In this post, I’ve shared my in-depth review of FutureLearn, so if you want to know if FutureLearn is the ideal learning platform for you, keep reading to learn all the details.
Do you want to boost your productivity by sitting at home and learning something new or enrolling in a recognized university course?
Are you looking for a site that offers loads of university-standard courses for free?
Learning through online courses has made it easier for people to learn new skills and expand their knowledge in any subject or field they choose.
FutureLearn is just one choice for an online learning platform to explore, but there are many compelling reasons to do so. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this unique e-learning provider in this FutureLearn review.
FutureLearn Review 2023: What Is FutureLearn?
FutureLearn is a popular online training company that provides a wide variety of courses, many of which are offered in conjunction with well-known universities.
FutureLearn was founded in 2012 and is operated by Open University, a well-known educational institution in the United Kingdom.
FutureLearn is currently co-owned by the Open University and the Seek Party, with each having a 50% stake in the venture. The Open University, the UK’s largest undergraduate university, owned FutureLearn until 2019.
The Open University has been offering formal degrees and other qualifications to distance-learning students since 1971. The OU has taught over two million students around the world.
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Is FutureLearn accredited?
FutureLearn, unlike some other online training companies, offers accredited courses. Courses are taught in collaboration with universities such as Edinburgh University, John Hopkins University in the United States, and University College London.
International institutions such as Shanghai International Studies University and the European University Institute offer courses as well. Finally, FutureLearn offers training developed by well-known tech and company names such as Accenture and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
How Does FutureLearn Work?
FutureLearn operates by providing a variety of short courses, online degrees, and “in-depth programs” to choose from. Many of the short courses are free to take, but if you want to pass final exams and receive an official certificate, you must “upgrade” the course.
A similar model is used by other online training services, such as Edx and Coursera. It’s a great way to learn for free and “test the waters,” with no obligation to pay until you’re certain a course is right for you and want to receive the official certification.
When the program begins, students are assigned weekly units with various types of learning materials such as quizzes, videos, and assignments. Students who pay for and complete the curriculum receive certificates in either digital or paper format.
What Type Of Courses Does FutureLearn Offer?
Here is a brief about all the FutureLearn learning options you will get access to:
1. Short Courses
Short Courses can take anywhere from two to seven weeks to complete, with a weekly time commitment of a few hours. If you have enough time, nothing is stopping you from taking more than one quick FutureLearn course at a time.
2. In-depth Programs
These are a series of short courses aimed at assisting you in achieving a particular objective. They’re the online version of Coursera’s “specializations.”
These vary widely in terms of time commitment and duration, ranging from short programs of three to five courses that take a few months to year-long programs of about eight courses.
These in-depth programs may result in officially recognized qualifications or credits toward degrees in some cases.
3. Degrees
Completely online MBAs and several post-graduate certifications are among them. Although the FutureLearn website addresses undergraduate degrees, it appears that the vast majority of these courses are targeted toward those who already have a bachelor’s degree.
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How to use FutureLearn?
FutureLearn has made sure that your sign-up, onboarding, and learning experience on the platform is a smooth and fruitful experience. You can very easily choose your desired course/class and start learning on the platform by following the steps mentioned below:
- Choose your online class
- Select a package from Free, Upgrade, and Unlimited
- Enroll in your desired class
- Begin the course
- Read, write, communicate, watch, and listen to have the best learning experience
- Finish your course
- Receive your digital or physical certificate
FutureLearn Pricing – How Much Does FutureLearn Cost?
The bulk of FutureLearn’s courses is free to try out. Auditing, on the other hand, does not include certificates, which cost an additional $39 to $99 on top of the auditing fee. Premium FutureLearn courses, which range in price from $100 to $400, cannot be audited for free.
The most expensive programs are micro-credentials and online degrees, which start at $600.
Students can choose from three payment options while taking a course on FutureLearn:
- Free Plan: Non-paying students who participate in the “Free” plan have full access to the course materials but are not eligible for certification.
- Upgrade Plan: If you select the “Upgrade” plan, you will receive a completely accepted certificate upon completion of the course. It also offers access to any course assessments that may be available.
- Unlimited Plan: The “Unlimited” package is a yearly subscription that allows you access to all of FutureLearn’s short courses and exams. It also comes with all of the perks of the “Upgrade” package.
