# PEARSON PLC

Summary updated: 2026-10-02T14:04:35.07893Z
Canonical: https://finbar.com/research/companies/pearson-plc

## 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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942659)

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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942659)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942666)[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942674)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942680)[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942685)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942692)

Pearson reported 2025 sales of £3.577 billion. [7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942828) The company says it has more than 24,000 employees operating in 70 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries. [8](https://www.pearson.com/content/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/en.html)[9](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/explore-pearson.html)
[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942659)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942666)[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942674)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942680)[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942685)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942692)[7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942828)[8](https://www.pearson.com/content/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/en.html)[9](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/explore-pearson.html)

## 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](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/mylab.html) [11](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/inclusive-access.html) [12](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17323366) [13](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/strategic-report-2025.pdf)

**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](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/pearson-virtual-schools.html) [15](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/ceo-letter-2025.pdf) [16](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/) [17](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)

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](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquire-career-and-technical-education-leader-edynamic-learning) [13](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/strategic-report-2025.pdf)
[10](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/mylab.html)[11](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/inclusive-access.html)[12](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17323366)[13](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/strategic-report-2025.pdf)[14](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/pearson-virtual-schools.html)[15](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/ceo-letter-2025.pdf)[16](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/)[17](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)[18](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquire-career-and-technical-education-leader-edynamic-learning)[10](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/mylab.html)[11](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/inclusive-access.html)[13](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/strategic-report-2025.pdf)[14](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/pearson-virtual-schools.html)[15](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/ceo-letter-2025.pdf)[16](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/)[17](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)[18](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquire-career-and-technical-education-leader-edynamic-learning)

## 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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150945125) 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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150945125) 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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150945125) Pearson’s registered office is at 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL. [20](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/2025-03/Pearson%20plc%20Notice%20of%20Meeting%202025.pdf) 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](https://www.pearson.com/content/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/en.html)
[19](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150945125)[20](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/2025-03/Pearson%20plc%20Notice%20of%20Meeting%202025.pdf)[8](https://www.pearson.com/content/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/en.html)

## 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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942666)[21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942667)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942668)[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942669)[24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942670)[25](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942671)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)

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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942680)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187) Virtual Learning provides US K12 virtual-school and district solutions, including courseware, technology, instruction and support; sales were £511m, or approximately 14.3%. [3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942674)[27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942675)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)

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](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942685)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187) Enterprise Learning & Skills focuses on vocational qualifications and employer-oriented skilling, assessment and digital credentialing; its £282m of sales represented approximately 7.9%. [6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942692)[28](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942693)[29](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942694)[30](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942695)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187) Percentages are calculated from FY2025 segment sales and total group sales of £3,577m. [26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)
[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942666)[21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942667)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942668)[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942669)[24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942670)[25](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942671)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942680)[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942674)[27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942675)[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942685)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942692)[28](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942693)[29](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942694)[30](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942695)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)[31](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/pearson-annual-report-2025.pdf)

## 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](https://www.pearson.com.hk/en_GB/about-us/about-pearson/our-story.html) Its publishing business grew through the acquisition of Longman in 1968 and Penguin Books in 1970. [33](https://prd1.pearson.com.hk/index.php?section=18) [34](https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/company-timeline)

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](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar1998.pdf) [36](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar2000.pdf) In 2013, Penguin Random House was formed as a joint venture with Bertelsmann, with Pearson holding a 47% stake. [37](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/press-releases/2013/2013-INTERIM-RESULTS-FULL-PRESS-FINANCIALS_FINAL.pdf) In 2015, Pearson sold the Financial Times Group to Nikkei and its stake in The Economist Group, further concentrating the company on education. [38](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/annual-reports/ar2015/Pearson_AR2015.pdf)

Pearson broadened its learning and skills offerings in 2022 through acquisitions of digital credentialing company Credly and language-learning platform Mondly. [39](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-digital-credentialing-leader-credly) [40](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-leading-online-language-learning-platform) In 2025, it acquired eDynamic Learning and disposed of Copp Clark. [7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942828)
[7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942828)[32](https://www.pearson.com.hk/en_GB/about-us/about-pearson/our-story.html)[33](https://prd1.pearson.com.hk/index.php?section=18)[34](https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/company-timeline)[35](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar1998.pdf)[36](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar2000.pdf)[37](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/press-releases/2013/2013-INTERIM-RESULTS-FULL-PRESS-FINANCIALS_FINAL.pdf)[38](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/annual-reports/ar2015/Pearson_AR2015.pdf)[39](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-digital-credentialing-leader-credly)[40](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-leading-online-language-learning-platform)

## Sources

1. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942659)
2. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942666)
3. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942674)
4. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942680)
5. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942685)
6. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942692)
7. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942828)
8. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/content/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/en.html)
9. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/explore-pearson.html)
10. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/mylab.html)
11. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/inclusive-access.html)
12. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17323366)
13. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/strategic-report-2025.pdf)
14. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/pearson-virtual-schools.html)
15. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/ceo-letter-2025.pdf)
16. [www.pearsonpte.com](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/)
17. [www.pearsonpte.com](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)
18. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquire-career-and-technical-education-leader-edynamic-learning)
19. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150945125)
20. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/2025-03/Pearson%20plc%20Notice%20of%20Meeting%202025.pdf)
21. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942667)
22. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942668)
23. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942669)
24. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942670)
25. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942671)
26. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T17324187)
27. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942675)
28. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942693)
29. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942694)
30. [PEARSON PLC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P150942695)
31. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/annual-reports/2025/pearson-annual-report-2025.pdf)
32. [www.pearson.com.hk](https://www.pearson.com.hk/en_GB/about-us/about-pearson/our-story.html)
33. [prd1.pearson.com.hk](https://prd1.pearson.com.hk/index.php?section=18)
34. [www.penguin.co.uk](https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/company-timeline)
35. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar1998.pdf)
36. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com-v2/files/annual-reports/ar2000.pdf)
37. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/press-releases/2013/2013-INTERIM-RESULTS-FULL-PRESS-FINANCIALS_FINAL.pdf)
38. [www.pearson.com](https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/corporate/global/pearson-dot-com/files/annual-reports/ar2015/Pearson_AR2015.pdf)
39. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-digital-credentialing-leader-credly)
40. [plc.pearson.com](https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/pearson-acquires-leading-online-language-learning-platform)

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