Can you really earn a full University degree online? The answer is YES! Not only that, Coursera is partnered with some of the leading Universities and Organizations from around the world. So whether you’re interested in individual courses, specialized programs, or even full-fledged degrees, Coursera has you covered. Its wide range of categories from Business, Computer Science, Health and much more will leave you with plenty to choose from.
Take Our Quiz: Find Out Which Coursera Course Is Best?
To ensure this Coursera review is both informative and helpful, I’ve dedicated time thoroughly researching Coursera’s courses and learning programs, instructors, pricing model, refund policy, and analyzed feedback from Coursera users. Additionally, my Master’s degree in Teaching and Education, coupled with years of experience in using online learning platforms, has enabled me to create this comprehensive review.
Catherine CookeUpskillwise Advisor
On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that the learning programs that Coursera is offering are right for you. So let’s delve in a little deeper and find out more in this in-depth Coursera review.
Coursera Summary
Coursera is one of the leading online learning platforms on the market, providing a vast variety of courses and learning programs. It ranges from individual courses, Guided Projects, Professional Certificates, MasterTrack and Degree programs. Coursera collaborates with world-class Universities and Companies to develop its course offerings and learning programs.
Coursera offers various payment plans, from completely free courses, to paid programs, and even monthly or annual subscriptions. Its courses stand out for their flexibility, affordability and career focus. Coursera Plus includes a free trial to get you started, and refunds can be requested within two weeks of payment for either individual courses or Coursera Plus.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Partners
Coursera has partnered with 300+ top Universities and Organizations like Imperial College, Stanford University, Google and IBM to create its learning programs.
Affordable
Its course prices are affordable and is degrees programs are significantly lower than on campus-based degrees.
Free Courses
Coursera offers more than 6,000+ courses for free on a wide variety of subjects for learners of all skill levels. Be mindful that you won’t receive a certificate with a free course, but you do have the option to upgrade at anytime.
Learn Offline
Coursera’s app allows you to download course material for when you are offline. Allowing you to learn and study on the go, perfect for a plane trip.
Quality Of Courses
Courses taught by top experts in their field from world-class Universities and Organizations. Plus its Beta Testers are a way to keep the course content to the highest standard and up to date.
Flexibility
The majority of Coursera’s courses are learning at your own pace, on a schedule that suits you.
Cons
Confusing Pricing
Coursera offers a variety of courses and learning programs that all differently priced, it may be a little confusing and overwhelming at first to figure out which is best.
Prior Knowledge
Some courses may require prior knowledge due to the nature of the course material. It’s not always beginner-friendly.
Heavy Workload
Some of Coursera’s MasterTrack and Degree programs can be quite challenging. Before committing to a program, ensure that you are prepared for the time and effort you must commit to it.
Limited Feedback
Depending on which course or learning program you choose, you may find that teachers aren’t available to give you personalized feedback.
Coursera Courses
At Coursera, its extensive offerings of learning programs are designed to meet all learning goals. If you’re curious or want to enhance your skills, their free courses are a great start, with options to add certificates later. For quick skill’s enhancement, the Guided Projects are ideal, teaching job-relevant abilities in under two hours. Those aiming to deepen expertise can delve into Specializations, while Professional Certificates prepare you for specific industries, recognized by employers.
For more serious academic pursuits, MasterTrack Certificates and full degree programs from prestigious Universities and Organizations like Yale and Google offer paths to formal qualifications. Coursera also meets organizational needs with Coursera for Business for large firms, and Coursera for Teams for smaller groups, ensuring flexible learning solutions.
Coursera collaborates with 300+ leading Universities and Companies. So, when you receive your completion certificate it is verified by the collaborating partner, which often are recognized by future employers.
Whether you’re boosting personal skills or developing a team, Coursera’s diverse offerings can enrich both personal and professional growth, something I’ve personally found to be incredibly valuable.
How Much Does Coursera Cost?
Coursera’s pricing structure reflects its diverse range of learning programs, ensuring there’s something for everyone’s budget. For starters, Coursera offers over 7,000 free courses, making learning accessible without immediate costs. If you’re intrigued and wish to earn a certificate, there’s an option to upgrade to a paid version, which also unlocks additional features like instructor feedback.
For practical learning, Guided Projects start at just $9.99. These are designed to help you quickly master a job skill through hands-on practice. Specializations and Professional Certificates start at $49 per month, ideal for those looking to dive deeper into specific career skills, with a week-long free trial to get a taste of the learning experience.
For a more academic path, MasterTrack Certificates begin at $2,000, offering credits towards future degrees, and full degree programs start at $9,000, featuring courses from renowned institutions like Penn and the University of London.
