Unveiling the Facts: Is Alison Learning a Legitimate Platform (in 2024)?

If you’re wondering how online learning from Alison is legit and not a scam, you’re in luck.

Alison provides free online courses in various subjects, including IT, business, language, and more.

Alison Learning is legitimate, having been in business since 2007, with millions of students and graduates.

So what’s the catch? It is that Alison’s certificates and diplomas are not free.

Online reviews show that some people are surprised by the fees for certificates and diplomas. “We were told that diplomas were free” is a common complaint about Alison learning.

TL;DR:

• Alison courses are free.
• The free membership includes unlimited enrollment.
• Alison charges for certificates and diplomas.
• Many employers recognize Alison education, but there is no guarantee.
• Two institutions accredit some of Alison’s courses.
• Some business and health education courses are accredited.

Is Alison Free?

Alison is the largest free online learning platform. It provides free online education and skills training to learners in 195 countries.

As one of the world’s largest free learning platforms, Alison offers many courses and resources. Alison.com’s mission is to empower individuals through education.

Alison wants to make learning accessible to all, regardless of their financial resources. As of the publication of this article, Alison has graduated 6 million students from its diploma programs and taught over 30 million more.

Students React to Alison’s Certificate Fees

Many people commented online that they did not understand that Alison’s certificates are not free.

SowJanya Pravalika answered on Quora that it took two days to find out that certification was a separate charge:

Well I did just finish an Alison course like an hour ago and though the site claims that their course is free, it took me entire 2 days to realise the course content was free but the certificate was priced heavy.

Like seriously?

Man all that work went waste.

But yeah the quality of the content are quite good atleast the ones I took up.

If you can pay the amount for the certificate go for it!

Alison Free, Paid and Subscription Courses and Services

Alison’s courses are free, but certificates and diplomas are not free.

Alison also has a lifetime service fee to remove advertising on the website.

What is Free at Alison.com

• Individual Certificate Courses
• Individual Diploma Courses
• Structured Series Of Courses
• Career Guidance
• Learning Hubs
• Study Reporting

Cost to Remove Advertising at Alison.com

Alison charges €499.00 for a lifetime removal of site advertisements.

What is Not Free at Alison.com

Alison charges for digital, printed, and framed certificates and diplomas.

I can’t explain why fees and subscriptions are in Euros, but certificates and diplomas are offered in US dollars.

Certificates

• Digital Certificate             $39.00
• Printed Certificate           $50.00
• Framed Certificate           $68.00

Diplomas

• Digital Certificate             $100.00
• Printed Certificate           $178.00
• Framed Certificate           $183.00

Subscriptions

The subscription (monthly or yearly) also removes advertising.

It adds features to the free resume builder and entitles holders to discounts.

The Premium Subscription is €7.99/mo or €79.00/year.

• Removes All Adverts
• Full Access to CV Builder Features
• Exclusive Monthly Discounts
• Discounts Never Expire
• Up To 50% Off Certification

Is Alison Legit?

Some Alison courses are accredited, and some are not. Alison, as an institution, is not accredited by any educational body.

University Partners and Accreditation

• Some courses accredited by Continuing Professional Development (CPD UK)
• Some courses accredited by Save a Life by NHCPS

Regarding the accredited Alison.com courses mentioned below, please note that accreditation can change over time.

I’m giving you my latest information, but the accreditation status can change.

Check the course’s certification status before taking the class.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD UK) Accreditation

Some courses offered by Alison.com are accredited by Continuing Professional Development (CPD UK).

This means that professionals who complete these courses can earn CPD points or credits contributing to their professional development and continuing education requirements.

Table: Sample Alison CPD UK Accredited Courses
Course	Description
Effective Team Leadership	This course gives learners the necessary skills to lead and manage teams effectively.   It teaches that leadership is about influencing others toward a common goal. Great leaders ensure the success of each team member. It covers communication, motivating team members, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
Safe Handling and Administration of Medication	This course focuses on equipping health professionals with the necessary training to securely manage and administer medications, ensuring the safety of their patients. By delving into the protocols and procedures involved in medicine management, this program aims to impart vital skills in medical safety. Topics covered include the proper handling of hazardous drugs, the prevention of prescription errors, and an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medication usage.
Introduction to Advertisement Writing	CPD accredits this marketing course on effective advertisement writing. You will learn market research, target audience understanding, and creative techniques. The course focuses on crafting compelling headlines and promoting products/services for TV, radio, print, and digital channels.
Agile Project Management	Agile Project Management teaches the benefits of Agile in increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The course focuses on the skills and knowledge required for delivering projects on time.

National Health Care Provider Solutions  (NHCPS) Accreditation

Alison.com offers several courses accredited by Save a Life by NHCPS (National Health Care Provider Solutions).

Table: Sample Alison NHCPS (National Health Care Provider Solutions) Accredited Courses
Course	Description
Diploma in Computer Networking	This course on network security covers security architecture and protocols and explains LANs, WANs, and key devices. The course teaches skills to protect data and cybersecurity concepts.
Diploma in Food Safety	This food safety training program teaches essential knowledge on maintaining the highest standards of food handling practices to protect any foodservice establishment. The course equips you with the necessary skills to effectively prevent foodborne illnesses, contamination, allergic reactions, and the transmission of diseases when working with food.
Diploma in Social Media Strategy	This diploma course equips students with the skills to become successful social media strategists, covering market analysis, content selection, platform usage, social media policies, and brand profile enhancement.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) have recognized Alison Learning for its contributions to global causes.

