The Great Courses Plus Review 2024: Is It The Best E-Learning Platform?

The motive of this article is to give Great Courses Plus Review; if you want the same, stay tuned till the end.

Do you want to learn real things? Was the History Channel like that before Ice Road Truckers and Pawn Stars overtook it?

I discovered The Great Courses Plus while searching for true online learning.

Online learning platform The Great Courses Plus has been called the “Netflix of Learning” because of its accessibility and depth of content.

The site features an overwhelming number of college-level courses, all taught through video and audio clips.

My review of The Great Courses Plus explains how it works and how much it costs.

I also describe three courses in-depth: The Black Death, The Everyday Guide to Wine, and What Einstein Got Wrong. I’ll also discuss what I like and dislike about the platform.

Would you recommend The Great Courses Plus to a friend? Let’s find out in my detailed and honest Great Courses Pro Review.

Great Courses Plus Review: What Is Great Courses Plus?

With The Great Courses Plus, you can view college-level courses from the comfort of your computer, mobile device, tablet, or smart TV.

The Great Courses have existed for several decades. They were originally a catalog of courses that you could order and then have mailed to you. You probably know what I mean.

Catalogues such as these still exist and are the origins of The Great Courses Plus.

The Great Courses Plus is a streaming platform that gives you access to the most popular courses the Great Courses has ever offered at a subscription price.

You can enroll in as many courses as you want for a monthly fee.

What is meant by “as many courses as you wish?” 700. Yes, that is correct. There are 700 courses and over 9,000 lectures. You have access to a lot of college-level content.

Courses like these fall under the category of “acquiring knowledge.”

Certain online education platforms, like Masterclass, emphasize creative skills, while others, like Skillshare, emphasize hard skills such as Python.

The Great Courses Plus aims to provide a liberal arts education.

The course comprises 10-20 video lectures (each around 30 minutes long) and a PDF textbook (100-200 pages per course). There are no tests, quizzes, or essays—just reading and watching!

Who Are The Great Courses Plus For?

If you are looking for a learning platform that covers lots of topics in depth, Great Courses Plus is a great choice.

There is no better platform for a 12-hour lecture on The Black Death than this one.

Although the lectures can be viewed back-to-back, they shouldn’t be rushed through in one afternoon. Still, you might be able to complete the class in a week.

The site is perfect for someone who wants an in-depth look at many topics – one who is focused.

Essentially, it is like listening to a podcast. If you enjoy podcasts (like The History of Rome), The Great Courses Plus might be right up your alley.

You’ll also love this platform if you enjoyed college lectures since that’s exactly what these courses are about.

While you won’t earn a certificate or a degree, you will gain a broader knowledge base upon completion. That’s great. Definitely!

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a learning platform with no frills, you’ll enjoy The Great Courses Plus.

It is the perfect solution for those uncomfortable with homework, discussion pages, and uploading assignments.

No additional activities are required, and it is self-paced!

Who Is It Not For?

If you want a more immersive learning experience, The Great Courses Plus might not be for you.

Discussion boards, social media groups, homework features, and interactive elements are unavailable. This is a lecture-based program.

You might not enjoy The Great Courses Plus if that bothers you. If you are looking for that, you won’t find quick learning at The Great Courses.

Classes are in-depth and last 6-12 hours on average. Lectures typically last 30 minutes. Classes are lecture-only with little interaction.

You may also be disappointed if you hope to learn hard skills like coding or engage in Q&A sessions with celebrity teachers.

This is another platform that emphasizes college-level courses delivered in a lecture-style format.

Classes Available On The Great Courses Plus 

There are few courses and study materials available for the following classes:

• Economics and Finance
• Exclusive Features
• Mathematics
• Food and Wine
• Hobby and Leisure
• Health, Fitness and Nutrition
• History
• Professional & Personal Growth
• Literature and Language
• Philosophy & Religion
• Music and Fine Arts
• Science
• Travel.
• Programs for Young Learners

There are hundreds of courses to choose from in these categories. Algebra is one of them! You can also learn Latin!

There are hundreds of things you can learn, like screenwriting or thermodynamics.

In addition to college-style courses (of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science type), you can also take skill-based courses such as screenwriting or French 101. Consequently, The Great Courses Plus offers more courses than most online education platforms.

These are more advanced, professor-led courses. Each class lasts 6 to 12 hours, so these are long commitments. Probably, no learning platform is close to the real-life lecture experience.

Who Are the Teachers?

On The Great Courses Plus, you won’t find many big-name teachers. Instead, you’ll be learning from highly qualified professors.

Your professors’ bios usually mention that they teach at a university. It is not necessary to be a professor to be a teacher.

Professional chefs, for instance, teach breadmaking courses.

However, the level of expertise remains the same as all these instructors, who are well-vetted, seasoned professionals with experience in teaching and real-world situations.

Neil Gaiman will not teach you how to write (for that, go to MasterClass), and you won’t get a class of questionable quality taught by someone who can code (this can happen on Udemy).

