A Guide On How To Sign Up To Coursera

If you’re looking to set up your Coursera account, you’ve come to the right place! In order to start taking classes, you will need to set up an account. 

This article will explore how to sign up to Coursera. Read on for more information! 

What Is Coursera? 

Before we begin looking at how to set up and log in to Coursera, you will need to understand what Coursera is.

Coursera is an online learning platform. The site is a global online education provider and has access to degrees and courses online. These massive open online courses may be from universities and companies. 

Coursera joins 250 leading companies and universities in order to bring a few courses to individuals and organizations across the world.

You will be able to access courses such as degree programs as well as hands-on projects.

With Coursera you will have access to the following: 

• Access to top-quality learning using evidence-based teaching and learning strategies.
• Flexible learning to your own schedule. You can learn anywhere, including on the mobile app.
• Learn about your budget. You can try out lots of courses for free as well as upgrade in order to earn the necessary credentials.
• Gain new skills that will help you in your career goals.

How To Create A Coursera Account 

In order to create a Coursera account you will need to head over to the site. Once you have got to the site, follow the steps below to set up your individual Coursera account:

1. Click the Sign up take at the top of the page. 
2. After this, choose whether you want to provide an email, password, or name for your Coursera account setup. You can also opt to link your account to your Facebook account, your google account, or an apple ID.

If you opt for setting up a password, you will need to add a password that is eight characters in length. You will be able to later change all this information in your account settings.

There is also a Learning Program that offers online courses and if you are setting your account up through this then you will need to click on the invitation and set up your account from there.

Verify Your Email Address 

Once you have set up an account on Coursera, you will need to ensure that you verify your email address. This will allow you to reset your password and carry out some other things on the platform. 

In order to verify your email address follow these steps: 

1. Open your emails and find the email from Coursera. 
2. Open the email that says ‘Action Required’ as the subject line.
3. Click the button in order to confirm your email address.

If you cannot find this email, or the link in the email appears to be broken or expired, you can head over to settings on your Coursera account to get a new link. 

If you are unable to find the email in your inbox, even after requesting a new link, you should ensure that you check your spam folder. Sometimes this type of email will be sent to this folder and it will get lost. 

How To Log In To Coursera 

Single Sign-On 

Coursera has a single sign-on which allows you to log in. This is used by certain companies and universities. Through this, you are able to make a new account or connect an old account to your new learning programs.

If You Don’t Have An Account 

In order to log in in this way, you will need to head to the Coursera website. If you don’t have an existing Coursera account then you will need to follow the steps below: 

1. Click on the top-right ‘log in’ button. 
2. Go to the ‘log in with your organization’ buttons that you will find at the bottom of the pop-up window. 
3. Next, type in the URL of your company and press the continue button. 
4. Type the email and password into the boxes and click log in. 
5. After this, add an alternative email address to the individual course pages so that you will receive all of the correspondence in the same place, including things like course certificates.
6. Create a password and click the ‘sign up’ button.

If You Already Have An Account 

If you have a Coursera account and you want to connect your personal account to your company account then follow these steps: 

1. Log out of your personal account. You will find the log-out option at the bottom of the drop-down menu when you click on your name. 
2. When you have logged out, you should find the invitation to the learning program in your email and click the link. 
3. Next, click to log in with your organization which appears at the bottom of the pop-up window. 
4. At this stage, you should type in your company’s URL and click continue. 
5. You will be prompted to put in the password and email for your company at this stage and click ‘login’. 
6. When you get to the next window you should choose the option to declare that you’re an existing Coursera user. 
7. Next, enter the email address that is associated with your Coursera account and press continue.

When you have done this you will then be able to log into either of these accounts as they will be connected to each other. 

Linked To Facebook, Google Or Apple Accounts 

If your Coursera account is linked to one of these accounts and you don’t want them to be linked then you can unlink them.

You can unlink these accounts in Account Settings and then scroll over to the linked accounts section. After you have done this you will be able to log in using SSO again.

Why Use Coursera?

Pros Of Coursera 

When it comes to Coursera, there are many different advantages. These include: 

They Are Partnered With Educational Institutions

Coursera is partnered with many different important educational and research institutions. These include Duke and Johns Hopkins and many others. 

