v3.8.0.1

Stock-Based Compensation - Expense (Details)		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 05, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Number of share-based employee compensation plans | item		2
Percentage of purchase price to fair market value	90.00%
Maximum payroll deduction amount per calendar year	$ 25,000
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 7,122,000	$ 3,895,000
Curriculum and teaching
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Stock-based compensation expense		2,000
Servicing and support
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Stock-based compensation expense		872,000	695,000
Technology and content development
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Stock-based compensation expense		711,000	646,000
Program marketing and sales
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Stock-based compensation expense		489,000	342,000
General and administrative
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 5,048,000	$ 2,212,000
Minimum
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Percentage of payroll deduction	1.00%
Maximum
Stock-based compensation expense included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
Percentage of payroll deduction	15.00%

X

- Definition

The percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Represents the least amount of percentage difference from purchase price to fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	twou_
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Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the number of employee compensation plans under the share-based arrangements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Maximum amount the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Details

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