You definitely know about Coursera and have probably taken a course there. But that is not the case, though. I will be listing some of the best courses on Coursera with an in-depth analysis of them. However, this blog post will also serve as a Coursera review.
So, follow me as I will be listing the 10 reasons why you need to choose Coursera for online learning. Firstly, I will start with a Coursera review, then 10 reasons why you need to choose Coursera for online learning and the best courses on Coursera.
However, Free Tutorial Online has some best courses on Coursera, which will also be of great benefit to your career. But for now, we will focus on Coursera reviews and the best courses on Coursera.
My Experience with Coursera
I had not been a fan of the Coursera platform before, because it is not popular like Udemy which is the biggest competitor. In addition, I will be listing the differences between Coursera and Udemy later on in this blog post.
But one day I had to take my time to check out the Coursera platform, then I got to see how the platform was and the standards they operate.
One thing that amazed me was the instructors that take the courses on Coursera. Most of them are college lecturers and some are professors of some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Also, most big tech companies host some of their courses on the Coursera platform which puts them as one of the best if not the best MOOC platform. These tech platforms include Google, Microsoft, and IBM.
Consequently, it made me love Coursera more and begin to appreciate their platform just as I had done with Udemy and others.
Last year, Google announced that they would be giving out 100,000 scholarships to help combat the rate of unemployment in the US and some other countries.
However, the courses are just for Data Analysis, Project management, and UX design. Guess what, Google said those courses will be hosted on the Coursera platform. That’s a big partnership for your information.
Obviously, this comes because Google deemed the Coursera platform good or probably better for them to host their courses there. So, after all these, my values for Coursera rose high.
Definitely, I will be applying for the Google scholarship certification course. You can check this blog post for directions and the start date.
That is how good the MOOC platform is and now, I have written some best courses on Coursera on our platform here.
Also read: The Definitive List Of Most Popular Courses On Udemy In 2023
About Coursera
Coursera is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in the United States, founded in 2012 by Stanford University Computer Science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.
Offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), Specializations, Degrees, Professional Courses, and Master’s courses as well.
However, Coursera works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects, such as;
- Engineering
- Data Science
- Machine learning
- Mathematics
- Business
- Financing
- Computer science
- Digital Marketing
- Humanities
- Medicine
- Biology
- Social sciences
And 3,000 plus a variety of courses giving students a very broad range of information & experience in different fields.
Ng and Koller offered their Stanford courses online in the fall of 2011 and left Stanford shortly thereafter to start Coursera.
Princeton, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania were the first universities to offer content on the platform.
Since then, the offering has expanded to include specializations – collections of courses that teach skills in a particular subject – as well as degrees and a human resource development product for businesses and government organizations.
Funding
In 2019, the company raised $103 million in the Series E funding round from SEEK Group, Future Fund, and NEA. As a result, the company was valued at more than $1 billion in 2019.
Then in July 2023, the company announced that it had raised $130 million in Series F funds and updated its valuation to $2.5 billion.
Coursera Strategic Partners
As of December 2019, the total number of partners was more than 200 in 29 countries.
Though, Coursera works mainly with universities and colleges, but also with companies (like Google, IBM, and Microsoft then governments. University partners include the Universities such as;
- University of São Paulo in Brazil,
- The University of London in Great Britain,
- The Indian School of Business in India,
- Yonsei University in Korea,
- Yale University of Illinois
- University of Pennsylvania.
Coursera Course Model
Coursera courses last approximately four to twelve weeks, with one to two hours of video lectures per week.
These courses offer quizzes, weekly exercises, graded and peer-reviewed assignments, and optional honors assignments. And sometimes a graduation or exam project to complete the course.
Courses are also offered on demand. In this case, users can take the time to complete the course with all the available material at once. For instance, in May 2015, Coursera offered 104 courses on demand.
It also offers guided projects, which are short 2-3 hour projects that can be done.
Also, as of 2017, Coursera offers full master’s degrees.
They started with a Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OMIE) from HEC Paris and a Master of Accounting (iMSA) from the University of Illinois. But offered a Master of Computer Science in Data Science and a Master of Business Administration (iMBA) both from the University of Illinois.
Also in the framework of the MBA; There are some courses that are offered separately that are included in the MBA curriculum if you are enrolled in similar digital marketing courses.
Overview of Coursera Business Model
In September 2013, the company announced that it had made $1 million in sales by selling verified certificates confirming the successful completion of a course.
Coursera first introduced a range of paid course options in 2013 that included verified graduation credentials. Then, as of October 2015, the company had raised venture capital totaling $146.1 million.
In January 2016, Coursera rolled out fees to earn grades and assessments for “the vast majority of courses that are part of Specializations.” Also, the company offers financial aid to people who demonstrate a need.
But then, in July 2016, the company launched a corporate product called Coursera for Business.
TechCrunch notes that the company has “opened itself to additional revenue from the lucrative e-learning market for businesses that are reportedly worth $12 billion in the United States alone.”
Coursera for Business clients include L’Oréal, Boston Consulting Group, and Axis Bank.
However, in October 2016, Coursera launched a monthly subscription model for specializations, as well as a one-week free trial. The company has stated that subscription costs will vary “by topic.”
Again, the Coursera for Government & Nonprofits venture began in January 2017.