Alison’s Honors and Awards

Honorable Mention Unesco Prize

In 2011, Unesco awarded Alison an honorable mention for its contributions to free education in economically disadvantaged areas.

I am pleased to present the recipients of two honourable mentions. The first mention goes to the eSkwela 1.0. This is a flagship project of the Philippines’ Commission on Information and Communications Technologies and the Department of Education’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System, represented respectively by Her Excellency Ambassador Rora Navarro Tolentino and Mrs. Carolina Guerrero. The project provides free access to basic education opportunities for the marginalized poor, elderly and physically challenged. The aim is develop digital literacy along with life skills through rich e-learning content. A second honourable mention goes to ALISON, Ireland. ALISON provides free online multimedia courses for certification, with the most popular in basic Information Technolgoy (sic) skills training. Almost 500,000 people have been trained since 2007 using innovative pedagogical approaches that improve employment flexibility and overall skills.

Address by UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, on the occasion of the Fifth Award Ceremony of the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education; UNESCO, 12 January 2011

EESC Awards Alison for Corona Virus Education

In 2021, EESC awarded Alison one of 23 Civil Solidarity Prizes for its 2020 free class about the effects of the COVID-19 virus. EESC awarded Alison with EUR 10,000.

Free Online Courses & Online Learning platform (category 15 – Ireland) for its project Coronavirus: What You Need to Know, a free COVID-19 facts course that has been translated into over 70 languages and has reached over 350 000 people worldwide.

EESC Website

How to Show Off Your Alison Education (Certificates and Diplomas)

Those students earning certificates and diplomas take the same courses as everyone else. The only difference is payment for the written notification of completion (certificate) or accomplishment (diploma).

An easy workaround is to ask for a copy of your Learning Records.

Certificate Courses

Alison certificate courses can be a valuable addition to your resume or portfolio.

These certificates prove your knowledge and skills in a particular subject, enhancing your credibility with potential employers or clients.

Diplomas

In addition to certificates, Alison also offers diploma courses that provide in-depth knowledge and comprehensive training in specific fields.

These diploma courses are designed to impart specialized skills and expertise, making them an excellent choice for individuals seeking in-depth knowledge in their chosen field.

Learning Records

However, a great alternative is to download your learning record, which is generally as good as a letter or certificate showing your attendance and test scores.

Why Certify? Other Ways to Impress a Hiring Manager

A reasonable employer will ask you interview questions about the subject rather than worrying about a certification or a diploma.

As a hiring manager, I am much more impressed with the job candidate who answers technical questions in real-time than the one who puts a certificate on a resume.

I, too, can sit through a video course without paying attention.

The value of a certification is in proving your knowledge.

You can do that with certification, but you can also do that by answering technical questions in real-time.

If you decide not to certify, explain on your resume (CV) that you are happy to show off your knowledge of the studied topic!

Does Your Country Recognize Alison’s Certification and Diplomas?

Learning is fun, but the point of certifying is to show off your accomplishments.

Many employers honor the Alison certificate, but there are no guarantees.

Alison Certificates in India

Rohit Kishore says that Alison’s certificates are recognized in India. However, Rohit’s point about accreditation is a bit of an exaggeration.

Some of Alison’s courses are accredited, but Alison is not “an accredited institution.”

Alison certificates are recognized in India. Alison is an accredited online education provider, and its courses are accepted by many employers around the world. In India specifically, Alison certificates are often accepted as proof of skills and knowledge by government agencies and private companies.

Rohit Kishore on Quora

Alison Certificates in America

Amanda Blake confirms my opinion that Alison’s education should be recognized.

I feel like they should be. College is expensive and with the rise of literally everything, I personally do not have the funds to repay any student loans… Again. I enjoy ALISON bc I am able to choose what skill I want to enhance, I CHOOSE to sit in front of my computer, using my own free time, taking notes, reading and listening to these courses and I feel like I can better manage my skill just using that course. I also feel like that shows something about a person. And on top of that, I can stop and pick back up in a few days or a week if I need to. And at the end of the course I pay a tiny portion for a certificate or diploma that I…. ME…. I earned… On MY time. So if I have to pay $79.00 compared to $20grand tuition, let me explore some more diplomas and certificates with ALISON.

Amanda Blake on Quora

Beautifully said, Amanda!

Stevie Renee Sorensen says that his Alison courses in psychology shortened his job search to less than a week.

After certification, Stevie landed a job as a mentor/life coach for troubled teens in an American town.

Alison Certificates in Ghana

Godfred Larbi is a branch manager who credits his Alison certifications for his career success as a business manager in Ghana.

Alison Certificates in St. Lucia

Junior Charlemagne credits Alison’s certification for getting him a job as a police officer in St. Lucia.