Coursera has reached over 87 million users and the partnerships with educational institutions have meant that these courses can reach a range of different people.

It also allows those who are not enrolled at university to take some university courses.

Many Free Course Options 

Coursera has many different courses available online. While they don’t create educational materials themselves, they partner with companies and universities across the world to provide plenty of different courses. 

There are currently 3800 courses available across 385 different specializations.

Affordable

Courses at physical universities and colleges can be extremely expensive. This is why Coursera is a great alternative.

It costs a lot less than attending classes directly through University. There are lots of free courses available which can introduce you to lots of different topics. 

You will also have the chance to sample classes to see if they are for you with a seven-day trial.

Flexible Learning 

One of the great things about taking courses on Coursera is that you can learn from anywhere. This means that you can fit the learning around any work or any family responsibilities.

You are able to learn offline so you don’t even need to have access to the internet when you want to do your learning.

Cons Of Coursera

Some Courses Are Expensive 

Some of the courses on this site are very expensive. Degrees that take between 2 and 4 years will cost a lot of money. While they do cost less than attending university, they still will cost quite a lot of money to complete. 

There is some financial aid or scholarships available but these will not be available for everyone.

Entry-Level Courses 

The entry-level courses take up most of the site and some of these can be very simple. However, lots of them are very informative.

Popular Courses By Coursera 

There are thousands of courses available on Coursera. These include things like:

• The Science of Well-Being is offered by Yale University. This class central is aimed at students who are looking to achieve happier lives. 
• Successful Negotiation. This course is provided by the University of Michigan and it teaches learners ways to advance in their careers. 
• Machine Learning is a course that is designed to allow learners to build smart robots. Through this course, they will learn logistic recognition and other things.
•  Introduction to Philosophy. This course is offered by the University of Edinburgh and it takes the learners through a course in contemporary philosophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are All Coursera Courses Free?

When it comes to Coursera, you will have access to hundreds of different free courses. If you sign up for one of these courses, or Skillcrush you will be able to preview the course content for free.

If you want to access certain assessments and receive certificates then you may need to upgrade your account. 

Not all courses on Coursera are free, though. Lots of them are paid courses. There are scholarships available for some of the courses and there is also some financial aid available.

If you are considering a Coursera paid course, have a look to see if you are eligible for any funding.

Will I Have To Attend Classes In Person?

No, Coursera is all online and you will not need to attend any classes in person. Most programs are self-paced and you can take the classes online at any time you like and from anywhere! 

You will be able to fit these courses around your schedule. If you wish to watch lecture videos and complete your assignments in the middle of the night, go for it! 

There are deadlines set up on the course but these are just guidelines and you can reset these deadlines if you are struggling to meet them.

You will never be required to attend classes in person.

How Much Will A Coursera Course Cost?

There are lots of different Coursera courses available. There are learning options available for every budget and you will have the chance to enroll in hundreds of different courses with financial aid.

There are also plenty of free courses, too.

Who Is Coursera Good For?

Coursera courses are great for a wide range of different people. When it comes to learning new skills or earning a degree then they will provide you with a great way to achieve this.

They give you the learning tools while also being affordable and flexible. 

You will have the opportunity to learn online and offline and pick up lots of different qualifications. 

Coursera is great for those learners who are very busy, such as single parents. It is also perfect for those who are working either part-time or full-time during their education.

Will I Get The Free Certificate From A Coursera Course?

You will receive a Coursera certificate from these multiple courses and these will be able to be used to add value to your CV and job applications as well as teach you valuable skills and knowledge along the way.

Some courses may require you to pay a little extra in order to receive the free certificate, especially some of the free courses.

Is It Difficult To Get Coursera Financial Aid? 

It is possible to get financial aid or scholarships in some cases. This is if you can’t afford the cost of tuition.

In order to see if you qualify for financial aid you must complete an application that specifies certain things about you. These include educational background, finances, and career aspirations. 

While some people may qualify for this, some may not so it is very important to check. Get in touch with Coursera to see if you qualify for this financial aid.

It can really help to fund you in furthering your education and your career.

Final Thoughts 

Now you should know everything you need to know surrounding Coursera. This article has explained how to set up and log in to your Coursera account and get started.

You will also get some more information about the site itself in this article.