Buying Individual LinkedIn Learning Courses: A Cost-Effective Guide to Upskilling

LinkedIn Learning stands out as a premier online education platform, boasting a vast library of over 21,000 courses. Originating from the merger of Lynda.com and LinkedIn, it has become a go-to resource for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in business, technology, and creative fields. With a community exceeding 700 million users, and courses taught by industry experts, LinkedIn Learning offers a powerful platform for career advancement and personal development.

While LinkedIn Learning is well-known for its subscription model, many learners are specifically interested in the option to buy individual LinkedIn Learning courses. This approach can be particularly appealing for those who have targeted learning needs or prefer to pay only for the specific skills they want to acquire. This guide will delve into the details of purchasing individual courses on LinkedIn Learning, helping you understand if this option is the right fit for your learning goals and budget.

Understanding Your LinkedIn Learning Pricing Options

LinkedIn Learning provides several ways to access its extensive catalog of courses. It’s important to understand these options to make an informed decision about whether buying individual courses or opting for a subscription is more suitable for your needs. Here’s a breakdown of the main pricing structures:

Table comparing LinkedIn Learning pricing options, highlighting individual course purchase, subscription plans, team and organization plans.

As you can see, beyond the popular subscription model, purchasing individual courses offers a distinct entry point to LinkedIn Learning’s high-quality content. Let’s explore why this might be the ideal choice for many learners.

Why Choose to Buy Individual LinkedIn Learning Courses?

Opting to buy a LinkedIn Learning course individually presents several key advantages, especially for learners with specific skill gaps to fill or those who prefer a more pay-as-you-go approach to online education.

• Cost-Effective for Targeted Learning: If you only need to learn a specific skill or delve into a particular topic, buying a single course can be more economical than committing to a monthly or annual subscription. Instead of paying for access to thousands of courses you may not need, you invest directly in the knowledge that is most relevant to your immediate goals.
• No Subscription Commitment: Subscriptions require ongoing payments, which can be less appealing if your learning needs are sporadic or project-based. Buying an individual course eliminates the recurring cost, giving you permanent access to the course content without any time pressure.
• Lifetime Access (with LinkedIn Account): Once you purchase a course, it’s yours to revisit as often as needed, as long as you maintain your LinkedIn profile. This is a significant benefit for learners who like to review material or refresh their knowledge over time.
• Focused Skill Development: When you buy a LinkedIn Learning course individually, you are making a conscious decision to focus on a particular area of expertise. This targeted approach can lead to more efficient and effective learning outcomes, as you are directly addressing your specific learning objectives without the distractions of a vast course library.

Consider scenarios where buying individual LinkedIn Learning courses is particularly advantageous:

• Learning a New Software or Tool: Need to quickly master Adobe Photoshop for a project? Buying a dedicated Photoshop course makes more sense than subscribing for access to courses you won’t use.
• Upskilling for a Specific Job Requirement: If a job application requires proficiency in project management, purchasing an individual project management course can help you demonstrate the necessary skills.
• Exploring a New Hobby or Interest: Curious about photography or web design? An individual course allows you to explore these areas without the financial commitment of a subscription.

How to Purchase an Individual LinkedIn Learning Course: A Simple Guide

LinkedIn Learning makes it straightforward to buy individual courses. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Browse the Course Library: Navigate to LinkedIn Learning and explore the course catalog. You can use keywords, categories, or browse popular topics to find courses that interest you.

2. Identify Courses Available for Individual Purchase: Not all courses are available for individual purchase yet, but LinkedIn Learning is expanding this option. Look for the “Buy this course” button on the course description page.

3. Click “Buy this course”: Once you find a course you want to purchase, click the “Buy this course” button. This will add the course to your cart.

4. Secure Checkout: You will be directed to a secure checkout page to complete your purchase. LinkedIn Learning supports various payment methods including credit/debit cards and PayPal.

5. Start Learning: After successful payment, the course will be immediately available in your LinkedIn Learning account. You can start learning right away on your desktop or through the LinkedIn Learning mobile app.

