Last Updated on January, 2025
The Great Courses is an engaging online learning platform with 800+ courses under 13 main subject categories.
Also, it provides streaming service, offline viewing, and a course guidebook, is compatible across many devices, and has many exciting features. They also use impactful strategies to keep the audience engaged during the session!
In this guide, you will find a comprehensive analysis of The Great Courses Review compared to other platforms, including its best courses, pricing plans, free trials, refund policy, and more details!
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Contents
- Quick Summary
- What is The Great Courses?
- How to Open a Great Courses Account?
- Who the Great Courses is for?
- Who are the Instructors?
- How Does the Great Courses Work?
- How to Find Good Courses on the Great Courses?
- How Much Does the Great Courses Cost?
- How Does Great Courses Refund Work?
- The Best Courses From “The Great Courses”
- What Do Great Courses Classes Include?
- What is Great Courses for Business?
- Is the Great Courses Legit?
- Customer Testimonials for the Great Courses
- Is the Great Courses Worth it?
- Pros and Cons of the Great Courses
- Can I Buy the Great Courses as a Gift?
- Are Great Courses and Great Courses Plus Different?
- The Great Courses Alternatives
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
Quick Summary
Here’s a quick evaluation of The Great Courses Review:
What is The Great Courses?
The Great Courses is an efficient online learning platform with 800+ courses under 13 categories. Also, this platform falls under the expanded platform of Wondrium.
Tom Rollins founded the Great Courses, and the platform continues to expand nationally and geographically.
The Great Courses includes many prices, such as per-course subscriptions, monthly subscriptions, and quarterly and annual subscriptions (discussed below) to suit your requirements.
Apart from that, they offer a couple of free resources for students to check out the quality of the platform in advance, including a free trial (discussed below).
How to Open a Great Courses Account?
You can open The Great Courses for free.
Follow the below steps to open The Great Courses account quickly:
In The Great Courses platform, you don’t need to enter your payment details during the Sign-up process.
Follow the below steps to open The Great Courses Plus account:
That’s it! You can start browsing The Great Courses Plus/Wondrium platform to start your online learning journey.
Who the Great Courses is for?
We have a quick checklist to segment users into the The Great Courses category.
The segmentation can be listed as follows:
If you fall into any of the above segmentations, The Great Courses is your go-to choice! Get started learning with the best professionals.
Who are the Instructors?
The instructors at Great Courses are qualified, educated, and experienced professionals.
The following are the top qualities of Great Courses instructors:
Thus, the instructors or the professors are top-quality individuals who can aid you in advancing your career to the next level.
How Does the Great Courses Work?
Initially, if you need an account in Great Courses, create one. The sign-up process is free on Great Courses (does not require billing details).
After you have signed up, you can start to explore the Great Courses platform. You have a collection of 800+ courses, including some add-on features such as 5+ free sample classes.
Once you have picked the suitable course, you can choose either of the following options:
However, there is a difference between the above options. I’ll discuss them below.
The Great Courses
The following are the features of The Great Courses model:
The Great Courses Plus
The following are the features of The Great Courses Plus model:
How to Find Good Courses on the Great Courses?
If you are wondering how to find suitable courses on The Great Courses, follow the below steps:
Above all, consider reading blog articles that provide course reviews on the type of course you have selected. The specific course reviews on the internet will give you a deep analysis, including the pros and cons of taking the particular course.
How Much Does the Great Courses Cost?
You can determine the cost of The Great Courses under three packages as follows:
Let’s check out the three options mentioned above in detail.
Individual Course Purchase
If you are not interested in enrolling on a subscription-based plan (even for just one course), you can pay as you go!
However, The Great Courses offers 5 to 10 free sample courses. It would be handy to check out the expanded list of courses and get to know the online learning platform.
Thus, it helps you understand how the course experience would look if you purchased or continued.
You may get it under an offer if you like a specific course. In that case, the course may cost you about $17 (may vary depending on the course you pick).
Also, it includes digital or physical transcripts after the course completion. Individual courses would be around 30 minutes and may include 20 to 30 lectures. It may sound reasonable, depending on the type of class you pick.
The Great Courses Plus Subscription
The Great Courses Plus involves a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription service. As you know, The Great Courses and The Great Courses Plus are different; you can enjoy.
The Great Courses Plus Subscription on Wondrium (added an expanded version of The Great Courses Plus).
