ETIH New School Year Series: Biggest higher education stories from AI skills to global university rankings
As part of our New School Year Series, we’re rounding up the higher education stories that shaped the past 12 months, from campus expansion and AI training to rankings shifts and degree alternatives.
To mark the start of a new school year across much of the world, ETIH continues its special round-up series spotlighting the defining EdTech stories of the last 12 months.
This time, the focus is on higher education. From AWS and Anthropic investing in AI skills, to Coventry University opening in India’s GIFT City, and U.S. News & World Report’s global rankings shake-up, these ten stories show how universities are adapting to new demands while reshaping the future of learning.
10. AWS launches AI skills programs for students and graduates
In at number ten, Amazon Web Services moved into higher ed training with two new programs for students and recent graduates. Alongside targeted AI and cloud learning paths, AWS introduced LLM League, a competition testing teams on prompt engineering, knowledge retrieval, and fine-tuning. Backed by $2 million in AWS credits, the effort is pitched as a way to help early-career hires bypass repetitive tasks and step into higher-value roles.
9. Anthropic brings Claude for Education to campuses worldwide
Taking the ninth spot, Anthropic pushed deeper into higher ed with Claude for Education. Northeastern, LSE, and Champlain College signed on for campus-wide access, while new initiatives like Claude Campus Ambassadors and student API credits tied the platform directly to student projects. Its Learning mode feature—Socratic prompts and academic templates—is designed to keep students thinking rather than outsourcing answers.
8. Multiverse becomes first UK apprenticeship provider to award degrees
At number eight, Multiverse blurred the line between apprenticeships and university study by awarding its first BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions. Learners employed at Capita, Mars UK, and IHG Hotels gained degree status alongside paid experience, an alternative to tuition-heavy routes. Half of the graduating group hadn’t previously considered higher education, underlining the program’s reach into new demographics.
7. U.S. News & World Report releases 2025–2026 Best Global Universities rankings
Coming in seventh, U.S. News & World Report ranked more than 2,250 institutions worldwide based on academic research and reputation. Harvard, MIT, and Stanford led the top 10, while China overtook the US for the highest number of ranked universities, signaling a shift in global research power.
6. Coventry University approved to open first English campus in India
And in at number six, Coventry University secured approval for a campus in India’s GIFT City, due to open in 2026 with business-focused degrees. The project feeds into nearly £1 billion of overseas expansion and adds to Coventry’s hubs in Egypt, Morocco, China, and Singapore. For UK higher ed, it highlights how universities are chasing growth by planting flags in emerging global markets.
5. AI course demand in UK universities surges 453 percent
Kicking off the top five, demand for AI courses across UK universities surged 453 percent in the past five years, according to research from Currys. Enrollments hit nearly 9,000 in 2022/23, with women’s participation rising fastest. The study showed students are steering toward AI-driven programs like machine learning and software engineering while traditional fields such as languages and education slipped in popularity.
4. Sodexo reshapes campus dining to address student well-being
In at number four, Sodexo Campus moved beyond food service into mental health and inclusion. With half of Gen Z students reporting rising anxiety, its survey identified dining halls as the main point of peer interaction. The company’s 2025 plan includes redesigned dining spaces, inclusivity training for staff, and partnerships with local businesses, reframing meals as a driver of student belonging.
3. Harvard holds on to top spot in THE World Reputation Rankings
Taking the number three spot, Harvard secured first place in Times Higher Education’s World Reputation Rankings for the 14th year in a row. Oxford rose to joint second with MIT, marking a strong UK showing. With the rankings expanded to 300 institutions and new methodology introduced, the list reflected shifting reputations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
2. UPLOpen expands open access library to 10,000 titles
Just missing the top spot, UPLOpen hit 10,000 titles in its open-access platform for global research. Backed by De Gruyter eBound, the initiative brings together publishers like Stanford and NYU Press, with enhanced search and tracking tools added this year. For libraries and researchers, the move was billed as a push to make scholarly work more discoverable and accessible worldwide.
1. Amazon expands Just Walk Out to more than 200 stores, including campuses
And in at number one, Amazon’s checkout-free Just Walk Out system rolled out to more than 200 locations, including over 30 college campuses. The upgrade introduced a new multi-modal AI model capable of handling complex scenarios like blocked cameras or shared shopping carts. For universities, the expansion positioned JWO as both a retail experiment and a case study in AI’s role in daily student life.
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
To explore categories and submit your entry, visit the ETIH Innovation Awards hub.