Coursera Plus
To maximize value, especially if you plan on taking multiple courses, consider Coursera Plus. It offers unlimited access to most courses and specializations for $59 monthly or $399 annually, making it a cost-effective choice for avid learners.
For a more detailed breakdown of Coursera’s pricing, feel free to check out our comprehensive pricing guide. It covers everything you need to know!
Coursera in Detail
How To Open A Coursera Account?
The registration process for Coursera is really straightforward. Just in case you are unsure, I have broken down the registration process, which looks like this:
- Open a browser and visit www.coursera.org
- Click Join for Free in the top-right corner
- Add your Full Name, Email and Create a Password (or use Google or Facebook)
- You will be sent a confirmation email
Once you are signed up, you can click on Explore and begin browsing the different courses on offer.
After you have selected a subject or learning program, you can choose one of the subcategories, which will take you to all the relevant courses.
Coursera Customer Reviews
To offer a well-rounded perspective on this Coursera review, I opted to explore two of the most popular customer review platforms. That way, we can gather insights from a large pool of customers to get a better understanding of what they have to say about the Coursera platform.
The first customer review site was collected from 491 users, below you’ll find a breakdown of ratings ranging from 1 to 5 star. Surprisingly, only 13% of those users rated the platform with 5 stars and 70% left a 1-star rating. At the other customer review site we looked at, the feedback was taken from 158 users, with only 8% leaving a 5-star rating, while 57% were unhappy, leaving a 1-star rating.
| Rating | Customer Review Site | Customer Review Site |
|---|---|---|
| 5-star | 13% | 8% |
| 4-star | 5% | 16% |
| 3-star | 4% | 10% |
| 2-star | 8% | 10% |
| 1-star | 70% | 57% |
| Overall | 1.8 out of 5 stars | 2.1 out of 5 stars |
Data gathered on 02/21/2024
As I delved further into the 1-star ratings, I discovered that many complained about bad customer support, billing and subscription issues and technical problems. “Horrible customer service and there’s no way to make an official complaint. Very disappointed as the content is fine” an unhappy one-star reviewer said.
On the upside, many of the 5-star ratings praise the quality of courses, value for money and financial aid. “Amazing platform with many financial aid opportunities. The variety of courses and specialties makes it suitable for everyone” a satisfied five-star reviewer said.
Overall, Coursera doesn’t have the most positive feedback left by its learners. Saying that, when you consider that Coursera has had more than 113+ million learners using the platform, the total of customer reviews we are looking at is less than 1,000. I do hope though that Coursera takes some of its customer feedback seriously and makes necessary changes.
My Coursera Experience
The best way for me to get a real insight into the Coursera platform is by taking a course myself. I decided on the Professional Certificate in Google Data Analytics, offered by Google. It was a program that quickly piqued my interest, as I have some basic knowledge of Google Data Analytics, but I was looking to develop my skills and was impressed by its 4.8 rating from previous learners, so I thought let’s give it a go.
In Conclusion
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is a hands-on program, that teaches you all the skills you needed for a career in data analytics. I really liked the flexible learning style, which meant I could complete each of the courses at a time that worked for me. The fact that I have come away with a portfolio of projects that I could show to potential employers, made my learning experience even more valuable. I’ve highlighted below just some of the reasons you should try out this program:
- Gain hands-on experience with tools like Google Sheets and Tableau
- Solve real-world business projects and case studies
- Develop a solid understanding of data analytics
- Flexible learning, at a time that works for you
- Build a portfolio of projects to showcase to potential clients
If you need any guidance on choosing the right Coursera course, you can check out my top tips on finding the perfect Coursera course here.
Coursera Accreditation
Figuring out accreditation on Coursera can seem a bit daunting, right? Basically, accreditation means a course is officially recognized by education authorities, like the U.S. Council of Higher Education Accreditation. This is crucial, especially for courses tied to big names like Stanford and Google, ensuring that your certification holds weight globally. So, when choosing your next Coursera course, it’s important to check its accreditation status to make sure you’re getting the recognition you deserve!
Summary Table: Coursera Accreditations
| Type of Program | Accreditation Status | Certificate Details |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Courses | Not officially accredited | Certificate displays name, course title, and university logo; check FAQs for credit eligibility. Not an official qualification or transcript. |
| Guided Projects | Not accredited | Offers a shareable certificate for personal learning showcase. |
| Specializations | Not officially accredited | Certificate similar to Individual Courses; check FAQs for credit eligibility. Not an official qualification or transcript. |
| Professional Certificates | Aligned with industry standards but not formally accredited | Certificate includes your name, course title, and company logo. |
| MasterTrack Certificates | Credits may count towards university degrees | Official document from the university, credit towards a degree program. |
| Degree Programs | Accredited by the university offering the degree | Official transcript and degree certificate upon completion. |
This table helps clarify what each Coursera program offers in terms of accreditation and what that means for the type of certification you receive. It’s important to understand these distinctions when choosing a course that meets your educational or professional goals.
