Overview
Pearson plc is a global learning and education company whose activities span educational content and digital learning, assessment and qualifications, English-language learning, and workforce skills. Its purpose is to help people “realise the life they imagine through learning.” [1]
The company serves learners, educators, institutions, employers and governments through products and services including courseware, online learning, testing, qualifications, credentials and talent assessment. Its business includes Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, Higher Education, English Language Learning, and Enterprise Learning & Skills.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Pearson reported 2025 sales of £3.577 billion.[7] The company says it has more than 24,000 employees operating in 70 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries.[8][9] [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Products & services
Pearson’s products and services span assessment, digital learning, online schooling, English-language testing and career training. In Higher Education, **MyLab** combines course content, study tools and performance insights in a customizable platform; Pearson also offers **Mastering** and **Revel**. Its **Inclusive Access** service gives students access to digital course materials from the first day of class, and Pearson has added AI study features including **Go Deeper**, which uses follow-up questions to prompt critical thinking. Higher Education sales were £775 million in 2025.[10][11][12][13]
**Connections Academy** provides full-time online K–12 public schooling, combining curriculum, teachers and a learning platform. Pearson reported a network of 41 schools in 31 U.S. states in 2025. In English-language learning, **PTE Academic** is a computer-based test covering speaking, writing, reading and listening; its scoring combines AI and human expertise, with results typically available within two days. The 2025 test update added “Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation.” [14][15][16][17]
Pearson’s Enterprise Learning & Skills offerings include vocational qualifications and career and technical education. Through its acquisition of **eDynamic Learning**, Pearson added digital courses for K–12, post-secondary and adult learners, covering more than 40 career pathways. Assessment & Qualifications includes assessment and qualification services. Pearson reported 2025 sales of £1,604 million for Assessment & Qualifications, £511 million for Virtual Learning, £405 million for English Language Learning and £775 million for Higher Education; these are business-unit figures, not individual product shares. The 2025 reporting materials do not specify individual named products’ shares of company revenue.[18][13] [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][10][11][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Geographic presence
Pearson plc’s geographic sales are concentrated in the US and UK. In 2025, external sales by customer location were £2,400 million in the US (67.1% of group sales) and £510 million in the UK (14.3%), together accounting for 81.4% of total sales.[19] Asia Pacific contributed £354 million (9.9%), other European countries £126 million (3.5%), other countries £119 million (3.3%), and Canada £68 million (1.9%), against group sales of £3,577 million.[19] Percentages are calculated from the reported sales figures.
Non-current assets were also concentrated in the US (£2,287 million) and UK (£516 million), out of a reported total of £3,318 million.[19] Pearson’s registered office is at 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL.[20] The company website describes Pearson as operating in 70 countries and having more than 24,000 employees, but does not provide a geographic employee distribution.[8] [19][20][8]
Business segments
Pearson reported five operating segments for FY2025. Assessment & Qualifications provides testing, certification and qualification solutions through businesses including Pearson Professional Assessments, Clinical Assessment, US Student Assessment, and UK & International Qualifications. It generated £1,604m, approximately 44.8% of group sales.[2][21][22][23][24][25][26]
Higher Education delivers learning experiences for post-secondary and Early Careers, with offerings also reaching K12 through Honours, AP, Dual Enrolment and Career and Technical Education. Its £775m of sales represented approximately 21.7% of the group.[4][26] Virtual Learning provides US K12 virtual-school and district solutions, including courseware, technology, instruction and support; sales were £511m, or approximately 14.3%.[3][27][26]
English Language Learning serves individual and institutional learners, teachers, enterprises and governments with learning products and proficiency assessments; it recorded £405m of sales, approximately 11.3%.[5][26] Enterprise Learning & Skills focuses on vocational qualifications and employer-oriented skilling, assessment and digital credentialing; its £282m of sales represented approximately 7.9%.[6][28][29][30][26] Percentages are calculated from FY2025 segment sales and total group sales of £3,577m.[26] [2][21][22][23][24][25][4][3][27][5][6][28][29][30][26][26][26][26][26][26][31]
Company history
Pearson traces its origins to 1844, when Samuel Pearson founded a building firm in Yorkshire; the company expanded as a construction contractor before moving into publishing in the 1920s.[32] Its publishing business grew through the acquisition of Longman in 1968 and Penguin Books in 1970.[33][34]
From the late 1990s, Pearson expanded its education business, acquiring Simon & Schuster’s education, business and professional, and reference divisions in 1998, followed by US assessment and data-management company National Computer Systems in 2000.[35][36] In 2013, Penguin Random House was formed as a joint venture with Bertelsmann, with Pearson holding a 47% stake.[37] In 2015, Pearson sold the Financial Times Group to Nikkei and its stake in The Economist Group, further concentrating the company on education.[38]
Pearson broadened its learning and skills offerings in 2022 through acquisitions of digital credentialing company Credly and language-learning platform Mondly.[39][40] In 2025, it acquired eDynamic Learning and disposed of Copp Clark.[7] [7][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]
Sources
- PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)
- www.pearson.com[8]
- www.pearson.com[9]
- www.pearson.com[10]
- www.pearson.com[11]
- plc.pearson.com[13]
- www.pearson.com[14]
- plc.pearson.com[15]
- www.pearsonpte.com[16]
- www.pearsonpte.com[17]
- plc.pearson.com[18]
- plc.pearson.com[20]
- plc.pearson.com[31]
- www.pearson.com.hk[32]
- prd1.pearson.com.hk[33]
- www.penguin.co.uk[34]
- www.pearson.com[35]
- www.pearson.com[36]
- www.pearson.com[37]
- www.pearson.com[38]
- plc.pearson.com[39]
- plc.pearson.com[40]
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