An honest Synthesis School Review from parents and their ten-year-old.

If Tesla is to cars as SpaceX is to space travel, is the Ad Astra & Synthesis School the future of education?

Educating our children in the digital age presents a sea of opportunities and ongoing enrichment programs. 

It is also an experience still grounded in the traditional classroom and tethered by tax-dollar constraints.

We wanted to share our story in the event it could help curious parents evaluate if their child’s learning experiences and education systems are truly teaching relevant skills.

A Good Problem to Have

We’ve been fortunate to have kids who thrive in the traditional system. Blessed, in fact.

But will the conventional system prepare them for the world that awaits them ten years from now?

My guess is no.

And I can tell you the exact moment it became clear:

The parent-teacher conference.

Driving there, we were curious about the deep insights we will hear about our child’s specific behaviors, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. We couldn’t wait. 

Driving home, we felt the feedback we received could have been copied and pasted for 80% of the kids in the class.

Beyond that, we couldn’t shake the nagging sense the subjects felt like an outdated checklist of nice-to-haves.

Could memorizing state capitals be more important than learning to code?

Our thesis: With Siri a whisper away and supercomputers in our pockets, memorizing facts should take an immediate backseat to developing fundamental problem-solving skills.

Follow Every Direction

But how could they learn to solve real problems when always given both direction and rules?

Flashback to my niece’s first day of soccer. Shin guards on, a little nervous to try something new, and a last-minute pep talk from the car reminded her, “be certain you follow every direction from your coach.”

The coach asked the young group to run down the line and back to warm-up. Unsurprisingly, she was last to finish as she tried to run literally “down the line” like a balance beam.

She was doing exactly what she had been told: follow every direction. 

I was beginning to feel like school days encouraged a lot of carefully following one another to tiptoe down the line.

But She’s Doing Great In School

My daughter might receive high praise for listening well to others, being organized, and owning the completion of her tasks.

And while she is very self-sufficient when it comes to her homework, one night Math triggered tears. She was distraught and declared there was no way a specific problem was fair as her teacher would never assign something that hadn’t yet been taught.

Upon reading the problem and others she had completed, you could recognize that the theme was similar, just flipped on its side. She had no interest in trying to problem solve, she was simply hurt to be asked to do something she didn’t understand.

This was a flag for us.

She had been hailed as an “excellent mathematician” the week before. This experience highlighted that she was excellent at coloring in the lines but inexperienced in flexing the necessary muscles to solve a new problem without a handbook patiently.

What school would we design?

You might not be surprised to learn this, but we’re both engineers.

When faced with a problem, our instinct if take it apart and design something better.

So we turned over our daughter’s report cards and began with a fresh sheet of paper.

What are the essential capabilities for her to develop? And how would she practice those skills?

• Get comfortable being uncomfortable / embrace the chaos
• Have the curiosity to look at complex problems and define your own speed limit
• Practice and refine collaborative problem-solving skills
• Ask questions and listen for thoughtful answers
• Build relationships with those who can help

And if we’re being honest, we’re not contrarian enough to homeschool our kids to make this a reality. Instead, we looked for ways to supplement.

Enter: Synthesis School

This quick video from a parent certainly piqued our interest:

What is the Synthesis School

Synthesis School (you’ll find them at synthesis.com) is an online school that started as a full-time program for the children of parents who worked at SpaceX. It was born of – surprise, surprise – a disappointing parent-teacher conference for Elon Musk.

When Elon left a meeting with his child’s teacher, he was inspired to re-think the concept of a school from first principles. Why did we continue to teach kids the same as we did 100 years ago? Especially given success in the world looks much different today?

He asked Josh Dahn to create that school with two principles in mind:

1. Cohort children based on their ability, not their age.
2. Don’t teach the tool. Teach the problem.

He rationed that learning how to use tools for the sake of learning them can be boring until you see how tools can help to solve problems. He felt that the current grade-level model was not the right fit and that students have different skills and interests that vary over time. 

He noticed that his children didn’t need any nudging to play video games, so why not gamify education?

With these guiding principles, Josh Dahn went on to create Elon Musk’s Ad Astra school (in Latin, “to the stars”) a lab school for Musk’s children and SpaceX employees.

In Dahn’s own words, “The goal was to develop students who are enthralled by complexity and solving for the unknown. Synthesis is the most innovative learning experience from that school. It is designed to cultivate student voice, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.”

Enter Chrisman Frank, engineer #1 at ClassDojo, a K-12 network that reaches ~30 million teachers and students. He visited Ad Astra for the day and was astonished by the energy and excitement flowing from the classroom during the “Synthesis” course. Instead of lectures, students were whole-heartedly engaged in Astra Nova game simulations. 

Frank felt compelled to bring this opportunity to students around the world and is now the co-founder and CEO of the edtech startup Synthesis School.

How does it work?

Sometimes it’s easier to show than tell.

There are another half dozen games and simulations that kids play weekly with a consistent group of peers. They can also opt into an increasingly diverse set of programs with other kids worldwide.

For our family, the weekly consistency combined with opt-in flexibility works for our 10-year-old.

You can always learn more about their approach on their website too. It’s worth checking since the offering is rapidly changing as they learn more about what works.

Bracing Yourself to Embrace the Chaos

I know we struggled with this.

As parents, we can’t aspire for our kids to get comfortable with failing and constantly prevent mistakes. We can’t ask them to make sense of ambiguity and then ask for every detail to be settled in advance.

So like us, you’ll probably have questions like:

Who are the Teachers?

Synthesis School is quick to point out a razor-sharp focus on their teachers. Only 4-6% of those who apply to teach are accepted. 

Our daughter would be quick to point out that she thinks of the “teacher” as more of a facilitator for her cohort. More questions than instructions.

What’s Application Process?

We had first heard about Synthesis on Pomp’s podcast.

Intrigued, we began to dig a little more and actively followed the school’s chief learning evangelist, ana Lorena Fabrega (aka Ms. Fab):

We mentioned the idea to both daughters and shared the video of students playing the Constellations. Their reaction was one of slight intrigue, but it sounded like “more school.”

As parents, we were intrigued. 

“Apply to Synthesis” remained on the whiteboard for several weeks.

As we were making dinner, we put on the office hours webinar. Our youngest was in the kitchen with us, and after listening for a bit, she raised her hand and hopped off her seat at dinner to complete her application.

In the spirit of student-led learning, we didn’t peer over her shoulder or suggest re-recording her interview. It was one honest, enthusiastic take.

And I wish we had recorded her reaction when we told her she was admitted the following day. It was an authentic “I made it!”

We’ve heard from a few friends that there is a waitlist now, so might be worth getting your name in sooner than later.

What if my kid hates it?

First, I’ll admit things started a bit slowly for our daughter. The game was new. The people were unknown. The rules weren’t unclear; they didn’t exist.

So if we asked her how she liked it, it was closer to a “meh” than a “hell yeah.”

But we were determined to see if she could get more comfortable with all that newness. After all, wasn’t that the point.

Ultimately she did. And especially for a couple of other games, she “holy moly loved it.”

But Synthesis School also makes it easy on us. If we wanted to bow out after a month because it wasn’t what we expected, their refund policy is to simply ask. That’s it.

Our Daughter’s Experience 3 Months In

To set expectations, we didn’t expect raving reviews every session. Our expectation, knowing our daughter, is that she’d straddle curiosity and discomfort.

But that she’d want to show up and actively participate week in and week out. And hopefully, build into some optional sessions.

We also tried to set her up for success: we have good internet speed (some kids don’t and it’s frustrating for everyone), a good laptop, and a quiet place to play. And we give her a gentle reminder to expect the tsunami of chaos and “ride the wave”.

Thus far, I’d say we’re meeting that expectation. She loved the introduction of the Constellation 3D game.

In fact, here’s her take:

What’s the best part of Synthesis School?

The best part is the challenges.

A challenge can be to reach a certain number of points or to reach a certain area of a map. You get to do challenges with your cohort, and there’s one for each game.

Everyone has so much fun with the challenges, and it brings us closer together as a team.

What’s one thing you’d change?

I would add cohort vs cohort challenges. If we could meet at a random time during the week to do games or a challenge with other cohorts, that would make it awesome!

What are the kids in your cohort like?

The kids in my cohort are very nice, they are very focused, and they are competitive. The kids from my cohort are not just from the U.S, they are from all over the globe!

It’s fun to be with my cohort during the week because you get used to them over the weeks.

My only problem is the fact that I am one of the oldest in my cohort. I am with all the younger kids.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give new students?

I would say just try your best. Even if you are not very good at a game yet, or you are confused about how the game works, give it some practice, and you will get better!

Are you Ready to Try Synthesis School?

By sharing our experience, we hope that you can decide if introducing a little chaos is just what your little learner needs. And if it’s not gamified online problem solving, perhaps you prefer to supplement with advanced math?

We’ll circle back and provide updates periodically as our daughter grows and Synthesis School evolves with her.

If you have any feedback, let us know in the comments. And if you decide to make the leap, we’d love to hear about your experience.

If you are looking to enroll or take Coursera courses for free in 2024 you’re in the right place!

What is Coursera? It is an online platform that offers 1000’s MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses.) This massive course catalog can help students further their learning on a range of topics, including financial markets, data science, social media, web development, public health, and many more.

Coursera partners with over 200 companies and universities to bring online learning opportunities to students hungry for new skills.  Deeply engaging content creates an excellent learning experience for students.

Many of Coursera’s courses offer learners an opportunity to audit the course for free

So if you follow along with this guide, I will show you how to enroll/audit in Coursera courses for no cost at all. This is a game-changer for beginners and advanced students looking to take online courses. 

For those looking for specialty courses (these consist of multiple courses in one place) and certificates, I also have you covered! Let’s get started!

Popular Free Courses

Sometimes when we hear that something is offered for “free” we worry that we get what we pay for. Great news, at Coursera, that is not the case. Coursera offers a range of great courses from top universities… all for free.

Just a few examples:

• Machine Learning, Stanford University
• Algorithms, Part I, Princeton University
• The Science of Well Being, Yale University
• Introductory Human Physiology, Duke University
• SQL for Data Science, University of California Davis
• Introduction to Philosophy: University of Edinburgh
• Introduction to Personal Branding University of Virginia
• Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills, University of Michigan

How To Take Coursera Courses For Free In 2024

1. Go To Coursera.org & Create An Account

First things first is to head over to Coursera.org and create a free account. This is an essential step as this will allow us to start enrolling in courses for free.

Surprisingly, the signup process is incredibly simple and only takes about 30 seconds. All you need to insert is your name, email address, and password.

There are also options to create an account with Facebook, Google, or Apple.

2. Search For Your Desired Course

Now that we have our free account and are signed in, we can now go and search 1,000’s of courses that are available on Coursera.

What are you interested in learning? Deep learning? Project management? Chances are you will find what you are looking for to improve your personal development!

For this example, I am interested in learning PHP fundamentals, so I will simply search for this query and see what courses are available.

From this search along, there are over 80 courses relating to PHP, which can all be taken for free! Interested in something else like python or something else? You will find what you are interested in anything computer science-related. Coursera contains classes in our Top 17 Free Best Online PHP Courses & Certificates, so it is worth looking into!

Using the Coursera search algorithm, you will also be able to see the recommended skill level, amount of students, star rating, amount of reviews, the university/college, and the type of course.

Now, depending on the type of course you want to enroll in (see below), there are two different methods of enrolling in free online courses.

• “Course” (Keep following along)
• “Specialization” (Skip to step 6)
• “Professional Certificate” (Skip to step 6)

In short, a “Course” is just a single Course, while both “Specialization” and “Professional certificates” consist of multiple courses taught together.

If you want to enroll in a single course, pick your desired option. For those who want to take the other options, skip to step 6.

3. Click “Enroll For Free”

Once you have selected a course, you will then be directed to the landing page where you can learn more information about the selected course.

If you are happy to continue with your pick, simply click on “Enroll For Free”.

4. Click “Audit The Single Course”

Once you have clicked on “Enroll For Free”, you will then be directed to a 7-day free trial which Coursera will want you to choose.

However…. Completely ignore this!

If you look just below that section, there will be a small blue link which will be labeled “Audit This Single Course”, which is another way of saying “Take This Course For Free”.

So to start any of these popular free courses, simply click on this link!

Another thing to note is that Coursera does like to change the placement of these frequently, so you may have to keep your eyes out for it as its position changes from month to month.

Above are some other examples of where you may be able to find the “Audit This Single Course” link when on this page.