In short, it’s important that:
- You enrol on the right course or learning program for your needs
- If applying to a University, contact them first to know what you require to apply
- Know that a certificate isn’t always official
- Read Course FAQ’s before committing
Finally, Coursera courses and learning programs are cost-effective and will benefit you in terms of your knowledge base, and adding another skill to your CV or Resume can only benefit you.
Coursera Alternatives
edX
Similar to Coursera, edX provides courses curated by renowned universities such as MIT, Berkeley, or Harvard. As an accredited institution, edX enables you to attain official degrees through its programs.
It offers over 4,000+ courses, with many you can access for free using its audit option. edX courses are either self-paced or instructor-paced to suit all learning types. You can earn an edX completion certificate when you successfully complete a course or learning program, but you will need to pay for this (between $50 to $300).
Visit edX.org Read edX reviewUdacity
Udacity stands out as an alternative platform to Coursera as it specializes in technology subjects, that are geared towards helping learners find a job in the technology industry. It collaborates with leading technology companies such as Google and Microsoft.
Udacity provides two subscriptions plans, the monthly and the four monthly plan, which gives you full access to its platform and over 80 Nanodegree programs. It typically takes learners anywhere from 2 to 6 months to complete a Nanodegree program.
Visit Udacity.com Read Udacity ReviewMasterClass
MasterClass is an alternative platform to Coursera offering a diverse range of courses spanning categories like Food, Design & Style, Business, Home & Lifestyle, and beyond. Its 200+ MasterClasses are taught by famous faces like Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sorkin. When you subscribe to MasterClass you can choose from 3 different subscription plans, starting from the Individual plan costing $10 a month (billed annually).
Every MasterClass subscription plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that if you’re not satisfied with your selected plan, you can request a refund within the initial 30 days of purchase.
Visit MasterClass.com Read MasterClass reviewCoursera Conclusion
Alright, let’s wrap up why Coursera really stands out as a top choice.
Coursera is more than just an online platform—it’s your gateway to educational and professional growth, partnering with leading universities and industry giants. It offers a wide array of courses, from Data Science to Social Sciences, and provides accredited certificates that enhance your resume. The platform’s specialized programs are great for boosting your career, equipping you with essential skills whether you’re advancing or shifting career paths.
When choosing a course, do some research to ensure it matches your goals, especially since some programs may not offer direct teacher feedback. If you’re looking for more casual learning or hobbies, platforms like Udemy or Skillshare might be better suited. Coursera is ideal for anyone seeking to improve academically or professionally.
Still got questions? Drop a comment below, and I’ll help you out!
Coursera FAQs
After paying for either an individual course or a Coursera Plus subscription, you can request a refund within 2 weeks of your payment.
To request a refund follow these easy steps:
- Open your My Purchases page
- Find the course or Coursera Plus subscription that you want to refund
- Below the Refund deadline column, click Get Refund
If you have purchased another type of learning program, like a Specialization, sadly these aren’t refundable. The only other option is that if you have a subscription payment on another learning program, you can cancel it to end future payments.
Something which many of you ask when considering elearning communities is: Is this course legit?
It is completely normal to have these doubts, especially if you are considering one of the more expensive Specializations programs or Online degrees at Coursera.
Coursera was founded in 2012 by two Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller with their headquarters located in California. It has had well over 150 million course enrollments and collaborates with 275+ partners.
Coursera is part of the growing Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) movement and their elearning platform focuses on their partnerships with universities and corporations. It also attracts instructors from top universities and businesses who are experts in their field and who teach top-quality courses.
Anyways, Coursera is legit and it’s safe to use, you won’t be scammed.
Coursera courses are ideal for someone wanting to further their higher education or career skills by studying an online degree or taking a specialization learning program. The fact that it is partnered with so many well-established universities and businesses means that the final certificate accreditation is recognized worldwide and something definitely worth adding to your Curriculum Vitae or LinkedIn profile and recognized by future employees.
If you already have a full or part job, then studying with Coursera could be an ideal option for you. Many of its learning programs have flexible hours and the cost is just a fraction of what a traditional university course would cost.