Coursera has announced partnerships with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) in the US and facilities in Egypt, Mongolia, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.
Jeff Maggioncalda became CEO of Coursera in the month of June 2017.
Now let’s dive deep into Coursera reviews as I promised. This stage will let you know how Coursera operates the courses they offer and how good the courses are. Also, Coursera competitors or alternatives.
Coursera Review 2023: Is Coursera worth it? My Recommendation
Just as I have listed quite a few things about Coursera, I will give you a full review of Coursera here. Also, what to expect from the platform.
It might interest you to know that right now, Coursera is teaching over 50 million students worldwide. That’s amazing!
As you may know, this online educational giant has partnered with top-tier institutions to offer thousands of college-level courses. Many of which you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
As I told you earlier about my experience with Coursera, it is indeed a great platform for learning online.
Are you still skeptical about Coursera?
In this Coursera review, I will be looking at
- Explain how Coursera works and outline the available learning options
- Give a detailed breakdown of Coursera’s pros and cons, along with some advice on making the most of the platform.
- Give my verdict on whether Coursera could be a good option for you.
Definitely, there is a lot to cover in this Coursera review and the best courses on Coursera.
What is Coursera?
Coursera is an online learning platform focused on higher education. Like its competitors Udemy, EdX, MasterClass, and Skillshare. Coursera is completely online and covers a wide range of topics.
What sets Coursera Apart or its Uniqueness?
One of the things that makes Coursera unique is that it offers college-level classes taught by professors from accredited institutions. Essentially, you get access to real-world classes, many of which have been tested in inpatient facilities.
Probably, you may have wondered what it would be like to reflect on ancient philosophy with a specialist in the field, Coursera is your chance.
For a reasonable fee, you can also purchase a certificate stating that you have completed a course.
Similar to what I said earlier, Coursera has partnered with universities such as
- Yale University
- Johns Hopkins
- Rice University
- Princeton
- The University of Michigan, and many more.
The education you receive will be excellent. With over 4,000 courses available, you’re sure to find something that strikes your interest.
However, Coursera can help you attain a variety of goals, including:
- Gain additional skills to keep up with your work or find a new one.
- Improve your critical thinking, analysis, and reasoning skills.
- You have always been interested in Egyptology, modern art or zoology, or any other topic covered by Coursera (there are many).
- Or maybe you just want to learn something new while at home for fun
However, whatever your reasons are, I believe that Coursera has something great to offer you.
The Five Different Learning Options
Though Coursera is free to an extent.
To understand Coursera’s pricing model, you first have to realize that they currently offer 5 learning options:
As a result, each learning program varies in length, difficulty, and cost.
If it is your first time visiting the Coursera website, you might be confused by all of these options. I will take a moment to describe what each program offers.
#1. Individual courses
Coursera currently offers more than 4,000 online courses from leading universities and companies around the world. Courses consist of video lectures, reading materials, peer-reviewed assignments, and group discussion forums.
Many of these courses are free, which is what makes Coursera so great. Just create an account, log in, and jump to the course immediately.
You can also pay to enroll in individual courses. Paying for a course gives you access to:
- Graded assignments
- More content, such as extra video lectures or bonus materials
- A certificate
For most people, the main difference between taking a free course and paying for the course is the certificate, which can appear on your resume or on your LinkedIn profile.
How does this help your career opportunities in the real world? This is still an open question and depends on your area of expertise and your employer.
#2. Specializations
Specializations are basically a step up from individual courses.
Instead of just hopping in and taking a single course, you can pursue a specialization by taking multiple courses on the same topic (for example, digital marketing).
Coursera currently offers more than 430 specializations. This is an excellent option for people with specific career goals who need to demonstrate competence in certain skills.
#3. Professional Certificates
Professional certificates are similar to individual courses and specializations but are even more career-oriented. For example, there is the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, which is expected to take 3 months to complete.
Each professional certificate is issued by the institution that developed the course.
These programs often complete hands-on projects to build your portfolio. They are designed to provide you with a path to industry-recognized certification and resources to support your career.
#4. MasterTrack Certificates
MasterTrack certificates go one step further and include the processing of online modules that form a special part of a master’s course.
In this way, you can progress towards a master’s degree with coursework that can then be credited for a full course. Moreover, MasterTrack Certificate programs comprise real-world projects and live expert instruction.
Some examples: are this program in Supply Chain Excellence by Rutgers and this program in Instructional Design by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
How much do MasterTrack Certificates cost? They generally run around $2000+, which can either be paid upfront or in installments.
Given the hands-on, intensive nature of these programs, you should expect to spend 4 to 8 months completing each one.
Also read: 19 Best Selling Udemy Java courses in 2023 Free Download
#5. Degrees
Finally, online degrees at Coursera are similar to earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree on campus. The credentials are completely legitimate.
Degrees are awarded by various accredited institutions that have worked with Coursera, such as;
- Arizona State University
- Macquarie University
- The University of Colorado Boulder.
However, Coursera currently offers online master’s degrees in
- Business
- Computer science
- Data Science
- Public health
As well as a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and science from the University of North Texas.
Maybe, you may fear that an online degree is not the same as a more traditional one.
And it’s true that you don’t have the classic “college experience” of living on a tree-lined campus, taking courses in giant Gothic buildings, or exploring the endless shelves of the university library.
