LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is an online learning platform that offers thousands of video courses taught by industry experts on topics like software development, design, business skills and more. With a LinkedIn Learning subscription, users can access the full course library and learn new skills at their own pace.
Many colleges and universities partner with LinkedIn Learning to provide free subscriptions to their students and faculty members. However, not all schools participate in this program.
So do college students automatically get free access to LinkedIn Learning? Or do they need to pay for a subscription? Let’s take a closer look.
Which colleges and universities provide free LinkedIn Learning access?
LinkedIn Learning partners with thousands of higher education institutions globally to provide students and faculty with free access to their full course library. This is made possible through university-subsidized licenses negotiated between LinkedIn Learning and participating schools.
Some of the colleges and universities that offer free LinkedIn Learning accounts include:
- University of Florida
- Penn State
- University of Michigan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin
- Purdue University
- New York University
In addition, many community colleges, technical schools, online universities and international institutions provide free access. Some examples are Southern New Hampshire University, Western Governors University and British Columbia Institute of Technology.
You can check if your college offers free LinkedIn Learning by visiting your school library website and looking for LinkedIn Learning under database listings. There should be instructions on how to login or claim your school-provided account.
How students access free LinkedIn Learning accounts
The process for students to access a free LinkedIn Learning subscription varies between schools. Here are some common ways students gain access:
LinkedIn Learning portal through the library website
Many colleges have a LinkedIn Learning portal directly on their library website that students can use to log in with their school credentials. This instantly authenticates them through the school’s license.
Claim code or voucher
Some institutions provide students with a special code or voucher that can be redeemed on the LinkedIn Learning website to claim a free account linked to the school. This also grants full access to courses.
Single sign-on through the LMS
Schools that integrate LinkedIn Learning with their learning management system (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard or Moodle enable single sign-on access. Students can use their existing school login and get automatically redirected to LinkedIn Learning.
Campus computer lab access
Even if students can’t claim an individual account, they may have access through campus computer labs or the library. This allows students to watch LinkedIn Learning courses on those machines without an independent login.
What access do students get?
With a school-provided LinkedIn Learning account, students get unlimited access to the full LinkedIn Learning course library. This includes over 15,000 expert-led courses covering business, technology, design and more.
Some key benefits include:
- Watching courses on-demand on any device
- Downloading courses for offline viewing
- Receiving completion certificates
- Accessing personalized course recommendations
- Using mobile apps to learn on the go
- Closed captioning and translated subtitles
- Sharing and bookmarking courses
Essentially, students have access to the same full LinkedIn Learning experience as an individual subscriber. The main difference is the school covers the cost of the license so students can use it for free.
One thing to note is that access is usually limited to current students. Once you graduate or are no longer enrolled, you lose the free student access. Some schools provide alumni discounts, but access is not indefinite.
What if my school doesn’t offer it for free?
If your college or university does not provide students with free LinkedIn Learning access, you have a few options:
Ask the library to subscribe
Reach out to your library and request that they consider subscribing to LinkedIn Learning. If there is enough student interest, they may be willing to negotiate an institutional license. Be sure to highlight the benefits.
See if there’s a free trial
LinkedIn Learning occasionally offers month-long free trials. See if you can sign up independently to test it out before paying. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
Pay for an individual subscription
You can purchase your own LinkedIn Learning subscription for $19.99 per month. While not free, this gives you full access to all courses. And you maintain access even after graduating.
Find a few free courses
LinkedIn Learning makes select courses available for free without a subscription. While the selection is limited, you can check if there are any topics relevant to your interests.
Use your local public library
Some public libraries provide patrons with access to LinkedIn Learning. Check their website and see if you can access it for free through a library card.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap on whether students get free LinkedIn Learning access:
– Many colleges provide free access through school-subsidized licenses, but not all do
– Students can get access through a school portal, claim code or LMS integration
– Free accounts grant unlimited access to all 15,000+ courses
– If your school doesn’t offer it, you can ask them to subscribe or pay for your own account
– A few options exist to get some free limited access to courses
So in summary, it’s worth checking with your library to see if you already have free LinkedIn Learning access through your school. If not, consider requesting they add it – it can be an invaluable learning resource for students!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can high school students get free LinkedIn Learning access?
Unfortunately LinkedIn Learning does not offer free accounts to high school students. However, some high schools have institutional licenses that provide access to currently enrolled students. Students should check with their school librarian or teachers to see if their high school provides access.
Does having a free LinkedIn Learning account through my school give me a free LinkedIn Premium account?
No, a free LinkedIn Learning account through your school does not also grant you access to LinkedIn Premium. They are separate products, so you would still need to pay for a Premium account if you wanted those additional features. A school LinkedIn Learning license only covers the Learning content.
If my school offers alumni lifetime email accounts, can I continue accessing LinkedIn Learning after graduation?
It depends on the license agreement between LinkedIn Learning and your school. Some provide alumni permanent access while others restrict it to currently enrolled students. Check with your school to confirm their alumni LinkedIn Learning access policy. Don’t assume you’ll have lifelong access.
Can I download LinkedIn Learning courses onto my mobile devices with a free school account?
Yes, one of the benefits of LinkedIn Learning is that you can download courses for offline viewing onto mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. This allows you to learn on the go even without an internet connection. Downloading courses works the same with a school-provided free account.
Can I get certification of completion for LinkedIn Learning courses accessed through my school?
LinkedIn Learning offers certificates of completion for all courses. When you complete a course using a school-provided free account, you can still download a certificate to add to your resume, portfolio or LinkedIn profile. Certificates are a great way to demonstrate your new skills and knowledge.
Is the course content on LinkedIn Learning different for school accounts versus paid accounts?
No, the actual LinkedIn Learning course content is exactly the same whether you access it through a school free account or paid personal account. Schools basically “pre-pay” for access through bulk license agreements. But all accounts can view the full LinkedIn Learning library once logged in.
If my school only provides access on campus, can I use a VPN to access LinkedIn Learning remotely?
Technically yes, you could use a VPN service to make it appear as though you are accessing LinkedIn Learning from an on-campus IP address. However, this would likely violate your school’s LinkedIn Learning license terms. Most restrict access to on-campus use only when provided for free. Check your school’s policy.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning is an invaluable platform that allows college students to supplement their education with professional development courses taught by industry experts. While not every school offers free access, it’s worth looking into whether your college or university provides this benefit. With unlimited access to over 15,000 courses, it can take your academic and career skills to the next level for free.