Alison Certificates in Nigeria

Joyce Oghenewoke says that she could not afford a “regular” diploma. She earned an Alison Diploma in Nursing and Patient Care, enabling her to work in the health field in Nigeria.

Differences Between Alison.com Certificate and Diploma Courses

The main differences between an Alison.com Certificate course and a Diploma course are the level of depth and duration of each course.

An Alison.com Certificate course is typically a short-term course that provides basic knowledge and skills in a specific field or topic.

The duration of these courses can vary from a few hours to a few months.

Only paid subscribers are eligible to receive certificates.

Upon completion of a certificate course, paid learners receive a certificate of completion.

On the other hand, an Alison.com Diploma course is more comprehensive and covers a broader range of topics within a specific subject area.

These courses are usually more in-depth and longer than certificate courses.

Again, only paid subscribers are eligible to receive diplomas.

Upon completion of a diploma course, paid learners receive a diploma certificate, which signifies higher expertise in the subject.

Career-Oriented Subject Matter Expert Course Creators

Subject matter experts create courses on Alison Learning in their respective fields.

Alison Learning works with industry professionals and experienced educators to develop high-quality, informative courses across various subjects.

The courses are designed to provide learners with valuable knowledge and skills in their chosen fields.

Most courses are part of the site’s “Learning Hub,” a curated course service to help you choose the right courses for your career.

How Alison Courses are Structured

Alison’s courses are self-paced, allowing learners to study at their convenience and progress through the modules at their preferred speed.

Alison’s courses are typically structured into modules or units of learning.

Each module contains several lessons or topics designed to teach specific skills or knowledge.

The structure may vary slightly depending on the course, but generally, the content is organized sequentially, with each module building upon the previous one.

Each lesson has various learning resources, such as videos, presentations, interactive quizzes, and reading materials.

These resources are used to deliver the course content and assess the learner’s understanding.

Learning Resources:

• Videos
• Presentations
• Interactive Quizzes
• Reading Materials

Alison’s courses also incorporate assessments or quizzes at the end of each module to test the learner’s knowledge and understanding.

These assessments may be in multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, or practical exercises.

Free, Job-Focused Educational Categories at Alison

Alison has hundreds of free courses across scores of categories.

You can look at each category to find the courses you want to take.

For job-focused learning paths, go to the Hubs and Careers to find sets of courses that prepare you for career roles.

Alison Free Course Categories

• IT
• Language
• Health
• Teaching
• Personal Development
• Business
• Sales & Marketing
• Engineering & Construction
• Management

Hubs and Careers: Alison Learning Paths

To help learners navigate through their educational journey, Alison offers learning paths.

These paths are curated courses that align with specific career goals or learning objectives.

Following a learning path can help learners gain a more comprehensive understanding of a subject and develop a well-rounded skill set.

• Animal Welfare
• Apprenticeship
• Art and Design
• Beauty
• Biology
• Caregiving
• Chemistry
• Climate Change
• Construction
• Cooking
• Cryptocurrency
• Cyber Security
• Digital Literacy
• Digital Marketing
• Disaster Management
• Engineering
• English Language
• Entrepreneurship
• Espanol
• Genealogy
• Health and Fitness
• Health and Safety
• Home Improvement
• Homeschooling Programme
• Hospitality
• Human Resources
• Interview Skills
• Irish Transition Year
• Journalism
• Languages
• Leadership
• Mathematics
• Mental Health
• Microsoft
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Parenting
• Personal Development
• Personal Finance
• Photography
• Physics
• Project Management
• Project Maths Revision
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Public Speaking
• STEM
• Sales
• science
• Small Business
• Stress Management
• Sustainable Development
• Teaching
• Technology
• Traditional Irish Music
• Video Editing
• Wedding Planning
• Women’s Health

Alison Free Job Assistance

While Alison doesn’t include career counseling, they offer several free tools to help you get and keep a job.

Alison states that 50% of their graduates found jobs in their educational field, according to a 2017 post-graduate survey.

Check out their free job tools:

• Career Guide helps you identify courses that directly benefit your career path.
• Build Your Resume helps you create a resume.
• Personality Test helps you decide on good career paths for you.
• Wellbeing Check helps you uncover mental health issues holding you back personally and professionally.

Alison Educational Interactivity

Alison’s courses are self-paced video presentations with some interactivity components.

Interactive quizzes help you master the subject you’re learning.

However, the videos, presentations, and reading material are passive learning resources.

Interactivity involves the learner in a process to create better learning experiences.

The video experience is passive, so no professors are asking you to raise your hand to answer questions.

There are no interactive projects or even flashcards, however.

Alison is a free platform, so it’s hard to fault them for not having any interactive features.

But you should be aware that you need to add that effort yourself.

Quiz yourself, make flashcards, and challenge your understanding by making quizzes and using them a week or two later.

Conclusion

Alison Learning is a legitimate and established free online school offering various IT, business, and language courses.

With a history dating back to 2007 and a massive student and graduate base, Alison has proven its credibility in online education.

While their certificates and diplomas may come at a cost, the abundance of free courses makes Alison a valuable resource for students seeking to expand their knowledge.

Check out the links to explore related resources and use this reputable online school.