FutureLearn Review: Good Quality Learning Opportunities?

FutureLearn Overview

In today’s digital era, there are plenty of platforms available to help you learn new skills at virtually no cost – FutureLearn is one of the more noteworthy options.

The platform offers hundreds of university-standard courses for free, as well as some paid upgrades.

FutureLearn is one of the newest additions to the world of online learning, so it has its own set of pros and cons.

In this extensive FutureLearn review, we’ll discuss this robust eLearning platform’s features, what you can expect while learning, and how much time and money you should set aside.

FutureLearn Pros and Cons

FutureLearn partners with well-known colleges and universities to provide you with access to world-class courses.

Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of the platform:

Pros

• Quality accredited courses. FutureLearn is known for its high-quality courses, with a number of them being accredited. All courses are offered in partnership with top colleges and universities such as the University of Newcastle, University of California, and John Hopkins University.
• Engaging format. Each course is divided into simple and fun weekly tasks to help learners stay on top of the course content and have a more engaging experience.
• Free courses available. FutureLearn gives students the option to learn something new without having to spend a fortune. Just keep in mind that you don’t receive a certificate when completing a free course.
• Sense of community. FutureLearn focuses on providing students with an excellent online learning community. Each course connects you with learners, tutors, and instructors. FutureLearn’s courses also encourage students to interact with each other via its comment section, discussion board posts, and informal mentoring.

Cons

• No app available. A huge drawback of FutureLearn is that it lacks a mobile app. In most cases, people enjoy taking short courses while commuting, running, or walking their dogs.
• Membership can be expensive. Although FutureLearn’s unlimited plans come with an array of excellent perks, you’ll learn that it comes at a huge cost. For an average of $279.99, these courses can be a turn-off for learners on a budget. However, if you consider that FutureLearn offers courses that you can convert into accredited course credits, the price seems more worth it.
• Limited course catalog. While it’s true that FutureLearn’s catalog has gone through several substantial improvements, the fact remains that there’s still room for improvement. The platform currently only offers up to 2,400 courses, which is less than other leading MOOCs like Coursera (3000+), Skillshare (27,000+), and Udemy (32,000+)

Who is FutureLearn For?

FutureLearn is the ideal platform for people who want to acquire new skills or enhance their existing skills. It’s also great for employers who want to grow their businesses by helping employees acquire new skills.

Some FutureLearn short courses cover the basics of a particular field or industry, but most offer in-depth insights into specific topics, which is why these courses might be better suited to working professionals. The fact that most short courses only require a few hours each week also makes it easy to fit the material into a busy schedule.

With that being said, there are also a number of certificate and degree programs for students who want to pursue a career in a particular field.

Courses Offered on FutureLearn

FutureLearn gives learners access to many exciting, high-quality short courses, in-depth programs, certificates, and degrees. Although you can work through most of the short courses for free, you’ll have to upgrade and pay to secure an official certificate.

FutureLearn provides an excellent course catalog divided into the following main subjects:

• Business and Management
• Creative Arts and Media
• Healthcare and Medicine
• History
• T. and Computer Science
• Language
• Law
• Literature
• Nature and Environment
• Politics and Society
• Psychology and Mental Health
• Science, Engineering, and Math
• Study Skills
• Teaching

FutureLearn provides courses in various formats. Choose between a short course, ExpertTrack, Microcredential program, or online degrees. Only the short courses are free though and an upgrade is required if you want a certificate of completion.

The Microcredential programs and online degrees will leave you with a qualification from a recognized institution.

FutureLearn Pricing and Refunds

You can audit FutureLearn’s courses for free; however, this does not include any certificates, you need to upgrade for this. You cannot audit premium FutureLearn courses for free – these cost between $100 and $400. Micro-credentials and online programs are the most expensive and cost at least $600.

When taking a course on FutureLearn, students are allowed to choose between the following three payment options:

• Free: Students who don’t wish to pay can use the Free plan. This way, you can access all the course material, including quizzes, videos, and tests. However, you will not receive an accredited certification.
• Upgrade: The Upgrade plan provides you with an accredited and recognized certificate when you complete a course. You can also access the final tests.
• Unlimited: The Unlimited plan refers to a yearly subscription that provides you with unlimited access to various FutureLearn short courses and tests.

As a FutureLearn student, you have the right to request a refund or cancel a subscription under certain circumstances. You may request a refund if:

• You asked for the refund/cancellation within the 14-day cooling-off period
• You did not complete or attempt any tests
• You are yet to receive a FutureLearn Certificate of Achievement or Statement of Participation.

FutureLearn Enrollment Process

FutureLearn makes it easy for you to enroll in your favorite course. All you have to do is follow these steps:

• Visit FutureLearn.com and click on Register.
• Browse through the courses that interest you and once you settle on a course, you can decide on a payment plan.
• Once payment is made, you can start the course immediately, in most instances. If you’re enrolling for a degree, you may need to follow the university or college’s timeline.

FutureLearn Course Structure

Once you sign up for a course, you’re presented with an introductory video, which takes you through the basics.

Each course is usually made up of audio, visual, and written material that you need to work through. Learners are given access to a full syllabus and a list of the quizzes and/or exams they need to complete once they enroll in a course.

Short courses last anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the course you select, while ExpertTracks, Microcredential programs, and degrees can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years.

FutureLearn Alternatives

If you’re not sure that FutureLearn is right for you, here are some alternatives to consider:

• Coursera. The website offers learners access to thousands of online courses delivered in partnership with up to 200 leading institutes, such as Facebook, Yale, Amazon, IBM, Princeton, UPenn, and Google. In this sense, FutureLearn and Coursera are similar. In addition, both platforms offer a wide range of free courses, certificates, and the ability to earn college credits. However, Coursera provides a more extensive course catalog than FutureLearn. Read the full Coursera review here.
• edX. This platform is well-known for its wide range of university-level courses across various categories. Like FutureLearn, edX provides a significant number of free courses but requires you to pay to receive a certificate. edX has a high-quality mobile app and more course options than FutureLearn. You can access a detailed edX review here.
• Udemy. This high-quality platform allows industry experts to share extensive knowledge with learners who wish to acquire new skills. However, Udemy’s courses are not accredited by institutions – you will receive a certificate of completion though. Udemy is an ideal choice for learners on a budget as well as those with limited spare time. Our full Udemy review can be found here.

FutureLearn Review: The Bottom Line

FutureLearn is a robust online learning platform that offers an impressive selection of online courses. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to learn for free as well as those who want an official qualification from a leading university or college.

In conclusion, FutureLearn’s courses are 100% legit and the platform is one of the better options for enhancing your skill sets.