5. Welcome To Your Free Coursera Course!

If all has gone well, you will now have full access to the Coursera course, including all videos, syllabus, course resources, and discussion forums.

One thing to note is that when auditing a course, you, unfortunately, won’t receive a certificate of completion or have access to the tests.

But as this course is completely free, this is a small price (or in this case, no price ????) to pay. As long as you learn the course content and can apply it, that is all that matters. You can also still insert this to a resume and CV once you have completed all the lessons.

6. How To Get Specialization/Professional Certificates Courses For Free

Ok, so if you are wanting to enroll in either the Specialization or Professional Certificates courses, I also have you covered!

Once you have picked your desired option, you will be welcomed to the course information page. From here, you DON’T want to click on “Enroll For Free” as this will not allow you to audit/view the course for free.

Instead, hover your mouse over the section that says “Course Series,” which is located above the button (this is better to do on desktop).

Once you have done this, you will see all the individual courses that are included in either the Specialization or Professional Certificates courses.

Now, take note of these courses as you can actually enroll in each of those courses separately and for free.

So all you have to do now is go and search for each of those classes and follow steps 3 and 4 to audit/enroll in each course separately.

The only downside to this is that there is no certificate of completion or access to the grading system. However, you still do get access to all individual courses, videos, resources, and community for free!

7. How To Get a Free Certificate With Coursera

If you are adamant about receiving a free certificate of completion with your Coursera courses, there really is only one way to do this, and that is to apply for financial aid.

So if you can not afford to pay for the certificate or are unemployed, then this is a worthwhile option to try for your well-being.

To start this process, you will have to click on the desired course you want a certificate in. From there, click on “Financial aid available” > “Continue to the application”.

From here, you will be prompted to accept the below terms and conditions and also write “I agree to the terms above”.

Once you are on to the application form, you will have to fill out various areas, including your educational background, annual income, employment status, and how much you can afford to pay.

Below this, you will be asked various other questions on why you are applying, how this financial aid can help you, and your personal situation.

For more information on this, I would recommend watching this video as it has some great tips from someone who has been successfully accepted for financial aid from Coursera.

For more information, you can also see my guide on getting Udemy courses for free.

F.A.Q.

Below are some frequently asked questions that students ask when enrolling in or pursuing a Coursera course.

What Is Audit Course On Coursera?

Essentially, auditing a course on Coursera gives students the benefit of viewing all course materials, including videos, resources, and access to the community for free. However, the audit option does not provide access to the grading system or a certificate of completion.

Can You Still Audit Courses On Coursera?

Yes. Coursera still does provide the option for students to audit their courses. This option can be found on the enrollment page > Enroll in this Course > Audit this course. Following these prompts will give complete access to the course minus the grading and certificate.

Can I Coursera For Free?

Yes. Coursera provides an “audit” that allows users to enroll in courses for free and get access to all course material, videos, and access to the student discussion board. Unfortunately, this option does not include a free certificate or access to grades.

Do I Have To Pay For Each Course On Coursera?

If you want a certificate of completion and grading from the tests on Coursera, users will have to pay a monthly or one-time fee. However, users can also “audit” courses that unlock all class material that can be accessed for free, which comes without a certificate.

Conclusion

Enrolling in Coursera courses for free is surprisingly straightforward and unlocks 1,000s of courses. With courses offered by Stanford University, John Hopkins University, University of Edinburgh, and University of London, Coursera is an amazing tool to further your learning! Whether you are interested in classes on Google Cloud fundamentals, Amazon Web Services, Healthcare Analytics, or something else… Coursera has you covered! 

Simply create a Coursera.org account > search for your desired course > select “Enroll in the course” > and select “Audit this course”. By following these steps, users can enroll in Coursera courses free of charge.

Supply chains are backed up and it is unclear if anything you order for the holidays on Amazon will arrive in time. 

A gift card often feels like a great gift choice so that we know the recipient can get something they want. But have you ever wondered how many gift cards go unused each year? Roughly 50% of Americans are sitting on an unused gift card. Now, this isn’t just an unused sweater collecting dust, it is cash that is never translated into a gift or an experience. A swing, and a miss.

Is this the year you give better gifts?

Perhaps the best gift idea this year doesn’t come in a box, but rather it is an experience they won’t soon forget. And why just one experience, when it could be many? 

Like you, we put significant, time, energy, and search cycles into reading gift guides and trying to choose the perfect gift for loved ones. I feel most confident when I am able to gift something I have truly enjoyed.

Enter the MasterClass Subscription.

Instead of trying to find the perfect book, why not gift unlimited access to inspiration from the world’s best talent. We are thankful for Netflix as it helps us to “punch out” but we love the time spent with MasterClass as it nudges us to “lean in”.

Why not give the gift of learning?

Seize the opportunity to give annual membership to a learning platform that can spark new ideas in 2022.

One bonus of gifting a MasterClass subscription around the holidays is this content’s ability to enhance almost any new year’s resolution a friend might be contemplating. Given that many forget their resolutions before Groundhog’s Day we are reminded that a goal without a plan is simply a wish.

As avid users of this platform, we break down a summary of MasterClass, the ease of sending the eGift of a MasterClass Subscription, and our thoughts on inspiring courses for family members, friends, or anyone who simply doesn’t need another “thing.”

What is MasterClass? 

In short, a MasterClass gift provides access to a curated catalog of 100+ beautifully produced online classes from celebrities and luminaries in a variety of fields.

With a MasterClass subscription, members can learn cooking from Gordon Ramsay, tennis from Serena Williams, astronomy from Neil Degrasse Tyson, and acting from Samuel L. Jackson.  

They are adding new classes and instructors almost every week. From the homepage, it is easy to see which courses are trending.

And if you want to learn more about all features plus the pros and cons, check out our in-depth MasterClass Platform Review.

In addition, they are releasing new formats like their MasterClass Sessions which provide 30 days of results-oriented learning and direct interaction with A-list teachers.

Think singing with Christina Aguilera or creating your own baking recipes with Johanna Chang.  

This program is designed to be hands-on and focused on specific outcomes. Instead of sitting back to listen, students are actively involved, complete the 30-day curriculum and benefit from feedback to improve their skills. 

What can you learn in one month? 

Here’s another look at what they’re building:

How Can I Give A MasterClass Gift?

There is no other online learning platform out there that makes this easier. We can walk you through the process step by step.

First, visit Masterclass.com/gift or you can select the menu option for “Gift” to arrive at the Gifting Page.

Then you’ll need to select the level of subscription you’d like to gift. “Plus” is the best value given watching offline on iOS is an important feature for most people. You can skip the “Premium” unless the whole family is getting the mix.

After creating an account with your email or logging in with Google or Facebook, you’ll enter the gift recipient’s name and email address.

You have the option of adding a personal note to help suggest a course or two that you think they may enjoy.   It is easy to set the delivery time of the MasterClass Subscription to be today or on a delivery date of your choosing (ahem Christmas morning). 

Payment can be made by credit card. Importantly, the MasterClass subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The gift recipient will receive an email that walks through setting up a new MasterClass account which makes redeeming the gift a seamless process. Your loved one can be learning within minutes.

MasterClass Subscription Buy One Get One Free: The Perfect Gift for You AND a Loved One

MasterClass will periodically run a Give One, Get One promotion for its annual subscription. In our view, this gift is head and shoulders above any Black Friday deal or a new pajama set. 

Keep an eye out for this special opportunity to partner with a loved one on a year of learning and get the most out of a Masterclass All-Access pass!

With a friend and accountability partner, together you could enhance your lives, and have fun making the most of your new skills:

• Commit to taking Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking together and then host a dinner party
• Further your writing skills with Margaret Atwood and co-author an article or blog post
• Share a plot in a community garden and let Ron Finley guide you throughout the summer

With a partner in learning, you can encourage one another to complete the pdf workbooks that are assigned, practice the recipes, and make time each week to learn something new.

A MasterClass Gift Guide:

Given all that we have personally learned from Masterclass, we have included the suggested gift guide below. While these suggested online classes may be a jumping-off point, a MasterClass subscription allows your gift recipient to wander the virtual halls of a college campus and pop into lectures from the world’s leading talent at any time. Imagine the impact of trading a few Netflix nights for evenings of self-improvement.

Gifts for Her

Gifts for Mom: Her To-Do List is Long and Time is Short

The juggling and multitasking skills of a mom are often unparalleled. The perfect gift for her might be an opportunity to feed her own curiosity.  

Part of the beauty of MasterClass is that you can listen to a lesson while driving, on a run, or feel incredibly productive and engaged…even as you prep dinner or fold laundry.

Give her the opportunity to focus on improving sleep, setting and achieving goals with vigor, or learning a few make-up tips and self-care from Bobbi Brown herself.

• Robin Arzón Teaches Mental Strength
• Matthew Walker Teaches The Science Of Better Sleep
• Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty

Gifts For Her: The Creative Genius

Help to encourage all of her creative talents with some insights from the best. Inspire her knack for design to go to the next level.

• Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design
• Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
• David Carson Teaches Graphic Design

Gifts for Her: The Athlete

For her, movement and mindfulness are medicine. Help further her love for an aspect of her life that she values deeply.

So why not be inspired by the best? As Serena says, “This is as close to a private lesson as you can get with me.”

• Serena Williams Teaches Tennis
• Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Fundamentals
• Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique And Artistry
• Wayne Gretzky Teaches The Athlete’s Mindset

Gifts for Her: The Entrepreneur

Think of Masterclass as the gift of unlimited access to world-class business coaches and CEOs to help take her business to the next level.

• Sarah Blakely (Spanx) Teaches Self-made Entrepreneurship
• Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity & Leadership
• Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation
• Robert Reffkin Teaches Buying and Selling Real Estate

Gifts for Him

Gifts For Him: For Dads Who Love To Dabble

Unlimited access to MasterClass is perfect for the guy who loves to dabble. Never shy about trying a new hobby, improving his Manhattan, his jump shot, or his poker game.

• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball Handling, And Scoring
• Lynnette Marrero & Ryan Chetiyawardana Teach Mixology
• Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker
• Metallica Teaches Being A Band

Gifts for Him: For the Guy who is Happiest Outside

Leisure for him always requires fresh air. Inspire him to think differently about goals and fear with Alex Honnold of Free solo, smoke better ribs that will be the envy of the neighbors, and master the prep for his next overnight hike.

• Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-style BBQ
• Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell Teach Rock Climbing
• Jessie Krebs Teaches Wilderness Survival

Gifts for Him: For the Guy Who Has a Story to Write

Help encourage him to take his hobby into focus this year. With insights and specific exercises across a range of genres, he can take the idea from concept to manuscript.

• Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art of Storytelling
• David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor
• Salman Rushdie Teaches Storytelling and Writing
• N.K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Gifts for Couples

Learning as a team dramatically increases the chances of completing a class, or testing out your new recipes for friends. This year they can prepare new dishes alongside Michelin Star chefs, gain an appreciation for the finest ingredients, and plan for Tuesday night wine tasting.

A perfect gift for newlyweds or longtime partners.

• Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
• Ron Finley Teaches Gardening
• Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking
• James Suckling Teaches Wine Appreciation
• Gary Kasparov Teaches Chess

Gifts For Teens

Gifts for Teens: Who Can’t Get Enough Music

For the teen who is often humming a tune or happiest with headphones on, give them the gift of inspiration from the best. 

• Alicia Keys Teaches Song Writing and Producing
• Yo Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection
• QuestLove Teaches Music Curation, and DJing
• Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of the Guitar

Gifts For Teens: Who Love Art & Have To Create

In some cases, the typical school experience may leave limited time for students to explore the arts. The perfect gift for the artistic teen could be more time spent with leading creative minds. 

• Es Devlin Teaches Turning Ideas into Art
• Futura Teaches Spraypainting and Abstract Art
• Tyler Mitchell Teaches Storytelling Through Portrait Photography
• Marc Jacobs Teaches Fashion design

Gifts For Teens: Show Them How An Interest Can Become A Career

Stoke the fire of a teen’s passion.

Today, our teens have numerous, hobbies and interests paired with access to endless information. Help further their love for gaming by learning more about design. Introduce them to leading minds on building a fashion brand or a feature film.

Perhaps instead of asking “what do you want to be when you grow up?” instead ask about the type of work or influence they hope to contribute and what they find most rewarding. 

• Will Wright (creator of the SIMS) Teaches Game Design
• Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Creativity
• Diane von Furstenberg Teaches Building a Fashion Brand
• James Cameron Teaches Film Making

Gifts for Grandparents

What do you give to the person who is always on top of the news, an avid reader, and the person who freely forwards you a must-see Ted Talk?