However, The Great Courses Plus provides three primary subscriptions:
Whatever option you pick from the above, you can get the 14-day free trial.
This option includes the following specifications:
The Great Courses Free Trial
You can enjoy the free trial using the Original Great Courses platform or Great Courses Plus.
The subscription works differently in the ways listed below:
How Does Great Courses Refund Work?
The Great Courses refund policy depends on the type of The Great Courses you picked.
The following would give you an idea of how The Great Courses refund works based on the payment plan or model you picked:
The Best Courses From “The Great Courses”
Top Economics and Finance Courses
The following are the top Economic and Finance Courses in The Great Courses:
1. How the Stock Market Works
Quick Summary
Instructor: Ramon P. DeGennaro
Course content: Includes 18 lectures (Average 31 minutes for each lecture)
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
If you want to learn about the stock market and the best strategies to invest and overcome risks, this is your go-to class!
The following are the key learnings of this class:
2. Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making
Quick Summary
Instructor: Randall Bartlett
Course content: Includes 12 lectures (Average 31 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4/7 out of 5 stars
If you want to make better decisions by saving time and money, just like an efficient economist, this course will set your path.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
Top Professional and Personal Growth Courses
The following are the top Professional And Personal Growth Courses in The Great Courses:
1. The Art of Video Storytelling
Quick Summary
Instructor: Bob Kirst
Course content: Includes 12 lectures (Average 25 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
If you are interested in learning the right strategies to tell stories through videos, how to set up everything professionally, and polish your practical skills, check out this course.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
2. How to Build a Thriving Workplace: A Leader’s Guide
Quick Summary
Instructor: Beth Cabrera
Course content: Includes 12 lectures (Average 30 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Learning to create a positive work environment plays a pivotal role in employee’s and customer’s efficiency. In this course, Cabrera will walk through this strategy systematically to make the best workplace.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
Top Philosophy and Religion Courses
The following are the top Philosophy And Religion Courses in The Great Courses:
1. Real Zen for Real Life
Quick Summary
Instructor: Bret W. Davis
Course content: Includes 24 lectures (Average 37 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Real Zen for Real Life is your best course choice to learn about Zen practices, its related teachings, philosophy, and meditation activities.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
2. Sacred Texts of the World
Quick Summary
Instructor: Grant Hardy
Course content: Includes 36 lectures (Average 31 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
The Sacred Texts of the World course covers the aspects of canonical and non-canonical texts. This concept includes the Hindu Vedas, Daoism’s Daodejing, and Buddhist Sutra, and interpretations have happened over the years.
If you want to gain an understanding of these religious cultures and beliefs, get set with the module!
The following are the key learnings of this class:
Top Music and Fine Arts Courses
The following are the top Music And Fine Arts Courses in The Great Courses:
1. In the Footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh
Quick Summary
Instructor: Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Course content: Includes 15 lectures (Average 23 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
If you want to learn about the history of Vincent Gogh, his episodic documentary, letters, creativity, and more, this course covers everything!
The following are the key learnings of this class:
2. Understanding the World’s Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation From Antiquity to Modernity
Quick Summary
Instructor: Stephen Ressler
Course content: Includes 24 lectures (Average 32 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
The course covers the world’s greatest buildings, from antiques to the modern era, the technologies behind engineering, and the scientific principles.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
Top Hobby and Leisure Courses
The following are the top Hobby And Leisure Courses in The Great Courses:
1. How to Dance
Quick Summary
Instructor: Rob Glover and Alyssa Lundgren
Course content: Includes 25 lectures (average 19 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
This course is your best pick if you want to learn about the fundamentals of dance, the four main dance genres, rhythm, and more.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
2. How to Play Chess: Lessons From an International Master
Quick Summary
Instructor: Jeremy Silman
Course content: Includes 24 lectures (Average 31 minutes per lecture)
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
If you want to learn to tackle Chess as a beginner, get along with the advanced strategy, and understand every aspect of the game, Silman is your best instructor.
The following are the key learnings of this class:
What Do Great Courses Classes Include?
The Great Courses specification or inclusions differ based on the type of course, the professor’s teaching style, and the subject.
However, when you consider the structure, pay attention to the following factors:
The Great Courses is known to have a college-style lecture, which is a formal style rather than an informal standard. The lecturers use a webcam, style videos, and an exceptionally organized learning structure.
