TWOU 2U Inc

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2024

Registration No. 333-259928

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

2U, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

(301) 892-4350

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Matthew J. Norden

Chief Financial Officer

2U, Inc.

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: (301) 892-4350

Fax: (202) 478-1660

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Brandon J. Bortner

Paul Hastings LLP

2050 M Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 551-1720

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-259928) of 2U, Inc. (the “Company”), is being filed because the Company expects that it will no longer be a well-known seasoned issuer, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, upon the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 because the worldwide market value of its outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates will be less than $700 million during the 60-day period preceding the date of such filing. Pursuant to interpretive guidance published by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 is being filed to add disclosure to the registration statement required for a registrant other than a well-known seasoned issuer and makes certain other amendments.

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 contains:

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any other securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in one or more prospectus supplements to the base prospectus.

Prospectus

$100,000,000

2U, INC.

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $100,000,000 of any debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, and units (collectively, the “securities”) described in this prospectus.

Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

The securities may be sold directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents, underwriters or dealers and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TWOU”.

On March 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $0.433 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and risk factors in our periodic reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is March 6, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration, we may, from time to time, sell a combination of common stock, debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total amount of $100,000,000. We may also issue common stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any of the securities mentioned above. The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the securities we may offer under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. You can read that registration statement at the SEC web site at www.sec.gov mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus describes the general terms of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement prepared by us or on our behalf may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus, you should carefully read this document with the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. Together, these documents will give the specific terms of the offered securities. You should also read the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and with any prospectus supplement referred to in that free writing prospectus. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to a prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus unless the context requires otherwise.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates.

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SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue” and “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:

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For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, investors should review the risks described in this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering and those incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including those risks detailed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” under our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and any subsequent reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the SEC.

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ABOUT 2U, INC.

2U, Inc., which we refer to throughout this prospectus as “we,” “us,” or “2U,” is an online education platform company, with a mission to expand access to high-quality educational opportunities that unlock human potential.

We provide 83 million people worldwide with access to world-class education in partnership with 260 top-ranked global universities and other leading organizations. Through edX, our education consumer marketplace, we offer more than 4,500 high-quality online learning opportunities, including open courses, executive education offerings, boot camps, professional certificates as well as undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Our offerings cover a wide range of topics including artificial intelligence, business, healthcare, education, and social work.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 and our telephone number at that location is (301) 892-4350.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you decide to invest in the securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and any of our subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering states otherwise, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the securities to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplement relates.

Types of Securities

The types of securities that we may offer and sell from time to time by this prospectus are:

We will determine when we sell securities, the amounts of securities we will sell and the prices and other terms on which we will sell them.

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. Each prospectus supplement will include the following information:

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer unsecured debt securities in one or more series which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible into another security.

The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions may apply to those debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of our debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and one or more trustees selected by us.

We have summarized certain general features of the debt securities from the indenture. The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the provisions of the indenture and indenture supplement, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of that series of debt securities. Authorizing resolutions, a certificate or a supplemental indenture will set forth the specific terms of each series of debt securities. These terms may include, among others, the following:

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General

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of any other debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of U.S. $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

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Global Securities

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock is 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value.

As of December 31, 2023, 82,260,619 shares of our common stock were outstanding and no preferred stock was outstanding.

Common Stock

The following description of certain rights of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated by-laws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” below for directions on obtaining these documents.

Voting Rights. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of common stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the common stock offered through that prospectus supplement.

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that preferred stock.

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We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each particular series of preferred stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the series of preferred stock to which it relates:

Any or all of these rights may be greater than the rights of the holders of common stock. In addition, our board of directors, without shareholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

The terms of the preferred stock that might be issued could conceivably prohibit us from:

Preferred stock could therefore be issued with terms calculated to delay, defer or prevent a change in our control or to make it more difficult to remove our management. Our issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue:

Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe:

Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, warrants for the purchase of preferred stock and common stock will be offered and exercisable for U.S. dollars only, and will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment as described in the prospectus supplement for those warrants.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise, including:

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants, or any combination of those securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering of such units will describe their terms, including the following:

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together:

If the securities offered under this prospectus are issued in exchange for our outstanding securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the exchange, and the identity and the terms of sale of the securities offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to an agent in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement for that transaction. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of the securities as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

If we utilize an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of securities. We will describe any of these activities in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any direct sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized.

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Agreements we enter into with agents, underwriters and dealers may entitle them to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates, may be our customers, or engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Certain of the agents, underwriters and dealers that we sell the securities offered under this prospectus to or through, and certain of their affiliates, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. We may enter into hedging transactions in connection with any particular issue of the securities offered under this prospectus, including forwards, futures, options, interest rate or exchange rate swaps and repurchase or reverse repurchase transactions with, or arranged by, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer, an affiliate of that agent, underwriter or dealer or an unrelated entity. We, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer or other parties may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits in connection with these transactions. We are not required to engage in any of these transactions. If we commence these transactions, we may discontinue them at any time. Counterparties to these hedging activities also may engage in market transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus.

