Both HE and FE institutions are expanding their student markets. Technology can help institutions to reach new potential students, for example through the use of social networking and web 2.0 technologies in marketing and branding strategies, and through release of open educational resources to engage non-enrolled students in learning opportunities.

'SpringboardTV (by delivering student content via online internet TV) enabled us to reverse the decline in applications and enrolments, improve the engagement, retention, achievement and attainment of students in the media area.' (SpringboardTV)

'Across the Department similar gains have been made. Between 2007‐08 and 2010‐11, the total number of online enrolments transactions in the first quarter of the year increased by 142% from 1,171 in Q1 2007‐08 to 2,834 in Q1 2010‐11. Growth in financial value was even greater with a 290% increase over the same period. This service has had a significant impact on the finances of the Department and has been a major factor in our continued success in improving service levels and managing the Departments cost base.’ (CASCADE)

New learners' needs can only be accommodated if there is flexibility in the curriculum design system. Design projects have highlighted some of the ways in which this can be achieved, for example:

- developing a lean course and class approval system that can respond to new challenges and develop new products rapidly (PiP)

- reviewing and reforming the academic calendar to allow multiple start-points (UG-Flex)

- providing flexible Information Advice and Guidance around the design and approval process, to support effective design decisions which take the different needs of learners into account (Enable)

Some of the student groups which have been identified and supported by JISC Curriculum Design and Delivery projects include:

international students

remote learners

work-based learners

part-time, non-traditional and 'in employment' learners - see CASCADE and Atelier-D projects