MOOCs are free online courses that anybody can take to earn certificates upon completion. Top universities around the world increasingly offer MOOCs, and the total number of registered users of the Coursera and edX platforms has reached more than 20 million. Increasing numbers of students are also using MOOCs to improve their skills for employment or for changing careers by earning individually validated certificates of accomplishment which are issued for a fee.
In September 2013, UTokyo became the first Japanese university to offer MOOCs, with two courses on the Coursera platform. UTokyo has offered six courses via Coursera and edX in the following two years.
UTokyo also offers Open Course Ware and has channel for UTokyo TV on YouTube.