In this short paper, we reflect on two factors that affect the delivery of higher education and make e-learning solutions increasingly apposite. These factors are: changing student demographics; and environmental and societal crises. We also discuss European policy in respect of online and open learning. We then propose solutions to these problems, based on online delivery of course components. While this paper focuses on the Irish context, and our suggestions are based on our teaching on technical communication programmes at the University of Limerick, many of the proposals are generalisable to other countries and disciplines.