Online learning platforms are fast growing in popularity with every passing phase. They always were, but they are proving to be the perfect lifeline for students wanting to learn a new skill during this lockdown period. Among the many online courses available, students often struggle to choose between Udemy vs Coursera– both of which label as among the most popular ones! But that ends here!
This post presents a comprehensive comparison between the two online degree program(s) to help them decide which one is more suitable.
So follow closely!
Udemy vs Coursera – Which One Should You Go For?
With the popularity of online homeschooling degree program(s) increasing, students often struggle to decide which one to go for. Each of them looks impressive and offers a quality course(s) in their unique and distinctive way.
But regardless of their distinctions, Udemy and Coursera qualify as among the two most popular choices for countless learners (and their parents) worldwide. When comparing the two, one will find a host of distinctive factors. Nonetheless, the impressive thing with both of them is that they both contribute to helping driven students master their chosen course and create their respective paths towards a lucrative career despite their appalling distinction.
An Overview of Their Educational Objectives
Starting with Udemy –
- This unique and highly popular online learning platform offers students ‘lifetime learning’ where they learn any subject of their choosing at their pace – on the go!
- Udemy also provides many business courses to help respective candidates learn and refine whatever essential skills they want to procure their desired careers.
Moving Over To Coursera –
- Coursera is an online learning platform that focuses more on academic education. Students of any field can apply easily.
- Coursera also aligns with the top-rated educational organizations like HEC Paris, Stanford, and unique corporate settings like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and AWS to present high-quality individual courses to respective students.
Furthermore, deciding between Udemy vs Coursera, students should also look into both these aspects –
While Udemy offers you over 80,000 courses (on any subject one desires) with a risk-free money-back assurance, the courses are taught by quality skilful field tutors. Plus, there are no time commitments for students to obey. However, Udemy is not accredited, and the quality of learning varies between the courses chosen. So, despite its impressive prospects, it doesn’t quite deliver the depth of learning to students as Coursera. That being said, students do receive certifications of completion as a reward for their dedication and hard work.
On the flip side, Coursera is accredited, better in its course structuring, and present a more curated experience to students. Similar to Udemy, any student can enrol for its available number of courses. The learning will be more akin to appearing for colleges and top universities where courses will come with specific deadlines lasting weeks or months.
Coursera offers around 2500 courses with 250 (or more) specializations in subjects like Data Science, Computer Science, Business, etc. This falls short of the total of Udemy courses available to students. However, Coursera offers recognized certificates from an accredited institution. And that makes it all the more worth it.
Udemy vs Coursera – Other Differentiating Qualities
Their Course Fee
When comparing Udemy vs. Coursera and deciding which one works best, students should look at their course fee; however, one should entirely make his/her decision based on the ease of use!
In the case of Udemy, its top-selling courses usually go on-sale instantly. However, respective students can find their separate courses at $10 –$15. Moreover, on purchasing one of its courses, students get lifetime access to it.
On the other hand, Coursera allows students free sign up and scope to audit all the courses available free of cost. However, for specific mentorship, graded assignments, and course certificate, one will need to pay. Still, if one seeks access to course reading material, discussion forums, video lectures without gaining the certification to include in your resume, Coursera presents plenty of cool course(s) and study materials for free
Ideally, their courses are available at $40-$80 with monthly subscriptions. But some specific courses come with a one-time fee and allow you limitless access for 180 days. In addition to this, another unique USP of Coursera worth mentioning is its financial aid option. Coursera also offers financial assistance to students who cannot afford the course fee themselves, but it does not have any free versions available.
(VERDICT) – In short, students who want large quantities of learning material (mainly academic) should opt for Coursera. But au contraire to this, students who wish to take up a small number of courses (namely 1-2) and work at their comfortable pace should go for Udemy.
It is as simple as that!
