Using a MOOC as a BDE at NTU: What You Need to Know
If you have heard that NTU students can take an online course and count it toward their BDE requirements, that is true — but it comes with conditions most students miss.
MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are offered by platforms like Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn. NTU has a formal pathway that lets approved MOOCs count as BDE credits, but the process requires upfront approval, and not every course qualifies.
This article covers how the MOOC-as-BDE pathway works, what the approval process looks like, and whether it makes more sense than just taking a regular BDE.
Quick summary: NTU has a MOOC-as-BDE scheme. You must get pre-approval before starting the course. Not all MOOCs count. You still go through STARS registration. Check with your school — eligibility and AU count vary by programme.
What counts as a MOOC for BDE credit
NTU has an official MOOC credit transfer programme. Three platforms are accepted: Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn. You register using your NTU email address.
Courses that count must be on NTU's pre-approved list — these are selected courses from top universities offered through the three platforms. Not every course on Coursera or edX qualifies. A course you found yourself will not count unless it is on the approved list.
You can transfer a maximum of 12 AUs from MOOCs across your entire candidature at NTU. Plan accordingly if you intend to use MOOCs across multiple semesters.
How the process works
The pathway is not as simple as completing a MOOC and submitting a certificate. There are steps to follow in the right order.
Step 1: Check your school's approved MOOC list
Start with your school or programme office. Most schools that participate in the MOOC-as-BDE scheme maintain a list of pre-approved MOOCs. If the course you want is on that list, your path to approval is more straightforward.
If the course you want is not on the list, you will likely need to submit a request for ad-hoc approval before you start.
Step 2: Get pre-approval before you start
This is the most common mistake students make. You cannot complete a MOOC first and then ask for it to count. Pre-approval must happen before you begin the course.
Contact your school's general office or academic advisor, provide details about the course, and get written confirmation that it will count toward your BDE requirements before you invest time in it.
Step 3: Register in STARS
Approved MOOCs are typically represented as a module in STARS, the same system used for regular modules. You will still need to register during your allocated STARS window. Check with your school on which module code maps to the MOOC pathway, and whether it requires a bid or is allocated differently.
Step 4: Complete the MOOC and submit proof
Once you complete the MOOC, submit a credit transfer application to your school with three things:
- Your eCertificate of Completion from the platform
- Your enrollment confirmation email
- A reflection report on your learning
Applications submitted by Teaching Week 11 are recorded in the same semester. Submit after that and the credit appears in the following semester.
AU credit and grading
MOOC credits are recorded with a Pass notation only — they do not carry a letter grade and do not affect your CAP. This is true across the programme, not school-dependent.
The AU credit per MOOC varies by course. NTU caps total MOOC credit transfers at 12 AUs across your full candidature, regardless of how many individual MOOCs you complete.
Cost
Most MOOCs through this programme are free for NTU students. NTU is a Coursera partner university — register with your NTU email to get a Campus account with free certificates for eligible courses. edX and FutureLearn courses under the approved list are similarly accessible through your NTU account.
Use your NTU email when registering on these platforms to ensure you get the institutional access. If you registered with a personal email before matriculation, switch to your NTU email after you matriculate.
MOOC vs regular BDE: how to decide
| Factor | MOOC | Regular BDE |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule flexibility | High — self-paced, no fixed timetable | Fixed lecture and tutorial slots |
| Timetable conflict | None | Can clash with core modules |
| Cost | Free via NTU institutional access | Covered by tuition |
| Approval required | Yes, upfront | No — register through STARS normally |
| GPA impact | Often S/U, sometimes graded | Counted in GPA unless S/U applied |
| Social experience | Minimal — online, async | Classmates, discussions, campus experience |
| Depth | Varies by course | Structured by NTU academics |
| Availability | Year-round | Semester-based |
A MOOC makes most sense when:
- You have a heavy semester and need to avoid fixed tutorial slots
- You have a timetable clash that blocks the BDE you want
- The specific skill or topic you want is not available as a regular BDE
- You prefer self-paced learning over fixed weekly classes
A regular BDE makes more sense when:
- You want the experience of being in a class
- You are unsure about the topic and want structured guidance
- You want letter grades that can boost your CAP
- You value the GPA buffer that S/U BDEs can offer
Risks to watch out for
Not getting pre-approval. If you complete a MOOC without prior approval, there is no guarantee it will count. Schools are not obligated to accept it retroactively.
Missing STARS registration. Even with approval, if you forget to register the module in STARS during your window, you may not get credit for the semester you intended.
Courses being removed from approved lists. Platforms update their catalogues and NTU's approved lists change. A course that was approved last year may not be on the list for your semester.
Overestimating time savings. Self-paced does not always mean faster. MOOCs often require the same total hours as a regular module — they just let you spread them across your own schedule.
What to do next
- Check your school's official MOOC or BDE documentation to see if a MOOC pathway exists for your programme
- Get the approved MOOC list from your general office or academic advisor
- Confirm pre-approval in writing before you start any course
- Check the STARS module code for MOOC registration in your semester
- Register on Coursera/edX/FutureLearn with your NTU email to get free institutional access
If you are still deciding whether a MOOC or a traditional BDE fits your semester better, see How to Choose a BDE at NTU for a broader framework, or Easy BDEs at NTU if you are looking for lower-workload options that do not involve the MOOC approval process.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any MOOC as a BDE at NTU?
No. Only MOOCs from approved platforms and within approved course lists count. You also need pre-approval from your school before starting. Check with your general office or academic advisor for what qualifies under your programme.
Do I need to register a MOOC in STARS?
Yes. Even if the course is online and self-paced, you still need to register a corresponding module in STARS within your registration window. The module code for the MOOC pathway varies by school — get this from your school before your registration window opens.
Does a MOOC BDE affect my GPA?
No. MOOC credits are recorded with a Pass notation only — there is no letter grade and no CAP impact. This applies universally under NTU's MOOC credit transfer programme.
Can I start the MOOC first and then apply for BDE credit?
This is not recommended. Most schools require pre-approval before you begin the course. Completing a MOOC first and then requesting credit is often rejected or requires a more complex ad-hoc appeal process with no guaranteed outcome.
How many AU can I get from MOOCs?
AU credit varies by course. NTU caps total MOOC credit transfers at 12 AUs across your entire candidature — this is a hard university-wide limit, not a per-school policy. Plan your MOOC credits accordingly if you intend to use multiple courses across different semesters.