On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about sharing a bathroom or the bedroom either!
Obviously, there are plenty of benefits to studying online. For instance:
- Flexibility to study anywhere, anytime.
- No need to leave your job or hometown to access a top university degree.
- There’s no speed limit: You can set your own pace.
Let’s talk a bit more about the last point:
No speed limit
If you are particularly motivated, you can complete a degree online blazingly fast. You are not tied to the speed limit of a traditional curriculum.
Just one example: Derek Sivers explains in his article “There’s No Speed Limit” that he completed a 5-year music bachelor’s degree in just 2 years. If you are looking to accelerate your study ambitions, an online platform might be perfect for you.
Coursera offers a lot of flexibility. You can move at your own pace, whether you’re working slowly and steadily due to a hectic lifestyle or graduating in record time.
NB: One final thing to mention about degrees: You can’t simply pay the money and enroll immediately. Instead, you’ll have to apply and be admitted to the specific program.
Also read: How to Create an Udemy Course|12 Easy Steps to Create an Udemy Course
Is Coursera Worth it?
I will say yes, the reason is that Coursera has a wide range of course topics that are of high quality and full of in-depth course materials on a particular subject.
Additionally, you are been taught by professors and also have the privilege of support from your instructor.
With that being said, Coursera is worth it, and the money is spent on professional certificates. Nevertheless, you can enroll in Coursera courses for free.
How much is the Cost of Coursera Courses?
As I mentioned earlier, Coursera has thousands of free courses. You can access a truly amazing amount of material for free and work with it at your own pace.
However, if you want to get a grade or certification in the end, you’ll have to pay a fee. The pricing structure is a little complicated, but these are your main options:
- Individual course certificate: Courses usually cost between $49 and $99 as a one-off payment.
- Specializations and Professional Certificates: These run on a subscription basis, typically between $39 and $79 per month.
- MasterTrack Certificates: The starting price is around $2000.
- Degrees: Expect degrees to cost $15,000 and up.
What is Coursera Plus?
Coursera Plus is a new feature just in 2023. You get unlimited access to over 3,000 courses for an annual subscription. As of this writing, the cost is $399.
However, you still have a 14-day money-back if you are not ok with the course purchased.
Included in Coursera Plus are the regular courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates. However, you don’t get access to MasterTrack Certificates on online degrees.
Coursera Plus is a great option for people looking to broaden their horizons and take multiple courses. As a result, you can earn a variety of certifications from leading universities and technology companies throughout the year.
Is Coursera Plus Truly Worth it?
Actually, it depends on how many certificates on Coursera you want to earn in a year. But I will say yes because it serves a great need if you really want to acquire valuable certificates from the best tech companies and the best universities in the world.
Also, If there are multiple certifications that you’re really interested in, Coursera Plus is great value for the money. If you only want to take a paid course or two, you’re probably better off without them.
One of the advantages of Coursera Plus is that the $399 upfront payment makes you extremely motivated to take new courses every month. It will surely help you get your money’s worth.
Coursera Plus Subscription vs Specialization Subscriptions
You may be wondering if Coursera Plus is a better value than enrolling for individual specializations.
As mentioned earlier, specializations cost between $39 and $79 per month and last an average of three months. Therefore, the average cost of specialization is between $117 and $237.
But if you plan on enrolling in multiple specializations across the year then Coursera Plus offers excellent value.
In which Fields is Coursera Specifically Strong?
Coursera excels in several key areas such as public health, business, computer science, and data science, and offers a wide range of online courses, specializations, and degrees in these areas.
While you obviously cannot become a surgeon or graduate from medical school without hands-on experience.
There will be significant improvements in your health literacy that can prepare you for a wide variety of careers in healthcare. Coursera offers online degrees in public health from Imperial College London and the University of Michigan.
In addition, it has Specializations in Epidemiology in Public Health, Anatomy, the Fundamentals of Immunology, and many more.
When it comes to business, Coursera again allows you to get your MBA online or simply take a variety of courses in management, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, etc.
Similarly, you can use Coursera to earn your degree in Computer Science or Data Science online.
Obviously, these are all areas in which Coursera offers an impressive range of courses. You can mix and match as needed, and earn a certificate in a specific skill. Or go for the more systematic accuracy of a degree based on your personal goals.
But when it comes to the liberal arts, Coursera might not be complete, but it does have some real gems.
Also read: 6 Best Adobe Audition Courses and Tutorials Online with Certificates [free 2023]
Are Coursera Certificates Worth it? Job Outlook & Value.
Obviously, Coursera has helped revolutionize online learning by providing free or affordable access to quality online education.
However, if you decide to pay for a course, the question is whether Coursera certificates are worth it.
On the one hand, anyone can enroll in Coursera which tends to negate the sort of exclusivity universities and colleges have.
However, a certificate from Coursera shows that you are committed to learning more about your area of expertise and that you are motivated to complete the job.
In addition to being committed to learning, your employers will eventually value your will to improve. This may pave the way for a promotion at your current job.
Also, with the introduction of professional certificates and specializations, Coursera certificates seem to become more and more valuable. These demonstrate knowledge of specific skills and are much more practical in relation to coursework.
MasterTrack certificates, of course, are even more valuable.
However, you can add a Coursera certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile and show it to your employer. As Coursera becomes more popular, the recognition of these certificates should continue to grow.
