Your time is very valuable. We are all busy people and it is all too easy to spread yourself thin.
Juggling work and family life, as well as time for yourself, is a very difficult balance in the modern world.
So, when it comes to using some of that precious time in “extracurricular activities” such as taking an online course, you understandably want to ensure that the course is worth it.
That’s where the question of whether a Udemy course is worth it comes in.
You may ask yourself… Will the course help advance my career? How long will it take? How much will it cost? Will I gain anything by taking the course? Are online courses taken seriously?
In this article, we will take a look at a few of these so that you can come to a decision on whether taking a Udemy course is the right path for you.
So if you are ready? Let’s jump to it…
Table of Contents
How much does a Udemy Course Cost?
If you are wondering if a Udemy course is worth it from a monetary perspective, it is good to understand the pricing structure.
The good news is, Udemy courses are very affordable. In fact, the Udemy website generally has a deal going on every day of the year.
This means courses can be snapped up for as little as $10 each. With that in mind, even if you do not complete the course, the money lost is marginal.
That being said, the highest price of a course can be between $150 – $200. If you pay this much, you will want to ensure that you get your value for money.
This of course means choosing the correct one for your needs and seeing it through.
However, it is worth remembering that even if a course is listed at the top price, you can wait for a sale (they come along often enough), or try our method of obtaining the sale price via visiting the Udemy website as a new user. [Full details here]
How long does a Udemy course take?
The length of a Udemy course varies depending on the course you take. The range can be anything from 2 hours to 50 hours.
Generally, the short courses of less than 10hrs will hone in on a specific topic or are designed as an introduction to a subject.
For instance, you could choose to do a short 5-hour course that focuses on advanced Excel formulas only.
Conversely, a 30hour Beginner Bootcamp Excel course might be more appropriate for your needs if you are new to Excel.
The important issue is to look at the course content to see what is covered. If you need a broad range of learning information (as a beginner will need), a longer course will be required.
What Course subjects are available?
A more relevant question would be what courses are not available. It would be a much shorter list.
Udemy currently has over 130,000 courses on virtually any subject you can think of. From machine learning to painting, office accounting to web development… it really is a mecca for online learning.
Furthermore, of Udemy’s some 60,000 instructors, many are practitioners rather than academics. They are actually doing what they teach.
A broad range of languages is accommodated too. English and Spanish are predominant however it is possible to find courses in over 65 different languages on the Udemy website.
Can a Udemy Course help my career?
If a particular skill is an asset to your job, Udemy can definitely help with your career. Taking the Excel examples from above, if learning advanced formulas makes you more efficient in your role, a udemy course that provides you with that skill is clearly beneficial.
If however, you want to change careers and jump into Python programming, for example, a Udemy course alone will give you a headstart (learn new skills, give you insight into Python programming), but it will not necessarily get you invited for an interview at Google.
The important thing is to be realistic. A Udemy course is not a degree, but it can be an important first step along your career path.
Also, it is worth knowing that after you complete an official Udemy course, you will be provided with a Udemy certificate of completion.
This can be shared on your LinkedIn profile and added to your resume to help demonstrate your accomplishments. However, as Udemy is not an accredited institution the certificates cannot be used for formal accreditation.
- Related Content: How to Use Udemy to Boost Your Career Path
What about Udemy for Business?
An exciting initiative by Udemy to make their courses more relevant to career progression is Udemy for Business.
This is a B2B arm that allows companies to upskill their staff through Udemy courses.
To benefit from this you obviously need to be employed by a company that has signed up for the program, but it is definitely worth checking with your HR department to see if this is the case.
There are currently over 5,000 companies involved with Udemy for business (with 80% of the Fortune 100 signed up).
If you are employed by one of these you have access to approximately 3,500 courses, for free!
Part of the program allows employers to monitor your progress, overall engagement, and track learning outcomes.
Bottom Line: Is Udemy worth it?
If you have an interest in a subject enough to devote your time to it, there is very good reason to take a Udemy course.
Completing a course is a good way of showing employers your interests and commitment. It is also a good step towards self-development.
That being said, you cannot expect many networking opportunities completing an online course, and not being an accredited institution, the certificate gained will mean a lot less from a formal perspective.
But as we have mentioned, it does give you an opportunity to learn new skills at a very low cost. For these reasons alone, Udemy is worth it.
