What Coursera Plus Covers
Coursera Plus is a monthly subscription that gives you access to most courses on Coursera's platform for a flat monthly fee, rather than paying per course. When you subscribe, you can enroll in and complete as many courses as you want from Coursera's catalog — which includes thousands of options across business, technology, health, data science, and other fields.
The subscription does not include every single course on Coursera. Some specialized programs, like certain university degrees or professional certificates from specific partners, require separate payment even with Plus. When you browse Coursera, the site shows you which courses are included with your subscription and which are not.
You keep access to courses you complete for as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel, you lose access to courses you have not finished, though Coursera may let you read materials you have already viewed — policies vary by course.
Key Takeaways
- Coursera Plus costs a monthly fee and covers thousands of courses, but not every course on the platform — check each course page to see if it is included.
- You can enroll in multiple courses at once and work through them at your own pace, with no time limit to complete them while subscribed.
- Some courses offer graded assignments and certificates of completion, while others are audit-only and do not award credentials.
- Canceling your subscription means you lose access to incomplete courses, though you may be able to read materials from courses you started.
- Coursera Plus is separate from degree programs and professional certificates, which charge additional fees on top of or instead of the subscription.
Which Courses Are Included and Which Are Not
Coursera Plus covers most of the individual courses offered on the platform. These are self-paced classes that typically run four to six weeks if you work through them steadily, though you can take longer. You will see a label on each course page that says "Included with Coursera Plus" or similar language if it is covered by your subscription.
Courses that are not included are usually degree programs (like a full Bachelor's degree or Master's degree), professional certificates that require a specific sequence, or specialized courses from certain universities or employers. These typically cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and are separate purchases. Coursera Plus also does not cover Coursera for Campus (used by schools) or Coursera for Business (used by employers).
When you search or browse Coursera, filter by "Included with Coursera Plus" to see only what your subscription covers. This saves time and prevents confusion about what you can and cannot take.
How Certificates and Graded Work Function
Many courses on Coursera Plus offer a certificate of completion when you finish. To earn a certificate, you typically need to complete graded assignments, quizzes, or a final project and score at or above a passing threshold. Some courses let you audit for free (without grades or a certificate) or pay a separate fee to unlock grading and the certificate option.
With Coursera Plus, graded assignments and certificates are usually included — you do not pay extra per course. However, you must complete the work to earn the certificate. If you drop out partway through, you get no credential, though you can return and finish later if your subscription is still active.
Certificates from Coursera courses are not the same as degrees or professional credentials. They show you completed a course and learned the material, but they are not accredited degrees. Many people list them on LinkedIn or resumes to show skill development, but employers treat them differently than university degrees or industry licenses.
Pricing and Billing
Coursera Plus charges a monthly subscription fee. The exact amount varies by region and changes over time, so check Coursera's website for the current price in your location. Some regions may have a lower rate, and Coursera occasionally runs promotions for new subscribers.
You can cancel your subscription at any time — there is no contract or cancellation fee. When you cancel, your access to incomplete courses ends when ready, though you may have a grace period to read course materials. If you want to pause rather than cancel, Coursera sometimes offers a pause option that holds your subscription for a set time.
If you are unsure whether the subscription is worth it, Coursera often offers a free trial period for new users. During the trial, you can explore courses and see whether the catalog matches what you want to learn before you commit to paying.
How to Enroll in Courses and Manage Your Learning
Once you subscribe to Coursera Plus, enrolling in a course is straightforward. Find a course on Coursera's website, click "Enroll," and it appears in your "My Courses" dashboard. You can enroll in as many courses as you want at the same time — there is no limit. This means you can take multiple courses in parallel or focus on one at a time, depending on your schedule.
Each course has its own schedule and pace. Some courses start on a fixed date and run for a set number of weeks; others are self-paced and let you start whenever you want. Check the course page to see which type it is. Self-paced courses are more flexible if you have an unpredictable schedule.
Your dashboard shows your progress in each course, important date for assignments (if any), and links to course materials. You can access courses on Coursera's website or through their mobile app, so you can learn on a phone, tablet, or computer.
What Happens When You Cancel or Your Subscription Ends
If you cancel Coursera Plus, your access to courses you have not completed stops right away. You will not be able to view course videos, submit assignments, or earn certificates from incomplete courses. Any courses you have already finished remain on your record, and you keep the certificates you earned.
Before you cancel, Coursera may let you read course materials — videos, lecture notes, and readings — from courses you started. The ability to read varies by course and by Coursera's current policy, so check what is available before you lose access. If you think you might return to a course later, read what you need while you still have access.
If you cancel and then resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off in any course you were taking. Your progress and grades are saved, so you do not start from zero.
Coursera Plus Versus Paying Per Course
Coursera lets you pay for individual courses without a subscription. Each course costs a one-time fee, usually between $30 and $50, though prices vary. If you only want to take one or two courses, paying per course might be cheaper than a monthly subscription. But if you plan to take three or more courses in a year, Coursera Plus usually saves money.
The subscription also removes the friction of deciding whether each course is worth the individual price. With Plus, you can explore courses more freely and try subjects you might not have paid for separately. This can lead to discovering new interests or skills you did not expect to pursue.
Degree programs and professional certificates are separate from both the subscription and the per-course model. These multi-course sequences have their own pricing and are not covered by Coursera Plus, even though they may include some of the same individual courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Coursera Plus to earn a degree?
No. Coursera Plus covers individual courses, not full degree programs. Coursera does offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees through partner universities, but these are separate purchases with their own tuition. Some degree programs may include courses that are also available through Coursera Plus, but the degree itself requires enrollment in the degree program.
Do I have to complete a course by a certain date?
It depends on the course. Self-paced courses let you work at your own speed with no important date. Instructor-led courses run on a fixed schedule and have assignment important date, but you can usually still complete the course after the official end date if you stay subscribed. Check the course page to see which type it is.
What if I want to take a course that is not included with Coursera Plus?
You can pay for it separately. Some courses and all degree programs require individual payment even if you have Coursera Plus. The course page will show the price and let you purchase access outside the subscription.
Can I share my Coursera Plus subscription with someone else?
No. Coursera Plus is tied to your individual account and is not meant to be shared. Each person who wants access needs their own subscription. Sharing login credentials violates Coursera's terms of service.
What if I take a break and come back later?
If you cancel and resubscribe, your course progress and grades are saved. You can pick up where you left off. However, if you stay subscribed but do not access a course for a long time, Coursera may eventually remove you from it — check their policy for the specific timeframe.