Udacity Review 2024- Should You Choose This Platform?

Table of Contents

  1. What is Udacity?
  2. Udacity Features
  3. Udacity Courses
  4. Pros of Udacity
  5. Cons of Udacity
  6. Udacity Pricing Model
  7. Udacity Alternatives
  8. FAQs

What is Udacity?

Udacity is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) e-learning platform offering hundreds of top-quality courses to help students excel. They offer Nanodegrees, which are a bundle of, more or less, 4 to 10 courses designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge about a specific topic. Students benefit from hands-on instruction and practical skills that they can put to use immediately in their jobs.

With Udacity, you can get cutting-edge skills to help you succeed in the tech industry. Presently, Udacity offers aspiring learners across the globe a chance to learn about and make a difference in a range of exciting and innovative fields worldwide.

Udacity Features

The following section will point out several noteworthy aspects of this online learning platform. Read here for more information about getting a professional degree.

Course Format

There are various modules within each Udacity course that contain video lectures with closed captioning. Similar to MOOCs, there are several modules within Udacity courses. Additionally, you will participate in quizzes to further your understanding of concepts and reinforce your ideas, as well as homework and projects. Almost every program on Udacity involves assignments that rely on the "learn by doing" model.

Open Enrollment

Taking a class at Udacity is open to everyone at any time. You can join a class at any time after it has started - there is no need to wait until a new one has begun to log in.

Udacity Certificates

Previously, Udacity issued informal certificates indicating completion of an individual course. After 2014, the platform ceased the issuance of non-verified tickets. Instead, students with certain classes can take additional exams for a fee to receive employer-recognized credentials through a partnership with Pearson VUE.

With its launch in 2015, Udacity also offers Nanodegree programs. This certificate program is a paid credential that awards you an official Udacity certificate upon completion.

Udacity Plus

Another feature offered through this online course platform is Udacity Plus or Nanodegree Plus. Several topics with Udacity are available with Udacity Plus, including Senior Web Developer, Machine Learning Engineer, and iOS Developer. Students can connect with career services professionals and apply for the latest, most in-demand tech jobs through these programs. It costs about $299 per month to subscribe to Udacity Plus.

Collective Quizzes and Assignments

One thing that makes Udacity unique is the highly interactive quizzes. Unlike other MOOCs, most of these courses include quizzes, but these quizzes are often ungraded and are not required to progress through the course material.

You can pass the quizzes on Udacity without much difficulty. Nonetheless, they'll serve as a handy tool to determine whether you've retained what you've learned. In most cases, they relate closely to the course materials and do not require you to spend hours studying - you only have to pay attention to the lesson.

Udacity Courses

Although Udacity's courses mostly fall into the tech category, this online learning platform offers a wide selection of programs. Here are the categories you can pick from:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Business
  • Cloud Computing
  • Data Science
  • Programming and Development
  • Career

In addition to larger program clusters, you will also find many sub-categories. For example, under the category of Programming and Development, you can take classes like:

  • Front End Web Developer
  • Full Stack Web Developer
  • Android Kotlin Developer
  • Agile Software Development
  • Android Basics
  • Blockchain Developer
  • C++
  • Cloud Developer
  • Cloud DevOps Engineer
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • iOS Developer
  • Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Java Developer
  • React
  • RPA Developer with UiPath

Pros of Udacity

  • Rich Content: Across all of its content, Udacity works closely with industry-leading partners such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mercedes, or Nvidia.
  • Free Courses: There are more than 200 free courses on Udacity. To get an overview of what you can expect from this popular e-learning community, you can start here.
  • Career Services: Students enrolled in Nanodegree programs will have access to Udacity's Career Services, including Resume and Cover Letter reviews and LinkedIn and GitHub reviews.
  • Certificates: With Udacity, you'll earn a certificate if you complete a Nanodegree (as the company calls its programs). Nevertheless, if you sign up for a free account, these features won't be available to you. There are no accreditations for Udacity certificates because it is a private institution.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Due to its user-friendly interface, Udacity's platform is easy to navigate and find what you are looking for. In addition, it's a good learning platform.

Cons of Udacity

  • Not Pocket-Friendly: The courses aren't cheap at Udacity. You'll need a budget if you wish to participate in one of its programs.
  • Limited Topics: According to the website, there are many courses about business and computer science on Udacity. In addition, you can find more variety at Udemy or Coursera - both offer courses outside of these niches.
  • Only English: You can access the website and backend in other languages, but the classes are primarily English. However, some courses include subtitles in other languages.
  • No App: As of 2019, App stores for iOS and Android no longer carry Udacity's iOS and Android apps. Therefore, if you want to learn on the go, you can download courses/classes from the Coursera and Skillshare apps.

Udacity Pricing Model

On Udacity, you can take many free courses, but the NanoDegree program offers a lot of paid content. On the other hand, Udacity does not charge one-time fees, unlike some online learning platforms. Instead, Udacity offers a three-month membership for its courses at a set price. Using the learning platform will cost you under $400 per month, including access to the information, classes, and more. Other benefits include:

  • Access to a learning community.
  • Career Coaching
  • One-on-one guidance with a Technical Mentor.
  • Project Reviews from Professionals.
  • Real-world projects (To work on).

Udacity Alternatives

Udacity has several alternatives that you should consider. Here are some of the best alternatives.

FAQs

What You Will Learn at Udacity?

Those primarily interested in just learning the basics and improving their skills will not be satisfied with Udacity. Udacity emphasizes having the most up-to-date information and the best instructors to help you learn. With collaborations with several approved Institutes, you will gain an unparalleled depth of knowledge and quality of learning.

Does Udacity offer free courses?

There are more than 200 free courses available at Udacity (but no certificate). Typically, these courses are part of Udacity's Nanodegree program, which is a paid micro-credential. Previously, Udacity released a large portion of their Nanodegree courses for free.

Can I get a degree through Udacity?

Sadly, no. Though the number of MOOC-based degrees is on the rise, none of them are available on Udacity right now.

With MOOCs, there are several advantages, such as lower costs compared to other online and on-campus degrees, flexibility, and payment as you go.

Are Udacity Courses Recognized & Accredited?

Among the few online learning platforms with courses accredited and recognized by reputable universities, Udacity is one of the best. Udacity offers many online courses which come with a certification or actual diploma, unlike other online courses that provide virtual certificates or badges of completion.

What are the costs of Udacity courses and Nanodegrees?

Udacity’s Nanodegrees (micro-credentials available only through Udacity) are entirely free of charge. You can pay for these Nanodegrees monthly or pay for several months in advance for a discount. Upon cancellation within two days of your enrollment, you may receive a full refund.

Also, Udacity offers a limited amount of scholarships for certain Nanodegrees if you can not afford the cost.

Is it possible to get a job with Udacity?

After completing a course or two on Udacity, job seekers are much more likely to find employment. By taking part in this online course platform, you can demonstrate your value to an employer.

Getting ahead isn't just about finishing the courses. You will be able to leverage your network and work directly with career resources through Udacity, which will help you gain the attention of hiring managers or recruiters.

You can optimize your application materials using numerous Career Project services offered by Udacity.