Many people remember a time around 2012 when Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) were entirely free. So, is Coursera not free anymore? Has the platform completely pivoted to a paid model?
The truth is, you can still access 90% of the content for free if you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Auditing is Free: You can read and watch the materials for free.
- Certificates Cost Money: You only have to pay if you want the graded quizzes and the official PDF certificate.
- Financial Aid: Coursera offers generous financial aid if you cannot afford the certificate fee.
How to Audit for Free
Coursera courses are still fundamentally free to access. This is called “Auditing.” When you click “Enroll” on almost any course, a popup will ask you to start a free trial. Look closely at the bottom of the popup for a tiny, un-bolded link that says “Audit this course.”
If you Audit a course, you get:
- All the video lectures (Free)
- All the reading materials (Free)
- Community discussion forums (Free)
What you DO NOT get:
- Graded assignments and quizzes
- The official Certificate of Completion
- Access to Peer Reviews
FAQs
Can I audit a Professional Certificate? Usually, yes. You can audit the individual courses that make up the certificate one by one.
How do I apply for Financial Aid? Next to the “Enroll” button on most courses, there is a link for Financial Aid. It takes up to 15 days for approval, but they frequently grant up to 90% off for students in developing nations.
Conclusion
If you just want the knowledge, Audit for free. The Ivy League education is still available to anyone with an internet connection. However, if you want the resume boost to show employers, you must pay for the official certificate.
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