It is challenging to come up with great gift ideas. How about a new perspective on Government Leadership or embracing the world with the critical eye of an economist?

Masterclass has just launched a new series: MasterClass Presents: The White House. These lessons feature Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Bush,  & Madeline Albright speaking about leadership, diplomacy, and their experiences in government.

• Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking
• Paul Krugman Teaches Economics and Society
• Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

What is Udacity?

Udacity is a robust online learning platform specializing in teaching technical skills to help advance and accelerate your professional career. They specialize in high-quality instruction from industry experts that will prepare students for the growing fields such as programming, data science, digital marketing and cyber security.

Students on Udacity work to earn a certification they call a Nanodegree. This credential demonstrates that the student completed all of the relevant work in the class. In addition, throughout these courses, students will be solving real-world problems, receiving feedback through project reviews, and building portfolios to showcase their skills.

The results? In 2019, ~75% percent of students decided to pursue a Nanodegree program to help their careers. Of those, “71 percent of these reported a salary increase, with 37 percent having scored a significant raise of more than 20 percent.”

While this credentialing system differs from a traditional educational institution, many employers recognize the values of these certifications. Part of the draw for many is Udacity’s partnership with leading technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and AWS.

It is essential to highlight that industry experts teach these courses. In practice, this partnership means that aspiring Machine Learning Engineers have the opportunity to learn from Google’s Deep Learning experts.

Co-founder and president Sebastian Thrun has often stated his belief that “the ultimate value proposition of education is employment.” 

Udacity provides students with in-demand skills, helps them achieve mastery, and supports their graduates in finding their next job. If your goal is to change careers or level up in your existing technical role, Udacity is possibly your highest value option.

USE CODE UPSKILL21 FOR AN EXTRA 50% OFF ANY UDACITY NANODEGREE COURSES.

How does Udacity work?

Once you’ve enrolled in Udacity, students complete the onboarding process. Udacity provides a syllabus and has each student set up a personal study schedule, including individual goal setting and setting up reminders to ensure students follow their designed plan.

The Udacity Nanodegree programs themselves are broken down into individual segments. Each segment takes between ten to twenty minutes to complete, designed to be easy to work on whether you have plenty of time to barrel through the course or only have a short amount of time to spare. 

The segments consist of a variety of learning exercises. Students learn most information through video lectures, but that’s not the only way students engage. Their online courses also contain a variety of interactive activities, quizzes, and projects. These exercises ensure a student has understood the content, and most importantly, can apply their learnings to real-world problems.

An expert in the field instructs each course. In order to become a Udacity instructor, there are high standard requirements, including a minimum number of years in the chosen area and years of previous teaching experience. These instructors will offer personal feedback on your assignments, assistance when needed, and personally shape the course instruction.

In addition to getting feedback from the instructor, Udacity also offers several features for connecting students with one another. Students can post to one another for academic support, learn through discussion forums, rely on mentor support and enjoy career networking as they make their way through their Udacity course.

One frustration many users may find is that Udacity is only accessible via web browsers, so it’s optimized to be taken on a computer (though modern smartphones are also ok). While they used to offer an app for learning on the go, they removed it in 2019 and have yet to replace it. An integrated app is something that most consumers expect of online learning platforms, so the lack of a dedicated app may be a surprise for first-time users of Udacity.

Who is Udacity For?

Udacity targets motivated learners who have identified the tech skills they need to advance their careers. A Udacity Nanodegree program offers the chance to learn and practice these skills at a time in your career when they are most relevant. 

Udacity provides learning opportunities for students are various stages in their careers. Importantly, you do need to be a software engineer or robotics expert to find value here. There are several development tracks:

Beginners: These students may have little to no programming experience and have not yet chosen a career path, but see the growth in technology jobs and want to build their tech skills. Perhaps one intro to programming course piqued your interest, and you want to learn more.

Intermediate: Learners here may already work in technology and are strong in their fundamental skills but eyeing their next move. Perhaps your career in software development has been positive, but you are thinking of switching gears and need to upskill to compete with other job applicants. 

Advanced: The focus for advanced students is mastery. These programs tend to go much deeper and more specialized. Instead of training to be a general programmer, students will learn specifically about programming for blockchain or self-driving cars. 

Naturally, several of these courses have prerequisites to ensure a student has enough baseline understanding to make the most of the course.

Udacity is probably not the best platform for casual learners or those whose interests are focused more on humanities or arts. If this happens to be where your interest lies, we would encourage you to check out Skillshare or Masterclass. 

Skillshare covers a broad range of niche topics, and MasterClass offers A-list instructors in more of a behind-the-scenes edutainment format. And both give you access to their complete catalogs for a subscription price that’s less than Netflix.

Do you have to pay to use Udacity?

While some courses on Udacity don’t require a paid membership, in general, their best courses do cost money. 

These free courses tend to be introduction courses that aren’t as in-depth or specialized as their paid courses. They also tend to have less individual interaction with your instructor. And if earning a credential or certification is what’s important to you, those only come with the paid nanodegrees. On net, these free courses are suitable for trying out Udacity but less valuable for your overall professional development.

Unfortunately, Udacity doesn’t offer any kind of trial or preview program, so aside from taking some of their free courses, there’s no way to test out the program before having to pay for access.

Does Udacity Offer Scholarship or Financial Aid? 

Yes! Udacity also offers several scholarship programs that can be used to pay for your Udacity learning, depending on the program you are choosing to pursue.

Here is the list of open scholarship programs: 

• STEM Forward with Women Scholarship Program ($5 million in scholarships over 5 years)
• Bertelsmann Technology Scholarship (15,000 seats available)
• OneTen + Blacks in Technology Foundation Scholarship (15,000 seats available)

Udacity also offered more than 25,000 scholarships earlier via Advance Africa Scholarship Program, Grow with Google, and the Blacks In Technology Foundation Scholarship Program. However, enrollment in both of those programs is now closed. AT&T, Facebook, and AWS have all sponsored scholarships in the past couple of years, so it is undoubtedly worth close monitoring.

How much does Udacity cost?

The precise cost of Udacity depends on the program you select. The pricing model of Udacity is a monthly subscription that you continue to pay per month until you finish your degree program. As a result, the price can vary widely depending on how much time you can spend on your program per month and how quickly you can move through the course.

Most Udacity classes are around $400 per month, with the average length of time they take to complete being approximately four to six months, devoting roughly 5-10 hours per week. The total cost of Udacity programs in this scenario is approximately $1500-2000.

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However, use our exclusive partner code, and you can cut the cost of a Nanodegree in half. So if you’re able to complete this in 3-4 months, the cost would drop to around $600-800. This investment is a no-brainer when considering that these skills can often raise your income by $10,000-$25,000 per year. 

Can I get a refund on Udacity?

Udacity offers all students a 2-day window after enrollment to disenroll and request a refund. However, after two days have passed, there’s no opportunity to receive a refund for payments already made, although you can drop out of your program at any time to prevent future payments.

What Courses Are Offered On Udacity?

Udacity offers a broad variety of professional and career-based courses, based mainly on computer science and technology. 

Udacity offers online courses in the following “schools”: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Business, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Programming & Development, and Product Management. These categories each contain several more specific courses for roles like Blockchain Developer, Self-Driving Car Engineer, Android Developer, Growth Product Manager, Cyber Security Architect, IOS Developer, and many more.

In addition, there is a group of free courses focused on career services. These classes aim to help students with specific job searching skills such as refreshing your resume, strengthening your LinkedIn brand and network, GitHub portfolio review, and some deep dives on industry-specific interview prep for roles in data science, machine learning, or mobile development.

Udacity advertises that industry leaders rather than academics create its educational content. This process ensures that the content is at the cutting edge and relevant to the modern field. In a constantly changing field like technology, current material, and real-world projects are critical to each student’s learning.

What Are The Most Popular Nanodegree Programs?

5 Most Popular Artificial Intelligence Nanodegree Programs

• Natural Language Processing
• Artificial Intelligence for Trading
• AI Programming With Python
• Machine Learning DevOps Engineer
• Deep Learning

5 Most Popular Data Science Nanodegree Programs

• Data Visualization
• Data Scientist
• Business Analytics
• Data Analyst
• Programming for Data Science With Python
• SQL

5 Most Popular Cloud Computing Nanodegree Programs

• Cloud Developer
• Cloud Native Application Architecture
• Cloud DevOps Engineer
• Data Structures And Algorithms
• AWS Cloud Architect

5 Most Popular Programming And Development Nanodegree Programs

• Android Basics
• Full Stack Web Developer
• C++
• Java Programming
• Full Stack JavaScript Developer

5 Most Popular Product Management Nanodegree Programs

• Product Manager
• Digital Marketing
• UX Designer
• Data Product Manager
• Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI

Does Udacity work?

While it’s not for everyone, Udacity is an effective platform for the learner who is motivated to advance a career in technology. With a focus on current content shaped by industry leaders, students can upskill while working on real-world problems. 

And these insdurty leaders aren’t just leading the courses, they’re hiring from them. In 2019 alone:

• Accenture hired 20
• Amazon hired 25
• AT&T hired 41
• Google hired 33
• IBM hired 20

How do they get such consistent results? What students are buying is more than a series of online videos. 

This online learning platform is highly interactive. A student will complete several quizzes and problem sets throughout a course to reconfirm understanding of the material. A Udacity Project Reviewer reviews projects to ensure that the student’s work is complete and meets the requirements. A Udacity nanodegree reflects a job applicants’ continued focus on improvement. 

In addition to its digital programs, Udacity offers individualized support with direct instruction from teachers, making it much more like a traditional online school than many other online learning platforms. It also provides career services support, such as job coaching, resume building, and networking opportunities, so those attending Udacity to further their careers will find plenty of assistance. 

How can I get the most out of a Udacity Nanodegree?

The best way to get the most bang for your back with Udacity is to work as efficiently as possible. Because of their month-to-month subscription model, you will spend more money the longer you take to complete your program. Successful graduates found that setting aside specific time blocks each week to devote to their studies was most effective. 

It’s also crucial to make sure that you choose the correct course before enrolling. While it is possible to switch courses after starting one, the process can be tricky and will involve starting over from the beginning. Before committing to a nanogegree program, please do plenty of research and ensure it’s the one to best help you meet your goals.

And don’t forget to use our discount code!

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References:

https://www.bertelsmann.com/news-and-media/news/udacity-celebrates-100-000-graduates.jsp

https://www.udacity.com/blog/2020/12/top-companies-that-hired-udacity-graduates.html

MasterClass has become a widely popular online learning platform. Its prime draw is that beloved celebrity instructors teach its high-quality online courses. It features classic writers such as Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman, celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Alice Waters, famous athletes such as Serena Williams and Simone Biles, and world-renowned scientists such as Dr. Jane Goodall and Chris Hadfield.

However, the biggest question remains; is this star-studded lineup nothing more than clever marketing or does MasterClass deliver valuable insights and meaningful lessons? We share our personal learning experiences in this in-depth MasterClass review.

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is a premium online learning platform targeted towards personal development. Starting with just 3 courses in 2015, MasterClass now boasts more than 1.5 million subscribers with the ambition to “rebuild the Library of Alexandria in digital form.”

MasterClass is an incredible resource for the curious. We find the courses to be informative and are continually impressed that the content provides inspiration and entertainment. 

Its focus is on “edutainment,” where users are both entertained and educated by the instruction provided, focusing on motivational content and exciting celebrity instructors. This online education platform offers a unique opportunity to learn from your idols.

Instruction is primarily delivered through video modules and audio-only podcasts, although select classes offer interactive workbooks, assignments, and activities. However, the lessons and activities are optional, and students rarely receive grading or feedback on their work. Each class is a series of videos with a different “instructor,” ranging in length from one and a half to five hours, with each video typically clocking in under five minutes.

Who Is MasterClass For?

David Rogier, the founder of MasterClass, was inspired by a passion for education and the idea to make the world a little better by offering everyone an opportunity to learn from the best. The company isn’t focused on how many courses each person completes but aims to change members’ lives. Admittedly an aggressive goal, but in their market research, they share that 25% of their members report that their engagement with the platform has had a profound impact.

The experience may sing to an avid reader or a learner who would value hearing the world’s most inspiring keynote speakers in person. Part of the value here is to learn and experience these lectures at your own pace in a way that fits your life. That means learning is possible from the comfort of your couch, as an inspiring listen while driving or thoughtful companion on a walk around the block. 