Understanding the Price Range of Individual LinkedIn Learning Courses

The price of individual LinkedIn Learning courses typically ranges from $20 to $50 USD (including VAT), although prices can vary slightly based on course length and subject matter. While this is a one-time cost, it’s important to consider how it compares to the subscription model.

Factors that may influence the price of an individual course include:

• Course Depth and Length: More in-depth and longer courses may be priced at the higher end of the range.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Courses in highly specialized or in-demand fields might also command slightly higher prices.
• Instructor Credentials: Courses taught by renowned industry leaders could potentially be priced differently.

If you plan to take more than a couple of courses within a short period, it’s worth calculating whether a monthly subscription might become more cost-effective. However, for learners who only need a course or two, buying individually remains a budget-friendly option.

Features You Get When Buying a LinkedIn Learning Course

When you purchase an individual LinkedIn Learning course, you gain access to a comprehensive learning experience packed with valuable features:

• Full Course Content Access: You get complete, unrestricted access to all video lessons, downloadable resources, and learning materials within the purchased course.
• Certificate of Completion: Upon successfully finishing the course, you will earn a certificate of completion, which you can showcase on your LinkedIn profile and resume to demonstrate your newly acquired skills.
• Offline Mobile Access: You can download the course content to the LinkedIn Learning mobile app, enabling you to learn anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection.
• Rewatch and Retake Anytime: Enjoy the flexibility to rewatch videos and retake quizzes as many times as you need to reinforce your understanding and mastery of the subject matter.

Limitations to Consider When Buying Individual Courses

While buying individual LinkedIn Learning courses is a great option for many, it’s important to be aware of its limitations compared to a full subscription:

• Limited Course Selection: Currently, not all 21,000+ courses are available for individual purchase. The selection is growing, but you might find that a specific niche course you are looking for is only accessible via subscription.
• No Access to Full Library: Purchasing individual courses means you only get access to the courses you specifically buy. You do not have access to the vast library of other courses available to subscribers.
• No LinkedIn Premium Career Features: Individual course purchases do not include access to LinkedIn Premium Career features, which are bundled with subscription plans and offer benefits like enhanced job search tools and InMail credits.

Exploring Alternatives: Subscriptions and Free Trials

If you find yourself needing access to multiple courses, or want to explore the full breadth of LinkedIn Learning’s offerings, consider these alternatives to buying individual courses:

• LinkedIn Learning Subscription: A monthly or annual subscription unlocks unlimited access to the entire course library. This is ideal for avid learners or those who need continuous professional development.
• LinkedIn Learning Free Trial: LinkedIn Learning typically offers a 1-month free trial, giving you full access to all courses. This is a fantastic way to explore the platform and determine if a subscription or individual course purchases are the best route for you.

Payment Methods Accepted for Individual Course Purchases

LinkedIn Learning provides convenient and secure payment options for buying individual courses. You can typically pay using:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Major credit and debit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are generally accepted.
• PayPal: PayPal offers an alternative secure payment method for online transactions.

LinkedIn Learning also supports payments in a wide range of currencies, making it accessible to learners around the globe.

Refund Policy for Individual LinkedIn Learning Courses

LinkedIn Learning stands behind the quality of its courses and offers a 30-day refund guarantee for individual course purchases. If you are not satisfied with a course within 30 days of purchase, you can request a full refund. This policy provides peace of mind and ensures a risk-free learning experience.

Final Thoughts: Is Buying Individual LinkedIn Learning Courses Right for You?

Buying individual LinkedIn Learning courses offers a targeted, cost-effective, and flexible way to acquire specific skills and knowledge. It’s an excellent choice for learners who:

• Have clear learning objectives and need specific skills.
• Prefer a one-time payment model without subscription commitments.
• Want lifetime access to course content for future reference.

While subscriptions offer broader access, the option to buy individual courses provides a valuable alternative for focused and budget-conscious learning. Explore the LinkedIn Learning catalog today and discover how purchasing individual courses can help you achieve your professional and personal development goals.

If you’re still unsure whether a subscription or individual course purchase is best for you, consider taking advantage of the LinkedIn Learning 1-month free trial to experience the platform firsthand.