FutureLearn Unlimited Subscription Plan
If you take FutureLearn’s courses frequently, the Unlimited annual payment package is a great alternative to the “Upgrade” plan.
It not only gives you unlimited access to a variety of courses, but it also gives you certificates for any courses you complete.
The annual fee of $269.99 appears to be quite high at first glance. When compared to Coursera Plus, a similar subscription-based service, it is typically very affordable. This is due to the fact that Coursera Plus costs $399 per year, a 47 percent premium over FutureLearn.
However, comparing the two prices is difficult because Coursera’s online course catalog is unquestionably superior. After all, Coursera has nearly ten times the number of online courses as FutureLearn.
Can I use FutureLearn for free?
FutureLearn is a free service that provides students with unlimited access to all course materials for the duration of the course plus 14 days. There are images, reading materials, and discussion boards.
Premium courses, micro-credential programs, and online degrees, on the other hand, are not included and must be paid for.
How Good Is The Learning Experience?
All of the necessary elements are present and correct. There is space at the end of each course module for text-based materials and graphics, a video player, and a comments “forum” section.
You are encouraged to use these interactive areas, which are heavily populated with feedback and conversations. The design is straightforward but effective.
The Open University has a long history of distance education, so it is likely to know what works. The video player includes all of the standard features, such as the ability to speed up playback, display transcripts, and close captions.
Aside from that, the interface is very clean, almost to the point of being sparse. That isn’t a bad thing, in my opinion. After all, this is meant to be a learning area, not a place where you have to pick between a dozen different items to click on.
The lack of a FutureLearn app is a minor letdown. Most training providers offer this, but it’s unfortunate that it isn’t available here for on-the-go learning. However, because the platform is mobile-friendly, you can still log in using a mobile device.
Course material, on the other hand, is determined by the course. However, according to my FutureLearn analysis, the output values are consistently high.
This is an advantage of selecting courses that have been properly created, sponsored, and approved over those that have been thrown together in a course creator’s bedroom!
Certain courses place a greater emphasis on papers and text than on recordings. Your learning style will influence your response. I like the variety, and I think reading is a more legitimate form of “study” than watching endless videos.
Your mileage may vary, as may the proportions of various types of media in various FutureLearn courses.
Micro-credentials At FutureLearn
FutureLearn is constantly adding micro-credentials that conform to the European Standard Microcredentials System.
These micro-credentials are 10- to 12-week courses that can be used to earn university credits (from The Open University) toward a degree or as a standalone certificate.
Two of them are postgraduate students. The other is for students at the undergraduate level. Micro-credentials range in price from $600 to $900.
FutureLearn also has a Programs section with a variety of different classes. The bulk of them even has a final grade. Final exams are usually tutor-marked and are not available for free. Individual classes are free to enter, but if you want a certificate or credit, you must pay.
Microcredential Programs
FutureLearn currently provides eight micro-credential services. The following is a list of existing micro-credential systems and their costs:
- “Cyber Security Operations” by The Open University: $829 (endorsed by Cisco Networking Academy)
- “Data Science: Data-Driven Decision Making” by Monash University: $1024
- “Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio” by The Open University: $624 (endorsed by the Royal Photographic Society)
- “FinTech – Financial Innovation” by Dublin City University: $1659
- “Project Management: Managing Front-End Planning” by the Queensland University of Technology: $1369
- “Research Methods” by Deakin University: $1024
- “Sports Coaching” by Deakin University: $1194
- “Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum” by The Open University: $624 (endorsed by Mental Health Foundation)
Accreditation programs
FutureLearn also provides alternative forms of academic and professional certification, in addition to the micro-credential programs listed in the previous chapter:
- Academically approved programs. These courses are intended to assist students in receiving academic degrees. They last anywhere from 10 to 54 weeks and result in a recognized academic degree upon completion.
- Professionally approved programs. These courses are oriented toward professional growth and advancement. They take 14 to 20 weeks to complete and include a professional certificate upon completion.
If you’d like to see the details of these accreditation programs, refer to the “programs” section of FutureLearn.
Why should you go for the Microcredential Program?
