Bertelsmann Education Group | Mountain View, 04/03/2020

Udacity Offers Free Months For Nanodegree Programs

Nearly 30,000 new enrollments: this is the result of the free month of studies offered by the online education provider Udacity in March. The company wanted to support students, small businesses, freelancers and employees of large companies in the US and Europe whose professional goals were affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Given the tremendous response to the offer, Udacity has decided to reopen the offer. Over the course of one additional month, everybody interested can use one of the 40 programs to get in-demand skills.

In March, Udacity reacted to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and offered everyone in the US and Europe who might be interested one free month for one of its Nanodegree programs in the fields machine learning, data analytics, software development, digital marketing, product management, or software development for self-driving cars. Udacity wants to help students, small businesses, freelancers and employees of large companies accelerate their education and career upskilling, as Udacity CEO Gabe Dalporto writes in one of the company’s blogs. The Bertelsmann Education Group is a key investor in Udacity. “We know that in some cases this can’t replace lost income or time in class, but it can provide opportunities for individuals to sharpen their knowledge or pick up much-needed skills that are essential for the future of work.” Stephanie Lager of Udacity explains that it normally takes four to six months at about ten hours per week to complete a Nanodegree approved by the IT industry. Now, considering the current situation, many people may be able to devote more time and learn one of these employable skills in as little as a month – and this month is free of charge now.

Given the tremendous response to the offer, Udacity has decided to reopen the offer. Over the course of one additional month, everybody interested can use one of the 40 programs to get in-demand skills. The online education provider considers this program to be part of its continuous commitment to training people around the world for the jobs of the future.