LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s paid subscription service that provides users with additional features beyond the free basic account. One of the main benefits of LinkedIn Premium is access to LinkedIn Learning, the platform’s vast library of expert-led courses. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what LinkedIn Learning provides for Premium subscribers.
What is LinkedIn Learning?
LinkedIn Learning (previously known as Lynda) is an e-learning platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts across a wide range of topics. It has over 15,000 courses covering business, technology, and creative skills. When you have a Premium subscription, you get unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning as part of the package.
Here are some key things to know about LinkedIn Learning:
- Expert instructors – Courses are taught by knowledgeable instructors who are experts in their field.
- Self-paced learning – You can take courses at your own pace and refer back to them as needed.
- Variety of topics – LinkedIn Learning offers courses on topics like management and leadership, software and technology skills, design and photography, marketing, accounting and finance, and more.
- Course levels – Courses range from beginner to advanced levels.
- Mobile access – You can view courses on desktop, mobile apps, or offline with the downloadable app.
- Course materials – Courses include downloadable exercise files and transcripts.
- Certificates – You can showcase your learning by earning certificates of completion.
By providing access to LinkedIn Learning, LinkedIn Premium enables members to tap into a massive library of professional development and upskilling resources.
What Learning Content is Available?
LinkedIn Learning has over 15,000 courses, so there is an incredibly diverse range of content available. Some of the main categories include:
Business Management & Strategy
Build leadership, management, and business strategy skills with courses like:
- Business Strategy Fundamentals
- Leading with Emotional Intelligence
- Becoming a Manager
- Organizational Change Management
- Developing Your Decision Making Skills
Marketing
Keep your marketing skills current with courses on topics like:
- Content Marketing
- Facebook and Instagram Advertising
- Google Ads (AdWords)
- SEO Foundations
- Social Media Marketing
Software & Technology
Learn the leading software platforms and development languages, including:
- Python
- JavaScript
- Machine Learning
- Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro
- AutoCAD
- QuickBooks
- Tableau
Design & Creativity
Explore your creative side with design and photography skills like:
- Graphic Design Techniques
- Logo Design
- Digital Photography
- Interior Design
- Drawing Fundamentals
Data Science & Analytics
Make data-driven decisions with courses on:
- Data Analytics
- Data Visualization
- SQL Essential Training
- Excel Analytics
- Tableau
Finance & Accounting
Demystify financial terms and accounting practices with topics like:
- Corporate Finance
- Reading Financial Statements
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- QuickBooks
- Finance Fundamentals
Top Learning Paths
LinkedIn Learning features structured learning paths that group relevant courses together so you can master in-demand skills from start to finish. Here are some of the most popular learning paths:
| Learning Path | Description |
|---|---|
| Become a Salesforce Administrator | Prepare for Salesforce Admin certification with 11 courses to master the platform. |
| Leadership Fundamentals | Strengthen essential leadership abilities with a 12-course path. |
| Programming Foundations: Programming for Kids | Introduce children to coding basics with 5 fun, interactive courses. |
| UX Designer | Gain core UX design skills with a 15-course program. |
| Data Scientist | Build data science capabilities with 31 courses on tools like Python, R, SQL, and Tableau. |
Most Popular Courses
While LinkedIn Learning has thousands of courses, some consistently rise to the top as member favorites. Here are some of the most popular LinkedIn Learning courses:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Excel Essential Training | Master formulas, charts, pivot tables, and other Excel skills. |
| Body Language for Leaders | Decode body language cues to better lead and influence. |
| Presentation Skills: Designing & Delivering Effective Presentations | Engage audiences and deliver polished presentations. |
| Time Management Fundamentals | Boost productivity and organization with time management tactics. |
| Programming Foundations: Fundamentals | Learn core programming concepts applicable to any language. |
Instructors
LinkedIn Learning courses are taught by credible experts who are leaders in their field. Some of the platform’s top instructors include:
- Chris Ducker – Founder of Virtual Staff Finder, teaches entrepreneurship and productivity courses.
- Mohan Sawhney – Professor at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, teaches business innovation and tech.
- Ray Villalobos – Web developer, author, and Udemy instructor, teaches JavaScript and full stack development.
- Morten Rand-Hendriksen – Web designer, teaches popular courses on WordPress and web design.
- Laura Bergells – Creative director at LinkedIn Learning, teaches graphic design and branding courses.
Having industry experts plan and teach the courses adds enormous value compared to amateur-created content.
