Why Cohort Platforms Are Essential for Universities

Cohort-based learning encourages students to stay motivated and accountable by working together in groups. Live discussions and team assignments help learners build connections, share perspectives, and feel more invested in the learning process.

For universities, cohort platforms also deliver valuable insights through detailed engagement analytics. This allows educators to monitor progress, adjust course designs, and address student needs in real-time. With these kinds of tools, institutions can create programs that are both engaging and effective.

Most cohort platforms include built-in features like live virtual classrooms, discussion boards, and scheduling tools. By integrating these functions into one system, universities can simplify program management while giving students an intuitive, fully connected learning experience.

Key Factors for Implementing a Cohort-Based Model

Ease of Use

Learning platforms should make getting started feel effortless. Streamlining navigation and ensuring tools are intuitive allow instructors and learners to focus on what matters most—engagement and progress. Simplicity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the difference between quick adoption and wasted time troubleshooting.

Scalability

A strong platform grows with your needs. Whether you’re managing a small group of professionals or hosting thousands of learners across global cohorts, the platform must deliver the same high-quality experience. It’s about maintaining consistency while adapting to different scales of operation.

Supported Pedagogies

Great learning happens through interaction. Features like breakout rooms, polls, and group projects transform passive content into active, collaborative education. By enabling these dynamic methods, platforms can empower instructors to create environments where learners feel energized and connected.

Branding

Your learning space should feel like an extension of your organization’s identity. Customized visuals, layouts, and messaging ensure learners aren’t just joining a course—they’re stepping into an experience that reflects your brand’s values and character.

Data & Analytics

Every decision gets better with data. Real-time insights into participation, completion rates, and engagement trends provide the feedback needed to enhance offerings and respond to learner needs. Analytics ensure you’re always informed, enabling continuous improvement and measurable success.

A Quick Comparison of Leading Cohort Platforms for Higher Ed in 2025

Explore the top cohort-based platforms that are shaping the future of higher education. These tools offer unique features to enhance collaboration, engagement, and learning outcomes.

Disco

Disco is reimagining cohort-based learning with AI at its core. By seamlessly combining community engagement, streamlined course design, and automated workflows, Disco helps organizations build experiences that are as efficient as they are impactful. Whether you’re managing university programs or professional training, Disco equips educators with tools to deliver personalized, data-driven learning journeys.

Key Features

• AI-Driven Course Design: Create structured content and syllabi quickly, with prompts that guide you every step of the way.
• Custom Branded Experiences: Give each learning cohort a cohesive, on-brand environment that reflects your organization’s identity.
• Integrated Community Tools: Foster engagement with built-in chat, breakout rooms, and dynamic group management features.
• Operational Automation: Simplify administrative tasks with automated attendance tracking and progress reporting, freeing up time to focus on learners.
• Connected Ecosystem: Integrate with tools like Zoom and Slack to ensure smooth communication and collaboration across platforms.

GroupApp

GroupApp simplifies the process of creating and managing online learning programs by combining modular course building with tools for community engagement and event coordination. It’s designed to help educators and program leaders launch courses quickly and keep learners connected through collaborative spaces.

The platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop curriculum builder enables seamless organization of content, while its drip scheduling feature ensures learners stay engaged at the right pace. Built-in live session capabilities and workflow automation help instructors save time on repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus more on fostering meaningful learning experiences.

Key Features

• Community Forum: Builds a space for learners to share ideas and participate in discussions.
• Drip Scheduling: Releases lessons progressively to maintain momentum and focus.
• Live Sessions: Provides integrated video tools for interactive workshops and Q&A.
• Workflow Automation: Manages reminders and notifications to streamline communication.

Teachfloor

Teachfloor offers a structured platform designed for cohort-based learning. Its tools focus on creating collaborative environments where learners can connect, discuss, and engage with both peers and instructors. With features that enhance both synchronous and asynchronous learning, Teachfloor supports educators in crafting dynamic programs tailored to diverse learning needs.

Key Features

• Live Zoom Integration: Incorporate interactive live sessions directly into course schedules, blending face-to-face learning with digital convenience.
• Data-Driven Insights: Use performance dashboards to monitor student activity, ensuring engagement and progress stay on track.
• Streamlined Communication: Automate email reminders and announcements to keep learners aligned with program goals.
• Custom Certificates: Recognize achievements with certificates that can be tailored to each course and learner milestone.