Institutions interested in partnering with Coursera can start by completing the University or Industry Partnership Inquiry Form on their website. The partnership terms vary, but typically involve collaboration with universities, businesses, governments, and non-profits. Individuals can also collaborate with Coursera by becoming a Project Instructor, where they create guided projects. This role offers benefits like career growth, access to resources, income per project, and the opportunity to impact learners globally by sharing expertise.
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8 reviews
Isabella
23 April 2024, 11:27
Fantastic learning platform! The quality of the courses offered by top universities is unparalleled. It’s like having access to the best professors right from your home.
Emily
23 April 2024, 11:26
Pretty good content and excellent instructors. However, the peer review system needs improvement. It can be hit or miss depending on who reviews your work.
Michael
23 April 2024, 11:25
The course material was informative and up-to-date, but I was disappointed by the lack of interactive elements. It felt more like reading a textbook than engaging with a dynamic learning environment
Ethan
23 April 2024, 11:24
Coursera offers a great selection of courses, but I found the interface a bit clunky to navigate. The content is solid, though, if you can get past the initial learning curve of the platform
Jenny
8 April 2024, 09:49
I was a bit apprehensive before taking a professional certificate, but I was pleasantly surprised and how the course was structured and easy to follow, already planning on taking another course.
Bobbi
8 April 2024, 09:37
Coursera was great for me, I took a couple of its courses and got my certificates when I finished, which has helped me develop in my career. Couldn't fault it!
Greg
3 April 2024, 10:24
I've been using Coursera for a few months, and it's been a bit of a mixed bag for me. The courses from top universities are great, but honestly, figuring out the platform's layout took more time than I expected. Also, diving into a MasterTrack Certificate felt exciting at first, but the cost and the time commitment started to weigh on me after a while.
Jane
3 April 2024, 09:08
I recently completed a Specialization in Machine Learning with Coursera, I really liked that it was for beginners as I knew nothing about the topic before. It felt manageable, working in the evenings alongside my regular job. I would definitely take another course with Coursera in the future.
103 comments
Mr. Kaufman
4 December 2023, 06:00
Hello Ms. Cooke, thank you for this post — I have just heard of Coursera today.
I googled BCU and see the school Bethune Cookman U. which I understand is in Daytona. I don’t see any institution with the initials EDL or edl.edu– what are these initials? Please advise! TY.
(Be true to your school!)
Catherine Cooke
4 December 2023, 09:43
You are welcome, Mr Kaufman. Are you referring to the Universities that I studied at, if so, BCU is Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom and UEL is University of East London. If that is not what you are asking, please could you explain further what you are referring to. Thanks 🙂
Mr. Kaufman
11 December 2023, 06:00
Thanks so much! Those initials make much more sense when speaking English rather than American. :-).
Go West Midlands!
Catherine Cooke
11 December 2023, 09:04
Yes, exactly Go West Midlands! Happy learning 🙂
Daniel Farsaci
12 October 2023, 18:49
We are trying to get someone to get back to us for pricing and a quote for our school district IT department. I have tried 4 times and can’t get anyone to reach out. I get a canned email saying someone will be in touch but no one ever does. Any help would be great.
Jay
25 September 2023, 21:20
Avoid the courses with peer-review grading… been stuck more than once waiting on someone to thumbs up or down like it’s ancient Rome.
Catherine Cooke
27 September 2023, 10:57
Thanks for your comment Jay. This is helpful for future learners to consider, before choosing a course or learning program 🙂
Harsha
6 August 2023, 05:01
Hey catherine i want to know that any course related to commerce field with no fee I’m pursuing my ug in college I hope you reply this as soon as you possible.
Catherine Cooke
9 August 2023, 08:58
Hey Harsha. Are you looking for courses related to E-commerce? Are you wanting to study this alongside your college education?
Harsha
9 August 2023, 13:11
Yes, not only e-commerce subject related to financial accounting are also useful to me and i want certificate courses available for free.
Alex
19 July 2023, 02:18
Do colleges recognize Coursera certificates if you take them as a highschooler?
Doug
7 July 2023, 17:14
I was going to sign up with Coursera to take a few classes and tried to find a phone number to call but none was found and there is no link to send an email. I am skeptical of online services with no way of connecting to someone.
My question is if the classes are live classes or recorded classes that you can review on your own time?