What is Great Courses for Business?
The Great Courses has yet to have a particular business package for enterprises.
Since they are expanding their division and courses among Wondrium, it is more likely to get a business packager sooner (even though it has yet to be announced). However, they offer users reasonable packages, offers, and even gift options.
Is the Great Courses Legit?
Yes, The Great Courses is a legitimate online learning platform.
In 1990, Thomas Rollins founded the company The Great Courses. It started as a motivation inspired by a Harvard Law Lecture series.
Moving on, The Great Courses began partnering with world-class teaching institutes such as National Geographic, Mayo Clinic, and Smithsonian.
These collaborations gave it a wider recognition and audience to reach the right people.
Customer Testimonials for the Great Courses
Check out customer testimonials to understand The Great Courses’ content and platform.
Here’s a 5-star review by DMac3 for a course under the investment subject:
Loved each of the 24 videos. My investment knowledge is pretty limited so this course served as an overview of investing for me. If you’re already well versed as an investor, you probably won’t learn much but you will see what other successful stars have done. The content absolutely improved my understanding of the various mechanisms of investing. The presentation kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the stories.
As per the above review, the user loved the video content and found the subject interesting to enhance their knowledge. Also, he appreciates the instructor’s presentation skills for keeping the session eye-catching.
Here’s a 4-star review by LBalsomboo for a course under the American Literature subject:
Professor Albala is an excellent and engaging speaker. I think of it as both a little bit of general history and a lot of food history. The topic is very interesting and the little bit of history puts the food history in context.
As per the above review, the course covers the American Revolution, including general history and some food history. The user claims it is an excellent course regarding the context and lessons.
Here’s a 2-star review by Rote for a course under the Photography subject:
When I bought this course I was hoping to advance my level of knowledge and ability to become more creative; sadly the course is so basic that after having spent several hours in front of my monitor I do not feel that I have learned much, if anything, I did not already know. Very disappointing.
As per the above review, the user wanted more from the given knowledge and how the lecturer had planned the course content. However, the user is a big fan of the instructor as he had tried a couple of courses with the same instructor.
So, he claims that the course didn’t teach the essential knowledge that he had expected to cover up.
Here’s a 1-star review by Nicky too for a course under Particle Physics:
I haven’t even finished this course (currently 7 lectures into it) and I thoroughly dislike it. I purchased it based on recommendations in the reviews of the course about the Higgs boson. That course I did enjoy, but certainly didn’t fully understand. I have zero knowledge of physics, so hoped this course would help. Well, it doesn’t.
The lecturer’s enthusiasm is great to see, but his explanations don’t explain anything. He often refers to things he doesn’t return to after another digression. I am more confused now than I was before this course.
As per the above review, the user seems dissatisfied and needs clarification. Also, he claims that the lectures could have had a more thorough explanation, and the tutor could have taken steps to teach the subject in more detail.
Hence, the customer reviews and the quality of The Great Course depend on your course type.
Overall, The Great Courses professors or instructors do a great job getting down the content and focusing on the subject (even though there are slight exceptions).
Thus, before enrolling in any classes, whether it is about medieval literature, creating a history channel, learning to play Chess, self-improvement, or any subject, ensure thorough background research by assessing the class structure, outlines, reviews, Q&A, and the professor.
Is the Great Courses Worth it?
Yes, The Great Courses are absolutely worth it! They have the world’s most significant structures and a panel of excellent college lecturers and experts.
Many customer reviews depict that The Great Courses is worth the money they pay for. However, most users prefer the Subscription model over the Individual Course model. Whatever your payment plan, they have qualified professors to teach and accompany your needs and attain client satisfaction.
Also, it is considered one of the most effective remote learning platforms, including cost-effective packages for users.
Pros and Cons of the Great Courses
The Pros
Opportunity to Learn From Qualified Teachers
Although many teachers use different teaching styles, most are highly qualified and have adequate experience in their streaming access.
Specific lectures are reputed for college lectures. Thus, The Great Courses has a skilled panel of published authors who are fast-paced in their field.
Provide Personalized Course Suggestions
Like the LinkedIn Learning platform, when you begin browsing The Great Courses, it understands your interest and the type of class you seek. Then, it would tailor your home page based on your search pattern.
Therefore, you may get the best course suggestions for your interest.
