v3.4.0.3

Summary Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Minimum
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
Period to derive revenue under long-term contracts	10 years
Maximum
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
Period to derive revenue under long-term contracts	15 years

X

- Definition

Represents the period to derive revenue under long-term contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	twou_PeriodToDeriveRevenueUnderLongTermContracts
Namespace Prefix:	twou_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	twou_RevenueRecognitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	twou_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: