LONDON, Oct. 17 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
Highlights
Pearson 2025 Nine Month Trading Update (Unaudited)
Underlying Group sales growth accelerating to 4% in Q3, resulting in 2% growth for the nine-month period. Stronger Q4 sales growth expected given known business unit dynamics.
Continued strategic and operational progress, including:
Building Enterprise momentum, including a new strategic partnership with Cognizant (link here) and a strategic alliance with Deloitte, together with the successful launch of our multi-year global collaboration with Salesforce as their exclusive provider of certifications (link here).
Expansion of AI learning content and training through launch of AI Literacy Modules (link here) and ongoing global rollout of AI-powered Study Prep (link here).
Growing evidence that our AI-powered study tools are improving learning outcomes with Connections Academy students achieving higher grades with our AI study tools (link here).
On track to deliver on 2025 market expectations1.
Omar Abbosh, Pearson's Chief Executive, said:"Pearson delivered another quarter of good progress, with accelerated sales growth in Q3, and robust performance across our businesses. Our teams continue to execute against our strategic priorities, leading on the application of innovative technologies and growing our enterprise customer footprint. With clear drivers for strong future growth, we are well positioned for the opportunities that lie ahead, supporting our medium term outlook."
Underlying Group sales growth accelerating to 4% in Q3, 2% for the nine months
Assessment & Qualifications sales growth accelerated in Q3, with sales up 4% in the period and Pearson VUE returning to growth. Sales increased 2% for the nine-month period.
Virtual Learning sales increased 17% in Q3, with 2025/26 academic year enrolments up 13%. Sales increased 4% for the nine-month period.
Higher Education sales were down 1% in Q3 driven by International Higher Education due to ongoing challenging trading conditions in mature markets. US Higher Education sales grew 2% in the same period, with solid growth in our core US Higher Education Courseware business, partly offset by declines in K12 given the transitionary period. Sales increased 2% for the nine-month period.
English Language Learning returned to growth in Q3, with sales up 1%, driven by strong performance in Pearson Test of English (PTE) ahead of recent test enhancements. Sales declined 1% for the nine-month period, as expected.
Enterprise Learning & Skills sales increased 2% in Q3, with quarter on quarter improvement in Enterprise Solutions. Sales grew 3% for the nine-month period with solid performance in Vocational Qualifications and Enterprise Solutions continuing to build momentum.
Outlook
We expect Group sales growth and adjusted operating profit in line with market expectations1 for 2025 with stronger sales growth in Q4.
Beyond 2025, Pearson is positioned to deliver a mid-single digit underlying sales growth CAGR, sustained margin improvement that will equate to an average increase of 40 basis points per annum and strong free cash conversion2, in the region of 90% to 100%, on average, across the period.
Financial summaryUnderlying growth for the third quarter and nine months ended 30th September 2025 compared to the equivalent period in 2024.
Sales
Q3
Nine months
Assessment & Qualifications
4 %
2 %
Virtual Learning
17 %
4 %
Higher Education
(1) %
2 %
English Language Learning
1 %
(1) %
Enterprise Learning & Skills
2 %
3 %
Total
