Coursera primarily provides digital learning services, so policies typically focus on refunds, subscription cancellation timing, and how billing is handled rather than physical-item returns. Refund eligibility can vary by what was purchased (single course purchase, subscription-based program, professional certificate, guided project, degree-related offering, or enterprise access) and by the specific terms shown at checkout. Before requesting a refund, the most reliable reference is the receipt, order confirmation, and the purchase details page associated with the account that completed the transaction.
For one-time purchases, refund eligibility is commonly tied to a defined window that begins on the purchase date, along with conditions related to course progress or certificate issuance. If a credential has already been earned or a completion certificate has been issued, refunds are often restricted. If a purchase was made through a mobile app store or another third-party marketplace, the refund request may need to be submitted to that marketplace under its rules, and the outcome may differ from purchases made directly on the Coursera website.
For subscriptions, the key action is cancellation. Cancellation generally stops future renewals, but access and billing outcomes depend on the subscription terms. Some subscriptions remain active until the end of the current billing period after cancellation, while others may have immediate access changes depending on the plan. To avoid being charged for the next cycle, cancellation typically must be completed before the next renewal date shown in the account’s billing settings. If a subscription renews before cancellation is processed, the next charge may be considered valid under the plan’s renewal terms, and any refund request may be evaluated under the applicable subscription policy.
If a charge appears incorrect (duplicate charge, wrong plan, unexpected renewal, or suspected unauthorized transaction), the recommended approach is to gather the transaction date, amount, payment method, and any invoice or receipt identifiers, then contact Coursera Support through the help center. For time-sensitive billing disputes, contacting support promptly can help preserve available options. If support cannot resolve an unauthorized charge, the payment provider’s dispute process may be available, but disputes can affect account access while the investigation is underway. When a refund is approved, processing time can vary by payment method and financial institution, and credits may appear before the final reversal posts.