Catherine Cooke
7 July 2023, 17:38
Hey Doug. Thanks for your comment. You can be completely trust Coursera, it is a legitimate Online Learning Platform. All its courses are pre-recorded, so you learn at a time that suits you. If you aren’t ready to financial commitment you can try out one of its free courses here
SATISH KUMAR
27 May 2023, 06:28
Hi, I am college student and also doing course Full stage from coursera but my course deadline is over & now asking for More money to extend deadline. Is there any way to extend deadline without extra fee
Catherine Cooke
29 May 2023, 08:48
Hey Satish. As I am not sure which course you are studying on at Coursera and what the original requirements were. I would say it’s best to reach out to Coursera support to ask them about your specific case. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Lebogang
29 April 2023, 10:31
Hi, is CAPM and PMP couraes offered by cousera accredited by PMI?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Commerce for project management and I would like to study CAPM, or PMP.
And later do Agile Foundation and Practioner.
shaker ameen
8 March 2023, 23:57
Nice article.
Catherine Cooke
13 March 2023, 17:39
Thank you Shaker 🙂
Julie
12 February 2023, 02:45
Hello. Are there courses or certifications for the field of cancer data analyst? I would like to extract data with regards to cancer research. Would there be something available for me with this interest? Thank you
Catherine Cooke
14 February 2023, 13:59
Hey Julie, Thanks for your comment. I checked and these are all the cancer related courses I could find on Coursera . I’m not sure if you will find exactly what you are looking for. My only other suggestion is to reach out to Coursera support to get advised. Good luck 🙂
Abdullah Abadi
5 January 2023, 18:45
What do you recommend, guys, taking psychology courses at Coursera or IAP Career College? I’m not sure. Can anyone help me? Because I have searched of Coursera, and it has a D- grade from the Better Business Bureau. IAP has a high grade from Better Business Bureau.
Catherine Cooke
9 January 2023, 18:56
Hey Abdullah. I would recommend reaching out to the teachers and reading previous students experiences on both courses, to help you decide. Plus if there is an option to audit the courses, you could go ahead and do that to try them out both financially committing. I hope that helps 🙂
Gonzalo
10 November 2022, 13:35
Thank you <3 <3 <3
Catherine Cooke
15 November 2022, 09:26
Thank you Gonzalo 🙂
Sriram
27 October 2022, 22:56
Your blog is very useful for those who want to know about “Coursera Review: How Popular Is This Elearning Platform?”, and in this blog you have explained a lot more about” Coursera Review: How Popular Is This Elearning Platform?”. Today, many people are confused about “how to earn college credit online”, but I feel that your blog will put an end to that dilemma.
Catherine Cooke
28 October 2022, 15:14
Thanks Sriram. Happy you liked the post and it’s helpful for our readers 🙂
Umair Ahmad
15 October 2022, 06:39
Amazing information. I really enjoyed reading this thread
sadiq
12 October 2022, 10:49
Once I purchase plus subscription? do I need to pay for each course saperately?
Karen c
26 September 2022, 18:30
So this course will do me no good as I don’t have any degrees??😑
Catherine Cooke
27 September 2022, 15:16
Hey Karen. Which course were you thinking of doing?
Boama David
14 September 2022, 14:33
Should I study with coursera for 3 months and still study the same course in college for 4 years?
Need advice please
Catherine Cooke
18 September 2022, 13:30
Hey David, Thanks for your question. There are many factors to consider that include: time, budget, flexibility for your learning experience? Which course are you considering to study? 🙂
Eric
26 May 2022, 18:05
Wouldn’t recommend I was doing my course then on the last test for the course it said I need to subscribe again to finish so when I contacted Coursera they said there was a technical error on there end and ill need to pay twice this month but it shouldn’t happen again and they can’t give me a refund or give me one month free I just have to continue paying for two subscriptions
Catherine Cooke
2 June 2022, 10:04
Hey Eric. Sorry to hear you had this experience with Coursera. Have you been able to resolve it? I have to say I am surprised as my experience with Coursera has always been positive 🙂
anna
17 May 2022, 11:58
I have some problem with my course of HEC Master innovation and Entrepreneurship. I don’t find the answer for the 3rd question of the billing quiz. every answer is wrong. someone can help me? thanks
Catherine Cooke
29 May 2022, 14:29
Hey Anna, Sorry to hear you are having problems with the HEC Master innovation and Entrepreneurship course. The best way for you to get assistance with this is to reach out to Coursera who you can contact here. Good luck 🙂
Kurt Kebschull
29 April 2022, 22:33
I took passed and got a certicate in 2014. But coursera did no tarchive it and i cant get a copy of it. Can anybody help?
Catherine Cooke
2 May 2022, 14:36
Hey Kurt, Thanks for your message. It would be best for you to contact Coursera you can get in touch with them here I hope they are able to help you 🙂
Terry
28 April 2022, 17:08
Please is coussra a recognized learning plattform? Ate their certificates internationally recognized?