No securities may be sold under this prospectus without delivery (in paper format, in electronic format, in electronic format on the Internet, or by other means) of the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

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LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, the validity of those securities and certain U.S. federal income tax matters may be passed upon for us by Paul Hastings LLP, Washington, District of Columbia, and for the underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of 2U, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You can also access our SEC filings through our website at www.2U.com. Except as expressly set forth below, we are not incorporating by reference the contents of the SEC website or our website into this prospectus.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. Any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents, provided, however, that we are not incorporating any documents or information deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules:

In addition, all documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until the offering of the securities offered hereby is terminated or completed, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

Matthew J. Norden

Chief Financial Officer

2U, Inc.

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: (301) 892-4350

You may also find additional information about us, including the documents mentioned above, on our website at www.2U.com. Our website and the information included in, or linked to on, our website are not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as a textual reference.

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2U, INC.

Prospectus

March 6, 2024

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth all expenses payable by us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered, other than discounts and commissions.

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that none of the Company’s directors will be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing Article SIXTH of the Company’s certificate of incorporation by the Company’s stockholders will not adversely affect any right of a director existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Under Section 145 of the DGCL, a corporation has the power to indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain limitations against certain costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of being a director or officer of the corporation if it is determined that the director or officer acted in accordance with the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such statutory provision. Article VII of the Company’s by-laws provides that the Company will indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was a director of officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against certain liabilities, costs and expenses. Article VII also provides

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for the advancement of expenses to an indemnified party upon receipt of an undertaking by the party to repay those amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of Article VII of the Company’s by-laws will be prospective only and will not in any way adversely affect any right of a director or officer in effect at the time with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

The Company maintains a director and officer insurance policy which insures the directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, within certain limits and subject to certain limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers.

In addition, the underwriting agreement that the Company may enter into may provide for indemnification by any underwriters of the Company its directors, its officers who signed the registration statement and the Company’s controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

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Item 16. Exhibits

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Item 17. Undertakings

of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 2U, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lanham, Maryland, on March 6, 2024.

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Paul S. Lalljie and Matthew J. Norden and each or any of them (with full power to act alone) as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto each attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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EXHIBIT 5.1

2U, Inc.

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to 2U, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-259928) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), including a base prospectus set forth therein (the “Base Prospectus”), relating to the issuance and sale of up to $100,000,000 of (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and the trustee to be named therein, (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (v) units of the Company (“Units”) each consisting of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Warrants, or any combination of those securities, which may be issued pursuant to one or more agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more unit agents to be named therein, and (vi) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or settlement of any Units, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Units and Indeterminate Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act. The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Base Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

This opinion letter is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.

2U, Inc.

March 6, 2024

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As such counsel and for purposes of our opinions set forth herein, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein, including, without limitation:

In addition to the foregoing, we have made such investigations of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth in this opinion letter.

In such examination and in rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification: (i) the genuineness of all signatures on all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us; (ii) the legal capacity, competency and authority of all persons or entities executing all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us; (iii) the authenticity and completeness of all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as originals; (iv) that all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as certified, electronic, facsimile, conformed, photostatic or other copies conform to the originals thereof, and that such originals are authentic and complete; (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents by all parties thereto; (vi) that no documents submitted to us have been amended or terminated orally or in writing, except as has been disclosed to us in writing; (vii) that the statements contained in the certificates and comparable documents of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons on which we have relied for the purposes of this opinion letter are true and correct on and as of the date hereof; (viii) that there has not been nor will there be any change in the good standing status of the Company from that

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March 6, 2024

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reported in the Good Standing Certificate; and (ix) that each of the officers and directors of the Company has properly exercised his or her fiduciary duties. As to all questions of fact material to this opinion letter and as to the materiality of any fact or other matter referred to herein, we have relied (without independent investigation or verification) upon representations and certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company. With your consent, we have assumed that (i) each of the Debt Securities, and any related Indenture and supplemental indenture, term sheet or certificate establishing the terms thereof, the Warrants and any related Warrant Agreement, the Units and any related Unit Agreement, and any purchase, underwriting, sales agreement or similar agreement (collectively, the “Documents”) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York and that the choice of law is legally enforceable, (ii) the Documents (other than the Indenture) will contain all provisions required under the laws of the State of Delaware in respect of contracts for the sale of securities issued by a Delaware corporation, (iii) each of the Documents will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iv) each of the Documents will constitute valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with their respective terms.

We also have assumed that none of (i) the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Documents, (ii) the terms of any of the Securities to be established after the date hereof, (iii) the issuance or delivery of such Securities, or (iv) the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities will (a) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation to which the Company is then subject or the Certificate of Incorporation, or the Bylaws, as amended, then in effect, (b) result in a breach of or default under any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company or any of its properties, or (c) violate, or cause the Company not to comply with, any consent, approval, license, authorization, restriction or requirement imposed by, or any filing, recording or registration with, any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

We have further assumed that (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto will be effective under the Act (and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded) and comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, as applicable; (ii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities offered thereby will have been prepared and filed with the Commission in compliance with the Act and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and such Prospectus Supplement; (iii) the terms of the Securities will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, as applicable, and the corporate action of the Company authorizing the issuance and sale of such Securities; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Act, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, if applicable, and the securities or blue sky laws of various states and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, as applicable; (v) the Indenture, any supplemental indentures and the trustee will have been qualified pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 at the time the Securities are offered or issued (or such later time as may be permitted pursuant to the rules, regulations, interpretations or positions of the Commission) as contemplated by the Registration Statement; and (vi) the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case

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March 6, 2024

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may be, offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, as applicable, or, in the case of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Units, as applicable, represented by, comprising or issuable upon exchange, exercise or conversion of such Securities, does not exceed, at the time of issuance of such Securities, the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be.

