Last updated on 22 Apr '25
About Coursera
Coursera is a global online learning platform that offers anyone, anywhere access to online courses and degrees from leading universities and companies. It features many different subjects across a range of learning formats, such as courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, degrees, guided projects, and tutorials.
Coursera courses are typically delivered through video lectures, supplemented by reading materials, quizzes, and assignments. The platform allows users to learn at their own pace, with many courses being self-paced while others follow a more structured timeline.
It has partnered with over 300 top global universities and companies, including Stanford, Duke, Illinois, Colorado Boulder, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Meta, to name a few. Coursera offers online learning through evidence-based online teaching. The average rating across the platform is 4.7/5 stars.
A number of courses offered by Coursera include peer-reviewed assignments, where students evaluate each other’s work, while there are other courses that offer instructor assessments.
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Provider Name |
Coursera |
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Established In |
2013 |
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Official Website |
https://coursera.org/ |
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Founded By |
Andrew Ng & Daphne Koller |
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Popular For |
Analytics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Business Management, Cloud Computing, Personal Development, Arts & Humanities |
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Top Coursera Courses |
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Student Base |
148 Million+ |
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Hiring Companies |
3300+, including Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Cognizant, Dell, etc. |
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Yes, Coursera issues certificates for most paid courses and programs on successful completion. If you want to achieve the certuficate then you would need to Coursera monthly subscription, which depend on the number of months you have opted for. fewer the number of months, higher the amount.
The certificates are issued digitally and downloadable and can be shared online. They include details such as your name, course title, completion date, and the name of the partner university or organisation that created the course. They also add value to your resume or LinkedIn profile, and thus, it is helpful to be showcased. However, certificates are not considered accredited degrees, though they form more professional credentials or proof of learning.
Yes, many Coursera courses offer a free audit option, which allows learners to access course materials without the need to pay for a certificate. When you audit a course, you can view video lectures and reading materials and participate in discussion forums. However, it's important to note that auditing does not grant access to graded assignments or the ability to earn a certificate upon completion. This option is especially beneficial for those who wish to learn new skills or explore a subject without the commitment of a financial investment.
To audit a course, navigate to the individual course page and look for the "Audit" option after clicking "Enroll." This option may only be available for some courses, particularly those part of Specializations, MasterTrack, or Professional Certificates, where the audit feature is generally not offered.
Additionally, while many courses allow auditing, some may require payment for full access to all course features. Therefore, you must check the course details before enrolling to ensure you understand the available options and any limitations associated with auditing.
Why Choose Coursera Courses?
Here are some reasons to choose Coursera courses:
- Extensive Course Catalog: Coursera provides access to over 3,800 courses across various disciplines, including technology, business, arts, and humanities, allowing learners to explore a wide range of interests and career paths.
- Specializations and Degrliees: Learners can access specializations and full degree programs to gain in-depth knowledge and credentials in specific fields.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with a global community of peers and industry professionals for valuable networking.
- High-Quality Instruction: Learn from professors and industry leaders at prestigious institutions.
- Evidence-Based Learning: Benefit from proven teaching strategies, reflected in high course ratings.
- Learn Anytime, Anywhere: Study from any location at your own pace, accommodating busy schedules.
- Downloadable Materials: Download materials for offline access, perfect for learning on the go.
- Financial Aid and Scholarships:
- Job-Ready Skills: Develop skills that are directly applicable to the job market.
- Verified Certificates: Earn certificates that enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile credibility.
Commonly asked questions
Guided Projects on Coursera are practical, hands-on learning experiences designed to teach specific skills in a short time, typically 1 to 2 hours. Unlike traditional courses, Guided Projects focus on "learning by doing" and provide learners with step-by-step instructions in a virtual environment.
Learners work on real-world tasks using tools and software directly in their web browsers, with no setup. For instance, you can build a dashboard in Excel or create a simple website using HTML and CSS in the Guided Project. It is suitable for anyone seeking quick, applicable knowledge in areas such as data science, business analytics, web development, coding, machine learning, etc.
