Coursera Plus is worth it for students and professionals looking to gain new skills, earn recognized certificates, and enhance their careers. It gives unlimited access to 10,000+ courses, specializations, and professional certificates.
Many employers value Coursera certificates as they are accredited by 350+ top universities and companies. If you plan to get experience with Coursera Plus courses, rest assured, as it adds value to your resume and helps you upskill.
This guide is for students, job seekers, career changers, and lifelong learners. Ahead of the article, we will cover everything about Coursera Plus, including its features, benefits, and whether it suits your learning goals.
Coursera Plus: Take An Overview
Around 77% of users have reported career benefits, including new jobs, promotions, and improved skills. It is ideal for individuals and businesses looking to expand their knowledge.
| Coursera Offerings | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Trial | 7 Days |
| Starting Price | $59/ month |
| Total Courses | 10,000+ |
| Suitable For | Individual Learners & Businesses |
The 7-day free trial allows new users to take courses before subscribing to the monthly plan. Coursera Plus includes professional certificates, specializations, guided projects, skill-based courses, and degrees.
This makes it useful for all learners who want to explore fields like IT, business, healthcare, finance, data science, marketing, arts, etc. Coursera Plus subscription-based model is better than paying for individual courses.
What Is Included In Coursera Plus?
Coursera Plus offers a wide range of learning opportunities for all learners. Below are the key features included in Coursera Plus:
- Unlimited access to 90% of courses: You can access over 10,000 courses, specializations, and professional certificates from top universities and companies worldwide for a single subscription fee.
- Wide range of subjects and skills: Coursera Plus includes courses across various fields, including data science, business, IT, personal development, and arts, allowing learners to explore multiple domains.
- Professional Certificates & Career Development: The subscription covers job-ready professional certificates from companies like Google, Meta, IBM, etc., helping you gain industry-recognized credentials.
- Guided Projects for hands-on learning: You should have unlimited access to Coursera’s Guided Projects, which provide step-by-step practical learning experiences on real-world tools and techniques.|
- Flexible learning at your own pace: There are no limits on the number of courses to enroll in. This makes it ideal for long-term learners and those who want to upskill.
- 14-day money-back guarantee: Coursera Plus offers a risk-free trial period where you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if unsatisfied.
- Cost-effective alternative to individual course payments: Instead of paying for each course separately, you can subscribe to a monthly or annual plan and get certificates under one subscription. No additional cost is required.
What Is Not Included In Coursera Plus?
While Coursera Plus offers a broad range of learning opportunities, there are certain limitations to be aware of. Some advanced programs and exclusive courses are not part of the subscription. Here are some of the main exclusions:
- Degree Programs and MasterTrack™ Certificates: Coursera Plus does not cover full degree programs or MasterTrack™ Certificates, which are more intensive and provide university credentials.
- Certain Professional Certificates: Some professional certificates from specific companies or universities are not included. For example, deeplearning.ai courses are unavailable with Coursera Plus.
- Stanford University Courses: Stanford’s online courses are often excluded from the Coursera Plus subscription, as they are separate from other university offerings.
- IBM Courses: Many IBM programs are available, but some specialized courses are not part of Coursera Plus, especially those focused on specific tools or certifications.
Who Should Subscribe To Coursera Plus?
Professionals looking to upskill, job seekers aiming to build marketable skills, and students wanting to enhance their knowledge should consider subscribing to Coursera Plus. See the breakdown of Coursera pricing plans best suited to individuals and teams;
| Coursera Plans | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Learning Program | $49 to $79/ month |
| Coursera Plus Monthly | $59/ month |
| Coursera Plus Annual (Teams) | $399/ Year |
| Enterprise | Contact Sales |
Coursera Plus offers a monthly or annual subscription, allowing users to access 10,000+ courses, specializations, and professional certificates. You can also get hands-on learning through guided projects and benefit from certificates offered by top universities.
Learn from job-relevant skills and tools with 1,000+ applied projects. The monthly plan is ideal for those who want to explore different courses, while the annual plan offers better savings for those who plan to take multiple courses in a year.
