GetSmarter Review (2023): What You Need to Know About This Online Learning Platform

For adult learners, their education doesn’t need to end once they’ve graduated. On the contrary, digital learning can be a means to acquire a better salary, a new career, and improved knowledge. 

So, in this review, I'm looking at one such digital learning platform: GetSmarter. 

More specifically, I'll walk you through what it does, the types of courses it offers, and its pricing. Lastly, I'll answer some frequently asked questions. 

But, if you don't have time to read my entire GetSmarter review, here's the bottom line up front:

• GetSmarter connects learners with online courses from recognized and prestigious universities worldwide, including Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. 
• GetSmarter offers short courses to individuals wanting to improve their career prospects, as well as businesses wanting to offer employees professional development and learning opportunities.
• Courses are organized into various categories, although most offered are non-accredited short courses. However, some courses are endorsed by employers (meaning completion can contribute towards programs such as Continued Professional Development (CPD)).
• Course costs can either be paid for in full or, if available, you can opt to pay in increments.

With that said, let’s dive into the meat of this GetSmarter review:

What is GetSmarter? 

In a nutshell, GetSmarter is a web and mobile app-based online platform that can connect you with educational opportunities provided by recognized universities. All courses are online, so there are no campuses. You can find the app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, not all content is available via mobile; if this is the case, you will see this symbol:

Established in 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa, by entrepreneur Rob Paddock, GetSmarter GetSmarter with edX, a 2U company, offers market-led executive education courses. In 2017, 2U acquired GetSmarter, and at the time, this was considered the largest acquisition of a South African EdTech company. 

Aside from its partnership with the universities above, GetSmarter also partners with 18+ universities worldwide, including the University of Cape Town, LSE (London School of Economics), and Oxford University.

GetSmarter also has offices in Cape Town and London, and since its inception 15 years ago, it’s provided 170+ short online courses to 140,000 learners across 195 countries. It aspires to reach 1 million learners by 2030.

So that’s your broad overview; now let’s dissect how to use GetSmarter to the fullest:

How to Get Started with GetSmarter

Simply browse the courses on offer, and once you’ve found a category you’re interested in, click on it. GetSmarter will then show the courses offered in your area of interest. You’ll also see the following:

• Which university offers that course
• When registration closes
• The course overview, including student testimonials
• The course curriculum
• The course cost
• The course length
• Details about the course leader
• How many hours a week you need to put aside to complete it
• What you walk away upon completion, e.g., a course certificate, degree, diploma, or digital badge

If you decide to go for it, click the Register button on the course page and enroll (we go into how to pay for your course lower down in this review). Once you’re signed up, all you need is a stable internet connection to start studying in the environment of your choice.

Short Courses

There are 292 short courses to choose from across a range of categories, including: 

• Artificial intelligence
• Business management and strategy
• Data science and analysis
• Design and creative
• Digital transformation and disruptive technology
• Finance and investment
• Fintech and blockchain
• Health sciences and wellness
• Human resource management
• Information technology and cybersecurity
• Law and compliance
• Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Marketing
• Operations and supply chain
• Politics and economics
• Project management
• Real estate
• Sales and business development
• Sustainability

Examples of short courses include:

• Sustainable Marketing, Media and Creative – University of Cambridge
• Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy – MIT Sloan University
• Public Management and Governance – University of Cape Town

Private individuals can complete short courses, or companies can subscribe to courses for their employees to participate in. You can do the latter via a link to the exX website; here, companies can buy courses via one-off subscriptions and/or buy course access in bulk.

GetSmarter Prices and Payments

There are no set prices. Instead each short course is  priced individually. Unsurprisingly, costs depend on the university running the program. 

When you sign up for a course, you can pay the full course fees there and then, or if there’s a GetSmarter or third-party payment plan available for your chosen course, you can pay in installments. 

You can see if your chosen course has an installment plan on the course information page. You can learn more about GetSmarter’s payment and financing options here.

Once you’ve paid for your course, you’ll receive course-related emails and login details from your dedicated Student Success Adviser.

Given there are no set course fees, below I’ve listed a few examples for you:

Short Courses

Below are a few examples of short courses, their duration, and their cost: 

• Fintech – Harvard University: a 6-week course for £2,187, with an installment plan available
• Oxford Executive Leadership Program – Oxford University: an 8-week course for £2,350 with an installment plan available
• Digital Photography – University of Cape Town – a 10-week course for £552, with an installment plan available

Student Support

Students are given access to edX and 2U’s Career Engagement Network. This offers unlimited access during and after their course to:

• Industry events for networking and learning
• Tools and resources like CV builders and interview prep sheets
• Access to an exclusive job board portal
• Featured articles

In addition, the GetSmarter website offers a comprehensive FAQs section where students can find answers to questions across the following categories:

• General questions
• Student enrollment
• Finance
• GetSmarter mobile app
• Student support
• Business-to-business related questions

While undertaking their course, students can access dedicated ‘Success Advisers.’ This support is administrative, technical, and general. Students also receive course-related support from the Facilitation Team, which comprises industry experts. 

GetSmarter Pros and Cons

FAQs

Can I postpone or cancel my course?

Yes, but only if your course is three weeks or longer. You can postpone it to a later date with the same education partner. Or if you want to cancel a short course, you must do so within 21 calendar days from your course start date. 

For courses of a longer duration, you can cancel your participation and request a full refund within 14 calendar days from the course start date. The same timeframe applies if you want to postpone your course start date. Full details about this can be found in GetSmarter’s terms and conditions. 

Does GetSmarter offer any discounts? 

At the time of writing, there are no discounts offered. 

What sort of certification do I receive? 

You can see the certification you’ll receive on the relevant course page. 

However, it’s worth highlighting that for short courses, you receive a GetSmarter digital badge or a certificate of completion, participation, or attendance from the respective course provider. The short courses don’t offer credits toward a university degree or diploma. 

However, some courses offer diplomas that some professional bodies endorse. In this instance, they might contribute to your CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points, Professional Development Units (PDU), or Continuing Education Units (CEU). For example, the MBA Essentials 10-week course offered by the London School of Economics (CPD certified) or the Artificial Intelligence in Health Care 6-week course offered by MIT, which counts towards achieving an MIT Sloan Executive Certificate.

GetSmarter Review: My Final Verdict

That’s the end of our GetSmarter review! Hopefully, you'll have a better sense of what it does and how it can support your future learning. 

It has pros and cons, but on the upside, it can connect you with high-caliber courses offered by some of the best universities in the world. This is especially useful if you want to learn remotely rather than attend an in-person course. 

On the downside, courses can be pricey and, in the case of short courses, mostly unaccredited. That’s why it’s super-important to research before signing up, i.e., that the course offers you everything you need. 

If, however, you’re simply looking for a fun course that will spark your imagination, then GetSmarter can undoubtedly help you with that. 

Have you found a GetSmarter course to whet your appetite? Let us know what you think in the comments below.