Access to lectures and assignments on Coursera depends on your enrollment type. If you choose to enroll in audit mode, you will be able to view most course materials at no cost. To access graded assignments and earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience either during or after your audit.
If you do not see an audit option:
The course may not offer an audit mode. In this case, you can explore a Free Trial or apply for Financial Aid.
The course might provide a "Full Course, No Certificate" option, which allows you to access all course materials, complete assessments, and receive a final grade, but does not include the ability to purchase a Certificate experience.
CourseraCollaboration and partnerships
Commonly asked questions On Collaboration & Partnerships
To apply for financial aid on Coursera, follow the below steps:
Open the course description page on Coursera.org.
Find the section with information about financial aid
Click Learn More and apply.
Fill out and submit your application, and meet the minimum word count (150 words).
Wait for 16 days for your application to be reviewed. If you start a free trial for a subscription, your financial aid application will be cancelled.
When your application is reviewed, you will receive an email letting you know whether it has been approved or denied.
Keep checking your Updates page to check the application status.
Free Coursera Courses
Coursera offers free online courses with features like flexible scheduling, videos, and practice quizzes. Here are some of the top free courses by Coursera.
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Free Coursera Courses |
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International University Tie-ups with Coursera
Listed below are some of the top global universities that offer online courses, certifications, and degrees, in collaboration with Coursera -
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University/Institute Name |
Top Courses with Duration |
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Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
To apply for financial aid on Coursera, follow the below steps:
Open the course description page on Coursera.org.
Find the section with information about financial aid
Click Learn More and apply.
Fill out and submit your application, and meet the minimum word count (150 words).
Wait for 16 days for your application to be reviewed. If you start a free trial for a subscription, your financial aid application will be cancelled.
When your application is reviewed, you will receive an email letting you know whether it has been approved or denied.
Keep checking your Updates page to check the application status.
A data Science master's degree is a relatively new graduate programme that integrates core concepts from mathematics, computer science, statistics, and information science. It equips students with the skills to extract insights from complex data sets and enhance operational and business processes. This degree is ideal for those looking to advance their careers in data Science or expand their expertise in areas such as machine learning, data visualization, and data mining. Graduates are prepared for roles like data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer, benefiting from the growing demand for data professionals in today’s job market.
A Specialization on Coursera is a structured series of related courses to help learners master a specific skill or subject area. Each Specialization consists of multiple courses that build on one another, delivering a comprehensive learning experience.
In addition to the core courses, Specializations often include a capstone project, which is a practical application of the knowledge gained. Upon completing a Specialization, learners receive a certificate that can be shared on professional platforms such as LinkedIn or included in resumes, showcasing their commitment to continuous learning and expertise in a specific area. Specializations are designed to be flexible, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace, and are ideal for those looking to advance their careers, switch fields, or deepen their knowledge in a particular domain.
Types of Programmes Listed on Coursera
Here are the main types of programs offered by Coursera:
- Coursera Online Courses: Individual classes that focus on specific subjects, offering in-depth knowledge and skills in areas ranging from data science courses to humanities.
- Specializations: Specializations are a series of related courses that aim to build expertise in a particular domain. These typically come with a capstone project to apply the skills that a course taker has learned.
- Online Degrees: Online degrees are full-term undergraduate and graduate degree programs in partnership with accredited global universities. They aim to provide comprehensive education in various fields.
- Professional Certificates: These are professional Coursera courses with certificates. They are programs for helping learners gain job-ready skills in diversified areas such as programming or project management, often developed in partnership with industry leaders.
- MasterTrack® Certificate: MasterTrack Certificates are portions of Master’s programs that have been split into online modules. These certificate programmes can help you earn a university-issued career credential at lower costs and in a flexible format.
- Guided Projects: These types of projects are hands-on projects designed to teach specific skills through practical application and are completed in a short time.
- Coursera Plus: Coursera Plus is a subscription plan that offers access to a broad range of courses, specializations, and professional certificates across multiple subjects.
Commonly asked questions On Affiliated Colleges and Departments
Yes, many Coursera courses offer a free audit option, which allows learners to access course materials without the need to pay for a certificate. When you audit a course, you can view video lectures and reading materials and participate in discussion forums. However, it's important to note that auditing does not grant access to graded assignments or the ability to earn a certificate upon completion. This option is especially beneficial for those who wish to learn new skills or explore a subject without the commitment of a financial investment.