This experience is similar to life on a college campus, where you can drop in and audit a lecture on a whim. On this digital “campus,” celebrity instructors share insights on their craft and process through beautifully produced segments. 

Members may be drawn to MasterClass to learn new skills in a single class from a specific teacher, perhaps the chance to learn from someone you idolize. Users will find the most value here by exploring a range of MasterClass classes.

After only a few minutes of Gordon Ramsey‘s Cooking I course, his passion for food inspired me. I may not aspire to attain a Michelin star, but I had his voice in my head when I selected produce that week. And since taking his course, I have been more committed to adding fresh herbs to our families’ meals; his genuine enthusiasm on this topic jumps through the screen. 

Our Experience With Masterclass

Sometimes we will choose to watch a MasterClass instead of picking up a book or scrolling through AppleTV in our house. MasterClass videos are genuinely entertaining.

A particular instructor may be the reason that you looked into MasterClass. Perhaps you are a huge Shonda Rhimes fan or you have seen every Samuel L. Jackson film. 

For us, the first class we chose is still paying dividends: Aaron Franklin’s tips on Texas-style bbq elevated our dabbling with a new electric smoker to friends asking if we could bring “those” ribs to a party. The class was engaging and we came away with a few tips that proved to be game-changing, even without an expensive smoker.

Similarly, one small tip from Serena Williams is to practice pretending you are serving down by a score of 15-30. Stepping into that mindset during practice is a small change that has helped me acquire more hours of playing calmly from behind.

My most recent 5-star experience was devouring Robin Arzon‘s upbeat class on mental toughness. I first “met” Robin through her endorphin-inducing Peloton rides. While I naturally gravitate to her coaching style on the bike, my time spent with this course inspired me to focus on themes outside of exercise. For example, she proposes frameworks for goal-setting that build to asking, “why NOT me?” My ROI for these 75 minutes was incredibly high. And I have returned to a few of these segments repeatedly.

We want to highlight that there is a 30-day money-back guarantee with MasterClass. I make it a practice to note this in my calendar at the 25 and 29-day mark to ensure that I get real value from any new subscription or membership. With such a range of online classes and hours of video lessons, 30 days is plenty of time to explore the platform. 

Imagine what you could learn in a month:

• Commit to that writing class.
• Set aside 30 minutes a day to focus on filmmaking.
• Try ten new recipes. 

What classes are available on MasterClass?

MasterClass organizes its content into 11 themes: Arts & Entertainment, Home & Lifestyle, Business, Writing, Food, Music, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming, Wellness, Community & Government, and Science & Tech. Within those categories, class topics vary widely. And they introduce 1-2 new classes per week, so the course catalog is constantly growing. 

The platform’s most popular content includes an introductory home cooking class from Gordon Ramsey and a Cooking Techniques class from Thomas Keller, both of which are great for leveling up your home cooking skills. Chris Voss, a well-known FBI hostage negotiator, offers a popular class on the art of negotiation. Beauty mogul Bobbi Brown offers a top-rated class on Makeup & Beauty.

For those interested in furthering their scientific knowledge, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson provides a course on Scientific Thinking. James Patterson’s course on writing connects with inspiring writers and suggests that avid readers will read books in a new way after learning from him. Dr. Cornel West recently released a Philosophy course. The categories are broad-reaching yet specific enough to remain unique and exciting.

We love how MasterClass built a feature that creates a playlist, or as they call it, a Quick List of related modules from various instructors who touch on a theme. 

Here’s a Quick List on Insecurity, Vulnerability and Letting Go:

• Judd Apatow‘s reminder that the audience could be wrong
• Malcolm Gladwell‘s caution about interpreting a critic’s feedback to 
• Helen Mirren‘s anecdote on learning to release worry 

The next day, you could invest a few minutes focusing on risk-taking with insights from an astronaut, a writer, and a chef.

And similar to Netflix, when I log in to the platform, I can also see which courses are trending.

Will I Get To Interact With My Instructor?

In the vast majority of cases, the answer is no. While you might occasionally have a class where you receive feedback on an assignment, in most courses, you complete your work independently without feedback or interaction with your instructor. 

There are exceptions to this rule. MasterClass Community offers a forum where members can interact with other classmates and receive feedback on their work, sometimes from the instructors. They also run contests to encourage class participants to try their hand at what they learned and submit the results.

MasterClass also experimented with a feature called DirectLine in September 2021, allowing students to speak 1:1 with select instructors. We’ll see if they offer this again in the future.

Finally, we would encourage you to check out the extension offered by MasterClass Live. This platform features live follow-up interviews with course instructors, creating another opportunity to further your learning and hear questions answered in a live segment.

What Are The Best Masterclass Courses? 

We’ve included links to some of our favorite courses as well as those that are popular with the MasterClass community. Click through any of the links for a course preview and description.

Arts & Entertainment

• deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production
• Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing
• Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking
• Nas Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling
• Natalie Portman Teaches Acting
• Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Food

• Gordon Ramsey Teaches Cooking
• Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-Style BBQ
• Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques
• Madhur Jaffrey Teaches Indian Cooking
• Mashama Bailey Teaches Southern Cooking

Business

• Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation
• Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership
• Dan Pink Teaches Sales and Persuasion
• Sara Blakely Teaches Self-Made Entrepreneurship
• Elaine Welteroth Teaches Designing Your Career

Sports & Gaming

• Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess
• Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker
• Serena Williams Teaches Tennis
• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball-Handling and Scoring
• Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique and Artistry

Writing

• Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling
• Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting
• Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing
• Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers
• Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television
• Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Home & Lifestyle

• Ron Finley Teaches Gardening
• Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design
• Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
• Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design

Design & Style

• Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup & Beauty
• Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity & Leadership
• Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
• Es Devlin Teaches Turning Ideas Into Art

Science & Tech

• Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication
• Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration
• Dr Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation

Wellness

• Robin Arzon Teaches Mental Strength
• Matthew Walker Teaches the Science of Better Sleep
• Jon Kabat-Zin Teaches Mindfulness and Meditation
• Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Fundamentals

How Much Does MasterClass Cost?

Membership with MasterClass is available in several different all-access pass levels, all of which include access to all available classes, bonus workbooks and content, pus members-only community and discussion. 

The difference between Standard, Plus, and Premium is that Standard only allows viewing on one device at a time, whereas Plus enables two viewers and adds offline viewing on iOS. Premium increases the number of simultaneous devices to 6, but we imagine that’s a pretty rare use case.  

• The Standard membership is the least expensive, at $15 per month, or $180 when billed annually. 
• The Plus membership is advertised as the best-valued tier at $20 per month, or $240 when billed annually. 
• The Premium package is only slightly more expensive than the Plus at $23 per month, or $276 when billed annually. 

MasterClass bills all subscriptions annually. They used to offer a monthly option but have recently stopped. 

That commitment might make you nervous, but it is important to remember that MasterClass offers a 30-day moneyback guarantee. This policy provides new members comfort that their investment will meet their expectations.

How Do I Gift MasterClass To Someone?

I often struggle with trying to find a friend or colleague an excellent gift. I aim to find something personal, unique, and valuable. At best, this often lands as a book or membership to a book club. At the last minute, this usually ends with a gift card. We wanted to highlight a new option as the ability to gift a year of MasterClass membership may not be well known. 

Compared to almost every other online learning platform, Masterclass made this the easiest. All you need to do is use this gifting link, enter the recipient’s email address, and then checkout as you normally would. 

Pro tip: be sure to check if they’re running their “Buy One Gift One” program. This promotion happens 3-4 times each year, and one of those times is right around the holidays.

There are many parallels between gifting a Book of Month experience and a MasterClass membership for a friend. Both gifts encourage the recipient to find something they genuinely enjoy. And just as I believe you take a little something away from each book you read, I have found inspiration in each MasterClass course I have taken. 

We’ve even taken the time to separately highlight which MasterClass courses might appeal as gifts for him and her, as well gifts for teens, couples, and grandparents.

Similarly, I would research and spend a considerable amount of time hunting an end-of-year gift for my team, clients, and colleagues. As many of us love to give recommendations of our favorite books, podcasts, recipes, and workouts, a Masterclass subscription creates an easy way to give the gift of learning.

Some may not want to “email a present.” We find joy in the presentation here as well. We often pair the gift of membership with a hand-wrapped journal and a note to say, “I can’t wait to hear about what you learn this year and how it inspires you!” Further, we like to mention a few favorite courses we love and think the recipient may enjoy. 

We know that committing to any new practice with a friend will greatly increase your joy in this activity and your likelihood to complete a task or make a new habit a hobby. The idea of “let’s explore this together” is a unique gift to you as well as the lucky recipient.

Whether it’s a new graduate, an old friend, or perhaps a colleague recovering from surgery, the gift of MasterClass can resonate and be appreciated by many.

Is There Financial Assistance Available To Get MasterClass?

If you work with an accredited charitable organization, you may qualify for a grant through the MasterClass Grants Program. This program seeks to extend learning opportunities to help organizations professionally develop their team.

Are Any Discounts Available For MasterClass?

If you’re looking to get MasterClass memberships for a larger group of people, you may be able to get a more attractive rate through MasterClass for Business. If you purchase five or more memberships at once, you can get a steep discount. The exact rate you’re able to get varies based on the number of memberships you purchase at once but can extend up to 35% off. This discount program is popular with businesses looking to support the leadership, business, storytelling, or design skills of their employees.

If you have a bit of patience, you can also wait until MasterClass runs a sale. Each year so far, they have offered a BOGO deal where you can Buy One membership for yourself and Gift One for someone else. This sale is a great chance to get half off by signing up with a friend or gift a membership to a friend for the holidays while getting a membership for yourself. 

If I Don’t Like MasterClass, Is It Easy To Get A Refund?

MasterClass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but beyond that, there are no refunds. 

Those who lose interest in MasterClass should also note that the default setting is for your annual membership to renew automatically. If you don’t want a surprise charge showing up on your bank statement, make sure to cancel the automatic renewal ahead of time.

What Are The Pros Of Using MasterClass?

The primary benefit of using MasterClass instead of a similar digital learning platform is its value as “edutainment,” simultaneously being educational and entertaining. The content’s production quality is high, and the tone is engaging, with recognizable and respected instructors. It’s easy to find the classes just as fun as they are educational.

For those interested in taking a lot of classes, MasterClass’ model is also very appealing. You get unlimited access to the classes for a relatively reasonable monthly rate, making it an excellent investment.

What Are The Cons Of Using MasterClass?

The biggest argument against using MasterClass is the lack of feedback or grading that students receive. If you are serious about pursuing any of the subjects taught, having consistent expert feedback on your work will be critical to your growth. While hearing Aaron Sorkin or David Mamet pontificate on the finer points of their art might be helpful for an aspiring writer, it’s unlikely to have the same educational value as receiving careful, detailed feedback on your writing.

MasterClass is also not great for those whose interest only extends to one or two classes. Because there is no “a la carte” option and the only option is to pay upfront for a full year, it’s only a good investment if you intend to take many classes.

Masterclass vs Skillshare: A Comparison

Skillshare is an e-learning platform with a more extensive catalog of 29,000 video classes vs. just over 100 for MasterClass. Skillshare excels at offering niche instruction across a wide range of topics if that’s what you need. You can learn everything from python to piano on Skillshare for a comparable $15/month cost. 

Skillshare doesn’t offer the same level of talent quality from their instructors, especially in popular fields like Arts, Music, Entertainment, Sports, and Writing.

MasterClass vs Udemy: A Comparison

Udemy is another popular learning platform with an impressive list of 150,000 available courses. 

While MasterClass offers a subscription to attend a range of lectures from famous instructors, many seek to use Udemy to learn a specific new skill by taking one great course. In the Udemy model, students pay for each separate class. Udemy also allows anyone to submit a course on their platform, so you should expect the quality range to be stark compared to MasterClass’s production quality. 

How Can I Get The Most Out Of MasterClass?

The best way to get the most out of MasterClass is, primarily, to be open-minded and take as many classes as you can. 

A technologist might find inspiration from Es Devlin‘s process to transform something from a nebulous idea to a concrete form. 

A business executive may see their perceived limits differently after listening to Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell talk about their climbing careers. 

While I enjoy the occasional trip to a rock climbing gym, I didn’t watch this course for climbing tips. I loved watching Free Solo and was inspired to learn more. This week, the chance to start my day with a cup of coffee, scenes from climbing El Capitan, and insights from professional climbers inspired me to what is possible. 

MasterClass Review – Is It Worth The Cost?

We absolutely get value from MasterClass. For the exact monthly cost of our Netflix subscription, MasterClass provides a springboard for learning new concepts. 