When compared to a standard short course, taking a micro-credential program on FutureLearn has a range of advantages:
Highly valuable certificates. Micro-credentials require time and effort to complete, but they result in certificates that genuinely show a graduate’s competence. Standard online course certificates aren’t trusted by many employers, but micro-credential certificates are.
University Credit. FutureLearn micro-credential programs count toward a full-fledged Master’s degree.
Programs influence assessments. Micro-credentialing systems enable extensive one-on-one contact with teachers. This emphasizes the significance of student projects, which are developed through highly customized student-instructor collaboration and mentoring.
FutureLearn Certificate
FutureLearn currently offers the following types of accredited certificates:
- Course certificates. Universities grant these certificates for completing one of FutureLearn’s 430+ online courses. They normally take 2 to 8 weeks to complete and range in price from $39 to $99.
- Microcredential program certificates. These program certificates are an upgrade over the conventional short course certificates that take 10 to 13 weeks to complete and range in price from $600 to $1600.
- Postgraduate certificates. These certificates necessitate a bachelor’s degree and a substantial amount of study time. They take 6 to 9 months to complete and range in price from $3500 to $7000.
Does FutureLearn give Free Certificates?
Yeah, indeed. FutureLearn offers a limited range of free certificates for approved online courses. Qualifying students can receive free certificates by taking these courses. Here you’ll find all of the free FutureLearn certification courses.
There are 28 free certification courses available as of the writing of this article.
Are FutureLearn Certificates Recognized?
Yes, FutureLearn’s certificates have all been validated and approved by credible organizations. In terms of recognition, however, not all FutureLearn certificates are produced equally. Some certificates are considered to be more credible than others.
Employers do not consider short course certificates as trustworthy as micro-credential certificates.
How to get FutureLearn Certificates?
You must first ensure that you have the upgraded version of your course before applying for a FutureLearn certificate (which might require payment).
In addition, at least 90% of course steps must be marked as “complete,” and a minimum score of 70% must be obtained on course exams.
Universities on FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers online degrees from seven different universities, all of which are based in the UK or Australia. Just three colleges offer the bulk of online degrees.
These three universities are Coventry University in the United Kingdom, Deakin University in Australia, and The Open University in the United Kingdom (UK).
These three universities together offer 29 of the 34 online degrees offered by FutureLearn. While these are all highly respected organizations, more diversity would have been welcome.
- University of Aberdeen
- Anglia Ruskin University
- The University of Auckland
- University of Basel
- University of Bath
- University of Bergen
- University of Birminghambond
- Bond University
- University of Bristol
- UCI University of California
- Irvine University of Cape Town
- Cardiff University
- Central Queensland University
- Charles Sturt University
- City University of Hong Kong
- Complutense University of Madrid
- University of Connecticut
- Coventry University
- Deakin University
- Department of Education – University of Oxford
- Dublin City University
- University of Dundee
- Durham University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lancaster University
- University of Leeds
- University of Leicester
- University of Manchester
- University of Michigan
- University of Newcastle Australia
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- University of Nottingham
- London University of Reading
**AND MANY MORE!
FutureLearn Online Degrees
FutureLearn has one of the best online degree choices of any MOOC site I’ve seen. Online degrees are without a doubt one of their best assets. If you want to get a degree, FutureLearn is a great place to start.
They have a total of 34 online degrees available right now. When compared to other MOOC behemoths, this is very remarkable. For example, Coursera only provides 16 online degree options.
That’s just half of FutureLearn’s capabilities. Just 11 online degrees are accessible on EdX, the third largest site for online degree collection.
FutureLearn, on the other hand, has a small number of universities. They have a good number of online degrees, but not from a wide variety of universities.
Online Degrees Offered By FutureLearn
There are countless universities and even more certificate courses and degrees to choose from on FutureLearn.
The number of online degrees available on FutureLearn will astound you, as no other platform on the internet currently offers this many courses from renowned universities all over the world.
When compared to other e-learning websites, this is a fantastic alternative. At the moment, FutureLearn offers the following types of online degrees:
- Online bachelor’s degrees
- Online postgraduate degrees
- Online master’s degrees
I’m happy to see that FutureLearn, unlike some other MOOC pages, isn’t exclusively based on online master’s degrees. Although their online master’s degree range is still far superior, they also have a wide variety of online bachelor’s and graduate degree options.
