FutureLearn Review for 2023
Last Updated: January 28, 2023
Who does not want to enroll in a reputable university program or learn a new skill by sitting at home? Learning through online platforms has made it easier for lifelong learners to widen their minds and expand their knowledge in any subject they want. However, if you’re looking for a reputable platform that can provide a free university-standard program, your search may end with FutureLearn.
FutureLearn is a well-known virtual learning platform that aims to help students access valuable and up-to-date learning resources on their smartphones and computers. There are numerous compelling reasons why you should enroll in a FutureLearn course. We have compiled an impartial FutureLearn review to help you better understand what it has to offer.
This review will uncover different aspects of this platform, such as FutureLearn’s free courses, pricing, users’ reviews, and instructors.
Before digging into the details of FutureLearn, here is a quick snapshot of this online educational forum.
Pros and Cons of FutureLearn
Pros
- Collaboration with the world’s top excelling corporations and prestigious universities that deliver exceptional quality and accredited course modules
- Availability of Course upgrades for certificate inclusion
- Active discussion boards
- A simplistic and user-friendly interface for quick navigation
- Excellent selection of FutureLearn online degrees
- Top-notch course quality and content
- Focuses on teaching marketable skills
- Comprehensive integration of free courses
- Well-formatted and well-structured syllabus
- ExpertTracks for in-depth learning
- Availability of free track
Cons
- Lack of mobile app
- Opaque pricing plans
- Shorter course catalog
What is FutureLearn: An Overview
FutureLearn is a British online training platform owned by SEEK Limited and UK Open University (the largest undergraduate university in the UK). Founded in 2012, FutureLearn is aimed to bring British online courses to the world map. The company offers a range of courses, most of which are accredited by well-known universities.
The business model of FutureLearn is very similar to other online learning platforms such as edX and Coursera. The headquarter of FutureLearn is located in London, but it has a global reach. As a result, students from all over the world can benefit from FutureLearn online degrees.
The collaboration of FutureLearn with the leading universities shows its authenticity and content quality. The platform has qualified instructors from reputable and top-grade universities. The highly qualified teaching faculty of FutureLearn is an assurance that you will get nothing from this platform but the best educational resources from experienced minds.
FutureLearn partners with the following world’s famous universities:
- Durham University
- Dublin City University
- Cardiff University
- City University of Hong Kong
- University of Bristol
- University of Birmingham
- Haken School of Economics
- The University of Law
- The University of California Irvine
- University of Cape Town
FutureLearn is also affiliated with the top excelling organizations, such as:
- Stripe
- Tommy Hilfiger
- UNESCO
- Samsung
- Raspberry Pi Foundation
- Digital Marketing Institute
- The British Film Institute (BFI)
- Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Australian Trade and Investment Commission
- Cambridge Assessment English
- Accenture
FutureLearn Courses
Whether you’re a certificate seeker who wants to improve your employability or a student who wants to widen your subject knowledge, FutureLearn has everything on your foot. It also caters to individuals who wish to have a solid foundational education to pursue further studies such as a Master’s and Ph.D.
FutureLearn has an exciting palette of courses that includes online degrees, short courses, and in-depth courses. In addition, the course catalog is divided into different categories, such as Microcredentials, ExpertTracks, Online Degrees, and Short Courses.
You can find the following names in FutureLearn course categories:
Business & Management Courses
- Project Management
- HR
- Innovation
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Finance
- Business Ethics
- Entrepreneurship
Teaching Courses
- STEM Teaching
- Secondary Education Teaching
- Professional Development of Teachers
- Primary Education Teaching
- Language Teaching
- Inclusive Teaching
Study Skills
- Introduction to Research Ethics
- Critical Thinking at University
- English for Academy Study
- How to Succeed at Writing Applications
Science, Engineering, and Maths Courses
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Economics
- Earth Science
- Data Science
- Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Biology
Psychology & Mental Health Courses
- Wellbeing
- Depression
- Dementia
- Mindfulness
Politics & Society Courses
- Social Issues
- Religion
- Geopolitics
- Criminology
Nature & Environment Courses
- Climate Change
- Sustainability
- Food Tech
- Ecology
- Agriculture
Literature Courses
- Japanese Culture Through Rare Books
- Screenwriting
- Shakespeare
Law Courses
- Understanding Gender Equality
- Introduction to Forensic Science
- AI for Legal Professionals
- Fraud Investigation
Language Courses
- English
- Norwegian
- Irish
- Chinese
IT & Computer Science Courses
- Web Development
- Game Development
- Cyber Security
- Coding and Programming
- AI and Robotics
You can also find various healthcare and medicine courses, creative arts and media, and history courses.