MasterClass offers the opportunity to learn from top instructors in their fields and be inspired by their stories. These course modules can help learners think differently about a topic or further their understanding of something that has piqued a curiosity. The company hopes that an opportunity to hear from the world’s best can accelerate anyone’s learning on a topic, and we have experienced this value first hand. 

The 30-day money-back guarantee provides a generous window to test-drive this platform and watch a range of courses. Much like investing in a gym membership signals physical health as a priority, a MasterClass subscription is a commitment to continued learning and inspiration from new ideas.

If we can provide any further insights, please drop us a question in the comments section. 

Freelance work encompasses so many benefits: setting your own hours, working remotely from anywhere you’d like, and generating extra income. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a step towards a digital nomad career change, creative freelance work opens doors to a lot of opportunities. 

Getting started is the toughest part, but once you get the ball rolling, you can start building a consistent client base. In this article, we break down our top 6 choices for creative freelance work, how to learn the skills needed, and where to look for work. 

How to become a freelance creative professional

First things first, you need to learn the tricks of the trade. Domestika, the fastest-growing online learning platform for creative courses, has the goal of helping users reinvent themselves professionally. With their wide range of creative courses taught by industry experts, Domestika offers quality lessons for users to learn new skills and, in the process, build a creative portfolio to attract potential clients.

Once you’ve honed your skills and developed quality samples of your work, you’ll want to set up a profile and get approved on a freelance marketplace. The popularity and prices tend to vary from niche to niche, so make sure to check out a few. Fiverr, Upwork and Freelance are all popular options. And usually, approval to offer creative gigs happens the same day.

Now you’re ready to market your skills. While it can feel daunting to start from scratch, you have several advantages on your side.

First, you can study the busiest and most successful freelancers in your niche and replicate their offerings – no need to reinvent the wheel.

Second, we’d suggest starting a little cheaper than the average cost in the market. You don’t yet have customer ratings to make you stand out so make it easy for people to take a chance on you.

Finally, because you’re new, you can be faster and go above and beyond for your first few clients. This will pay dividends in the long run with return work and great ratings.

We know it’s hard to believe how easy it is to find people around the world who’ll value and pay for your skills. Now let’s look at the most popular creative freelance jobs to give you some inspiration to start your entrepreneurial journey today.

2024‘s Top 6 Best Creative Freelance Jobs

While there are nearly infinite niches and bundles to offer your freelance customers, some areas are showing more growth and popularity than others. While our advice is to focus where you have both the passion and skills, it’s also helpful to be mindful of what’s in demand.

And while we might disagree that transcription is a top creative freelance job (side note: my mom was both a transcriptionist and very crafty, so I’m throwing no shade) we do agree with Indeed on several of the other best freelance jobs for creative professionals.

So let’s dive into more detail on the skills needed for one of these top creative freelancer gigs. We’ve taken the liberty of highlighting the best courses from Domestika in each area. We also did some research on the best platform to market your creative services.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

Without further ado. Let’s count them down…

6. Freelance Graphic Designer or Illustrator

Think logo design, illustrations for a company’s social media, or designs for products. For those who would love to create illustrations or designs, but don’t know their way around Photoshop or Illustrator: Domestika has in-depth courses called Domestika Basics, where you get a complete walkthrough of professional creative software. For those who already are familiar with design software and want to build a portfolio, there’s a wide range of design courses available to choose from.

Here are a few:

Procreate for Beginners: Digital Illustration 101 (Basics)

Adobe Illustrator for Beginners (Basics)

Adobe Photoshop for Beginners (Basics)

Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation

Editorial Illustration for Magazines

Creative Patterns for Graphic Design

Where to find freelance graphic design and illustration work: Fiverr.com

5. UX Design and App Design

The future is now, and it’s in the apps on our phones and the experience users have online. User experience (known as UX) is very quickly rising in demand as companies start to pay more attention to how their clients experience their apps and websites. At Domestika, they have a variety of courses on the different aspects of UX.

Introduction to UX Design

UX Research 101

Introduction to Adobe XD (Basics)

App Design: Prototyping for Beginners

Where to find freelance UX work: most job websites including LinkedIn

4. Freelance Photographer

Yes, photography can be much more than just a hobby. A great place to start is by learning how to use a photographer’s two favorite software programs: Lightroom and Photoshop, then build your portfolio with product photography or brand photography for social media course. 

Adobe Lightroom Classic: A Beginner’s Guide (Basics)

Adobe Photoshop: Beginner’s Guide for Photographers (Basics)

Directing People for Portrait Photography

Creative Product Photography from Start to Finish

Lifestyle Brand Photography for Social Media

Where to find freelance photography work: Upwork.com

3. Branding and Social Media Management

Branding and social media go hand in hand. Branding is all about how customers perceive a product, and social media is one of the most important mediums to position a product. Both fields require strategizing content, engagement, as well as setting and reaching metric goals. 

Community Management Fundamentals

Instagram Strategy for Business Growth

Building a Personal Brand on Instagram

Brand Strategy for Online Platforms

Brand Strategy: Defining User Experience

Where to find social media management and branding work: Indeed.com 

2. Freelance Copywriter  

Copywriting is an excellent freelance job. Companies are always looking for new written content for their websites, articles, blogs, social media, etc. If you are interested in pursuing freelance copywriting but don’t have any experience, a great place to start is with a blog. Domestika has a number of writing and content marketing courses, which are very useful when starting out or when perfecting your tone and style.

Copywriting for Social Media

Blogging 101: Tone, Branding, and Strategy

Screenwriting Essentials: Create, Write, and Develop for TV

Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life

Where to look for freelance writing work: Fiverr.com or Freelance.com

1. E-commerce 

There’s nothing like being your own boss. Starting your own e-commerce business allows you to create something that expresses your own unique style, and you get to build something that is truly your own. Domestika has course options to start your own e-commerce business with little investment required, such as print-on-demand dropshipping, as well as courses to apply your illustrations on different products and how to sell them online.

Print-on-Demand for Creatives: Design and Sell Your Own Products

Digital Marketing Strategy: Build Your Online Presence

From Illustrations to Merchandise: Market Your Artwork

E-Commerce Fundamentals: Launching an Online Store from Scratch

Where to start: Shopify.com

When starting a new project, the first step is always the most difficult one. But as the famous saying goes: believe you can, and you’re halfway there. The best time to start your next project is now. If you’re interested in exploring the rest of Domestika’s course catalog, check them out here.

In my 2021 Brilliant review, I focus on how this highly visual online platform and app can help you or your students learn new problem-solving skills in math, science and coding. Brilliant.org is an excellent supplement to classroom learning, especially since you can access much of the content for free.

With daily puzzles and games to explain complicated concepts with easy-to-understand animations, they’ll move all the way from fundamentals for beginners to challenging problems for advanced learners. 

Brilliant.org’s learning platform’s stated goal is to help students see math and science in a new way. Lectures are replaced by hands-on-keys problem-solving activities and games, allowing each of us to learn through play. Brilliant.org aims to help its community develop STEM intuition and learning through mastery instead of simple memorization.

On a personal note, our family loves the daily puzzles. Our 12-year-old enjoys the immediate feedback on her rank vs others who dared to solve today’s challenge.

Let’s dive in!

Brilliant Review 2024 | What Is Brilliant.org?

Brilliant is an online learning platform. Users can learn various STEM-based subjects through their interactive courses, which focus on concept mastery and comprehension. Brilliant is built upon the idea that everyone is a learner, and through encouraging curiosity, everyone can learn about science, math, and technology. It’s especially well known for turning complex concepts into fun, entertaining, and approachable concepts for the average learner.

Brilliant has been rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years. In 2020, more than 9 million registered Brilliant users were on the site, with its companion mobile app reaching 2 million uses each month.

With so much buzz about the product, many people wonder whether it’s worth it to jump in and start learning with Brilliant.

What Can You Learn On Brilliant.org?

Brilliant courses offered are exclusively STEM-related – no literature, history, or art here. However, they offer a wide breadth of STEM learning. The site offers seven different “learning paths,” educating users on Math, Science, Computer Science, Logic, Statistics & Finance, Software Development, Data Science, and Calculus & Advanced Maths.

Each learning path is comprised of several different courses which users can work through at their own pace. Popular courses include subjects like Quantum Computing, Special Relativity, Programming with Python, Computational Biology, and Artificial Neural Networks. 

The course material covers a surprisingly advanced level of study. For example, in math, the courses range from basic high school math fundamentals to the most advanced levels of linear algebra and differential equations. Here are a few more in each of focus just to give you a feel for their library of courses.

Brilliant Math Sample Courses

• Pre-Algebra
• Mathematical Fundamentals
• 3D Geometry
• Applied Probability
• Statisitics Fundamentals
• Trigonometry

Brilliant Science Sample Courses

• Scientific Thinking
• Physics of Everyday
• Classical Mechanics
• Quantum Computing
• Astrophysics

Brilliant Computer Science Sample Courses

• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Data Structures
• Algorithm Fundamenals
• Artificial Neural Networks
• Machine Learning
• Cryptocurrency

What Skill Levels Or Grade Levels Are On Brilliant.org?

The most basic levels of learning are approximately on par with a middle school level of math skills, depending on the student, and gradually progress through upper collegiate levels. While the platform isn’t appropriate for elementary children or younger, teens and adults alike will find the proper level of high quality STEM challenge for them.

Because of Brilliant’s technique of visual learning and whole-concept instruction, Brilliant may be an excellent resource for those who have struggled most of their life with scientific and mathematical learning.

How Can Brilliant.org Help Me?

Brilliant is an invaluable tool for students who need extra help with understanding their classwork. Many teens and college students report finding a lot of help on Brilliant with understanding concepts that they struggled to grasp with their college study alone or who used Brilliant as a way to brush up on subjects before returning to school in the fall. However, Brilliant isn’t just for students.

Perhaps like us, you’re parents of a middle schooler trying to help with challenging problems, but your explanations are only leading to more frustration? The animations and engaging problems will give you new ways to explain your thinking or give you a break while your student gets a tutorial on new concepts from Brilliant directly.

Maybe you’re an adult who teaches mathematical or scientific concepts daily. You will likely find Brilliant an invaluable resource. Teachers, professors, as well as professional engineers, and computer scientists will find inspiration in the online courses from Brilliant.org. And their daily puzzles tend to keep up with trending topics too. 

Even an adult learner who is simply curious about mathematical, scientific, or programming concepts you’re not familiar with will enjoy Brilliant. You’ll have lots of fun learning and engaging with new information, as no scientific or educational background is required to participate. Everyone is welcome.

This range of student needs highlights an essential feature of Brilliant, which is its self-paced nature. It allows those who are brushing up on old math skills or scientific concepts to quickly fly through the courses, while first-time learners can take their time to carefully master each skill before moving on to the next lesson.

How Much Does Brilliant.org Cost?

There are several features on Brilliant that are available for free. While the full courses and mobile app are only available to Brilliant Premium subscribers, much of the site is accessible for free users, like partial courses, daily challenges, portions of their wiki and practice questions.

The price for a Brilliant premium subscription is $24.99/month, which is on the higher end of the spectrum for a product of this type. However, there is a free 7-day trial, so you can take it for a test drive and see how you like it. For those looking to save a bit of money, you can also sign up for the annual subscription, which is one payment of $149 annually, that locks in just over 50% savings. Even better, if you know someone who is a subscriber, they can gift you a yearly subscription for $120 for the first year!

There are bulk order options too. If you’re hoping to sign up your whole family or your whole staff of employees, you can save even more by getting an annual group subscription for three or more people, starting at $299.88 per year. Or, if you can’t imagine going through middle school and high school without access to Brilliant.org, they even offer a lifetime subscription for one flat fee!

Does Brilliant Have A Free Trial?

Yes, while they don’t go out of their way to advertise it, Brilliant offers a free 7-day trial for new learners. If you have questions about the specific policy, they talk more about it on their helpful FAQ page.

Is Brilliant Fun?

Of all the online learning tools, Brilliant is one of the best at making the learning process engaging and interesting by gamifying many concepts and work. Rather than sitting through boring lectures, Brilliant feels more akin to playing puzzle games and active learning. Learners on Brilliant can use various educational tools, like quizzes, readings, and games, to never feel disengaged.

Brilliant even offers a mobile app (available for IOS in the App Store as well as for Android on Google Play) with games and activities, so it’s easy to take the learning on the road and keep practicing your new skills or picking up new ones while you’re on the go as well.

What Are People Saying?

