2.41% 3.4% 1.65% 1.58% 1.74% 1.06%
2026/09/18 15.54% 23.1% 8.08% 7.85% 2.55% 3.79% 1.35% 1.84% 1.68% 1.13%
2026/09/19 14.84% 25.92% 8.35% 8.63% 1.52% 4.71% 1.5% 1.4% 1.74% 1.08%
2026/09/20 13.49% 30.46% 7.18% 6.87% 0.97% 3.25% 1.51% 1.48% 1.9% 1.55%
2026/09/21 17.5% 30.96% 7.42% 5.57% 2.08% 2.17% 1.52% 1.03% 1.64% 1.04%
2026/09/22 16.15% 27.78% 7.09% 6.32% 2.02% 3.91% 2.17% 1.82% 1.76% 0.89%
2026/09/23 20.52% 25.46% 7.78% 6.03% 2.06% 2.35% 1.31% 1.92% 1.46% 0.43%
2026/09/24 16.27% 26.42% 7.19% 6.43% 2.09% 2.25% 2.04% 1.76% 1.58% 1.08%
2026/09/25 17.78% 22.72% 7.19% 6.6% 2.27% 3.9% 1.95% 2.18% 1.5% 1.31%
2026/09/26 15.95% 28.16% 7.01% 6.7% 1.61% 3.4% 1.96% 2.17% 1.35% 0.85%
2026/09/27 22.33% 1.14% 10.12% 8.84% 1.59% 3.49% 2.86% 1.55% 1.52% 2.71%
2026/09/28 22.49% 10.83% 7.91% 5.68% 3.03% 5.16% 2.32% 2.05% 1.31% 1.21%
2026/09/29 17% 29.05% 5.95% 6.07% 2.64% 2.06% 1.81% 1.16% 1.51% 1.06%
2026/09/30 21.6% 12.07% 7.38% 6.33% 4.37% 3.31% 2.04% 1.79% 1.31% 1.08%
  • arden.ac.uk
  • open.ac.uk
  • icslearn.co.uk
  • coursera.org
  • learndirect.com
  • openstudycollege.com
  • udemy.com
  • superprof.co.uk
  • education.gov.uk
  • hdruklearn.org

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, arden.ac.uk’s PPC spend fluctuated, peaking at 22.49% on the 28th. open.ac.uk saw a dramatic drop to 1.14% on the 27th. icslearn.co.uk maintained steady growth, while coursera.org peaked mid-month. The month concluded with arden.ac.uk leading at 21.6%.

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
2026/09/01 339
2026/09/02 343
2026/09/03 331
2026/09/04 338
2026/09/05 345
2026/09/06 355
2026/09/07 370
2026/09/08 373
2026/09/09 337
2026/09/10 353
2026/09/11 351
2026/09/12 343
2026/09/13 330
2026/09/14 317
2026/09/15 317
2026/09/16 338
2026/09/17 336
2026/09/18 336
2026/09/19 335
2026/09/20 332
2026/09/21 349
2026/09/22 345
2026/09/23 334
2026/09/24 343
2026/09/25 349
2026/09/26 344
2026/09/27 332
2026/09/28 340
2026/09/29 341
2026/09/30 334

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September saw fluctuating advertiser numbers, peaking at 373 on the 8th, before stabilizing at 334 by month’s end.

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
arden.ac.uk 3.35%
icslearn.co.uk 1.56%
quizlet.com 1.2%
openstudycollege.com 0.59%
futurefit.co.uk 0.5%
udemy.com -0.44%
education.gov.uk -0.95%
coursera.org -0.99%
readingeggs.co.uk -1.46%
open.ac.uk -6.6%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Arden.ac.uk surged with a 3.35% click share increase, while open.ac.uk faced a significant 6.6% decline. Quizlet.com and icslearn.co.uk also saw positive growth, contrasting with declines for readingeggs.co.uk and coursera.org.