Types of FutureLearn Courses
You will get access to the following FutureLearn course options:
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Short Courses
Short courses of FutureLearn can take up to seven weeks to complete if you spend a few hours weekly. However, you can enroll in more than one quick FutureLearn course if you have enough time.
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In-Depth Programs
The in-depth programs of FutureLearn are the online version of Courser’s Specializations. They are short courses designed to help students achieve a particular objective. The in-depth programs may vary in terms of time duration and commitment. Each program may have three to five lessons that may take months or even a year to complete.
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Online Degrees
FutureLearn offers one of the best online degree programs. The platform offers 34 online degree programs to choose from. This number of online degree programs is astonishing compared to other online learning platforms.
You need to choose from the following types of FutureLearn online degrees:
Online Bachelor’s Degree
- Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management by Coventry University
- Arts by the University of Newcastle
- International Business by Coventry University
Online Postgraduate Degree
- Education by Coventry University
- Online and Distance Education by the Open University
- Finance by the Open University
- Human Resource Management by the Open University
- Global Development Management by the Open University
- One Health by Murdoch University
- Leadership by Deakin University
- Diabetes Education by Deakin University
Online Master’s Degree
- Project Management by Anglia Ruskin University
- Nursing by Coventry University
- Global Logistics by Coventry University
- Disaster Management and Resilience by Coventry University
- Emergency Management and Resilience by Coventry University
- Business Administration by Coventry University
- Artificial Intelligence by Coventry University
FutureLearn Pricing
FutureLearn is the only platform that provides its students with unlimited free access to all course materials for the duration of the course. You can also access discussion boards, reading materials, and images. But you must purchase a FutureLearn subscription to access Micro credential programs, online degrees, and premium courses.
The cost of premium FutureLearn courses may range between $100 and $400. Online degrees and micro-credential programs are expensive, starting at $600. When taking a class on FutureLearn, you can choose from the following payment options:
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Free Plan
With FutureLearn free plan, you can access all the course material, but you will not be eligible for certification.
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Upgrade Plan
With the course upgrade plan, you will receive an accredited certificate upon completing a FutureLearn course. You can also access course assessments, if available.
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Unlimited Subscription Plan
The unlimited FutureLearn plan is for lifelong learners who want to take multiple courses throughout the year. This yearly subscription plan will not only give you unlimited access to different classes, but you can also get certificates upon completing courses.
The unlimited subscription plan of FutureLearn costs up to $269.99, which seems relatively high at first. But it is very affordable when compared to other similar yearly subscription-based services.
FutureLearn Certificates
Unlike other online learning platforms, FutureLearn does not offer course completion certificates on a silver platter. To get a FutureLearn certificate, you must complete 90% of the course steps and maintain a score of more than 70%. You also have to pay extra to get credentials for the free course you complete on FutureLearn.
The FutureLearn certificates are unique because they entail everything you learn, the duration you spend, and the score you compute. When applying for a university or job, you can use your FutureLearn certificate as proof of qualification or competency. In addition, this certificate is highly personalized, displaying your name, the courses you’ve completed, and the endorsement logo of the institute that featured it.
FutureLearn Reviews
The reviews of FutureLearn on different platforms prove that users are enthusiastic about this online educational platform. On G2, FutureLearn has good reviews from its users. Users talk about the simplicity of the interface, free courses, and course quality. Only a few users of FutureLearn complain about the limited availability of digital marketing courses.
Compared to G2, the FutureLearn reviews on Trustpilot are less rosy. 41% of the users have had an excellent experience with FutureLearn, while 41% had a bad experience with this platform.
Final Verdict: Is FutureLearn Worth the Money and Time?
FutureLearn is one of the few online learning forums that offer a range of free courses. In addition, the platform’s collaboration with the world’s recognized organizations and universities helps FutureLearn set itself apart from the competition.
In addition to free courses, FutureLearn also features numerous online degrees, micro-credential programs, and short courses, which are worth exploring. The signup process of FutureLearn is also simple and risk-free because the platform does not ask for your credit card information.
The well-designed syllabus, peer-to-peer discussion forums, and free courses make FutureLearn unique from other online learning spaces. The only thing FutureLearn lacks is a mobile app, which is not a significant drawback.