Reviews for Brilliant are mainly positive, with people praising their fun puzzles, engaging learning experiences, and the fun they have when using the site. However, the primary criticisms target the site’s in-depth instruction, which users report is sometimes lacking. Suppose you’re aiming to study the highest level of theoretical math and science. In that case, you might find some of the instruction lacking and need to use supplemental materials to grasp the concepts fully.

How Does Brilliant Compare To Its Competitors?

Review of Brilliant vs Skillshare?

Skillshare and Brilliant do share a lot in common, as they are online learning platforms with unique courses that users can take. However, the two diverge significantly.

As far as content, Skillshare focuses much more on the humanities and the arts, with few STEM courses. The computer skills courses they offer concentrate more on design and development than coding and programming, and the courses in math and science are minimal. Skillshare also has less of an interactive element. Most of their learning is in a series of videos for users to watch rather than using interactive games and activities for education and practice.

In terms of price, there is little to no difference comparing Skillshare vs Brilliant. While Brilliant costs $24.99 per month, Skillshare starts at just $15. But remember, you can use the gift-giving trick to get your monthly fee for Brilliant down $10, well below that of Skillshare.

Review of Brilliant vs Khan Academy?

Khan Academy, while similar to Brilliant in content coverage, is very different in format. Khan Academy offers math and science courses, as well as courses in reading, humanities, economics, computing, and even life skills. The material is largely more appropriate for school children, but math and science extend to the college level.

However, the structure of Khan Academy is a lot less gamified, with the learning content primarily focused around videos, demonstrations, and lectures, with students being offered quizzes and practice problems. Khan Academy feels a lot more like a school learning model, whereas Brilliant makes learning fun, engaging, and accessible.

While Khan Academy is a great resource, it’s ultimately not as fun or engaging as Brilliant. However, Khan’s primary advantage over Brilliant is that Khan Academy is 100% free to use with no premium subscription required.

Review of Brilliant vs Coursera

We tend to think of Brilliant and Coursera as complements as opposed to competitors, as each serves a specific niche in the overall online learning space. So use Coursera to get access to college courses for credit and let Brilliants online puzzles and animations provide you alternative explanations when you’re confused.  

Summary Brilliant Review: Is Brilliant.org Worth It?

Hopefully, you found this Brilliant.org review helpful.

Suppose you are a beginner student with a focus in STEM, a rusty parent trying to assist their teenager with homework, or just someone interested in honing your mathematical or scientific skills. In that case, Brilliant is worth checking out.

Or if your kids want to supercharge their online learning, pair up Brilliant with the problem-solving techniques of Elon Musk’s Synthesis School.

And with a price tag less than Netflix, its fun games and thought-provoking puzzles will help you keep sharp and keep up on your work, study, or interests.

Whether you’re looking to boost your portfolio or pick up a new hobby, learning a new skill is at the heart of creative growth. At Domestika, the largest online creative community, curious minds from around the world enjoy professionally produced courses taught by renowned creative experts in a wide range of creative disciplines. With industry-leading teachers like Sagi Haviv in design, Karmen Loh in illustration, and Facebook’s Creative Director Ji Lee in marketing, Domestika is an ideal platform to reach new creative heights. 

The courses at Domestika range from introductory courses to area-specific niches for experienced users. So, whether you want to learn Adobe software from scratch, or explore something more specific like female character design for manga, or even boost the social media presence of your freelance portfolio with the latest marketing techniques, there’s a Domestika course waiting to be discovered.

Domestika Courses in English: Top Picks & Complete List

Discover the best courses in illustration, craft, design, and much more with this list of top-rated courses. Get inspired by the most popular courses on Domestika or keep reading to find the complete list of courses in English.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

Illustration courses to inspire your creativity 

Illustration is a world of infinite possibilities. From the classic techniques of watercolors or drawing to the digital tools of Photoshop or Illustrator, Domestika has a vast range of courses to choose from.

Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink by Alex Hillkurtz

Digital Fantasy Portraits with Photoshop by Karmen Loh (Bearbrickjia)

Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds by Sarah Stokes

Lighting Principles for Digital Painting by Samuel Smith

Get crafty with the best craft courses

One of the most popular categories at Domestika is craft. From making accessories from resin to creating custom garments with embroidery, Domestika is widely known for its extensive range of craft courses. Whether you’re a professional artist with a successful shop or a new creative hobbyist, you can’t go wrong.

Realistic Embroidery Techniques by Emillie Ferris

Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold by Clara Graziolino

Design and Build Miniature Interiors by Jessica Dance

Resin Jewelry Design by Mia Winston-Hart

Boost your professional career with marketing and business courses

With the ever-growing popularity of social media in the world of marketing, learning the tricks of Instagram and building a strong digital marketing strategy are essential tools to learn.

Instagram Strategy for Business Growth by Dot Lung

Transforming Your Creative Ideas into Personal Projects by Ji Lee

Copywriting for Social Media by Paul Anglin

E-Commerce Fundamentals: Launching an Online Store from Scratch by Ellie Rivers

Top Design Courses

Design encompasses a wide variety of fields, and the courses at Domestika cover a great number of design areas. With courses in UX design, visual branding, packaging design, logo design, and more, bringing your design ideas to life is made simple alongside professional designers.

Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation by Sagi Haviv

Presentation Design: Create a Professional Template by Katya Kovalenko

Adobe InDesign for Beginners by Jamie Sanchez Hearn

Contemporary Brand Identity: Using Verbal and Visual Branding by Michael Johnson

Learn to make animations and 3D designs 

From making fun motion graphic stickers for social media to creating 3D CGI with the powerful tools of Cinema4D and Octane Render, there is an entire universe to explore in 3D and animation.

Psychedelic Animation with Photoshop and After Effects by Klarens Malluta

3D Animation with Cinema 4D and Redshift for Beginners by Farid Ghanbari (RenderBurger)

Motion Graphics for Social Media: Create A Sticker Pack by Laurie Rowan

Digital Animation with Experimental Techniques by Danaé Gosset

Photography and video editing courses to get creative

Capturing the world around you through a lens is an art form; but learning how to film, take photographs, and edit your work with professionals is a powerful tool to have.

Lifestyle and Travel Photography by Julia Nimke

Beginner’s Photography: Basic Camera Use and Theory by Giulia Candussi

Creative Product Photography from Start to Finish by Weekend Creative

Adobe Photoshop: Beginner’s Guide for Photographers by Mikael Eliasson

Discover the top courses in typography and calligraphy

Letters have the ability to say more than words in the world of typography and calligraphy. Whether it be a meditative experience with expressive brush strokes, or an exploratory adventure by combining typeforms and animation, there’s always something new to discover.

Custom Letter Design with Procreate by Jimbo Bernaus

Shodo: Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy by Rie Takaeda

Introduction to Brush Lettering by James Lewis

Introduction to Designing with Letters by Abraham Lule

Complete List of Domestika Courses in English

With new courses posted on a regular basis, there’s always something new to learn at Domestika. Check out the rest of their courses in English here.

Domestika courses are produced in English, Spanish, and Portuguese with subtitles in many languages, so starting your next creative project has never been easier!

If you’d like to learn more, check out our full review of Domestika.

Learning online is a great way to learn new skills, and encompasses many benefits. However, it can be a little lonely compared to the usual busy classroom with other fellow students. So when a platform like Domestika comes along, which stands out for its active and buzzing community, it’s sure to spark the interest of many curious minds.

What is Domestika?

Domestika is currently the fastest-growing online creative community, where top creative professionals from around the world give courses with a hands-on approach to help students develop their creative abilities. 

The idea of community is what brought Domestika into existence.  What started as a small online forum where creative professionals could network and share ideas,  soon became a booming online learning platform with courses in just about any creative area. 

There’s no membership fee or subscription, you just pay for the course you want and learn at your own pace, with unlimited access to the course. Creating an account is free, and you can create a profile, which also serves as an online portfolio to showcase your work and final projects. You’re able to browse and connect with the community’s teachers and students and take part in the online forums, where people ask questions and share ideas related to the creative arts.

The price per course is very accessible, with regular discounts and course bundles available when you create an account. There’s also plenty of free tutorials, resources, and interviews on their blog worth checking out.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

What are the courses like?

The courses are aimed at anyone who wants to explore their creativity, regardless of their background or previous experience. Most courses are beginner’s level, but there are also highly specialized courses for professional creatives who want to expand their knowledge and skillset. 

There are two types of courses available: the regular courses and Domestika Basics. Regular courses teach specific techniques, while a Domestika Basics course gives in-depth lessons on how to use creative software from scratch. Composed of 5 or 6 courses, Domestika Basics courses are ideal for anyone interested in getting a comprehensive course on Adobe software, AutoCAD, DaVinci Resolve, and other creative software.

The areas covered in the courses range from illustration, drawing, and painting, to an extensive variety of design courses including graphic design, 2D and 3D design, web and app design, and much more. There’s also plenty of great courses in marketing, photography, and creative writing.

Another extensive course area at Domestika is in crafts. You can learn anything from crochet, embroidery, carpentry, ceramics, or even creating furniture out of concrete! If you’re looking to relax and learn a new hobby, it’s a good place to start your search.

Each course is produced in Domestika’s own studios, located across London, New York, Madrid, Berlin, São Paulo, to name just a few. The structure of each course is well-planned and easy to follow, with a final project to apply what is taught throughout the course to ensure a successful learning experience.  

Learn with industry-leading creatives

Each teacher is selected by Domestika’s in-house team, who are constantly on the lookout for the best professionals in each field. For many, it’s a chance to take a course with a renowned designer, artist, or photographer you admire and the opportunity to learn from their creative process. With teachers like James Lewis for lettering, Sagi Haviv for design, or Mattias Adolfsson to teach you how to sketch, it’s hard to go wrong!

The focus on community is what makes a real difference at Domestika, as each course has its own forum, where teachers share inspiration and give direct feedback on your final project. This means your experience doesn’t just end with the course, you can keep connecting in the forum to learn further and get inspired by the work of others, just like in a real classroom.

Signed Certificate included

Each course includes a signed certificate that you can download and add to your portfolio or keep as a mark of your own personal achievement. It’s especially useful for courses in marketing or for professional software users, where an extra qualification can give freelancers or job seekers an added plus to their portfolio.

High user ratings

It’s worth scrolling down to the course’s reviews to see what the users have to say about the course. You’ll usually find course ratings ranging from 96 to 100% satisfaction rates, with specific details on why they enjoyed the course to help you decide if the course is what you’re looking for. 

Notable Drawbacks

If there was one drawback with Domestika, it might be that the native language of the courses does not match your own. From my perspective, after a short time, I didn’t even notice the subtitles, which I found clear and effective.

But for those who want to more passively listen to a course (not my recommendation if you’re going to get the most out of it) then you may have to focus your search on courses available in your native tongue. If that language happens to be English, we’ve curated a list of the top creative courses on Domestika in English.

Conclusion

Overall, my review of Domestika is a positive one, especially for the creative community. They are one of the most global learning platforms I’ve found which really enhances the diversity of their offerings. The high production quality of their courses positions them very favorably versus other pay-as-you-go providers like Udemy. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

If you want to know some of the best Udemy courses and certificates on the platform, you’ve come to the right place!

Since its launch in 2010, the e-learning platform Udemy has cemented its position as a leader in the global Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) marketplace with 35 million users.

Below, you will find a wide range of courses on topics and skills including programming languages, machine learning, data science, life coach training, investing in stocks, herbalism, nutrition, and tons more!

Also, with each of these courses, you will receive a certificate of completion once done. Let’s get started!

Top 33 Best Udemy Courses & Certificates 2024

1. Complete Python Bootcamp: From Zero to Hero in Python

First on my list is a comprehensive course on Python, one of the key programming languages in the modern world. More than 1 million students have taken this course, making it one of the most popular on the platform.

Your instructor for this course will be Jose Portilla, a data scientist professional, and trainer who has published 30 courses on Udemy and taught close to 2 million students, so you are in great hands!

In this beginner-level 21 ½ hours long course, students start learning Python from scratch, going over its syntax and basics before advancing all the way to complex topics like data structures, GUIs, and much more.

Currently, you can get a limited-time discount of 85% off on this Udemy course, and get 19 coding exercises to test your skills so you are ready for the real-world. You’ll want to enroll right away to start learning these key programming skills!

• Beginner level
• 21 ½ hours long
• Taught by professional data scientist
• 19 coding exercises

Visit Udemy.com

2. The Web Developer Bootcamp

In the internet age, there is an ever-growing demand for web developers who can make eye-catching, feature-packed websites. This Udemy course in particular has been taken by over 500,000 students and has an average rating of 4.6 stars!