Circle

Circle is built for fostering dynamic, interactive learning communities where collaboration thrives. With a design focused on creating shared spaces for connection, Circle helps organizations cultivate environments where learners can engage deeply, share knowledge, and interact seamlessly. By prioritizing community as the core of learning, it provides tools to organize discussions, host events, and keep members connected in meaningful ways.

Key Features

• Community Spaces: Dedicated areas for structured discussions, encouraging focused exchanges on specific topics.
• Live Streaming: A built-in option for hosting sessions like Q&As, workshops, or interactive lectures in real time.
• Searchable Knowledge Base: Easy access to past conversations and resources, ensuring continuity and quick reference points.
• Tool Integrations: Connect external platforms to streamline workflows and maintain a cohesive learning ecosystem.

Kajabi

Kajabi combines course hosting with integrated marketing tools, offering a streamlined solution for creating and managing online programs. While frequently used by content creators, it also provides universities and training businesses with tools to enhance communication and maintain consistent engagement across their learning communities. Its email automation features, in particular, enable organizations to stay connected with learners at scale.

Key Features

• Enrollment Funnels: Build seamless paths to guide learners from interest to enrollment with pre-built, customizable funnels.
• Customizable Websites: Create visually branded websites tailored to your organization’s identity using an intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
• Interactive Tools for Learners: Integrate quizzes and surveys to keep learners engaged while gauging their understanding in real time.
• Streamlined Payments: Offer secure, integrated payment options for paid programs, memberships, or certifications.

Thinkific

Thinkific simplifies course creation and learner engagement with tools designed for structured program delivery. Its interface is both intuitive and adaptable, supporting everything from standalone modules to comprehensive curricula. For organizations aiming to combine flexibility with engagement, Thinkific offers a dynamic approach to learning.

Key Features

• Streamlined Course Builder: A drag-and-drop tool that accommodates videos, text, PDFs, and other formats, ensuring diverse and engaging content design.
• Cohort Scheduling Tools: Set structured timelines and deadlines for learners, enabling consistent progress tracking.
• Integrated Discussion Forums: Build a collaborative environment where learners can connect, share ideas, and troubleshoot challenges together.
• Custom Certificates: Recognize achievements with certificates tailored to your program’s branding, creating a rewarding learning journey.

Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is designed to cultivate interactive, community-driven spaces that feel personal and connected. For universities and organizations, it offers a digital environment that fosters collaboration and engagement, replicating the organic connections found in physical spaces. Whether it’s for alumni groups or faculty-led discussions, Mighty Networks thrives in bringing people together with purpose.

Key Features

• Community-Focused Tools: Create spaces where members can connect, discuss, and collaborate with ease.
• Integrated Live Events: Facilitate workshops or presentations seamlessly with built-in streaming or Zoom integration.
• Custom Subgroups: Develop tailored spaces for departments, interest groups, or academic programs, each with its own distinct identity.
• Dynamic Notifications: Ensure members stay informed and engaged with updates on discussions, events, and activities.

Next Steps for Adopting a Cohort-Based Solution

The path to adopting a cohort-based learning platform starts with aligning its capabilities to your organization’s operations and goals. Consider how features like live collaboration, community tools, and AI-driven insights can integrate seamlessly into your workflows. For institutions already using systems like CRMs or student information systems, look for platforms that streamline processes by connecting with your existing tools.

Invite faculty to experiment with pilot courses, gathering their input to refine and enhance the program design. By involving instructors early, you ensure the platform meets the needs of those delivering the learning experience. For students, clear onboarding is key—guiding them to engage fully in collaborative, time-bound learning environments that encourage interaction and accountability.

By choosing a platform designed for adaptability and engagement, your institution can deliver cohort-based programs that feel both personalized and scalable. Disco’s AI-powered platform simplifies this process, offering tools to design and manage transformative learning experiences for students and faculty alike. Ready to see it in action? Book a Demo to explore the possibilities. Whether you’re running a pilot or scaling across departments, Disco offers a cohesive solution to elevate your programs. Book a demo now and take the first step toward a more connected and dynamic learning future.