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edX vs LinkedIn Learning: An Overview
You’ve decided it’s time to take an online learning course but how do you choose between edX and LinkedIn Learning, two top eLearning options?
Created by the world’s two most premier institutions – MIT and Harvard, edX has partnered with 150+ companies, schools, and NGOs, to deliver accredited courses to learners anywhere and anytime.
Then there’s LinkedIn Learning, previously Lynda.com, which is one of the oldest and most used eLearning platforms, particularly among working professionals.
At a glance, these two platforms are both great options for anyone who values course variety, convenience, and flexibility. However, the best site for you is dependent on your learning goals – let’s get into more details.
edX vs LinkedIn Learning: Who Is It For?
edX
edX is a better choice for anyone who wants a recognized qualification. Whether you are a high school senior, college student, or working professional, there is a course on edX for you.
The large array of courses and qualifications available on the site means you can select an option that fits in with your specific learning goals and availability. Only have a few hours available per week? Choose from one of the many short courses. Have more spare time and want to start a new career? There are degrees available too.
LinkedIn Learning
If you work a full-time job and want to upskill in your spare time, LinkedIn Learning is the ideal option. Each of the courses on this platform are short, engaging, and taught by industry experts, which means you benefit from real-world experience.
Since the courses are made up of video lessons, it’s also the perfect option for learning on the go.
What’s more, you can add your LinkedIn Learning certificate directly to your LinkedIn profile for an instant resume boost.
edX vs LinkedIn Learning: Types of Courses Offered
edX
On edX, you will find 2500+ courses across topics such as:
- Science, Medicine
- Biology & Life Sciences
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Energy & Earth Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Architecture
- Design
- Economics & Finance
- History
- Literature
- Law
- Language
- Music
edX courses last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks and you will need to devote an average of 4 to 8 hours to studying per week. However, this varies depending on the type of qualification you choose.
Along with short courses, edX also offers the following types of qualifications:
- Professional Certificates. These self-paced courses are mainly designed for working professionals. Many of the shorter courses are free but you need to pay to receive the official certificate.
- MicroBachelor’s Program. Created by top universities, MicroBachelor Programs were created for professionals looking to enhance their careers for anyone looking to eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- MicroMaster’s Program. These are a series of graduate level courses that are designed to assist with career advancement. These courses take a deep dive into industry-specific topics.
- XSeries. These are also shorter courses that focus on specific topics across a number of professional sectors. XSeries programs are ideal for working professionals looking to advance their careers.
- Master’s Degree. Lastly, learners also have the option to pursue a master’s degree from an accredited institution.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning currently offers over 16,500 courses that fall into the business, technology, or creative category.
Business courses include topics such as:
- Online Marketing
- Leadership Management
- Professional Development
- Finance and Accounting
Creative courses include topics such as:
- Web Design
- Photography
- Music
- UX/UI
Technology courses include topics such as:
- Programming Languages
- Applications
Upon successful completion of any course on this platform, you receive a LinkedIn Learning certificate, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile. These certificates are proof of your skills and capabilities.
Are LinkedIn Learning courses accredited though? Unfortunately, not. However, because these courses are created by leading industry experts, they are recognized by organizations globally.
edX vs LinkedIn Learning: Pricing & Refunds
edX
edX learners have two different pricing models to choose from. Many of the courses on edX are free – it’s if you want an official certification that you have to pay. You can expect to pay anything between $50 and $300.
For the MicroMaster and MicroBachelor programs, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for each course. As for the degrees, expect to pay several thousand dollars. This is due to the extent of the course as well as the qualification from an accredited institution. The plus is that you can still expect to pay less for an online degree than if you had to attend classes in person at a university.
Refund options are also available on edX if you are unhappy with your experience. Learners can request a refund within 14 days if they’ve signed up for an individual course. This doesn’t apply if you’ve earned a certificate though. For all other courses, there is only a 2-day refund window.
A financial aid option is also available on edX. The company aids students based on their financial status but everyone’s free to apply.
LinkedIn Learning
While there is a selection of free courses on LinkedIn Learning, the majority of courses are paid.
The cost of a single course is usually between $20 and $50.
There are also two subscription plans – monthly subscription and yearly. Monthly subscriptions come at a cost of $39.99, while annual plans only cost $24.99 per month.
If you opt for LinkedIn Learning’s free trial, keep in mind that it rolls over into a paid plan once the trial ends.
Learners get a 30-day refund guarantee if they sign up for an individual course, after which, you need to pay for the course.
Refunds on subscriptions plans are not available. Learners only have the option to cancel or renew a plan.
edX vs LinkedIn Learning: Enrolment & Usability
edX
To start your learning journey with edX, you need to register for an edX account. To start, you will only need your name, email address, as well as a username and password.
You can now start browsing courses and qualification options before you enroll. Whether or not payment is required prior to the start of the course depends on the type of course you’ve selected.
Each course page is very detailed. Find out what you can expect to learn, who the course instructors are, and how much time you need to set aside.
LinkedIn Learning
If you already have a LinkedIn account, you don’t need to create a new LinkedIn Learning account. If not, you can create an account directly on LinkedIn Learning – you only need an email, contact number, and password.
You can now start browsing the course collection and decide what you would like to learn first. You can also browse courses before you sign up to make sure the platform has courses you would benefit from.
edX vs LinkedIn Leaning: Course Structures
edX
The courses on edX are flexible as learners have the option of choosing between instructor-paced and self-paced courses. The instructor-paced courses have a fixed schedule with due dates for your tests, assignments, and even the quizzes that you take part in.
After receiving the course materials, you need to complete the class within the stipulated time period. The online courses are divided into unique blocks. The learning sequences every week include short videos and other interactive learning materials.
You can either study online or download edX courses if you prefer offline viewing on your desktop or mobile device – the edX app is available on both iOS and Android.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning courses are delivered by professionals who share their practical knowledge and real-world experiences.
Every LinkedIn Learning course is made up of a series of videos that are only a few minutes in length, which you can complete at your own pace. There are no assignments or exams that need to be completed to receive your official certificate.
edx vs LinkedIn Learning: Verdict
As you can see, while these are both credible platforms, they’re not suited to every learner’s goals.
Short on time and want to advance your career? Sign up for a LinkedIn Learning subscription for long-term learning.
Interested in an official qualification from an accredited college or university and have more time to spare? edX is the platform for you.
Whichever platform you choose, you can look forward to benefitting from a better skill set and more career prospects.