With the advent of Covid-19, many universities worldwide have made classes available through e-learning platforms to their students.
E-learning platforms offer ease of access to world-class education and training. Online education platforms allow you to learn new skills and advance your career.
EdX is one of the most popular e-learning platforms on the web. Founded by top-ranked universities MIT and Harvard, edX offers educational programs to more than 18 million students and professionals worldwide.
Is learning online with edX worth it?
Is it the best platform for your e-learning?
Are the programs and degrees from edX going to help advance your career?
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about edX. At the end of this article, you will know if this e-learning platform will help you in your career.
Let’s get into it.
What Is edX
edX is a non-profit, open-source e-learning platform that offers MOOCs(massive open online courses) to students and professionals worldwide.
edX collaborates with over 160 top universities to provide students with accredited certificates in disciplines such as computer science, art and culture, languages and history, engineering, medicine, psychology, writing, electronics, biology, business, marketing, leadership, etc.
How Does edX Stand Out?
With hundreds of other e-learning platforms to choose from, how does edX fair amongst its peers?
Although many online learning platforms also offer top-quality courses as edX, you’ll be required to pay an enrollment fee before taking a class. edX offers over 3000+ FREE online courses with an option to pay to receive an ID-verified certificate.
More than this, edX allows educators to create novel learning materials. edX also gives developers and creators access to contribute new features to the platform.
Features
SELF-PACED COURSES
EDX offers students a wide variety of courses that can be taken self-paced or timed. Students can take free courses in different disciplines and also have an option to pay for certifications after completing a course.
PROGRAMS AND DEGREES
edX also offers programs depending on your educational needs, skills, and academic level.
PROGRAMS AND DEGREES OFFERED BY EDX INCLUDE;
Microbachelors program: A flexible mini bachelors program designed for adults to level up in their career.
Micromasters program: edX offers graduate-level programs for professionals looking to advance their careers.
Professional certificate: Professional certificate programs offer working professionals the chance to pick up the critical skills necessary for their career advancement.
XSeries: Allows you to gain in-depth knowledge about topics of your interest – Japanese, Civil war, Astrophysics, music production, religion, human anatomy, Data science, etc
edX also offers fully online Master’s programs and degrees in addition to programs designed for corporate and business leaders.
GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
edX offers over 3000+ online courses in partnership with a host of international universities and partners. Edx partnerships include industry-leading organizations such as Microsoft, W3, Amazon, etc, and are also top universities around the world – all committed to teaching and learning.
ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION
With edX, you can take courses and programs for free. However, you also can pay for an ID-verified certificate of completion.
EDX FINANCIAL AID
One of the biggest benefits of using edX for your online learning is financial aid. edX allows students to apply for financial aid up to 5 times each year. Students can get assistance for up to 90% of the cost of the course or program.
Courses Offered on the site.
edX offers over 3000+ courses in a wide variety of disciplines. edX course mostly lean to higher education and science courses. Nevertheless, edX offers high-quality, niche courses and programs from top universities, non-profits, and other organizations.
COURSES OFFERED BY EDX INCLUDE: Arts and culture, programming, Leadership and Management courses, arts and crafts, Business writing, academic writing, computer science and IT, entrepreneurship, chemistry, communication, and many many more.
How Much Does site courses Cost
edX offers different pricing depending on the type of course you are looking to enroll in.
Students generally have to paths for learning with edX
- You can sit-in any course for free in the audit track. However, you won’t have access to course material and you won’t get a certificate upon completion.
- You can enroll in a course on the verified track. Here you have instant access to course materials and an ID-verified certificate.
A verified track course or program varies depending on the specialty, discipline, or institution that offers the course. The price typically ranges between $49-$299.
Is There a Money-Back Guarantee
You can get a refund in a verified track by unenrolling from the course within 14 days after starting the course or 14 days after buying the course.
However, note that edX doesn’t offer a refund after you receive your certificate.
Pros
- You get access to high-quality education from top global universities.
- You are allowed free access to courses and programs
- Ease of use and accessibility
- You receive an accredited certificate for the completion of your course.
- Courses are offers by prestigious universities and top organizations – Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Amazon, W3 consortium, Microsoft, etc.
- You are allowed a 14-day refund if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.
- You have options for learning – you can learn at your pace or you have timed learning.
edX largely has rave reviews. The site boasts a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot from thousands of students and professionals who have tried their services. However, here are a few complaints you should be aware of.
Cons
- Many of the courses and programs offered are not monitored by staff
- The verified track is not conducive for business professionals or students as you are expected to complete the course assignments before the course wraps up.
- EdX customer supports leaves a lot to be desired.
Will edX Help You In Your Career?
edX is great for professionals looking to boost their skills to help advance their careers. edX offers tonnes of courses and programs to help any professional improve their skills and gain specific knowledge.
An accredited certificate from edX includes your name, institution’s name and logo, edX logo, the course title, and professors’ signatures and names who taught the course. This helps you leverage your skills gained for a promotion, job, or a job application.
