FutureLearn is an online learning platform that hosts short courses, microcredentials and some degree programmes from universities and organisations, many of them British. You can start a lot of FutureLearn courses for free, which makes the real buying question what you pay for and when.
A good FutureLearn purchase starts with knowing whether you need a certificate, how many courses you will actually finish, and whether the course you want is part of a subscription or sold on its own.
What free access gets you
Many FutureLearn short courses can be joined without paying. Free access lets you work through the course material for a limited period, typically the length of the course plus a short buffer. Check the exact terms on the course page, since FutureLearn has changed them over the years.
Free learners usually lose access once that period ends and cannot take the tests or earn a certificate. If you only want to learn the material and can finish on schedule, free FutureLearn access may be all you need.
Upgrading a single course
An upgrade on a FutureLearn course typically gives unlimited access to that course, access to tests, and a digital certificate on completion. It is a one-off payment for one course.
Upgrade when you want the certificate for a CV or employer, or when you know you will study slowly and need the material to stay open. Upgrade before the free access window closes, since that is the point where you would lose your progress.
A single upgrade makes sense if FutureLearn is a one-course purchase for you. If you plan several, look at the subscription first.
FutureLearn Unlimited and when it pays
FutureLearn Unlimited is an annual or monthly subscription that covers upgraded access and certificates on a large share of short courses. Not every course is included, so check the course page for the Unlimited label before assuming it is covered.
The break-even is simple. Compare the cost of the subscription with the upgrade prices of the courses you realistically expect to finish in the period. If that is two or three courses, a subscription often wins; if it is one, it rarely does.
Subscriptions renew automatically. Put a reminder in your calendar a week before the FutureLearn renewal date and decide then whether you still want it.
ExpertTracks, microcredentials and degrees
FutureLearn also sells longer products. ExpertTracks bundle several related courses into a subscription-priced series on a specific skill. Microcredentials are more demanding, carry academic credit at some universities, and cost considerably more.
Online degrees on FutureLearn are delivered with the partner university and follow that university's fees, admissions and terms. Treat those as a university decision and read the institution's own information carefully.
Before paying for a microcredential or degree, check exactly what credit it carries and whether the employer or institution you care about recognises it. A FutureLearn certificate proves completion; it is not the same as an accredited qualification unless the page says so.
Choosing a course that you will finish
Every FutureLearn course page lists the weekly hours and number of weeks. Multiply them out and be honest about your evenings. A two-hour-a-week course is easy to finish; a five-hour one needs a plan.
Read the reviews and look at who runs the course. FutureLearn courses from the same subject area can differ a lot in depth, and the partner university or organisation is a good guide to the level.
Look at the start date as well. Some FutureLearn courses run on fixed dates with active comment threads from other learners; others are always open. The social side is part of what makes the platform work.
Where the FutureLearn savings are
The 50% code is the biggest saving on the list and is best aimed at the most expensive thing you are buying, such as a year of FutureLearn Unlimited or an ExpertTrack. Codes like this are often seasonal, so it may not be live.
The upgrade code suits a single course upgrade. If it takes, 30% off one course can be better value than a subscription you will not fully use.
The 20% code is the general fallback. FutureLearn codes usually apply to specific products, and degree fees set by universities are normally excluded, so check the total before paying.
Black Friday and New Year are when FutureLearn has typically run its deepest subscription offers. If you are not in a hurry, those dates are worth waiting for.
Common questions
Are FutureLearn courses free?
Many can be started free for a limited period. Certificates, tests and ongoing access need an upgrade or subscription.
Is FutureLearn Unlimited worth it?
If you will finish two or more included courses in a year, it usually is. Check each course carries the Unlimited label.
Do FutureLearn certificates count as qualifications?
A standard certificate shows completion. Only microcredentials and degrees that say so carry academic credit.
Can I cancel a FutureLearn subscription?
Yes, from your account settings. Check the current refund terms before renewal.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 20% off | Promo code | View at FutureLearn → |
| 70% off | Promo code | View at FutureLearn → |
| 20% off | Promo code | View at FutureLearn → |
| 15% off | Promo code | View at FutureLearn → |