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 arden.ac.uk open.ac.uk coursera.org udemy.com icslearn.co.uk openstudycollege.com quizlet.com education.gov.uk hdruklearn.org preply.com
2026/09/01 15.88% 31.24% 5.35% 7.63% 2.25% 1.45% 2.49% 4.07% 0.09% 0.39%
2026/09/02 18.28% 20.92% 8.49% 6.1% 2.1% 1.18% 3.29% 4.35% 1.2% 0.24%
2026/09/03 18.5% 22.63% 9.34% 5.18% 1.96% 1.59% 1.07% 4.36% 0.61% 0.39%
2026/09/04 17.76% 24.19% 8.82% 6.86% 1.93% 1.57% 2.13% 4.34% 0.35% 0.78%
2026/09/05 16.09% 17.41% 8.44% 6.37% 2.44% 5.58% 2.76% 4.34% 0.52% 2.09%
2026/09/06 18% 21.73% 8.4% 4.99% 2.03% 3.73% 3.5% 4.07% 0.96% 1.69%
2026/09/07 16.99% 15.14% 8.23% 6.02% 2.89% 2.26% 4.55% 4.73% 1.42% 0.9%
2026/09/08 21.36% 24.39% 7.89% 5.7% 2.23% 1.57% 1.75% 2.81% 1.44% 1.08%
2026/09/09 17.67% 28.05% 6.75% 5.45% 2% 3.05% 1.43% 3.45% 1.76% 0.78%
2026/09/10 15.02% 22.25% 8.54% 5.61% 2.17% 5.71% 2.2% 4.1% 3.12% 0.8%
2026/09/11 10.67% 20.7% 12.84% 6.01% 2.43% 3.17% 1.85% 4.48% 3.24% 0.42%
2026/09/12 5.83% 26.18% 17.53% 6.11% 2.48% 1.02% 2% 4.98% 5.5% 0.91%
2026/09/13 9.52% 22.14% 17.39% 6.51% 2.92% 2.4% 1.79% 4% 4.51% 1.94%
2026/09/14 9.7% 21.02% 15.6% 3.59% 2.65% 1.86% 0.69% 4.22% 3.83% 1.45%
2026/09/15 9.63% 26.37% 9.35% 6.28% 2.91% 1.69% 3.25% 3.33% 2.88% 2.82%
2026/09/16 22.5% 21.27% 8.18% 4.69% 2.96% 3.49% 1.07% 2.72% 1.4% 1.39%
2026/09/17 22.94% 16.82% 6.52% 4.17% 4.69% 3.03% 1.31% 2.84% 1.64% 2.56%
2026/09/18 23.58% 14.6% 8.46% 3.55% 5.33% 3.33% 1.88% 2.61% 2.61% 2.45%
2026/09/19 20.31% 16.96% 10.07% 3.97% 5.54% 5.32% 2.46% 2.86% 1.79% 2.34%
2026/09/20 18.72% 19.85% 7.39% 4.43% 5.14% 3.56% 1.23% 3.32% 2.65% 2.18%
2026/09/21 26.23% 21.05% 5.9% 4.42% 5.08% 2.19% 2.34% 2.63% 1.68% 3.08%
2026/09/22 23.44% 17.95% 5.83% 5.04% 4.48% 5.24% 1.8% 2.75% 1.39% 3.44%
2026/09/23 32.08% 16.91% 5.45% 2.79% 4.77% 2.06% 2.08% 2.26% 0.7% 2.06%
2026/09/24 23.26% 16.63% 5.82% 5.34% 4.58% 1.71% 2.66% 2.32% 1.8% 4.03%
2026/09/25 23.68% 13.11% 5.36% 5.07% 4.34% 4.33% 2.75% 2.23% 1.98% 3.96%
2026/09/26 22.02% 18.78% 6.55% 5.66% 4.69% 3.59% 3.01% 2.27% 1.4% 2.24%
2026/09/27 27.87% 0.62% 7.48% 6.11% 5.53% 2.84% 2.39% 2% 3.56% 3.05%
2026/09/28 31.21% 6.07% 4.71% 5.26% 4.37% 5.5% 2.71% 1.87% 1.53% 1.89%
2026/09/29 23.06% 18.88% 5.47% 4.77% 3.35% 1.73% 2.71% 2.36% 1.66% 1.91%
2026/09/30 29.2% 7.18% 5.47% 5.19% 3.76% 3.29% 2.18% 1.97% 1.78% 1.54%
  • arden.ac.uk
  • open.ac.uk
  • coursera.org
  • udemy.com
  • icslearn.co.uk
  • openstudycollege.com
  • quizlet.com
  • education.gov.uk
  • hdruklearn.org
  • preply.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, arden.ac.uk’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 32.08% on the 23rd. open.ac.uk started strong but dipped, ending at 7.18%. coursera.org saw a mid-month surge, while udemy.com remained steady. icslearn.co.uk and openstudycollege.com had minor variations. quizlet.com and education.gov.uk showed consistent low shares. hdruklearn.org and preply.com had minimal impact.

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

    Study Open Courses Online — Accredited Qualifications, 24/7 Online Access To Study Materials, Student Support. Join Arden...

  2. 2
    Learn Online with Coursera® | Advance your career skills https://www.coursera.org

    Unlimited Access to 10,000+ Courses, Specializations and Professional Certificates. Get unlimited access to over 10,000 learning programs from top universities and companies. Learn On Any Device.

  3. 3
    Free Government Training | Free and Flexible Courses https://skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk

    Free Courses To Boost Your Skills And Get A Better Job. Find New Learning Opportunities. Free...

  4. 4
    The Open University® Courses | Register By 10 September https://www.open.ac.uk › open › university

    Your Dream Career Starts Here. Open Up Your Future With An OU Qualification. Enquire Now. Whatever You Want To Achieve, Make It Happen...

  5. 5
    Open College Online Courses https://www.openstudycollege.com

    Choose From Over 700 Courses — Enrol today and ease the cost of your course with our special discounts! Fully accredited online courses designed to be studied from the comfort...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online education, Arden University, Coursera, and Open University stand out with compelling narratives. Arden emphasizes accredited qualifications and 24/7 access, while Coursera offers over 10,000 courses from top institutions. Open University invites learners to “Open Up Your Future,” highlighting career advancement.

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