Catherine Cooke
18 August 2022, 12:23
Hey Terry. Thanks for your question. Yes, Coursera is a recognized online learning platform. It partners with top Universities and Organizations to create its learning programs and its certificates are recognized my future employers. I hope that helps and happy learning 🙂
Russ
7 March 2022, 01:55
As a Coursera user for the past two years, I can concur with everything in this review. I would add that it’s also wonderful for those of us who simply want to pursue knowledge for its own sake. Anyway, great review and thanks for taking the time to do this.
Catherine Cooke
7 March 2022, 10:30
Thanks so much, Russ. Really happy you feel the same way about Coursera as I do 🙂
Russ
7 March 2022, 14:21
You’re welcome. I see it as the wave of the future (or present) in education.
saima
4 March 2022, 08:48
awesome
Catherine Cooke
5 March 2022, 17:38
Thanks Saima 🙂
Eshetie Gobie
23 February 2022, 15:29
I wants to learn free coursera course
Catherine Cooke
26 February 2022, 18:16
Hey Eshetie. You can learn for free with Coursera. When you land on the homepage just click ‘Explore’ and then select ‘Take a free course’. I hope you find what you are looking for 🙂
Tauno
16 January 2022, 22:39
Thank you! A very helpful review! I have been using Coursera for 3 years now. I have a bachelors degree in materials science, but I used coursera to learn about Excel, Phyton, Java and computer science in general. Although I did not expect much from it, I added my certificates to my LinkedIn profile and six month ago I got a call from recruiter who asked about Coursera and my experiences and then asked if I am willing to come to a job interview.
Ofcourse I was and I got that job. The recruiter told me that although I did not have the perfect skillset needed, they like that i was self-taught.
Catherine Cooke
18 January 2022, 13:23
Amazing Tauno. So happy for you and for sharing your story. It is so true being self-taught takes not only motivation but self-discipline, which are both key skills in being a successful employee and co-worker 🙂
Nina
24 December 2021, 05:46
Catherine – thank you for this. It has answered several questions I had about this site.
I will be retiring at the end of this school year after teaching biology and anatomy/physiology for 32 years. I need to work after retirement because I am a type A and cannot just sit at home, plus I’ll only be 55. I have NO idea what I will do! I stumbled across Coursera and thought I might take the project manager course. But… I seriously don’t know. Any guidance or suggestions would be great!
I do have one question – if you audit a course to take it for free, if you decide that you do want the certificate, can you then pay for the course and get the certificate? Or would you have to take the course all over again?
I guess I will need to create an account. How else will I know that you have responded? LOL. Do I get a message sent to my email?
Thanks –
Nina
Catherine Cooke
25 December 2021, 20:49
Hey Nina, Thanks so much for your comment. Happy to hear I am not the only type A out there, 🙂 If you start an audit course with Coursera, you then have the option to upgrade at anytime, which means you will earn the certificate at course completion.
Once you have signed up to Coursera, you will receive an email from them, but you are then free to start browsing and taking courses. Happy learning and good luck with the project manager course.
Cyrus Munuhe
22 December 2021, 02:23
Catherine Cooke you are a darling of insightful info.You have explained everything about Coursera in a professional, unbiased, exhaustive and concise way.Keep up your impartial and succinct reviews. I am currently pursuing some courses on Coursera and I can say I am really enjoying the learning curve.
Catherine Cooke
23 December 2021, 18:28
Thank you, Cyrus, for your comment. So happy you are enjoying learning with Coursera and getting so much out of them 🙂
Jerry
27 November 2021, 04:44
It is piqued your interest, not peeked.
Catherine Cooke
29 November 2021, 12:32
Thanks Jerry. This was always one that confused 🙂
Cathy
7 November 2021, 16:02
I sign up and paid $49.00 for a certification course; “Curriculum Development. ” They received my money and I haven’t been able to access the course. You are unable to contact anyone either by phone, email, text, or postal. All I want is to access my course. Receiving a refund is appears to be out of the question. They may be a scam beware.
Catherine Cooke
12 November 2021, 19:05
Sorry to hear this, Cathy. It sounds like it should be something that Coursera can fix, especially since you have paid for the course. I would keep trying to reach out to its Contact page and hopefully, you will be able to resolve this. Good luck 🙂
Kay
30 September 2021, 23:49
I have already graduated from a university with my bachelors, however, I am trying to apply to PA school and there is a prerequisite of into to Psychology, if I enroll in this coursera will I be able to list this as a completion of the intro course and receive a transcript?