For job outlook, Coursera certificates will obviously help you in acquiring a new job or getting a promotion at your current job. Coursera certificates are now valuable but not to be compared to a campus degree certificate.
Also, what made the Coursera certificate more valuable is the affiliation of some prestigious universities in the world. And as I said earlier with the Coursera plus, you have degrees just like the campus kind.
In summary, Coursera certificates are worth having on your resume. You can’t be better off without it.
How does Coursera Work?
I have been on the Coursera platform quite often. That made me understand how Coursera works and certain things we all need to know before purchasing course material there.
So, that brings us to this question, what does a typical Coursera course look like?
Firstly, clicking on a course that interests you will take you to a page with information about the course. With an introduction to the instructors, and a curriculum. This overview tells you which topics are covered in the course and what schedule you expect.
If you choose to enroll, you will be taken to the course homepage which gives you a weekly overview. Also, it prompts you to start the first lesson.
You can see at a glance what to expect each week – how much time you should spend watching video lectures, reading, and doing exercises and quizzes.
Although the courses are generally broken down into weeks, remember that this weekly schedule is only a suggestion. You have complete discretion and can move more quickly and more slowly.
However, someone can complete a “4-week” course in only 7 days.
On the left-hand side of your screen, there’s a toolbar that directs you to other areas of the course, such as Discussion Forums, Notes, Messages, and Resources.
Also read: Best Video Editing Courses & Training with Certificates in 2023 | Free.
Coursera Video Quality
You can easily take notes while watching video presentations. Subtitles are usually available in multiple languages. If you scroll down, you can usually find a full transcript of the video.
However, there are some differences in the quality of video production. So far, all the video tutorials I’ve seen have been at least top-notch and effective which comes in HD video quality.
Each week is divided into smaller parts. That includes lectures; Instead of sitting for an hour to watch a lecture, you can watch shorter sections of 10-15 minutes each.
As an example, Week 2 of “Model Thinking” includes 6 short videos on Aggregation. 6 short videos (plus a reading) on Decision Models, and then a quiz to review the material. The videos range from 5 to 18 minutes in length.
This level of organization makes learning easy.
The Advantages of Coursera
Now that we have seen how the platform works, we get to the important part: Does Coursera really work? How effective is it in teaching you something new?
Overall, I am very happy with my experience with Coursera so far, and I think it is one of the best online learning platforms available for several reasons:
- Coursera is a huge platform with thousands of courses.
- You have the option to enroll in or audit many courses for free.
- For a reasonable price, you can earn certificates or even degrees online.
- You can work at your own pace.
- You’ll receive high-quality instruction from experts in the field.
- You will have the chance to be tutored by a college professor
- Earning a certificate that is affiliated with a prestigious university
The Disadvantages of Coursera
Of course, nothing is perfect, and even a platform as large and diverse as Coursera cannot offer everything for everyone. Honestly!
However, traditional teaching offers advantages that simply cannot be replicated online. Things such as personal contact and networking, and the sense of responsibility that comes from personal interaction with your teacher.
Here are a few limitations of Coursera:
- The discussion boards are hit-or-miss, especially in larger courses that can be taken at any time.
- You have limited interaction with instructors.
- There are also limited opportunities for in-depth feedback.
- The platform is not yet fully comprehensive: Some subject areas have more available courses than others.
- You might not get a certification course for less than $40
- No free course with a certificate
In the following sections, I’ll go deep into the strengths and limitations of Coursera and give you a clear idea of what to expect from this MOOC platform.
Also read: Best ClickBank Affiliate Marketing Courses & Training In 2023 Updated.
Individual Coursera Course Reviews
If you’ve read the Free Tutorial Online Coursera review so far, you’re probably interested in giving Coursera a trial.
But what course should you take? With thousands of options available, it is difficult to decide where to start. Obviously!
In this section, I’ll review some of the most popular classes currently available on Coursera and make my personal recommendations.
#1. Science of Well-Being by Yale University
The science of well-being, one of the most popular offerings on Coursera right now, is taught by Yale professor Laurie Santos.
She started the course because she was concerned about the increasing stress, depression, and anxiety she was experiencing. However, noticed in her students.
So far, more than 2 million online students have also benefited from the class. As of this day of writing, it has 2,990,258 students who have enrolled in the course.
Santos addresses common misconceptions about the things that make us happy. Showing us how we can change our habits and thought patterns to increase our own happiness.
She has a chatty presentation style and video presentations are filmed in a “living room” setting with a small group of Yale students.
Each week you are assigned “rewires,” new habits that you can practice and control over time. For example, the requirements for week 4 are exercise and sleep.
You’ll need to take accountability for following through and completing these assignments if you want to derive the full benefit of the class. I think it’s worth it.
Course rating: 4.9 out of 5
#2. Model Thinking by the University of Michigan
Model Thinking is taught by Scott Page at the University of Michigan and introduces students to a variety of models, mindsets, and organizational forms that enable us to understand a confusing and chaotic world.
Models can help explain (and predict) phenomena like market crashes, social change, business decisions, and more. You can learn about inflection points, Markov processes, and Lyapunov functions, to name a few.
This course is very exciting. Page is a clear communicator and, like Santos, has an informal and chatty vibe that makes you want to keep looking.
