v3.19.3.a.u2

Organization (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 offering segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of educational offerings (more than) | offering	400
Number of reportable segments (in segments) | segment	2

X

- Definition

Number of Educational Offerings

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	twou_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration