How To Cancel Coursera Subscription (Step-by-Step Guide)

Navigating the cancellation process for online learning platforms can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle. Having spent months using Coursera to advance my data science skills, I eventually needed to cancel my subscription when my learning priorities shifted. 

The platform’s cancellation system turned out to be surprisingly user-friendly, though finding the right sections took a bit of exploration. 

In this guide, I’ll share my firsthand experience and walk you through exactly how to cancel different types of Coursera subscriptions, what happens afterward, and refund possibilities, and I’ll even recommend some alternatives if you’re looking to continue your learning journey elsewhere.

Things To Consider Before Cancelling Your Coursera Subscription

Before rushing to cancel your Coursera subscription, here are essential factors to consider:

• Learning Progress – If you’re mid-course, cancellation means losing access to paid materials and graded assessments, though you’ll keep earned certificates.
• Timing – Consider your billing cycle. I waited until completing a key module before canceling to maximize my subscription value.
• Pause Options – While Coursera doesn’t offer a formal “pause” feature, you can cancel and restart later with your progress saved.
• Refund Eligibility – Check if you qualify for refunds based on your subscription type and duration, which varies significantly.
• Certificate Access – Remember that earned certificates remain permanently in your account regardless of subscription status.
• Saved Progress – Your progress in unfinished courses is saved and will reappear if you resubscribe later.

How To Cancel A Coursera Plus Subscription

Coursera Plus is a premium subscription that gives you unlimited access to over 90% of the learning programs on Coursera. If you’ve decided it’s time to end your Coursera Plus journey, here’s how to do it through your web browser:

Step 1: Log in to your Coursera account.

Step 2: Click on your profile picture in the top right corner

Step 3: Select “My Purchases” from the dropdown menu

Step 4: Click on the “Manage Subscriptions” tab

Step 5: Find your Coursera Plus subscription

Step 6: Click on “Cancel subscription.”

Step 7: Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation

When I canceled my Coursera Plus subscription, I found the process to be straightforward. The platform did ask me why I was canceling, which I assume helps it improve its services. You can check out their support page for more details.

How To Cancel A Coursera Plus Subscription On A Phone?

If you’re more of a mobile user like me, you’ll be happy to know that canceling through your phone is just as simple.

Here’s how to cancel your Coursera Plus subscription using the mobile app:

Step 1: Open the Coursera mobile app on your phone
Step 2: Tap on the settings gear icon in the top right corner
Step 3: Select “My Subscriptions”
Step 4: Next to the Coursera Plus subscription, tap “Manage Subscription.”
Step 5: Tap “Cancel subscription.”
Step 6: Confirm your cancellation

I’ve found the mobile app to be quite user-friendly when it comes to subscription management. The interface is clean, and the cancellation process is intuitive.

Coursera offers financial aid for individual courses, which you can use if you’re canceling the Plus subscription.

What Happens When You Cancel A Coursera Plus Subscription?

After canceling your Coursera Plus subscription, you won’t immediately lose access to your courses. When I canceled mine, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I still had access until the end of my billing period.

Here’s what you can expect:

• You’ll maintain access to the Coursera Plus catalog until the end of your current billing cycle
• Once your subscription expires, the courses you were subscribed to will disappear from your “My Courses” page
• Any certificates you earned while subscribed will remain in your account permanently
• Your progress in unfinished courses will be saved and will reappear if you re-subscribe and re-enroll in those courses

This policy allowed me to finish a course I was halfway through before losing access, which I greatly appreciated.

If you’re wondering whether Coursera Plus is worth it or if a free plan might suit you better, you might find my breakdown helpful: Coursera vs Coursera Plus

How To Cancel A Coursera Specialization Subscription

Specializations are a series of courses designed to help you master a specific skill. If you’re subscribed to a Specialization and want to cancel, the process is similar to canceling Coursera Plus. 

Here’s how to do it through a web browser:

Step 1: Log into your Coursera account
Step 2: Go to “My Purchases”
Step 3: Click the “Manage Subscriptions” tab
Step 4: Find the Specialization subscription you want to cancel
Step 5: Click “Cancel” next to that subscription
Step 6: Confirm your cancellation

Through the mobile app, the steps are:

Step 1: Log in to the Coursera mobile app
Step 2: Tap the settings gear icon in the top right
Step 3: Tap “My Subscriptions”
Step 4: Next to the Specialization you want to cancel, tap “Manage Subscription.”
Step 5: Tap “Cancel subscription”
Step 6: Confirm your decision

When I canceled a Data Science Specialization last year, I found that the web interface was slightly more informative than the app, showing me exactly when my access would end.