Course Format
Most LinkedIn Learning courses follow a similar structure:
- Video lessons – Courses are broken into bite-sized video lessons, usually between 3-10 minutes long.
- Hands-on exercises – Apply concepts by downloading exercise files and working through hands-on projects.
- Quizzes – Some courses have quiz questions after sections to test your knowledge.
- Download resources – Supplement learning with course slides, worksheets, quick reference guides and other assets.
- Mobile viewing – Courses can be accessed on iOS and Android mobile apps.
This format allows you to learn through visual, practical and test-based approaches.
Learning Modes
LinkedIn Learning offers different modes of learning:
- Free viewing – Browse nearly 100 courses for free without a paid subscription.
- Complete courses – Full access to all 15,000+ courses with a Premium account.
- Learning paths – Take structured multi-course programs focused on key skills.
- Skill assessments – Assess proficiency levels across 50+ skills.
- Expert playlists – Follow curated course guides on topics created by instructors.
- Offline viewing – Download courses within the mobile apps to view offline.
This selection allows you to approach learning in different ways based on your goals and style.
LinkedIn Learning Certificate of Completion
Completing any LinkedIn Learning course earns you a Certificate of Completion. This certificate documents your successful course completion and the instructor’s name. It also includes a verified LinkedIn Learning URL that recipients can click to confirm it’s valid.
You can feature these shareable certificates on your LinkedIn profile, resume, portfolio or social media. They serve as proof that you’ve invested time in building your skills.
Cost of LinkedIn Premium with Learning
LinkedIn Learning is included with these paid LinkedIn Premium subscriptions:
- Premium Career – $29.99/month
- Premium Business – $49.99/month
- Premium Sales – $64.99/month
- Premium Hiring – $99.95/month
You can also get access to select LinkedIn learning courses through the free LinkedIn account option.
For companies, LinkedIn Learning is available as an add-on to LinkedIn Business Plus accounts for $25/month per user if buying fewer than 300 licenses. Volume discounts are available.
Pros of LinkedIn Learning
Here are some of the main benefits of using LinkedIn Learning with Premium:
- Expert-led courses – Learn from credible instructors who are leaders in their field.
- Self-paced – Progress through courses at your own speed.
- Applicable skills – Courses teach practical skills applicable to real-world jobs.
- Mobile access – Download courses to view offline on mobile.
- Specific learning paths – Follow guided paths tailored to in-demand skills.
- Variety of topics – 15,000+ courses spanning every category imaginable.
- Shareable certificates – Showcase completed courses on your profile.
Cons of LinkedIn Learning
There are also a few potential drawbacks to note about LinkedIn Learning:
- Extra cost – It requires a paid Premium account, increasing the cost of LinkedIn.
- No college credits – Completing courses does not lead to college credits or degrees.
- Difficult to stand out – With over 690 million users on the platform, certificates are common.
- Hit or miss quality – Some courses are better produced and taught than others.
- Limited support – Self-paced format lacks direct support from instructors.
Best Uses for LinkedIn Learning
Here are some examples of great ways to leverage LinkedIn Learning with your Premium membership:
- Build management skills – Take leadership and management courses to get promoted.
- Expand software knowledge – Learn new programs like Photoshop, Tableau, QuickBooks, etc.
- Switch careers – Gain skills for a career change into a new field.
- Earn certifications – Use courses to prepare for professional certification exams.
- Sharpen job skills – Improve existing abilities needed for your current role.
- Learn business – Supplement your business degree with additional training.
Tips for Getting the Most from LinkedIn Learning
Follow these tips to maximize the impact of LinkedIn Learning:
- Take skill assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Follow guided learning paths that align to your development goals.
- Download courses for offline viewing when traveling.
- Watch at 1.5x – 2x speed to learn faster.
- Take notes while watching videos and slides.
- Immediately apply concepts to workplace projects.
- Earn certificates to showcase new skills on your profile.
- Write reviews on your favorite courses to guide others.
- Share top courses and insights with colleagues.
- Use bookmarks to easily find course sections.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn Learning is an extremely valuable addition for Premium subscribers. The platform opens up an immense catalogue of expert-led courses covering every business and tech skill imaginable. By providing on-demand access to learning, it allows members to continuously develop relevant skills that drive career advancement and opportunity. While the additional cost and self-paced format are limitations, the breadth of practical courses and shareable certificates make LinkedIn Learning a beneficial selling point of Premium.
