Coursera was founded by Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng in 2012 with a vision of providing life-transforming learning experiences to learners around the world. Today, Coursera is a global platform for online learning and career development that offers anyone, anywhere, access to online courses and degrees from leading universities and companies. Coursera received B Corp certification in February 2021, which means that we have a legal duty not only to our shareholders, but to also make a positive impact on society more broadly, as we continue our efforts to reduce barriers to world-class education for all.
113 million learners and more than 7,000 campuses, businesses, and governments have come to Coursera to access world-class learning—anytime, anywhere.
One of the key advantages of Coursera is that many of its courses are available for free. While students have the option to pay for assessments and receive completion certificates, the platform offers accessible and high-quality education without the burden of expensive tuition fees.
To cater to a diverse global audience, Coursera supports multiple languages. Its main interface is available in over 10 languages, and lectures are subtitled in more than 40 languages. This language support enhances accessibility and makes the platform suitable for learners whose first language may not be English.
Coursera’s partnerships with renowned universities and institutions ensure that its courses meet the needs of students and employers. Collaborating with industry experts, the platform develops courses that are recognized and valued by employers, making them a valuable asset on a student’s resume.
While accreditation is relatively rare and usually comes at a higher cost, Coursera does offer some courses and programs that provide genuine academic or technical accreditation. These recognized credentials can significantly contribute to a student’s career advancement.
In summary, Coursera stands out for its academic focus, free course options, language support, partnerships with prestigious institutions, and potential for earning recognized credentials. These factors contribute to its reputation as a leading platform for accessible and high-quality online education.
Latest Update
Coursera offers a subscription service called Coursera Plus, which provides access to their courses, projects, specializations, and professional certificates for a monthly or annual fee.
Coursera regularly updates its products, tools, and features to enhance the learning experience for both educators and learners. Learners can get the latest news on product launches, updates, and innovations from Coursera’s blog.
Coursera has gone public with an IPO in 2021. The company’s monetization journey started with offering individual courses and programs, and later introduced Coursera Plus, which gives access to Coursera’s catalog and includes unlimited certificates.
Coursera’s latest learner outcomes report highlights the real-world impact of online learning. The report shows that learners who complete Coursera courses and programs experience career benefits, such as salary increases and job promotions.
Website Link: Coursera’s Mission, Vision, and Commitment to Our Community | Coursera
