There will be a number of platforms to choose from once you decide to study online, but FutureLearn and Udemy are definitely two of the top choices.
Each of these platforms has a slightly different offering in terms of the types and number of courses offered, the cost, and the duration of the courses.
We’ve created a detailed review so that you don’t need to spend time doing your own research.
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TLDR: FutureLearn vs Udemy
FutureLearn: If having a qualification from an accredited institution is important to you, FutureLearn is the better choice in this comparison. As a FuturLearn student, you have the option to undertake courses from leading universities such as Monash and global organizations such as Accenture. The course selection is extensive and covers a wide range of topics for all levels. Expet to pay $279.99 per year for a FutureLearn membership.
Udemy: This eLearning platform has one of the biggest selections of online courses you will find spanning across almost every topic you can imagine. Even though you will only be left with a certificate of completion after every course, these certificates are widely recognized in multiple industries. Unfortunately, Udemy course quality can vary because it’s not difficult to sign up and sell your courses on the platform. Courses start from as little as $13.99 and can go up to $250 per course.
FutureLearn vs Udemy: Who Is It For?
FutureLearn
FutureLearn is an excellent choice for those who would prefer to obtain new knowledge from accredited sources. The platform is suitable for both beginners who want to learn entirely new skills and professionals looking to advance their careers.
Basically, if you want to earn a degree but can’t attend classes at a university, FutureLearn is right for you. Thanks to this online learning platform, you get access to courses from worldclass universities right from home.
Udemy
Udemy is a cost and time-efficient way to advance your knowledge in any field. The platform offers courses of varying difficulty levels, from entry-level to advanced.
A Udemy certificate can help you wow your existing employer or take the first step towards obtaining a degree. However, it isn’t the best option if want to get an internationally recognized certification and start a new career right away.
FutureLearn vs. Udemy: Types of Courses Offered
FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers online courses by leading universities, including Monash University, University of Michigan, John Hopkins University, and Kings College London.
Here are some of the most popular course categories you will find on the site:
- Business management
- Language
- IT and computer science
- Creative arts and media
- Psychology and mental health
- Teaching
- Healthcare and medicine
Students get to choose between four-course types: short courses, expert tracks, micro-credentials and programs, and online degrees. Most short courses last under one month and require around four hours of study a week.
Expert tracks are a pre-made series of short courses meant to help students advance their professional skills and get practical experience. Learners receive a certificate after completing some short courses .
Micro-credentials and programs allow students to build skills necessary for pursuing in-demand careers. Most of these programs are created for those with a basic or intermediate understanding of the subject and who are willing to study it further. Upon course completion, students receive an independent certification.
Lastly, those committed to getting an internationally-recognized degree can obtain it by completing FutureLearn’s online degree courses. Students can learn at a comfortable pace, and all assessments are completed remotely. Like with most university degrees, students need to spend two to six years completing the program.
Udemy
Udemy offers a wide selection of courses – in fact, the catalog is even larger than FutureLearn’s, containing over 130,000 courses. Some of the course categories you can expect to find on the site include:
- Design
- Development
- Marketing
- IT and software
- Business
- Personal development
Unfortunately, Udemy online courses aren’t created by accredited universities but rather by independent experts and professionals.
This often raises a question – is Udemy legit? The short answer is yes, but it’s merely a place to get basic skills or advance your current career than to receive recognized qualifications.
This doesn’t mean that Udemy isn’t worth your attention, though. The platform features thousands of professional short courses. The platform can also help you acquire new life skills and hobbies, for instance, cooking or meditating. There are courses for any skill level, from beginners to experts.
Given the lack of accreditation, some users are concerned about paying for a course that isn’t worth it. Thankfully, you can easily view the number of enrolled students, ratings, and user reviews for each course to choose the right one.
FutureLearn vs. Udemy: Pricing and Refunds
FutureLearn
FutureLearn courses have different prices, depending on the institution, course duration, and qualifications. Most short courses and expert tracks are available for free.
However, you only have access to free courses while they last – even if you’ve enrolled late. In most cases, you can buy an upgrade to get access to the content at any time and prove your knowledge with tests.
Programs and online degrees are typically offered at a cost, which will vary depending on the institution. Typically, the online degree price equals the price of a corresponding offline degree in the same institution.
Alternatively, FutureLearn users can buy unlimited access to short courses for $279.99 per year.
Learners enrolling in FutureLearn expert track programs automatically receive a free seven-day trial. The subscription can be canceled at any time, and after the payment has been processed, students have a 14-day cooling-off period to receive a refund. Other refund terms vary depending on the course type.
Udemy
A lot of courses on Udemy are free, while others may cost upwards of $200. You won’t be able to get a monthly or yearly subscription, so the course fees can quickly add up if you prefer paid courses.
Udemy also offers paid subscriptions for small businesses and enterprises. The pricing starts at $360 per month for a team of 5-20 members. Udemy only offers a free trial for businesses.
Although Udemy students aren’t eligible for a free trial, all courses are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If the student has downloaded a significant portion of the course content before requesting a refund or they have requested multiple refunds throughout a short period, the request may be denied.
FutureLearn vs Udemy: Enrolment & Usability
FutureLearn
FutureLearn’s website has a great design with intuitive navigation. Learners can search for courses by subject or type. The great thing is that the navigation includes a brief description of each course type to save you having to jump between pages.
In the course catalog, you can see each program duration, difficulty level, and description, but the price isn’t always disclosed. Some programs have fixed enrolment dates, while others are available all year round.
The enrolment conditions differ between programs. Most short courses are freely available for anyone willing to learn new skills, but premium intermediate and expert courses may have enrolment requirements.
All micro-credentials and degree programs have the same enrolment requirements as corresponding offline university programs.
For instance, to enroll in the Master of Business Administration program by Coventry University, you must demonstrate proficiency in English equal to IELTS 6.5 and have an honors degree in a business-related area.
Udemy
Udemy’s website interface is user-friendly and intuitive too. Learners can filter the course catalog by subject, rating, price, duration, popularity, newness, language, and difficulty level.
On each course page, you’ll find a detailed description, learning objectives, course content, and information about the instructor. Additionally, you can view user reviews to form an opinion.
Udemy’s enrolment process is very straightforward: all you need to do is register an account, pick the desired course, and join it.
Courses created for students with intermediate or expert skill levels have certain requirements, but they’re merely recommendations and not enrollment conditions.
FutureLearn vs. Udemy: Course Structures
FutureLearn
Students can take FutureLearn courses at their own pace and 100% online. Most courses consist of video lessons, text resources, and interactive assessments.
You will find a detailed overview on each course landing page, along with information about the institution and accreditation.
Students will either receive a certificate of completion after finishing each course or the relevant qualification associated with their course type.
You can clearly see how much attention is put into developing every course. The learning experience is polished, focused, and intuitive. There’s no FutureLearn app, but the website is responsive, so you can even study from your phone.
Udemy
Udemy courses can have any structure the instructor wishes, though most are a combination of video tutorials, text resources, interactive quizzes, and hands-on projects.
Course landing pages include detailed information on the content, duration, learning outcomes, and the expected learning pace. However, course quality largely depends on the course creator. You likely won’t go wrong with the top-rated programs, but that’s something worth keeping in mind.
The Verdict
While both platforms offer valuable courses, the one you pick largely depends on your learning and career goals. If you want a more relaxed and versatile upskilling experience, Udemy is a top pick. However, if you would prefer to spend your time earning an official degree, FutureLearn is the way to go.