In this course, you will be taught by Colt Steele, an experienced web developer who has decades of experience as a web developer and has taught millions of students through his classes.

Through 46 ½ hours of videos in this beginner-level course, students learn how to code and build websites in popular frameworks such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, IOS, Node, MongoDB, artificial intelligence, node.js and so much more.

Join this course and get to work on 13 practical projects including a gigantic application called ‘YelpCamp’. All in all, this web development bootcamp course is not to be missed!

• Beginner level
• 46 ½ hours long
• Taught by experienced web developer
• 13 practical projects and 1 major project

Visit Udemy.com

3. Machine Learning A-Z: Hands-On Python & R In Data Science

If you’ve heard machine learning described as the modern-day electricity for revolutionizing industries, and it’s sparked your interest, then this holistic course on machine learning using Python and R is a great place to start!

Kirill Eremenko, a data science management consultant with 5 years of experience, and Hadelin de Ponteves, the co-founder and CEO of BlueLife AI, will be teaching you in this online machine learning course.

In this 44 hours long course, students learn the concepts and programming required to build useful machine learning models in the areas of speech recognition, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and much more.

You don’t need to be a CS major to take this online Udemy course, but only some high-school mathematics! Overall, a fantastic course to build up your machine learning skills!

• Beginner level
• 44 hours long
• Taught by data scientist and AI entrepreneur
• Learn 2 programming languages

Visit Udemy.com

4. Java Programming Masterclass for Software Developers

Fuelled by the spread of Android, Java has become an in-demand and highly popular programming language all around the world. If you’re interested to learn it, this comprehensive beginner course will teach you how to leverage the versatility of Java to build power-packed applications.

Tim Buchalka will be teaching you in this online Java programming course who is a professional software developer with over 35 years of experience.

Over the course of 80 hours of video content, Tim guides his students through lessons to make them capable of confidently programming even the most advanced Java concepts that include classes, concurrency, networking, unit testing, and much more.

Don’t worry about it getting outdated, because this Udemy course has been kept up-to-date by the author with every successive version of Java that gets released. You won’t want to miss this fantastic Java programming masterclass and its amazing video courses!

• Beginner level
• 80 hours long
• Taught by software engineer with 35+ years of experience
• Up to date based on latest Java release

Visit Udemy.com

5. An Entire MBA in 1 Course: Award Winning Business School Prof

Are you looking to learn all of the business and management skills involved in an MBA without the time or financial investment of a whole degree? Now you can take this comprehensive beginner-level online course and learn everything that you would in a traditional MBA degree!

You will be taught in this course by Chris Haroun, an award-winning MBA professor who has taught more than 1,000,000 students worldwide. So you are in capable hands!

In this 8 hour course, students learn all about starting their own business, utilizing investment banks, communicating properly, working with hedge funds and venture capital, growing a startup, and tons more.

Also, this Udemy course is available in 11 languages, so no matter which corner of the world you’re from, you can enroll in this Udemy course to get stuck into learning the MBA skills you’re looking for!

• Beginner level
• 8 hours long
• Taught by award-winning MBA professor
• Available in 11 languages

Visit Udemy.com

6. The Complete Financial Analyst Course

If you’re interested in becoming a financial analyst, this detailed course is a great choice for students who want to learn fundamental finance concepts and MS Excel skills.

Instructors for this Udemy course will be provided to you by 365 Careers, an online education company that specializes in finance training, and has taught over 1 million students on Udemy so you know you’ll be getting high-quality teaching.

Through 18 hours of video lessons, students will be taken through a long list of finance-related concepts like P&L, liquidity, solvency, net present value, interest rates, loan schedules, and much more.

Along the way, you’ll also become an expert in MS Excel and PowerPoint by taking this course on Udemy. Overall, this is one of the best Udemy courses for those interested in becoming a financial analyst!

• Beginner level
• 18 hours long
• Produced by 365 Careers
• Learn MS Excel and PowerPoint

Visit Udemy.com

7. Tableau A-Z: Hands-On Tableau Training For Data Science

Tableau has emerged as a leading data visualization tool that is incredibly helpful for generating actionable insights from data. So if you’re interested in mastering this useful tool, this beginner-level Tableau course can’t be missed!

As for your teacher, Kirill Eremenko will be instructing you in this course who is a data scientist with 10 years of experience in diverse industries, and over 1.5 million students on Udemy!

After going through the 8 ½ hours of video lessons in this Udemy course, students will become comfortable with using Tableau to make different kinds of charts, dashboards, data hierarchies, storylines, maps, and much more.

As with all other courses on this list, you can find this online Tableau course hosted on Udemy!

• Beginner level
• 8 ½ hours long
• Taught by data science consultant
• Learn latest version of Tableau

Visit Udemy.com

8. The Business Intelligence Analyst Course

In the modern world, businesses base their decisions on regularly-analyzed data that is retrieved, sorted, and presented by Business Intelligence (BI) analysts. This beginner-level Udemy course will teach you the skills needed to become one!

365 Careers, an online education company with over 62 courses and 1 million students on Udemy, will be providing you with industry expert instructors for this course.

After completing the 20 hours of on-demand video content via the Udemy online learning platform, students will be able to confidently gather, organize, analyze, and visualize data, present it in the form of KPIs and dashboards, use SQL comfortably, and much more.

Get ready to acquire one of the hottest skills top companies are after in today’s world. Overall, this is a fantastic business intelligence analysis course hosted on Udemy to up your personal development!

• Beginner level
• 20 hours long
• Taught by instructors from 365 Careers
• Learn SQL

Visit Udemy.com

9. The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course

If you’ve heard of the Cisco CCNA 200-301 Certification Exam, you’ll know it’s one of the most reputed certifications networking engineers can have on their CVs. So if you’re looking to dive deep into networking and attain this coveted certification, this beginner-level Udemy course could be a great fit!

For this Udemy class, you will be taught by David Bombal, a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI) who has been teaching networking for over 15 years.

David makes networking gurus out of his students in this comprehensive 80-hour long online networking course. Students will finish equipped with all of the knowledge they require about LANs, DHCP, TCP/IP, DNS, Wi-Fi, ACLs, and so much more.

Think of this as a crash course that will help you ace the CCNA exam and turbocharge your networking career!

• Beginner level
• 80 hours long with quizzes
• Taught by Cisco Certified Systems Instructor
• Pass the CCNA exam with flying colors

Visit Udemy.com

10. AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Amazon has become a leading player in the cloud industry through its Amazon Web Services, and so there has been a very high demand for AWS-certified developers globally. So if you want to add this coveted skill to your CV, this AWS (SAA-C02) course can’t be missed.

Neal Davis, a certified AWS Certified Solutions Architect & Developer, will be teaching you in this online AWS certification course.

By completing the 18 hours of coursework in this beginner-level Udemy course, students learn how to build highly scale-able and resilient websites using AWS, help others integrate the cloud platform into their own websites, and tons more.

The best part of this online course that you’ll find hosted on Udemy is that it includes 2 practice tests to get you ready for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam!

• Beginner level
• 18 hours long
• Taught by AWS experts
• Includes 2 practice tests of AWS certification exam

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11. Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch

How do you make sure that an unethical hacker is unable to crack into your network and steal information? You take this online Udemy course to become a better, more ethical hacker yourself so you can locate all of the loopholes in your system and fix them for good!

In this Udemy course, you will be instructed by Zaid Sabih, an ethical hacker and computer scientist who has published 9 courses on Udemy and has close to 500,000 students.

During this 14 ½ hour-long beginner level course, students will have the opportunity to learn all the techniques used by ethical hackers to test the security of networks including tools like Metasploit and Aircrack-ng, ARP Spoofing, basics of Linux, penetration testing, and many more modules.

Head over to Udemy to check out this fantastic hacking course, as by doing so, next time someone tells you details about how their system got hacked, you’ll know exactly where it went wrong and be able to help!

• Beginner level
• 14 ½ hours long
• Taught by experienced ethical hacker
• Learn tools like Metasploit and Aircrack-ng

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12. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

To learn how to secure a private or public network to protect against external attacks and prevent major data breaches, go ahead and enroll in this intermediate-level online Udemy course on effective cyber strategy!

Nathan House, a cyber-security expert with over 24 years of professional experience, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

Through 12 ½ hours of video lessons, students will learn the kind of risks a network can become exposed to, how to use hacking techniques to find loopholes in their system, how to configure a small and safe network, and much more.

After completing this online Udemy course, you’ll be fully prepared to launch a career in the field of cybersecurity and make a name for yourself! Overall, one of the best Udemy courses on this list!

• Intermediate-level
• 12 ½ hours long
• Taught by experienced cybersecurity expert
• Launch a career in cybersecurity

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13. Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced

Knowing how to use Microsoft Excel has become an unspoken pre-requisite of every modern-day job. If you want to refresh or upskill, this online Udemy course will get you up to speed with MS Excel and all of its features!

Your instructor for this Udemy course will be Kyle Pew, a Microsoft Certified Trainer who has been teaching Microsoft products for over 10 years.

After going through the 17 ½ hours of video lessons in this beginner-level Udemy course, students will find yourself able to comfortably manage large sets of data in tables and charts, automate their workflows using VBA and macros, and much more.

This online Udemy course comes highly recommended, and it’s safe to say that you’ll start getting referred to as the ‘Excel guru’ once you’re done with this course!

• Beginner level
• 17 ½ hours long
• Taught by Microsoft Certified Trainer
• Comfortably pass the Microsoft Certified Excel Expert test

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14. Mastering Microsoft Teams

Amidst the working from home revolution of 2020, Microsoft Teams has surged in popularity to make remote working run smoothly. If you’re keen to use this ultimate collaboration tool, go ahead and enroll in this online Udemy course!

In this Udemy course, you will be taught by Chip Reaves, an entrepreneur who has built 5 successful companies and taught close to 75,000 students on Udemy so you are in great hands!

Once you’re done with the short 5 ½ hours of video lessons in this beginner-level Udemy course, students will know how to use features in Microsoft Teams like chatbots and whiteboards, manage scheduled or ad-hoc meetings, and much more.

In a world where employees are forced to work from home, knowing how to properly use MS Teams will go a long way for you, so this course is not to be missed for the crucial information it delivers!

• Beginner level
• 5 ½ hours long
• Taught by successful entrepreneur
• Learn the latest version of MS Teams

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15. The Ultimate QuickBooks Pro Training Bundle – 60+ Hours

If you are looking to utilize QuickBooks Pro desktop accounting software to smoothly and efficiently keep track of finances and payrolls, this Udemy course is a great choice!

Instructors for this Udemy course will be provided to you by Simon Sez IT, an e-learning company that has taught over 430,000 students from 180 countries through Udemy.

In this 61 hours long beginner-level Udemy course, students will find an in-depth tutorial for every version of QuickBooks Pro all the way from 2013 to 2020. Students learn to enter and pay bills, manage sales and inventory, and much more.

Conducting business and plugging revenue leaks is going to get a lot easier for you once you’re done with this Udemy course, so go ahead and enroll now!

• Beginner level
• 61 hours long
• Taught by specialist e-learning company
• Material available for versions 2013-2020

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16. Reiki Level I, II and Master/Teacher Program

Are you curious about the healing phenomenon of Reiki, and want to dive deep into learning about its practice to heal imbalances in the mind and body? Why not enroll in this detailed Udemy course to learn all you need to know to get started!

As for your teacher, Lisa Powers, a Reiki Master who has degrees in Kinesiology and Education, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

Through 5 hours of on-demand video lessons, students will explore the history and principles of Reiki, how to start their own healing practice for themselves and others. By the end, students will be capable of practicing healing from a distance, and much more.

You will get 42 downloadable resources, 1 hour-long audio clip, and 7 articles to go through in this value-packed Udemy course, which you won’t want to miss!

• Beginner level
• 5 hours long
• Taught by Reiki Master
• Loads of supplementary study material

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17. Life Coaching Certificate Course (Beginner to Advanced)

One thing that separates Udemy from other platforms is that it hasn’t limited the course curriculum to just mainstream subjects. Case in point: this fantastic beginner-level Udemy course which will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a life coach so you can uplift and improve the lives of others!

Kain Ramsay, a bestselling author and psychology instructor who has taught over 450,000 students on Udemy, will be teaching you in this course.

Although 52 ½ hours of video lessons sound like a lot, students will be glad you did by the time you’ve reached the end. In this online life coaching course, students will learn a practical life coaching process, understand the mind better, and much more.