You’ll be assigned a professor instead, just like college.

How Does a Class Work?

Classes are easy to understand.

By clicking a category, you can choose a class.

The course welcome page will give you a brief overview of the class. Below it, you will find the following tabs: Lectures, Your Prof, Course Guidebook, Share Course, and Reviews.

Start watching the first lecture in the lecture tab and click on it to get started. You’re all set!

Alternatively to the downloadable PDFs found on MasterClass, the guidebook tab will open an in-browser PDF if you want to review anything you learned in your lecture.

They are not simple flyers; they are quite long and in-depth. I would compare them to textbooks.

The share course button is The Great Course Plus’ only social media connection. It allows you to share that you took the course on social media (rather than just sharing it).

Lastly, students can leave course reviews on the review tab. It’s interesting to note that you can comment on other people’s reviews and click on their profiles to see what other reviews they’ve left.

The Great Courses Plus Cost:

There are three different price tiers for The Great Courses Plus, depending on whether you pay monthly, quarterly, or annually.

• If you pay monthly, you will pay $20, for a total of $240 if you pay annually.
• If you pay quarterly, it’s $45 per quarter or $180 per year
• The annual fee is $150.

In other words, if you are prepared to pay annually in advance, you are better off by $90 – a 35% savings.

The plans’ flexibility is a nice change from some of the more static subscription models. You pay a subscription fee, but what do you get in return?

• Courses at the college level
• A video lecture is usually 6 to 12 hours long in every course
• A very detailed PDF textbook is included with each.

Though a lot of content is available, there are no discussion boards, communities, or other features like on other online platforms (like MasterClass or Mindvalley).

The website strictly provides information. Based on my research, this may be because The Great Courses Plus’ main demographic is slightly older and focused on learning. I’m learning a lot from this platform, but it’s not only for younger people.

However, it is a platform that puts subject mastery ahead of frills.

Can I Purchase an Individual Course?

The Great Courses Plus is not available as an individual course. This isn’t very clear, but they are two separate platforms.

Courses offered by both companies overlap heavily, but Great Courses Plus can’t be purchased individually.

Subscriptions are required instead.

An individual course at The Great Courses could cost anywhere from $35 to $500. Many classes don’t cost $500, but they fall between $100 and $200.

Is It a Good Deal?

Comparing prices is a good idea. The Great Courses Plus membership costs $150 if you buy it annually, and the Great Courses offer many individual classes that cost at least $200.

The Great Courses Plus saves you money if you take at least one course a year. Is there a dollar-per-hour rate?

If you have an annual membership, let’s say you take one course yearly. The course is called “Understanding the US Government.”

This course consists of 24 videos and is 12 hours long. The hourly rate is $12.5 for 150/12. I think that’s pretty good! And that’s with just one course.

Take two, and the hourly rate drops to $6.25.It comes to $3.13 per hour when you take four. It’s not difficult to understand. It’s how you use it that matters.

Thousands of hours of top-notch lectures make The Great Courses an easy platform to get sucked into.

You’d have 12 classes a year if you took one class a month. In other words, it would take 144 hours to learn, so $1 per hour is not too bad.

FAQs

What is the cost of The Great Courses Plus?

Payment options affect the price. It is $20 per month or $240 per year. Quarterly payments are $45, and annual payments are $180. Annual payments are $150.

Is it worth the money?

The Great Courses Plus is absolutely worth the money, especially considering how much people spend on higher education. The platform offers a wide range of college-style lecture courses at an affordable price point.

How many classes does The Great Courses Plus have?

In addition to Latin, algebra, history, nutrition, economics, music, science, fine art, food and wine, the Great Courses Plus offers hundreds of courses. The courses typically last between six and twelve hours.

Why does The Great Courses Plus differ from The Great Courses?

The parent company of The Great Courses Plus is The Great Courses. Over 30 years ago, The Great Courses, a catalog of taped college-level lectures, became available, with prices ranging from $35-$500 per class. It is a subscription-based service offering more budget-friendly access to the content.

Is there a free trial?

There is a 14-day free trial before the subscription begins with The Great Courses Plus.

How can I watch The Great Courses Plus?

View The Great Courses Plus on your tablet, smartphone, or connected TV. These include iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, Apple TV, Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Kindle Fire tablets.

Can I just purchase an individual class?

The Great Courses Plus is not on The Great Courses because it is a streaming service that offers you the opportunity to view materials from The Great Courses at a more affordable price. Individual classes are still available at The Great Courses, with prices ranging from $35-$500 per class.

Can I watch The Great Courses Plus offline?

Certainly. Streaming videos or downloading to watch later when you are offline are both available.

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Conclusion: Great Courses Plus Review 2024

A very high-quality, college-style lecture course is available for a very competitive price with The Great Courses Plus.

These courses are engaging, informative, and comprehensive.

Great Courses Plus also offers hundreds of courses. I recommend It if you’re looking to learn from highly regarded professors.

This course is designed for eager learners who want to dive in headfirst to long but engaging lectures.