1. Online Bachelor’s Degrees
The number of bachelor’s degrees available on FutureLearn is fairly limited. However, out of all MOOC platforms, it still has the best range with three choices. Coursera has the second-best range of online bachelor’s degrees, with a total of 2 online bachelor’s programs.
FutureLearn offers the following online bachelor’s degrees:
- “International Business” by Coventry University
- “Arts” by The University of Newcastle
- “Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management” by Coventry University
2. Online postgraduate degrees
FutureLearn’s platform currently offers 14 postgraduate degrees, making it the best website for receiving an online postgraduate diploma. If you’re unfamiliar with the word “postgraduate degree,” consider it a stepping stone between a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
It builds on bachelor’s-level expertise while missing the scope of a full-fledged master’s degree. It normally takes around 6 to 9 months to complete them. If you want to learn more, the Government of Alberta has put together a valuable guide to the educational system in the United Kingdom.
FutureLearn currently offers the following online postgraduate degrees:
- “Diabetes Education” by Deakin University
- “Digital Learning Leadership” by Deakin University
- “Entrepreneurship” by Deakin University & Coventry University
- “Health Administration, Policy and Leadership” by Murdoch University
- “Hospital Administration” by Deakin University
- “Information Technology Leadership” by Deakin University
- “Leadership” by Deakin University
- “One Health” by Murdoch University
- “Finance” by The Open University
- “Global Development Management” by The Open University
- “Human Resource Management” by The Open University
- “Online and Distance Education” by The Open University
- “Education” by Coventry University
- “Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action” by Deakin University
2. Online Master’s Degrees
FutureLearn’s platform currently offers 14 postgraduate degrees, making it the best website for receiving an online postgraduate diploma.
FutureLearn currently offers the following online postgraduate degrees:
- “Management” by Coventry University
- “MBA (Sustainable Tourism)” by Coventry University
- “Business Administration” by Coventry University
- “Cyber Security Management (MBA)” by Coventry University
- “Healthcare (MBA)” by Coventry University
- “Artificial Intelligence (MBA)” by Coventry University
- “Marketing (MBA)” by Coventry University
- “Business and Organisational Psychology (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Construction Management with BIM (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Construction Project and Cost Management (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Cyber Security (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Disaster Management and Resilience (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Emergency Management and Resilience (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “End of Life Studies (MSc)” by The University of Glasgow
- “Global Logistics (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Nursing (MSc)” by Coventry University
- “Project Management (MSc)” by Anglia Ruskin University
FutureLearn Pros & Cons
Here are some of the pros & cons of Futurelearn:
Pros:
- Excellent selection of online degrees
- Free certification courses
- Sense of Community
- Highly active discussion boards
- Excellent user interface & navigation
- Well-built syllabuses
Cons
- No Android or iOS apps
- The course catalog could be larger
Quick Links
FAQs: FutureLearn Review
💁♀️ How can I pay for a microcredential?
They can accept payments made by card (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) or PayPal via our online system.
🙋♂️ Is FutureLearn accredited?
Yes, FutureLearn courses are fully accredited and recognized for their authenticity, and FutureLearn certificates are issued by universities.
👏 Are FutureLearn certificates free?
Yes, FutureLearn provides 10000 free Certificates of Achievement to students from 36 lower and middle-income countries, marking the completion of a MOOC.
🤷♀️ How good is future learn?
FutureLearn gives a great way to expand your knowledge. All courses are of high quality. All videos are easy to understand.
🙌 How much does FutureLearn cost?
You can join for free and most of the courses are free in FutureLearn.
👉 Who owns FutureLearn?
They are a private company owned by The Open University and The SEEK Group.
Conclusion: FutureLearn Review 2023
FutureLearn is one of the very few companies that provide these courses in partnership with prestigious colleges and universities. (Edx and Coursera are two other options.)
FutureLearn, the best online education provider in the UK, has helped to put British online courses on the global map. In addition to online courses, FutureLearn offers some of the best-in-class micro-credential services, credentials, and online degrees.
FutureLearn is an attractive training platform with a wide range of courses. The majority of them are free, and the sign-up process is risk-free because it does not require credit card information.
I am confident in recommending the Platform because of its excellent selection of online degrees and free certification courses. On the website, there are also excellent peer-to-peer discussion forums and well-designed syllabuses. What else could you possibly want?