To audit a course, navigate to the individual course page and look for the "Audit" option after clicking "Enroll." This option may only be available for some courses, particularly those part of Specializations, MasterTrack, or Professional Certificates, where the audit feature is generally not offered.
Additionally, while many courses allow auditing, some may require payment for full access to all course features. Therefore, you must check the course details before enrolling to ensure you understand the available options and any limitations associated with auditing.
A Specialization on Coursera is a structured series of related courses to help learners master a specific skill or subject area. Each Specialization consists of multiple courses that build on one another, delivering a comprehensive learning experience.
In addition to the core courses, Specializations often include a capstone project, which is a practical application of the knowledge gained. Upon completing a Specialization, learners receive a certificate that can be shared on professional platforms such as LinkedIn or included in resumes, showcasing their commitment to continuous learning and expertise in a specific area.
Specializations are designed to be flexible, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace, and are ideal for those looking to advance their careers, switch fields, or deepen their knowledge in a particular domain.
Coursera Plus is a subscription service that gives limitless access to a big range of Coursera's catalog, including courses, specializations, and professional certificates, for a single annual fee. This is ideal for learners who may be taking multiple courses or programs throughout the year, as it reduces the cost per course.
The payment for one specific course, specialization, or programme is made as individual course payments, as monthly subscription Therefore, this is the best alternative for learners who want to take only one or two courses without any long-term commitment. Coursera Plus does not include all courses; therefore, we recommend you to check the eligibility of a course before subscribing.
The Coursera courses are highly flexible and accessible to learners worldwide. Most courses are self-paced, so you can learn anytime, at any hour, but still move ahead with the pace. However, some courses and specializations have suggested deadlines for helping learners complete the programme within the scheduled time frame.
Another flexibility Coursera allows in enrollment is through an audit, where you can look into the course material for free and decide later if you wish to pay for certification. This makes it easy for learners to balance education with work, family, and other commitments.
Yes, Coursera courses are designed to be self-paced. It means, you can learn as per your schedule. You can complete your course at a speed that suits you. You can finish it faster than the estimated duration if your schedule permits. The time it takes to complete a course or specialisation largely depends on the number of hours you dedicate everyday or week. Additionally, your prior knowledge of the subject matter can influence your pace. If you are already familiar with the concepts and terminology, you may find it easier and quicker to progress through the material.
Coursera FAQs Related To Coursera
Coursera Plus is a subscription service that gives limitless access to a big range of Coursera's catalog, including courses, specializations, and professional certificates, for a single annual fee. This is ideal for learners who may be taking multiple courses or programs throughout the year, as it reduces the cost per course.
The payment for one specific course, specialization, or programme is made as individual course payments, as monthly subscription Therefore, this is the best alternative for learners who want to take only one or two courses without any long-term commitment. Coursera Plus does not include all courses; therefore, we recommend you to check the eligibility of a course before subscribing.
Online bachelor's degrees from Coursera typically take between 2-6 years to complete, depending on factors such as:
Whether you can transfer in previously earned college credits
If you enroll full-time or part-time
The specific programme requirements
For example, the BSc in Marketing from the University of London can be completed in a minimum of 3 years. The University of North Texas' Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and Bachelor of Science in General Business are degree completion programs that require transfer credits to enroll.
In general, Coursera recommends dedicating 25-28 hours per week to your online bachelor's coursework. The flexibility of online learning allows you to balance your studies with work and other responsibilities.
Master's degrees on Coursera usually take 1-3 years to finish, depending on your enrollment status and program. Some accelerated options, like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Master of Science in Management, can be completed in as little as one year.
The duration of your online degree depends on the degree programme you select, your course load, and your ability to transfer credits. Some programs, like the Master of Science in Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, can be completed in as little as one year.
Study Commitment: The amount of time you need to dedicate weekly varies by program. For instance, some universities recommend committing around 25 to 28 hours per week to your coursework.
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Updated on Apr 22, 2025
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