Is upGrad free or paid?

upGrad primarily offers paid programmes at the postgraduate level. But, it also recognises the importance of accessible learning and has recently introduced free courses in technology, management, career planning, data Science and machine learning, law, and soft skills. These free upGrad courses, designed to provide foundational knowledge, come with one to 28 hours of learning and a valuable e-certificate upon completion, acknowledging your commitment to learning and growth. With these free certifications from upGrad, you also get to participate in Live Discussions with peers enrolled in the same course.

Does upGrad develop the curricula or the university?

upGrad's partner universities and the course instructors from those universities develop the curricula for all the online degree or certificate courses they offer. The platform also has its own panel of industry experts who work together with the course instructors of the universities while developing the syllabi of the programmes.

When was upGrad established?

upGrad is one of the best online higher education platforms in India. It was founded in 2015.

What are the job-ready programmes on upGrad?

upGrad has many job-ready programmes, including job enhancement and college student bootcamps. These are designed to help learners grow their real-life skills and knowledge for succeeding in today's competitive job market. These programmes also typically last three to six months, and cover topics such as management, technology, and data science.

Why should I choose upGrad bootcamp?

There are several advantages to joining a bootcamp related to your domain on upGrad. These programmes are highly intensive with the curriculum and most importantly they are developed around the latest trends in the relevant industry. You can expect live sessions, case-study-based learning, capstone projects, the latest industry tools, etc. In any of the fields, whether it is business, tech, or data science, you get to specialise in areas that are in most demand, making you highly competitive in your domain and letting you stand out among employers in your industry.

Are upGrad's online programmes recognised internationally?

Yes, all of upGrad's programmes have international or country-specific recognition. That includes accreditations from reputed organisations, including WES (World Education Services) and AACSB. This accreditation helps enrolled learners find job opportunities abroad and makes them also worth the investment.

Does upGrad provide placements?

upGrad has over 4500 hiring partners, with whom the learners have a better chance to get interviewed and hired towards the end of the degrees and PG courses. The major benefit of joining upGrad is because of its dedicated placement services. On its job portal, there are over 100 open roles across each city, with 50 openings available each quarter. Then, there are dedicated career coaches, who help identify career opportunities that align with the student’s strengths and aspirations. They also provide assistance with interview preparation, job market navigation, salary negotiations, and other necessary preparations to facilitate career advancement. Along with that, students can participate in the regular recruitment drives and make their way into the top lists.

Does upGrad develop the curricula or the university?

upGrad's partner universities and the course instructors from those universities develop the curricula for all the online degree or certificate courses they offer. The platform also has its own panel of industry experts who work together with the course instructors of the universities while developing the syllabi of the programmes.

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upGrad: Admission 2025, Placements, Ranking, Courses, Fees

8 Student Q&A

Private Institute
Estd. 2015

Last updated on 21 May '25

upGrad
All About Courses & Platform

upGrad is providing a one-of-a-kind Intern-Zip programme for freshers between 20 to 24 years of age, through Government of India's PM Internship Scheme.

upGrad Highlights 2025

upGrad is an edtech unicorn that offers online training and career development. Since 2015, over 10 million learners across 100 countries have enrolled here. It offers over 500 courses and 50 specialisations in several areas, including AI, marketing, business administration, data science, and cloud computing.

Working professionals, whether fresher or experienced, can choose upGrad for the availability of degrees, certifications, bootcamps, study abroad, and free course options based on their career and learning needs. Transforming opportunities globally, it works with the best business and technical schools, such as Deakin University, Liverpool Business School, IIIT, etc. Enrolled students can benefit from placements with its 4500+ hiring partners as well.

Particulars	upGrad Highlights 2025
Campus Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Courses Offered	Degrees, Doctoral Programmes, Bootcamps
No. of Seats	-
Fees Range	INR 75,000-4,385,816

For more information about upGrad check out the below:

Rating of upGrad on Trustpilot, CourseReport, Switchup, CareerKarma, and more

We have covered some of the ratings offered to upGrad from some of the top review and rating platforms in terms of the learning experience and technology used to make online learning convenient.

Platform Name	Rating
Shiksha.com	4.5/5
Trustpilot	2.4/5
Careerkarma	5/5
Course Report	4.3/5
SwitchUp	4.9/5
G2	3.9/5

Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q: Which are the partner universities of upGrad?

Some of the partner universities of upGrad include OP Jindal Global University, Golden Gate University and Liverpool John Moores University, among others.

Q: Is upGrad certificate valid for jobs?

It is important to note that upGrad is an ed-tech platform that ties up with institutes and companies that provide certificates once students pass the exams after enrolling. Also, upGrad has recently started offering job-ready programmes for freshers to prepare them for new roles. Apart from that, the bestselling PG courses in business and marketing provide an average hike of 30%+ after students obtain such certificates. Then, for its other segment - the study abroad programmes, the students get an 18- to 36-month work visa and a salary range of INR 75+ LPA.

Q: What makes upGrad popular?

upGrad is highly popular due to its high quality online degree programmes and executive education. It partners with numerous accredited universities across India and abroad to offer trending and industry-aligned curricula for subjects, including Data Science, Technology, and Management.

Pros and Cons of upGrad

Advantages of upGrad

It offers the latest courses in areas of cybersecurity, digital marketing, data science, and AI.
upGrad's placement support can be comprehensive that helps enrolled graduates get hired in well-known companies.
It partners with some of the best institutions in India and abroad - all of which are accredited - and offers good exposure to a global cohort.

Disadvantages of upGrad

upGrad's administrative support may not be too solid, as reviews on places such as G2 and Quora do mention this issue.
While upGrad provides access to high-quality continuing education, the cost can be a little higher for its programmes, as per reviews on Quora.

upGrad
Admission process

MBA/PGDM Admissions 2026

20 Courses7 months-2 years

Eligibility

Undergraduate Degree with 50% aggregate
10+2 with 60% aggregate
Accepting Exams: MAT, NMAT, XAT, ATMA, CAT, CMAT, GMAT

Important dates

Dates	Events
17 Oct '25 - 18 Nov '25	CMAT 2025 registration and application processOngoing
5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25	CAT 2025 admit card download
30 Nov '25	CAT 2025 exam

B.E. / B.Tech Admissions 2026

7 Courses2 years-4 years

Eligibility

10+2 with 50% aggregate
Accepting Exams: SGVUEE, JEE Main, CBSE 12th, ISC

Important dates

Dates	Events
Oct '25-Nov '25	JEE Main 2026 Registration Session 1Ongoing
Jan '26	JEE Main Admit Card 2025 Session 1Tentative
21 Jan '26 - 30 Jan '26	JEE Main 2026 Exam Date Session 1