How to Get Coursera Courses with Certificates for Free

A Guide to Free Coursera Certificates

This article will show you a unique trick to audit Coursera courses and still receive a certificate for free, without applying for financial aid or paying anything.

First, you need to create a new Coursera account. Under the platform's current terms, enrolling through financial aid might only grant a 90% discount, as Coursera has updated its conditions. Therefore, we will directly audit the course for free.

You might think that auditing a course means you won't get a certificate. However, the following steps will guide you on how to achieve just that. It is important to read this article carefully to the end to understand the full process.

The Audit and Trial Strategy

Here’s the core of the method:

1. Audit the Course: Begin by auditing your chosen course. It is suggested that you complete all the course modules, watch the videos, finish the lessons, and do all related learning tasks.
2. Hold the Assignments: When you try to submit assignments, the platform will prompt you to upgrade your subscription. Do not upgrade at this stage.
3. Complete All Modules: Focus on completing all the modules until only the assignments are left. This process might take several weeks or even months, but it is a crucial step for this method to work.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Certificate

Once all course content is completed, follow these steps:

1. Start a Free Trial: Go to the Coursera homepage and find the option for Coursera Plus. While it has a significant subscription fee, you don't need to pay. Simply start a free trial.
2. Get Premium Access: You will get a free trial for over 6 days. Your card will not be charged during this period. Submit your card details to receive a notification confirming your access to Coursera Plus.
3. Submit Your Work: With the trial active, you now have premium access. This is the time to submit all your pending assignments at once. Your work will typically be reviewed within 24 hours.
4. Receive Your Certificate: As soon as your assignments are approved, you will receive your certificate immediately.

Maximizing the Method

You have more than 5+ days before your free trial expires. This is why it was recommended to complete all the modules beforehand, as finishing both the course content and assignments within this short timeframe is often not possible.

Important: After getting your certificate, remember to cancel your free trial to avoid being charged. If you are a fast learner, you might even be able to complete another course within the trial period.

To take more courses using this method, you can simply repeat the process. In this way, you can get valuable Coursera courses and their corresponding certificates entirely for free.