What Happens When You Cancel A Coursera Specialization Subscription?

When you cancel a Specialization subscription, there are a few key things to know about what happens next:

• You won’t receive a refund for past payments, but future payments will stop
• You’ll lose access to paid course materials in that Specialization, including graded assessments
• You’ll keep any certificates you earned while subscribed
• Your work in unfinished courses will be saved and will reappear if you re-subscribe to the Specialization

Something I found interesting is Coursera’s auto-cancellation feature for Specializations. Your payments automatically end once you complete all the courses in a Specialization, which is a nice touch that prevents you from paying for content you’ve already completed.

For Capstone Project courses, you’ll retain access for 180 days after auto-cancellation if they’re only accessible after finishing all courses in a Specialization. However, if the Capstone doesn’t restrict access by completion, you’ll lose access once your subscription auto-cancels.

Do You Get A Refund On Cancelling A Coursera Subscription?

Coursera’s refund policy varies depending on your subscription type and how long you’ve been subscribed. Here’s what you need to know:

For Specialization subscriptions:

• Because all Specialization subscriptions begin with free trials, you can’t get a refund for a payment made after the free trial ends
• There are no partial refunds for subscriptions
• You’ll need to cancel before your next payment date to avoid being charged again

For Coursera Plus subscriptions:

• If you cancel within the first 14 days, you may be eligible for a refund
• After two weeks, canceling won’t refund past payments but will stop all future payments

When I canceled my Coursera Plus subscription, I had already been subscribed for several months, so I wasn’t eligible for a refund. However, I was able to continue using the platform until the end of my billing cycle, which I felt was fair.

Coursera Alternatives

If you’re canceling Coursera but still want to continue learning online, there are several excellent alternatives to consider. Based on my experience with various platforms and research into others, here’s a comparison of some of the best Coursera alternatives:

Platform	Best For	Pricing	Unique Features
LinkedIn Learning	Career-focused skills	$29.99/month or $239.88/year	Integration with LinkedIn profile, one-month free trial
Udemy	Individual skill-based courses	$11.99-$199.99 per course	Lifetime access to purchased courses
edX	University-level education	Free audit option; $50-$300 for verified certificates	Courses from Harvard, MIT, and other top universities
Khan Academy	K-12 and introductory college courses	Free	Self-paced learning with practice exercises
Skillsoft	IT and business skills	Contact for pricing	Cloud labs for hands-on experience
Pluralsight	Tech and coding skills	$29/month or $299/year (individual plans)	Skills assessment tools
DataCamp	Data science and analytics	$29/month or $156/year	Interactive coding environment

I’ve personally used LinkedIn Learning alongside Coursera and found it particularly valuable for professional development courses. The integration with my LinkedIn profile made showcasing my new skills to potential employers seamless.

Udemy has also been a go-to resource for me when I need to learn specific skills quickly. While the course quality can vary, the lifetime access to purchased courses means I can refer back to materials whenever needed.

For those looking for academic rigor similar to Coursera, edX offers courses from prestigious universities. I took a computer science course through edX and was impressed by the depth of the material and the caliber of instruction.

If you’re trying to decide between the two platforms, here’s my honest take: Coursera vs edX – Which One’s Better for You?

Related Reads:

• Coursera Pricing
• Coursera Free Trial
• Is Coursera Accredited?

Conclusion: Cancel Your Courseras Subscription In Simple 6 to 7 Steps

Canceling your Coursera subscription doesn’t have to be the end of your learning journey. Whether you’re taking a break, have completed your desired courses, or are exploring other platforms, the cancellation process is straightforward and user-friendly.

From my experience, Coursera handles cancellations professionally, allowing continued access until the end of your billing cycle and preserving your earned certificates. This approach respects the investment you’ve made in your education while giving you the flexibility to manage your subscription as needed.

Remember that your progress in unfinished courses will be saved, making it easy to pick up where you left off if you decide to return to Coursera in the future. And with several quality alternatives available, you can continue expanding your knowledge and skills through other platforms that might better suit your current needs.

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