Their Available Subjects & Courses Specializations
Udemy Courses
As you already know, Udemy offers you over 8000 online courses (on any subject of your choosing) at cheap rates. And some of its major course subjects include as follows
- Business
- The Arts
- Health & Fitness
- Games
- Languages
- Entrepreneurship
- Music
- Yoga
- Photography
- Technology
In addition to these course subjects, Udemy offers many other course specializations. Know below –
- Learning MS Excel from beginner to advanced level
- The complete digital marketing course learning (all 12 courses include)
- The full SQL Bootcamp course learning
- Comprehensive Illustrator CC 2019 Masterclass
- In-depth Blender Creator- learning 3D modelling for beginners
- Extensive understanding of Linux Administration
- The complete copywriting course
- iPhone photography course learning – (how to take photos professionally using your iOS device)
- The complete mindfulness practitioner course learning
Coursera Courses
Moving over to Coursera specialization and the academic subjects covered. And the academic course subjects offered include –
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Life Science
- Business
- Social Science
- Arts and Humanities
- Mathematics & Logic
- Information Technology
- Personal Development
And its course specialization include as follows –
- Cloud computing from the University of Illinois
- Organizational design and management from HEC Paris
- Epidemiology for public health from the Imperial College London
- English for career development from the University of Pennsylvania
- The Science of well-being from Yale University
- Buddhism and modern psychology from Princeton University
- Graphic design and web development from the California Institute of the Arts
- Data structures and algorithms from the California University, San Diego
- Optical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder
(VERDICT) – Even though Udemy offers students certifications of completion, they are not accredited. And, as per reviews of past students, their quality does vary from subject to subject. In comparison to Udemy, Coursera offers more commitment towards students and always delivers a curated learning experience. Their certificates are accredited from the learning mentioned above institutions, thus making them more valuable in comparison!
Their Quality of Teacher/Student Interactions
Lastly, when comparing Udemy vs Coursera, one should also look into the quality of teacher/student interactions in both of them.
Starting with Udemy –
- Teachers/instructors have restrictions on communicating with students. They don’t possess a student’s email and can send limitations promotional emails to them.
- In addition to that, students don’t get grades or assignment feedbacks from their respective instructors. However, they can ask questions and clear their queries through online messaging. So it is safe to say that student/teacher interaction in Udemy is not as consistent as one would want, and it varies from time to time.
Moving over to Coursera –
- Teacher/student interaction takes place as one would see in a typical university. Pupils can communicate with their tutors via chats whenever they want. Plus, they can even watch live videos.
- Coursera also ensures all student assignments undergo proper reviewing. And depending on the quality of their project, students get grading and feedback consistently.
- Besides, students can also get feedback from their fellow peers and discuss each other’s assignments. And if that wasn’t enough, they can also enlist assistance from their respective course tutors.
Udemy vs Coursera – Course Duration
Everyone has different perceptions of learning. Some of them are superior to regular instruction and structure, while others prefer independent learning.
Starting with Udemy –
Udemy courses offer students a lifelong subscription to course work. You should complete the course at your own pace.
Some courses in Udemy are more detailed; others have only a few hours of video tutorials and lectures. Teachers create course video tutorials, including guidance and papers, but the main part of learning depends on you.
Moving over to Coursera –
Coursera courses are more like online courses that you get from every standard online university.
The courses in Coursera begin and end on a particular date. You have to follow a schedule. You can talk with the professor at an online discussion forum. Coursera wants both of its students and teachers to be involved with the same dedication.
(VERDICT) – Udemy is for you if you are self-controlled and want to complete your curriculum by yourself. We recommend Coursera if you choose your online course to learn with a coach and peers.
SURMISING
When comparing Udemy vs Coursera, you can see that each has its fair share of pros and cons. However, since most parents always favour a more structured course curriculum with limitless access to communicating with respective course tutors, Coursera scores its counterpart.
You can also try online courses at Khan Academy. Also, there are several websites like Khan Academy, which also provides various online courses.
Nevertheless, perspectives differ in every individual. And inevitably, it is your decision which counts.