He designed the course to be useful to a wide variety of learners. For each model, he offers an accessible introductory lecture. Followed by more technical lectures describing the necessary steps and real-world applications.
Depending on your personal preferences, you can learn just the basics or consider applying these models to practical situations.
This is one of those courses you would love to visit over and over without being bored.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5
Also read: 11 Best Speed Reading Courses & Tutorials Online with Certificates [Free 2023]
#3. Roman Architecture by Yale University
I can recommend Roman Architecture to anyone who has been to Italy or plans to visit there later for a business trip or vacation.
In this well-structured lecture course, Kleiner initially focuses on the city of Rome and ancient cities in central Italy such as Pompeii. Then she delved into Roman provinces that stretched across the Mediterranean Sea in North Africa, the Middle East, Greece, and Western Europe.
This Roman Architecture course by Yale University has a large doesn’t have a million number of people who enrolled in the course. But the few thousand who enrolled in the course saw great value for the little money they spent.
However, Roman Architecture is a course for people who love to travel and want to discover the power of architecture to shape politics, society, and culture.
As of the time of writing this blog post, the course has 39,130 students who enrolled.
Course rating: 4.9 out of 5
The highlight of my experience with Coursera
Unlike many online learning platforms, Coursera gives you the freedom to design your own program and curriculum. Especially when taking courses for your personal enjoyment.
In the past few months, I have become more frequent on Coursera because of the Google 100,000 certification scholarship. As I said earlier about Google scholarship, they are offering courses on data analysis, project management, and UX design.
Moreover, I am amazed and very surprised at the amount of high-quality, 100% free content Coursera has to offer. But for me now, I’m not working towards a certain course, I just explore interesting topics. Certainly at no cost, unless I need the certificate then I can pay the minimal fee.
I also like how well-organized and attractive most of the courses on Coursera are.
The instructors have a wealth of knowledge in their field and I can tell how much effort has gone into putting each lesson together. Video classes are usually quite short (5 to 30 minutes), long enough to get the key points across but short enough to fit into a busy day.
Notwithstanding that Coursera is a passive platform. You can’t just sit back and watch some videos and doze off then say you have learned something. To get the most out of each course, you need to make an effort, Which is to put what you have learned into practice immediately.
Your immediate response matters a lot while taking a course here and on any other MOOC platform.
I think Coursera works best when you embrace these more active elements. Even if you are only auditing one course.
I strongly recommend that you do all of the reading, and fill out the worksheets or assignments. Also, take notes, and give your full attention to the video presentations.
Also read: Best Microsoft Office Courses And Training With Certificates in 2023 |Updated
What Coursera Should Have Improved
What are the things Coursera should have done better and what are their limitations?
Obviously, there are some areas where Coursera has room for improvement and some limitations that are inherent in every online learning platform.
First, there aren’t many language learning courses (with the exception of a handful of languages). English learners are in luck: there are several courses available to improve your English skills, including specializations in Business English.
As for other languages, there are beginner courses in Mandarin Chinese, and you can find some courses in languages like Russian, Korean, and Spanish. Overall, however, Coursera is not the most comprehensive MOOC platform for language learning.
So if you want to learn several languages, or use them, you should look elsewhere.
Another disadvantage: the evaluation of the student’s work is limited. For example, in a typical college-level history class, you will often write articles and receive feedback from the instructor.
You may even have a scaffolding assignment where multiple drafts are submitted and worked on in response to feedback throughout the semester.
Coursera courses generally cannot provide such intensive feedback. Instead, you see reviews as simple multiple-choice quizzes. Even so, each course is different, and some contain interactive exercises or assignments that are assessed with peer feedback.
Obviously, as you would expect, there are no personal contacts or networking on Coursera. The platform tries to create a sense of community through discussion forums with mixed results.
Moreover, I have not yet found a Coursera discussion forum with a comparable level of interaction and engagement as a personal discussion area at a university.
Top 3 Best Coursera Alternatives
Now that you have a deep understanding of what Coursera is, how it works, and what types of courses it offers.
I’ll briefly describe how it compares to other online learning platforms.
With so many options available, we are living in a golden age of online education. There are many but I will list 3 websites like Coursera.
Quickly, we’ll look at how Coursera levels up with its competitors such as Udemy, SkillShare, and MasterClass.
Here, I will also be sharing my experience with these online learning platforms compared to Coursera and some of the best courses on Coursera.
#1. Coursera vs Udemy
Udemy is a great platform, a place where you will have the chance to go into a wide variety of topics. It’s great to learn new skills here and there.
On the other hand, Coursera is much more focused. If you really want a deeper understanding of an academic subject, I recommend Coursera. But then Udemy gives you an opportunity to acquire a specific skill in a short time which most people admire.
Also, there are lots of practicals on Udemy courses from well-skilled instructors. In short, Udemy is more practical than any other MOOC platform including Coursera.
Even so, if you’re more interested in art, creativity, or personal development, Udemy is more valuable. There are many courses in these areas and they offer high-quality tuition at a good price.
And there are some inexpensive courses available in areas like web development, finance, and IT.
In addition to the pricing, Udemy has courses that you can purchase for as low as $11. And what amazes me is that these 11-dollar courses are of high quality and too rich in content.