Benefits Of Coursera Plus
Here are the benefits that make Coursera Plus a valuable subscription for students and professionals:
- Cost Savings: If you plan to take multiple courses, Coursera Plus becomes more economical than purchasing individual courses.
- Career Boost: With certificates from top companies like Google, IBM, and Meta, your job prospects are greatly enhanced.
- Self-Paced Education: Coursera allows you to learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere, giving you complete flexibility.
- Recognized Credentials: Certificates from renowned universities and companies add significant value to your resume. For example, you can earn credentials from Yale, University of Michigan, and Google.
- Trial & Refund: Coursera Plus offers a 7-day free trial plus a 14-day money-back guarantee if you decide the platform is not for you.
2 Ways To Save On Coursera Plus
There are a couple of ways you can save money on Coursera Plus, whether you need financial assistance or are looking to take advantage of seasonal discounts.
1. Coursera Financial Aid
Coursera offers financial aid for learners who cannot afford to pay for courses. To apply, you must fill out an application explaining your financial situation and how the course aligns with your career goals.
Financial aid is especially for those from lower-income backgrounds. After submitting, Coursera typically takes 16 days to review the application and process your request. If approved, you can access the course for free. But there is a condition to keep in mind; once you enroll in the courses, you will get 180 days to complete the courses.
2. Coursera Annual Savings
Coursera currently offers special spring savings, where you can get 30% off the annual Coursera Plus subscription. This offer is ideal for individuals who plan to take multiple courses throughout the year.
This way, the payment calculation is $25/ month compared to the monthly plan, which is $59/ month. However, this limited-time offer is valid until April 14, 2025, so if you are planning to commit to learning for the year, this is a perfect opportunity to save.
Coursera Plus Honest Reviews
While many learners find Coursera Plus to be a valuable tool for continuous learning, reviews vary depending on individual experiences and expectations. Here are a few honest perspectives from users:
1. One Reddit user shares his experience with Coursera Plus, mentioning that it provides many courses for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge. He talks about the platform’s flexibility, allowing him to learn independently.
However, there is a caution he added that some higher-level programs, like degrees and MasterTrack Certificates, are not included in the subscription, which may limit some users’ options.
2. Abhishek shares his views on Quora, expressing satisfaction with Coursera Plus, particularly for its cost-effectiveness. He found that the subscription’s extensive course offerings provide excellent value, especially for learners who wish to pursue multiple courses without incurring additional fees.
Is Coursera Plus Worth It: My Experience
After using Coursera Plus for three months, it is definitely worth it and working for me. As an IT professional, I began with the Microsoft IT Specialist and Google IT Support courses, which gave me valuable hands-on experience and boosted my skills as a beginner.
The courses provided practical knowledge that helped me in my job. Now, I am exploring other categories like personal development, language learning, and health.
Coursera Plus provides great value with its wide variety of courses, but it depends on what plan you are choosing. Personally, I have an annual plan, which saves my monthly costs, and I can take as many courses as I want through Coursera Plus.
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Conclusion: Coursera Plus Is Worth For Individuals And Teams
Coursera Plus offers exceptional value for both individuals and teams looking to enhance their skills and expand their knowledge.
You get unlimited access to courses from top universities and companies. The platform’s flexibility allows you to learn at your own pace, making it ideal for professionals with busy schedules.
So, sign up today and take free courses to start. Later, you can upgrade to Coursera Plus to elevate your skills if you’re ready to invest in your future.
FAQs
Coursera Plus does not include degree programs or some exclusive degree courses. You can only access certificate programs and individual courses within your subscription.
When your Coursera Plus subscription expires, courses from your ‘My Courses’ page will disappear. However, you’ll keep any certificates earned; unfinished courses will be accessible if you re-subscribe.
Coursera Plus provides access to certificates for completed courses. These certificates are valuable for showcasing your skills to employers and on platforms like LinkedIn.
Coursera Plus does not include all courses. Some degree programs, MasterTrack™ certificates, and specialized courses from certain institutions are excluded from the subscription.
Individual learners looking to take multiple courses and earn professional certificates will find Coursera Plus valuable. It offers flexible learning at an affordable price with a wide variety of courses.