Based upon the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and exceptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:

1. With respect to any shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (including any shares of Common Stock duly issued upon the exchange, exercise or conversion of Securities that are exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock), when (a) the issuance of such shares of Common Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and (b) such shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) as contemplated by the Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. With respect to any shares of Preferred Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (including any shares of Preferred Stock duly issued upon the exchange, exercise or conversion of Securities that are exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, Preferred Stock), when (a) a series of Preferred Stock has been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (b) the relative rights, preferences and limitations of such series of Preferred Stock have been designated by all necessary corporate action of the Company and set forth in a Certificate of Designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (c) the issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (d) such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) as contemplated by the Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (e) if such shares of Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of Common Stock, such shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. With respect to any series of Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Warrants) to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, when (a) the Indenture and any supplemental indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the trustee and have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (b) the specific terms

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March 6, 2024

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of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with such Indenture and applicable law, (c) such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, duly authenticated by the trustee and duly executed, issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor in accordance with such Indenture and any applicable purchase, underwriting, sales or similar agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (d) if such Debt Securities are convertible into shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the Indenture, such Debt Securities will constitute binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. With respect to any Warrants to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, when (a) a Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent named therein, (b) the specific terms of the particular issuance of Warrants have been duly established in accordance with such Warrant Agreement and applicable law and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (c) the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such Warrant Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (d) as applicable, (i) the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants or (ii) the Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reserved for delivery upon exercise of the Warrants, in each case by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and such Warrant Agreement, such Warrants will constitute binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. With respect to any Units to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, when (a) a Unit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the counterparty named therein, (b) the specific terms of the particular issuance of Units have been duly established in accordance with such Unit Agreement and applicable law and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (c) the Units have been duly executed, countersigned, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable purchase, underwriting, sales or similar agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (d) as applicable, (i) the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (A) comprising the Units and/or, (B) underlying the Warrants comprising the Units have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance, (ii) the Debt Securities comprising such Units have been duly authorized, authenticated, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and/or (iii) the Warrants comprising such Units have been duly executed, countersigned, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement, in each case by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the terms of the Units and such Unit Agreement, such Units will constitute binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

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March 6, 2024

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The opinions expressed herein are subject to the following exceptions, qualifications and limitations:

A. They are limited by the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law and principles affecting creditors’ rights generally, including without limitation fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance laws and (ii) general principles of equity (including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) and the availability of equitable remedies (including, without limitation, specific performance and equitable relief), regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. In addition, we express no opinion as to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provision of the Indenture relating to the separability of provisions of the Indenture.

B. With reference to, but without limiting in any way, qualification (A) above: provisions regarding the recovery of attorneys’ fees for a person who is not the prevailing party in a final proceeding, provisions imposing a payment obligation with respect to the Company’s obligations and provisions whereby a party purports to ratify acts in advance of the occurrence of such acts, are or may be unenforceable in whole or in part under applicable law.

C. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to (i) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provision of the Securities that requires a person or entity to cause another person or entity to take or refrain from taking action under circumstances in which such person or entity does not control such other person or entity, (ii) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provision of the Securities insofar as it purports to effect a choice of governing law or choice of forum for the adjudication of disputes, other than (a) the enforceability by a New York State court under New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401 of the choice of New York State law as the governing law of the Securities (subject, however, to the extent limited by the Constitution of the United States and by Section 1-301 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code), and (b) the enforceability by a New York State court under New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1402 of New York State courts as a non-exclusive forum for the adjudication of disputes with respect to the Securities, and (iii) the acceptance by a Federal court located in the State of New York of jurisdiction in a dispute arising under the Securities.

Without limiting any of the other limitations, exceptions, assumptions and qualifications stated elsewhere herein, we express no opinion with regard to the applicability or effect of the laws of any jurisdiction other than with respect to any shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and, with respect to the Debt Securities, Warrants and Units, the internal laws of the State of New York, in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

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This opinion letter deals only with the specified legal issues expressly addressed herein, and you should not infer any opinion that is not explicitly stated herein from any matter addressed in this opinion letter. This opinion letter is rendered solely in connection with the Registration Statement. This opinion letter is rendered as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person with regard to any change after the date hereof in the circumstances or the law that may bear on the matters set forth herein even if the change may affect the legal analysis or a legal conclusion or other matters in this opinion letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Base Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Paul Hastings LLP

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 21, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of 2U, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

McLean, Virginia

March 6, 2024

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

Form S-3

(Form Type)

2U, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Registered Securities