Along with the course contents, you will also get access to an FB community where you can start practicing what you’ve learned right away, so this is a great Udemy course to take advantage of!

• Beginner level
• 52 ½ hours long
• Taught by expert life coach
• Practice your skills in FB community of this course

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18. Investing In Stocks The Complete Course! (11 Hour)

Are you looking to diversify and make gains on your stock market investing knowledge and skills? This online Udemy course is a great pick to do just that!

You will be taught in this Udemy course by Steve Ballinger, an MBA who has leveraged the power of stock investments to become a millionaire.

In this 11 hours long beginner-level Udemy course, students will learn to use basic and advanced stock screeners to make the best choices, apply important investing strategies like dividend-paying stocks, growth stocks, and much more.

The best part is that this course teaches you useful stock investment tips and tricks whether you are a total beginner or an experienced investor looking to brush up on your knowledge. All in all, a fantastic course!

• Beginner level
• 11 hours long
• Taught by millionaire investor
• Does not sell get-rich-quick schemes

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19. Storytelling to Influence

Everyone loves a good story, and in a sales context, it’s especially important to be able to tell a story to influence your customers to buy. Learn how to craft the ultimate selling story by enrolling in this great beginner-level online Udemy course!

As for your teacher, Jeff Tan, a coach, and speaker who has a master’s degree in social sciences will be instructing you in this Udemy course.

Through video lessons that span a total of 1 hour, Jeff teaches his students the storytelling strategies that they can use to influence audiences and move them to take action. Students learn where to find useful stories, convey their messages and so much more.

Buckle up because this online Udemy course will teach you a superpower skill you’ll need to craft and tell your own captivating stories!

• Beginner level
• 1 hour long
• Taught by coach and speaker
• 8 downloadable resources

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20. Productivity and Time Management for the Overwhelmed

As the name suggests, this in-demand Udemy course will help to rid you of your stress and anxiety by teaching you the productivity and time management strategies you need to accomplish your goals!

In this Udemy course, you will be taught by Josh Paulsen, a productivity coach who has been helping organizations and students for the past 15 years become more productive.

Spanning 2 hours, students will have understood the roots of their procrastination and stress, applied fundamental principles of productivity to their lives, and implemented useful strategies.

As Udemy offers users full lifetime access, you can come back to this online course anytime you please to brush up on what you have learned. Overall, a great course to enroll in!

• Beginner level
• 2 hours long
• Taught by productivity coach with 15+ years of experience
• 6 downloadable resources

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21. The Ultimate Drawing Course – Beginner to Advanced

If you think you have to be born a great artist in order to draw well, the truth is that you can develop these skills through theory and practice. This online Udemy course on the drawing is a great way to build up your skills!

You will be instructed in this Udemy course by Jaysen Batchelor, a freelance illustrator and designer, and his brother, Quinton Batchelor, a professional photographer.

In this beginner-level 11 hours long Udemy course, students will learn key drawing skills and techniques such as how to draw an eye, sketch a line, work with shapes, use value and contrast, build the feeling of texture, draw animation style art, and much more.

By taking this online Udemy course, you will get the ultimate chance to put your skills to the test through 50 hands-on drawing assignments! Overall, a great online drawing course to choose from.

• Beginner level
• 11 hours long
• Taught by experienced artist duo
• 50 hands-on drawing assignments

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22. Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro

Are you looking to get started in Adobe Photoshop and go from beginner to pro in no time? This online Udemy course is a great choice for you!

Cristian Doru Barin, an Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert with over 10 years of experience, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

Through 14 hours of video lessons, students will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop going over topics like cutting a person from the background, making stunning text styles, designing icons and business cards, cleaning up face imperfections, and much more.

This online Udemy course has been updated for the latest 2020 version of Photoshop, so you need not worry about getting left behind. Overall, a fantastic Photoshop training course to boost your skills!

• Beginner level
• 14 hours long
• Taught by Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert
• Learn the latest version of Adobe Photoshop 

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23. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners

Are you wanting to use Blender software to create 3D models for video games and animations? To get yourself comfortable with producing functional 3D models using Blender, get enrolled in this Udemy course right away!

Your instructor for this Udemy course will be Rick Davidson, a designer who has spent over 14 years making games for various platforms like PC and mobile.

In this massive beginner level, 65 ½ hours long Udemy course, students will explore the world of Blender 2.8 and learn about its interface, make 3D models with simple colors, enjoy playing around with particle effects, and much more.

Once you know how to use Blender, there is nothing stopping you from designing any 3D model you can think of, so this is a great Udemy course to get started!

• Beginner level
• 65 ½ hours long
• Taught by expert game designer with 14+ years of experience
• 3D print your own custom designs

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24. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

Are you looking to find your feet in the world of graphic design? By enrolling in this online Udemy course, you will learn how to use the triple threat of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all of your creative needs, like posters, banners, logos, and more!

In this Udemy course, you will be taught by Derrick Mitchell, a creative professional who has over 15 years of experience working in the media industry.

After completing the 15 ½ hours of video lessons, students will be able to confidently make web and print designs using all 3 of Adobe’s design tools – Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will end this online course feeling well-prepared to start a creative career.

Once you’ve signed up for the Udemy course, you will gain access to a private Facebook community where you can post your projects and get insightful feedback. All in all, an excellent online graphic design course to take advantage of!

• Beginner level
• 15 ½ hours long
• Taught by experienced creative professional
• Access to private Facebook community of 13,000 members

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25. The Complete Digital Marketing Course – 12 Courses in 1

Companies worldwide are concentrating more and more on digital marketing efforts, and there is a great demand for experts who can run successful campaigns online. If you’re keen to hone your own digital marketing skills, this beginner-level Udemy course will teach you all you need to know!

As for your instructors, Rob Percival, a web developer, and teacher, and Daragh Walsh, a Google Certified Marketer, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

In this 23 ½ hours long Udemy course, students will learn the fundamentals of digital marketing, becoming capable of making and running Facebook Ads, building social media campaigns, generating loads of leads, and much more.

Don’t worry about getting enough practice through hands-on projects, because this Udemy course offers loads of it! You won’t want to miss this fantastic digital marketing course!

• Beginner level
• 23 ½ hours long
• Taught by marketing experts
• Loads of hands-on projects

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26. Instagram Marketing: Complete Guide To Instagram Growth

Instagram has turned out to be one of those platforms where if you can gather a good following, you can earn a lot of money as an influencer. So if you’re looking to build a successful brand on Instagram, go ahead and enroll in this Udemy course right away!

Benjamin Wilson, an entrepreneur who is an expert at making Instagram marketing strategies, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

Over a course of 5 ½ hours of video lessons, Benjamin will help students set up an Instagram profile that attracts followers like honey attracts bees, gradually build a base of more than 10,000 targeted followers, convert them into loyal customers, and much more.

All you need to take this Udemy course is to have Instagram installed on your phone, so go right ahead and enroll in this great online course taught by a social media expert!

• Beginner level
• 5 ½ hours long
• Taught by Instagram specialist
• Build 10,000 follower-base

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27. Google Analytics Certification: Become Certified & Earn More

In the data-driven economy of today, knowing how to use Google’s Analytics tools to make decisions can prove to be quite profitable for many. Take this Udemy course and learn everything needed to pass the Google Analytics Certification with flying colors and turbocharge your career!

You will be taught in this Udemy course by Daragh Walsh, a Google Certified Marketer who has taught more than 900,000 students on Udemy.

Through 2 hours of video lessons, students will learn all the digital marketing and Google Analytics fundamentals needed to easily clear the Google Analytics Certification exam and this in-demand skill to the top of their CV.

A sample practice test is included with the course, so this online Udemy course on Google Analytics offers great value and high-quality expert teaching!

• Beginner level
• 2 hours long
• Taught by Google Certified Marketer
• Practice test included

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28. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner Certificate

Next on my list is an excellent Udemy course on cognitive behavioral therapy that is perfect for all those who are interested in psychology and want to learn strategies and techniques to influence their relationships.

In this Udemy course, you will be instructed by Kain Ramsay, a psychology instructor and international bestselling author known for Responsibility Rebellion.

Although 51 ½ hours of video lectures are a lot to go through, students will find every video worth it once they’ve reached the end. Students will have learned the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques that they can use to change the lives of people around them.

Get ready to benefit from 359 professionally-produced learning resources offered in this Udemy course focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy, which you won’t want to miss given how comprehensive it is!

• Beginner level
• 51 ½ hours long
• Taught by bestselling author
• 359 downloadable learning resources

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29. Internationally Accredited Diploma Certificate in Nutrition

If you’re keen to dive deeper into the world of nutrition to better the health of yourself and others, this is a great Udemy course to do just that! Not only will you learn to make healthier food choices, but you will also become a certified nutrition expert.

Akash Sehrawat, the founder of Fabulousbody and a certified personal trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

Through 3 hours of video lessons in this beginner-level Udemy course, students will learn about the fundamentals of nutrition science, the role of macronutrients like protein and carbs, the importance of micronutrients and water, and much more.

Other than the certificate from Udemy, you will receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation in this Udemy course as well! You won’t want to miss this fantastic course and get accredited in no time.

• Beginner level
• 3 hours long
• Taught by certified personal trainer
• Receive CPD and IAOTH certifications

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30. Herbalism: Introduction & Medicine Making Certificate

If you are interested in learning about the ancient art of herbalism, you won’t want to miss this Udemy course. There are thousands of varieties of plants in the world, and each brings a unique herbal property along with it to make medicine that heals and supports wellbeing.

As for your instructor, Elizabeth Heck, a herbalist who has been working with plant medicine for over 25 years, will be teaching you in this Udemy course.

In this 3 hours long Udemy course, students will get a practical understanding of herbalism and how it functions, learn to make a variety of herbal medicine including teas, oils, syrups, compresses, tinctures, and much more.

Get ready to learn about the 20 most important plants used in herbal medicine all around the world! Overall, a fantastic Udemy course to enroll in to become familiar with the art of herbalism.

• Beginner level
• 3 hours long
• Taught by herbalist with 25+ years of experience
• Learn about 20 important plants

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31. Complete Guitar System – Beginner to Advanced

Have you been wanting to start learning the guitar and need a comprehensive guide that ticks all the boxes? This online Udemy course is a great, in-depth pick to take you from beginner to advanced!

Your instructor for this Udemy course will be Erich Andreas, a guitarist who has been playing and teaching students for the past 30 years.

Over a course of 40 ½ hours of video lessons and hands-on practice sessions, students will learn Erich’s step-by-step approach for progressing through the guitar learning stages and mastering this beautiful instrument.

Through taking this online Udemy course, you will get PDF attachments with every lecture, so go right ahead and enroll to take advantage of this comprehensive guitar course!

• Beginner level
• 40 ½ hours long
• Taught by guitarist with 30+ years of experience
• Hands-on practice assignments

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32. Pianoforall – Incredible New Way To Learn Piano & Keyboard

If you’re keen to either start or refine your piano and keyboard playing skills, this course is a great choice for you! Pianoforall has developed a smart system to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to learn to play the piano like a professional pianist. In this beginner-level Udemy course, you will learn that system and become a pianist yourself.

In this Udemy course, you will be instructed by Robin Hall, a piano teacher who has taught close to 300,000 students on Udemy so you are in capable hands!

Through 10 hours of video lessons, students will dive into 9 well-defined sections and start by learning how to play basics like party tunes and basic blues before moving to more advanced aspects like the classics, speed learning, and much more.

Through taking this course, you get a supporting PDF to accompany every on-demand video lesson that you can print and use for reference while you play! All in all, this Udemy course is not to be missed to learn the piano or keyboard!

• Beginner level
• 10 hours long
• Taught by experienced piano teacher
• Supporting PDF for every video

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33. Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X – The Complete Guide

Rounding out my list is a comprehensive online course to teach you all you need to know about music production and audio mixing using Logic Pro X, a versatile and powerful digital audio workstation for the Apple ecosystem.

You will be taught in this Udemy course by instructors from Make Pro Music, an online education company that produces best-selling music and audio courses.

In this 40 hours long beginner-level Udemy course, students will get hands-on with Logic Pro X and learn how to record and edit audio in a professional manner, utilize the shortcuts and techniques that will speed up your music production workflow, and much more.

By the end of this Udemy course, you’ll have the confidence to put together a song in less than 120 seconds using Apple Loops and MIDI! Overall, a great online music production course to hone your skills.

• Beginner level
• 40 hours long
• Taught by music production education company
• Lots of hands-on practice

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