Unlike Coursera where you see professors as instructors, Udemy also has some kind of instructors. But majorly, anyone can host a course on Udemy. But must surely pass the standards of Udemy.
That makes Udemy more robust than Coursera. You may check our brief review of the most popular courses on Udemy to see for yourself. But later on in this blog post will be the best course on Coursera.
However, in this Coursera review, we are also considering the best courses on Coursera and 10 reasons to choose Coursera.
So, for Coursera vs Udemy, you have seen a brief comparison of both MOOC platforms which are undoubtedly, the two biggest. Nevertheless, I have taken some courses on Udemy and they were wonderful and the experience was exhilarating.
Also, we took the time to analyze all cheap certification courses on Udemy which provide huge quality. After the course, you will know that it’s just a steal.
Also read: Best Free Proofreading Courses & Classes With Certificates 2023
#2. Coursera vs SkillShare
Skillshare offers courses on almost anything. However, as with Udemy, it’s not as focused and the quality of the production and lectures is not as good as Coursera.
It’s a bit like Udemy but not as rich as them. But in comparison with Coursera, it has its own uniqueness. Skillshare is great for someone who wants to acquire a skill with a low budget.
However, they offer 2 months of free access to their courses. But you have to activate a subscription plan before that will take effect. Then subsequent months you will be debited after the free two months have expired.
But you can choose to unsubscribe from the plan at the end of your course there. But you won’t go with a certificate after completion of any course.
#3. Coursera vs MasterClass
Some said, that if you cross Netflix with TED talks with education, you basically get MasterClass.
Rather than repeating the college experience (with professors and a focus on traditional academic subjects and career-oriented skills), MasterClass works with people who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields.
On MasterClass, Neil Gaiman teaches writing. Garry Kasparov teaches chess. Gordon Ramsay teaches how to cook. Awesome right?
As you can probably see, MasterClass is more focused on teaching exciting projects and creative activities. Coursera, on the other hand, is more focused on academic subjects with top universities in the world.
If you’re looking to advance a career in data science or accounting, Coursera is the best learning platform for you. Even if your interests lie in areas such as psychology, history, or other academic subjects.
However, if you’re looking to pursue a creative career or just want to be inspired by absolute legends, then you should check out MasterClass.
My overall conclusion is clear: Would you like college-level courses without the college price tag? Would you like a deeper understanding of a specific topic? Do you need specific new skills to advance your career? Coursera is obviously your first option.
After all these comparisons, Coursera still stands out as the best MOOC platform.
However, if you want to brush up on your creative skills, check out Udemy or Skillshare. And if you want inspiration from teachers who have reached the top positions in their field (and have become household names along the way), MasterClass is probably the platform of choice.
Also read: 10 Best Online Singing Courses & Music Lessons In 2023 [Udemy]
10 Reasons Why You Need to Choose Coursera in 2023
You will be shown the reasons why you need to take the best courses on Coursera. And why these courses on the platform are rated so highly.
#1. The Ability to Network with like-minded Professionals
This was an aspect of Coursera that I had never thought twice about, and it was one of the most valuable features of taking the course. The forums for these courses are a focal point for enthusiastic professionals.
Network with them. Get involved with them. Add them on LinkedIn. It could well be the most important snack you will get from the course.
#2. Legitimately being able to Work at your own Pace
Naturally, people are busy. Fortunately, Coursera seems to know. There is a 6-month period to complete one month of material. This can vary from course to course, but for marketing in a digital world, that was the time limit.
So take your time. Do what you can when you can instead of being overwhelmed with strict deadlines. MOOCs are designed to be integrated into your schedule and not consume most of your energy and time.
#3. Low Cost or Minimal Fee
Obviously, the costs differ greatly between the different MOOC platforms. I think Coursera hit the sweet spot at $49. It was a little expensive enough to motivate students to finish the course safely. If the fee had been $5, it would have been easy to stop going to the cinema or weekend football.
#4. Relevant Professional Development
The latest skills your coworkers and friends talk about in the break room are likely to be found somewhere on the MOOC platforms. Sure, YouTube tutorials are a great starting point for you to learn these skills.
However, NBA players never got good at basketball just by looking. At a certain point, true learning can only be achieved through practice.
Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and SkillShare are geared toward professional development. Most of the courses available focus on developing relevant skills that will allow the student to be much more marketable as an employee.
Also read: 7 Best Operations Management Courses & Certification Online[2023] Free
#5. Valuable certificates
When you take a course on Coursera, at first you enroll for free. But if you desire to have a certificate at the end of the class then you will pay a little token. It’s just $49.
Is the Coursera certificate valuable? I would say yes! The affiliation with the top university of high pedigree makes their certification valuable. So if you are wondering about that just relax your mind and purchase the certification course.
Moreover, it shows to your employers that you really added value in the course of the lockdown.
In addition to impressing your employers, it will serve as a boost to your resume. Overall, the Coursera certificate should be a must-have in your resume. Because it provides great value.
#6. You will be taught by professors
Some people might see this as nothing but the truth of the matter is that it feels good who taught you.
Imagine having to choose between a high school teacher and a professor to teach you about computer science. Which person do you feel will have a great impact on your career? I leave you with the answer.
However, being taught by a professor helps your IQ because you will try to meet up with his standards of the lecture. In contrast, you will not get the courses too cumbersome or difficult to understand.
