edX is a fast-growing, open-source education platform with over 24 million students. According to a Global Market Insights report, the e-learning market will exceed $375 billion by 2026. Students are turning to online courses and degrees as their options for in-class studies dwindle.
edX courses offer students the ability to learn from some of the top schools globally, with either a limited free option or a full access paid option. There are some valuable pros and a few cons about edX. Let’s take a look at them further in our edX review below.
Is edX Legit?
Yes, edX is legit. edX was created by Harvard and MIT professors to provide education options to the world. It hosts online university-level courses in most disciplines, and students can even take specific Harvard courses for free.
Although there are some cons to edX that we will discuss later, it has to be said that the ability to take a high-quality, Ivy League course for free makes it very legitimate. It’s not just Harvard or MIT courses, either. Keep reading to discover everything edX has to offer.
Top Universities Offering edX Courses
Just to name a few colleges partnered with edX: Harvard, MIT, University of Californi -Berkeley, Boston University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the University of Queensland Australia.
These universities’ subjects range from art, architecture, history, law, chemistry, computer science, engineering, design, finance, humanities, math, music, and much more.
However, it is still much debated if an online education can compare to its class equivalent. Students would be missing out on teamwork projects, asking questions in-the-moment, and the rigorous structure. Comparatively, if graduates are looking to learn a new topic or gain new skills, then a platform like edX could be a great choice.
edX Certifications Offered
The range of certifications offered by edX is also extensive. The good thing about this platform is there is something for everyone.
For example, if you are looking for a short term course in literature, you can find a Shakespeare specific course that lasts just four weeks.
Take a look at the certification breakdowns below to see what would suit you best.
- Courses. edX has hundreds of courses and short classes that range in price. These are great for picking up new skills quickly and some are offered by top universities.
- MicroBachelor’s. Compared to the national average of $594 per credit, edX offers a MicroBachelor’s for $166 per credit. What’s more, each credit is real and transferable.
- MicroMaster’s. edX’s MicroMaster degrees do not automatically guarantee a place in an on-campus master’s program, although industry leaders recognize it. MicroMasters programs cost $700 to $1,400 on average and are self-paced.
- Professional Certificate. There are 140 professional certificate courses to choose from, with a price range of $100 to $2,340. This is great for students looking to do three- to six-month courses to further their careers.
- Online Master’s Degree. edX provides 12 accredited master’s programs. These are all online at your own pace, making it easy to do while working. However, the prices for these are higher: between $9,000 to $25,300 per program.
- XSeries. XSeries programs are created by top universities to explore a specific topic in-depth, with each one comprising several courses. These programs also take several months to complete. The average XSeries course ranges between $100 to $500 in cost.
- Executive Education. Gain executive education in business analytics or entrepreneurship for either $1,499 or $2,500. These courses last either four or six weeks.
edX Online Courses Review
For this breakdown of the courses on edX, we will look at the overall platform, its course structures, the materials provided, and online education as a whole.
edX Platform
The platform itself is easy to use, has a user-friendly interface, and it is simple to search for your particular course. The course itself is led through professors’ video lessons, followed by a lesson quiz, which is a neat feature.
However, the course structures may vary, with some being extremely beneficial and others lacking in any structure. Discovering which ones are best for you is as easy as searching the individual course review.
edX Course Materials
Students have two options with edX, to Audit the course or Pursue the Verified Track. If you decide to Audit, the learning is entirely free, but you will not have access to all the course materials and you won’t earn a certification. If you choose to ‘Pursue,’ you will have full access and gain a verified certificate.
Students who love to learn new things can do so absolutely free. However, they will not have access to certain materials, which could be critical to fully grasp the topic. Nonetheless, it is a great opportunity to test out a particular course before committing to the certification.
Online Education
There are pros and cons to online learning platforms. The pros are that it is cheaper, more flexible, and a good idea for those with prior commitments.
The cons are that you need to be self-motivated, some teachers can be camera shy, and you will not get the same class discussions. Although there are discussion forums on edX, it is not the same as a lively class debate.
The Downsides to edX
Numerous reviews talk about the issues regarding lack of support and materials for non-paying students. Some course-providers and their teaching staff are also slow to respond to queries in general, making the learning process quite tricky.
Furthermore, customer service is also a source of some complaints, with students speaking about the slow response times and in some instances, the inability to deal with queries.
The Verdict:
More than 75 percent of edX’s students left a five-star review, and with over 24 million students, that is a pretty good score. It is always best to be sure that you are enrolled in an up-to-date course that will provide a valid certification at the end of it.
Also, be sure that the particular course you are interested in is right for you. Perhaps try the free version before committing your money to the certificate version. With edX, it’s a good idea to look at the cheaper courses provided by global educational leaders, and avoid doing an online master’s as they are costly and may not be what students expect.
Lastly, be sure you are ready to dedicate the time and motivate yourself to complete your course. We at Career Karma hope you have found this edX review helpful and that you find the courses and educational institutions that match you and your aspirations.
If you would like to learn more about online community colleges, then we have got you covered.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