Online and Offline Learning Options
The Great Courses offers a streaming service with excellent video quality, and you can watch or view content online.
However, if you prefer offline viewing, you can download the content and study at your comfort. It helps to increase your flexibility and ability to learn from lectures.
Consists of a Wide Collection of Topics
There are about 13 different courses covering 800+ courses. The subjects include national geography, health, fitness, Science, History, Fine Arts, Programs for Young Learners, Travel, and more.
Thus, it has an impressive collection of courses in many streams. Therefore, you may find the perfect fitting lecture if you thoroughly analyze your requirements.
Budget-Friendly Classes Comparatively to College
If you compare the cost incurred for college lectures and The Great Courses, it is more reasonable.
The average tuition fee in the US is about $34,740 per year. Thus, online courses with streaming platforms are more valuable and budget-friendly for students. (1)
Apart from that, even if you want to grow your knowledge in a specific field or gain some skills, The Great Courses is still one of the budget-friendly options.
Classes Are Suitable for All Skill Levels
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or expert, you have a wide range of courses for your skill set.
All you need to do is do some good background research on the course you picked so that it matches your expertise level. However, The Great Courses has many classes for all skill levels.
The Cons
The Great Courses Platform is Less Up-To-Date
Since The Great Courses is paying attention to the Wondrium platform, it needs more up-to-date information. The users claim the navigation could be more stream-friendly and have VHS-style videos.
Also, it has integrated less modern technologies than other platforms, such as interactive whiteboards and quality video content.
Downloading Takes Up Lots of Storage
Even though you can download content and consider offline viewing, downloading the content takes a lot of time and storage. Thus, it is an extra cost on the user’s end.
However, if you choose the DVD option, you still need to invest in some physical storage. So, either way, it consumes more storage and is less efficient considering the storage capacity.
Can I Buy the Great Courses as a Gift?
Yes, you can buy The Great Courses as a gift. But you can only send individual courses as an E-Gift, not full memberships, to your mate.
Follow the below steps to gift one course from The Great Courses:
That’s it! Now you know how to send courses from The Great Courses as a gift.
But one exception in e-gifts is that you can only send a digital version of the course. However, change the delivery address if you want to send a DVD.
Are Great Courses and Great Courses Plus Different?
Yes, The Great Courses and The Great Courses Plus are different. The Great Courses is a limited platform allowing users to purchase individual courses on a pay-as-you-go basis.
But The Great Courses Plus works on the Wondrium platform, having an expanded view of The Great Courses. Also, it is based on monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans. Moreover, it is a subscription-based platform.
The Great Courses Alternatives
Considering The Great Courses alternatives, there are many alternatives, as discussed below:
LinkedIn Learning
Even though LinkedIn was launched in 1995, it currently has 27 million active users.
There are dedicated professionals and experts to guide you through the courses and head start your career.
They have a library of more than 13,000+ courses covering many different streams.
LinkedIn Learning varies between $20 to $50 as a one-off payment, but you can purchase it for $39.99 monthly.
Do you want to learn more about this platform? Read this LinkedIn Learning review.
MasterClass
MasterClass is a celebrity teaching platform that works on giving the topper quality content.
They have dedicated professionals behind the scenes and are a great competitor for The Great Courses.
It has good production quality and educational content and is worth polishing the practical skills.
The MasterClass Individual package costs $120 per year (average $10 per month), the Duo package costs $180 per year (average $15 per month), and the family package costs $240 per year (average $20 per month).
Do you want to learn more about this platform? Read this MasterClass review.
Coursera
Coursera is a high-caliber platform with classes to polish your hard skills and help you enhance your professional skills!
These courses deep dive into enhancing a specific skill you prefer to improve.
The price of Coursera courses depends on the package you choose.
For example, Individual Courses cost $49 – $79, Guided Projects costs start at $9.99, Specializations start at $49 per month, and more!
Do you want to learn more about this platform? Read this Coursera review.
Other Online Learning Platform reviews:
Final Thoughts
The Great Courses is an exciting and valuable platform for online learners whether you want to expand your skills, gain expertise, or even start your career.
However, it’s worth the content quality and the price you pay for it, whether it’s an individual, monthly, or yearly plan (discussed above).
When you pick a Great Courses, be sure to thoroughly analyze the course content, quality, instructors, and more before making your commitment.
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