Catherine Cooke
20 October 2021, 15:11
Thanks Kay, for your comment. I am not sure which course it is you would like to do. I would suggest it’s best to https://upskillwise.com/out/coursera-contact/, and they should be able to help you and answer any questions on enrolling on particular courses.
fahad
11 August 2021, 09:26
Does Coursera certificates from a university is real?
Catherine Cooke
12 August 2021, 08:32
Hey Fahad. Yes Coursera’s courses are partnered with leading Universities and Companies, meaning that when you successfully complete a course you will have a verified certificate from that University or Company. I hope that helps 🙂
Feroz
5 August 2021, 05:27
Hi ,
How is the certification in any course works
Catherine Cooke
8 August 2021, 09:26
Hey Feroz. Each Coursera course is partnered with a University or Institution, so when you receive your certificate it will be validated from that particular University or Institution. Good luck and happy learning 🙂
Aroush
20 July 2021, 12:27
Hey, If I jump from Coursera to Coursera plus will my progress get lost? and what if I first complete all my courses in Coursera and then go for a plus account for certification …will it work (as I want only 1 month plus subscription but have many courses to cover)
Catherine Cooke
21 July 2021, 08:22
Hey Aroush, Thanks for your message. It is possible to change from Coursera to Coursera Plus. You will need to make sure you cancel any previous subscription (like a single specialization subscription) to ensure you don’t get charged for both and none of your course progress will be impacted by canceling this previous subscription. You can purchase the Coursera Plus monthly for $59. Good luck and happy learning 🙂
Lindsey N Tucker
14 July 2021, 00:09
What computer programs will I need to complete courses? Such as Excel, word etc.
Catherine Cooke
15 July 2021, 08:56
Hey Lindsey, If you are looking to do a course in Excel, then Microsoft Excel is the most popular. It also depends if you use a Mac that is run by Apple operating system or a PC run by windows. What course would you like to do?
Lindsey
15 July 2021, 11:34
Thanks however I’m asking if I need to already have the Excel & other Microsoft programs installed on my computer in order to be able to complete any of the courses. I do not currently have them on my new laptop.
Catherine Cooke
15 July 2021, 11:41
If you are choosing a course which requires those programs then yes you would need to install the Microsoft programs onto your laptop. Good luck and enjoy learning with Coursera 🙂
Emma Adhiambo
26 June 2021, 07:54
Hey how can I apply
Catherine Cooke
26 June 2021, 14:40
Hey Emma. You can sign up to Coursera by clicking here. It is a really easy and straightforward sign up. Good luck and happy learning 🙂
Joanie
23 June 2021, 18:36
Are Coursera courses worth units/credits? I need 6 units to advance my credential.
Catherine Cooke
26 June 2021, 14:52
Hey Joanie. I believe successfully completing some of Coursera’s courses count towards college transfer credits. It would be best to speak to Coursera themselves to confirm this and ask about which particular courses offer this. You can contact Coursera here 🙂
Murari
13 June 2021, 05:09
So you can actually show your certificate in an interview?
Catherine Cooke
14 June 2021, 07:17
Hey Murari, Thanks for your comment. Certificates from Coursera are accredited from Universities and Institutions. If that is something looked for in an interview then yes it something you could show. Good luck with our interviews 🙂
Steve
31 May 2021, 12:55
Course progression is too dependent on peer grading of assignments. I submit all of my assignments early but I’m currently waiting for peer reviews on two of them before I can move on to my next course. I’m taking a four course certificate and I’m ready to move on to the third course but those two assignments are holding me up. Since I pay monthly the faster I complete the course the less I will pay so this will end up costing me an additional month’s fee. I’ve read comments from many others about this same problem. My progress in a course should not be dependent on having other students grade my assignments in a timely manner.
Catherine Cooke
31 May 2021, 15:46
Hey Steve, Thanks for your comment and for highlighting this out, it is something I have heard from other learners of Coursera as well. I really hope you get feedback from your peers soon, so you aren’t held back any longer. I will make sure to include this in the review and make potential future users aware of this. Good luck and thanks again for sharing 🙂
mack
28 May 2021, 01:53
Taking the Coursera Google IT specialist online course; trying to complete 1st test and the reported score for the exam reflects zero when all answers are correct. Based on course discussion board it’s a known issue. How long does it take for technical issue like this be fixed?
Catherine Cooke
29 May 2021, 07:11
Hey Mack. Sorry to hear you are having issues with the Google IT specialist course. It would be best to contact Coursera themselves here as hopefully, they can give you an indication for when it will be fixed. Good luck 🙂
Reeta Devi
27 April 2021, 18:49
My niece in India is struggling to pay for one of the online courses. Can you please share with me the contact details so I can speak to someone?