Due to the level of their knowledge, they know how to blend the class to your very understanding.
Learning from a professor can never be a waste of time rather, it is a steal of knowledge. So, this can be one of the best reasons to take Coursera courses knowing that it’s rare to find it elsewhere.
#7. Academic Standard
Coursera started with the mindset of using universities to launch their courses. They wanted to bridge the gap with campus demands, which can be very frustrating at times. So, for that reason, they have good degree courses in which you can study for 2 years at your own pace.
The certificate will come from the school and the curriculum is top-notch as you will also be able to speak with the professors taking you on the course.
Even the short courses offered on Coursera have the normal college structure with an in-depth analysis of that particular course or degree. For example, Coursera is good at data science and machine learning. They also offer subject-based courses.
#8. Coursera is Free to Enroll?
This is one of the first things you should consider for choosing Coursera. They gave free access to their whole courses for enrollment, it is up to you to start whenever you want and start learning.
However, as I told you before certification is not included in the free courses. You have to pay a small amount of 49 dollars to acquire a Coursera professional certificate which is advised you get.
Unlike Udemy which selects a handful of courses for free, Coursera makes all its courses available for you to access your preferred course. As well, it is better than that of SkillShare which is only for 2 months and after that, your payment begins automatically.
So, Coursera is the best to choose when it comes to free courses online.
#9. Certifications from big Tech Companies
This is another powerful reason to choose Coursera. when we started I told us about tech companies that partner with Google.
These tech companies are among the biggest in the world and business. we have some companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM to mention a few.
Just imagine acquiring a certificate from Google or Microsoft. You must be thinking deeply now.
Like the certification scholarship by Google, you will be given a free certificate in the name of Google. It has been paid for. If you are a techie, this reason will convince you to choose Coursera. That will eventually add value to your resume and skillset.
#10. HD Video Quality & 14-day money-back
Without argument, you will agree with me that video quality should be the first thing an online course platform should work on. Such Coursera has done perfectly well. The video quality is mindblowing just like cinematography standards and can win the Oscars. lol…
But hope you got my point or the emphasis I’m trying to lay.
The Coursera video quality is just second to none. You will see for yourself when you start.
Also, Coursera gives you a 14-day money-back just in case you are not comfortable with your payment. That is another bonus, right?
Also read: 8 Best Neuroscience Courses & Degree Online with Certificates Free 2023
The Ultimate list of 10 best Courses on Coursera in 2023
This list will show the few best courses on Coursera. I used a filter on Coursera to streamline it to courses and course projects. Let’s go!
#1. Machine Learning by Sanford University
Machine learning is the science of making computers work without being explicitly programmed.
Over the past decade, machine learning has enabled us with self-driving cars, practical speech recognition, efficient web search, and a vastly improved understanding of the human genome.
Machine learning is so ubiquitous these days that you’re likely to use it dozens of times a day without even realizing it.
Many researchers also consider it the best way to move towards human-scale AI. In this class, you will learn the most effective machine-learning techniques.
his machine learning course seems to be the most enrolled course on Coursera, that’s why it has to come top of the best courses on Coursera. With 3,610,859 as of the time of writing this blog post.
Course rating: 4.9 out of 5
#2. The Science of Well-Being by Yale University
In this course, you will face a series of challenges to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits.
In preparation for these assignments, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying characteristics of the mind that make us think as we do, and research that can help us change.
Ultimately, you will be ready to successfully incorporate a particular wellness activity into your life.
This course already has 2,990,258 students enrolled.
Course rating: 4.9 out of 5
#3. Technical Support Fundamentals by Google
This course is the first in a series designed to prepare you for the entry-level IT support specialist position.
In this course, you will be introduced to the world of information technology or IT. You will learn about the different facets of information technology, Computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, problem-solving, and customer service.
This course covers a variety of IT topics that are intended to give you an overview of future developments in this certification program.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5
Also read: Best Alteryx Courses, Training, and Certification Fully Updated 2023
#4. Google IT Support Professional Certificate
In this 5-course certification program, you will prepare for entry into IT support using an innovative curriculum developed by Google. It was reported that about 80% of Google IT Support Professional Certificate students in the US report a career impact within 6 months.
For instance, getting a new job, a raise, or starting a new business. The program is part of Grow with Google, a Google initiative that helps create business opportunities for everyone.
Upon completion of the certificate program, students eligible to work in the United States can share their information directly with Google. As well as employers such as Hulu, Infosys, Intel, Walmart, and others.
However, through a combination of video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on exercises, you will be introduced to problem-solving.
In addition, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security. However, the basic IT skills required for an entry-level position.
The course has 415,631 students who enrolled so far.
Course rating: 4.7 out of 5
#5. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
Data science is one of the hottest jobs of the decade, and the demand for data scientists who can analyze data and communicate results to make data-driven decisions has never been greater.
This IBM Professional Certificate helps anyone interested in a career in data science or machine learning develop skills and experiences relevant to their careers.
It is a myth that you need a PhD to become a data scientist.
Anyone with a passion for learning can earn this professional certificate (no prior knowledge of computer science or programming languages required) and develop the skills, tools, and portfolio to gain a competitive advantage in the job market as an entry-level data scientist.
The program consists of 9 online courses that will provide you with the latest job-ready tools and skills. Including open-source tools and libraries, Python, databases, SQL, data visualization, data analysis, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms.
Also, you’ll learn data science through hands-on practice in the IBM Cloud using real data science tools and real-world data sets.
213,485 students have enrolled in the course already.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5
#6. Introduction to Data Science Specialization by IBM
Would you like to learn more about data science but don’t know where to start? This 4-course specialization from IBM gives you the key foundational skills a data scientist needs to prepare for a career in data science or additional advanced learning in the field.
This specialization introduces you to what data science is and what data scientists do. You will discover the applicability of data science in all areas and learn how data analysis can help you make data-driven decisions.
However, you will find that you can start your career in this field without any prior knowledge of computer science or programming languages. This specialization provides you with the foundation for more advanced learning that supports your career goals.
Upon successfully completing these courses, you will have created a portfolio of data science projects. One that can give you the confidence to immerse yourself in an exciting career in data science.
In addition to earning a Professional Certificate from Coursera, you will also receive an IBM digital badge that recognizes your data science skills.
As of the date of writing, the course has 41,024 students who have already enrolled.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5
Also read: 8 Best Real Estate Photography Courses Online 2023
#7. Python for Everybody Specialization by University of Michigan
This specialization builds on the success of the Python for Everybody course and introduces basic programming concepts. Including data structures, network application program interfaces, and databases that use the Python programming language.
In the Capstone Project, you will use the technologies learned during the specialization to design and build your own applications for the retrieval, processing, and visualization of data.
The Python course has a large 839,644 students who have acquired some Python knowledge from the course.
Course rating: 4.8 out 5
#8. Deep Learning Specialization by deeplearning.ai
If you want to get into AI, this specialization will help you with that. Deep learning is one of the most sought-after technological skills. this course will help you improve in deep learning.
In five courses, you will learn the basics of deep learning, building neural networks, and managing successful machine learning projects.
Also, you will learn more about convolution networks, RNN, LSTM, Adam, Dropout, BatchNorm, Xavier / He initialization, and much more. The course already has 514,521 students.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5
#9. Financial Markets by Yale University
An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that enable human society to manage risk and promote business. And the emphasis on leadership skills with financial literacy.
Description of current practices and analysis of future prospects. Introduction to the principles of risk management and behavioral finance to understand how the securities, insurance, and banking industries really work.
The ultimate goal of this course is to use these industries effectively and for a better society.
It’s amazing that this course has 719,992 students who have already signed up for the course.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5
#10. Introduction to Psychology by Yale University
What are people most afraid of? What do our dreams mean? Are we born racists? What makes us happy What are the causes and remedies for mental illness? This course attempts to answer these and many other questions and provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior.
Topics such as perception, communication, learning, memory, decision-making, belief, emotions, and social behavior are examined.
This course will also teach you how these aspects of the mind develop in children. How they differ between people, how they are wired in the brain, and how they break down due to illness and injury. To show you how good the course is, 458,080 students have enrolled in it.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5
Final thoughts on Coursera review
I believe you have gotten a clear knowledge of the best courses on Coursera with these high-quality Coursera reviews. Obviously, there are lots of Coursera reviews out there, but this one is like stands out among others.
For the best courses in Coursera, I urge you to take any of them. I recommend them because I did a good review of them before selecting them on my top 10 best courses on Coursera.
However, this Coursera review blog post was written because of the little information on the all-around Coursera review online as it should have been.
This is why I put in great effort to see that you have a good Coursera review that is not limited to information.
I would love to know your own experience with Coursera as well. Use the comment section to tell us your view on these Coursera reviews.
You can share this if you are satisfied with the information.
Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Coursera?
Coursera is an online learning platform focused on higher education. Like its competitors Udemy, EdX, MasterClass, and Skillshare. Coursera is completely online and covers a wide range of topics.
How does Coursera work?
Firstly, clicking on a course that interests you will take you to a page with information about the course. With an introduction to the instructors, and a curriculum. This overview tells you which topics are covered in the course and what schedule you expect.
If you choose to enroll, you will be taken to the course homepage which gives you a weekly overview. Also, it prompts you to start the first lesson.
Can I get a free certification course on coursera?
No, though you can access all courses for free for certification, you will pay a small fee.
Udemy vs Coursera which one is better?
My answer will depend on what you want, Coursera is better than Udemy for academic related courses or degrees, while Udemy is better if you want to acquire a specific skill or improve your college experience. So both are unique in their ways. Coursera wins it for subject-based while Udemy wins it based on skill honing.
Can I print my certificates from coursera?
Yes, you can print your certificates from Coursera immediately after it is ready for you.
What are the five different learning options on coursera?
1. Individual Courses
2. Specializations
3. Professional Certificates
4. MasterTrack Certificates
5. Degrees
What is the net worth of Coursera?
In July 2023, the company announced that it had raised $130 million in Series F funds and updated its valuation and net worth to $2.5 billion.
What are the Coursera strategic partners?
As of December 2019, the total number of partners was more than 200 in 29 countries.
Though, Coursera works mainly with universities and colleges, but also with companies (like Google, IBM, and Microsoft then governments. University partners include the Universities such as;
University of São Paulo in Brazil,
The University of London in Great Britain,
The Indian School of Business in India,
Yonsei University in Korea,
Yale University of Illinois
University of Pennsylvania.
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