S-M
5 September 2021, 05:32
Try Financial Aid, it takes 2 weeks to get approved but its all paid for
Catherine Cooke
5 September 2021, 08:04
Thanks Reeta, for your comment. Yes, it’s a great option for anyone who is unable to pay for a course with a certificate 🙂
Catherine Cooke
9 May 2021, 18:12
Hey Reeta, I am sorry to hear your niece is struggling to pay for one of the online courses. It would be best for you to contact Coursera directly as I only review the platform. Good luck 🙂
Adil Sarwar Sial
26 April 2021, 23:40
Hi. I want to know about having an option to get certification after completion of the course I have already opted availing AUDIT THIS COURSE. Will I be able to get later on at any stage after making payment of the required fee. Awaiting response
Catherine Cooke
27 April 2021, 16:00
Hey Adil. Thanks for your comment. Yes, you are able to pay for a course certificate at any time during or after the course. The only thing you may need to complete is some extra coursework that wasn’t available in the audit version. Happy learning 🙂
Deborah Shea
15 April 2021, 21:23
I need to know if Coursera is certified by the ESTC. If Coursera does have the certification, here in Canada, I can use the tuition as a tax deduction.
Catherine Cooke
16 April 2021, 14:18
Hey Deborah, The coursera platform makes no mention of the ESTC. But I would suggest it is best to contact Coursera directly here just double check. Good luck 🙂
Jawaune McMillan
9 April 2021, 06:53
I want to attend the grant writing course but I don’t want to pay for something that will not prepare me for a job after completion. Will this course fully prepare me for writing grants after completion?
Catherine Cooke
9 April 2021, 09:43
Hey Jawaune. Thanks for your message. Taking any online course will, of course, give you experience and knowledge and get you closer to your professional goal. Sadly, even Coursera can’t guarantee a job after course completion.
Sonia Morales
18 March 2021, 01:19
It is difficult to get peers to review assignments in forums. I am planning just to finish this course and try something else. I did not pay for it and glad I did not because I don’t think I will even get a certificate with the lack of participation by peers.
Catherine Cooke
19 March 2021, 09:26
Hey Sonia, Sorry to hear that there wasn’t participation from peers with reviewing your assignments. I hope in your next chosen course or learning program you have more success 🙂
Sonia Morales
19 March 2021, 14:30
Thanks for the response. Actually I am very new to Coursera. But after a few more days someone finally graded it. It just takes patience and perseverance. I, on the other hand, am making sure to grade more assignments than asked. Don’t want peers to feel as if their work is not being looked at. Thankfully I have time plus I learn from reviewing assignments too.
Catherine Cooke
19 March 2021, 15:24
Delighted to hear your assignment was graded by a peer. It is so true, by reviewing other learners work you will learn a lot. Happy learning 🙂
Prince
15 March 2021, 14:32
Hey, I read this article about Coursera and I want to say that this review is really helping me understand about the Coursera and courses
Catherine Cooke
15 March 2021, 17:00
Thank you, Prince. I am pleased you have a better understanding of Coursera and its courses. Happy learning 🙂
Asanda
21 January 2021, 19:20
How long does it take to obtain a qualification on Coursera? Thanks in advance x
Catherine Cooke
22 January 2021, 10:30
Hey Asanda,
Coursera offers a variety of learning programs which vary in length from Courses (4-6 weeks), Specializations (4-6 months), Professional and MasterTrack Certificates (4-6 months) and Online Degrees (1-3 years). Some of its courses are self-paced and others have a start and end date. I hope that helps you decide on the right learning program for you 🙂
fejiro
8 January 2021, 09:56
This is pretty awesome. Recently because of my busy schedule as a blogger, I decided to get a degree from an e-learning platform and Coursera was actually one of the options. With your detailed article, I happen to have grasped a lot and I am relatively confident that Coursera courses will be best for me. This review really is useful and I really must commend hep very simple and easily understandable your diction is. Thanks a lot.
Catherine Cooke
8 January 2021, 19:15
Thanks so much Fejiro for your comment. So happy you found the review helpful and that you choose Coursera to learn with. I will email you regarding your blog 🙂
German
16 June 2020, 09:44
Online Education Is One Of The Best Ways To Study For A Course Or Program Through The Online Process At A Convenient Time. Coursera Is A Free Online Education Institute That Helps People Study Their Dream Course Online. I Like What You Wrote About Coursera. Thanks For The Wonderful Post On Your Blog.
Catherine Cooke
16 June 2020, 13:28
Thanks for your feedback 🙂
Hi nice website
8 May 2020, 22:45
Hi nice website
Catherine Cooke
16 June 2020, 13:28
Thank you.