When it comes to boosting your resume, the digital learning world can feel like the Wild West. You would often ask yourself: Are Udemy certificates worth it? With millions of users using the platform, learning and unlearning from courses in various categories like coding, development, marketing, finance, and more, it is a common question that separates casual learners from someone who wants to build a career and grow.
In today’s digital age, the job market has shifted. While a PDF certificate from an online learning platform might not carry the same weight as a Harvard degree, the skill acquired behind it might be more valuable.
In this post, we will discover everything about Udemy certificates and discuss if they are really worth it.
Are Udemy certificates accredited?
While Udemy is a legit online learning platform, the Udemy certificates are not accredited like a university degree. When you finish a Udemy course, you will get a Certificate of Completion, which confirms you have watched all the videos, completed all the assignments given by the course mentor, and finished the material. However, it will not carry the same weight as a formal degree or education.
So, for all those who are wondering if Udemy certificates are accredited, this is sad news for you all.
Let us understand this more by breaking down verification vs. accreditation.
Udemy: Anyone can create and sell courses on Udemy because Udemy is not governed by any central or government body, nor does it follow a rigorous testing standard for those who want to sell their courses on the platform.
Since it is not regulated by any governing body, the certificates are not official and are not backed by any licensing boards.
Accredited platforms: Sites like Coursera or edX often partner with universities like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford to offer certificates and degree courses that might carry the same weight as a university-level degree course.
Udemy certificates can only act as:
Proof of initiative: Udemy certificates can act as evidence of a course done and completed by the user.
Skill keywords: Udemy certificates can also help your LinkedIn profile and resume show up in searches for specific keywords like Certified SEO expert or Certified digital marketer.
Niche industry: Certain niche industries like IT and digital marketing do require professionals who have certificates in these respective fields apart from a professional degree course. Udemy certificates can add value in these niche industries.
However, there is some exception for certain Udemy courses that are registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
Are Udemy certificates recognized?
Yes, Udemy certificates are recognized as proof of completion, but they won’t add any formal credentials or value.
In the eyes of hiring companies and recruiters, a Udemy certificate is viewed only as a signal when deciding whether to hire a particular candidate rather than as a qualification. When a candidate has a Udemy certificate for any course, it tells the recruiter that you are proactive and self-motivated, but it does not carry the same weight as a university degree.
Here’s the Udemy certificate recognition reality check:
Recognition by industry:
Creative fields: Tech and creative fields: In software development, graphic design, and digital marketing fields, employers focus more on skills rather than degrees.
They will recognize the Udemy certificate, but they will care more about the project work you have done, your portfolio built during the course, and the certificate itself.
Traditional fields: In traditional fields like healthcare, engineering, and law, your professional degree and college-based learning will be given more value over the Udemy certification.
So, the answer to the question, “Are Udemy certificates recognized?” differs from situation to situation.
Does Udemy give certificates?
Yes, Udemy does give certificates of completion for most of its courses. Once you finish all required lectures and course materials, a digital certificate is automatically generated and available in your account.
This certificate includes your name, the course title, the instructor’s name, and the completion date. It serves as proof that you completed the training and learned the subject matter. However, Udemy certificates are not formally accredited or equivalent to university degrees or professional licenses.
They are mainly useful for showcasing skills, personal development, and continuous learning, especially in practical fields like technology, marketing, design, and business tools.
Are Udemy Certificates Worth It?
Udemy certificates can be a useful addition to your professional profile, but their value depends largely on your career goals and how effectively you apply the skills learned. They are best viewed as evidence of practical learning rather than formal qualifications.
1. What Udemy Certificates Represent
Udemy certificates confirm that you have completed a specific course and gained knowledge in a subject area. They show self-motivation, a willingness to learn, and effort to stay updated with industry skills. However, they are not accredited by universities or government bodies, which means they do not replace formal degrees or licensed certifications.
2. When Udemy Certificates Are Valuable
These certificates are especially useful in skill-driven fields like technology, marketing, design, and business tools. Employers in these areas often prioritise hands-on ability over academic background. If the course helps you build projects, improve performance, or master tools, the certificate supports your credibility.
3. Their Limitations
Udemy certificates may not hold much value in regulated professions, academic admissions, or government roles. In such cases, officially recognised certifications are required.
4. How to Maximize Their Impact
To make Udemy certificates worthwhile, combine them with practical work. Showcase projects, measurable results, or real-world applications alongside the certificate to demonstrate competence beyond course completion.
Are Udemy certificates legit?
Yes, Udemy certificates are 100% legit. However, their value depends on how you plan to leverage the certificate. When you take a Udemy certificate to a job interview, it shows that you have completed a course on the platform, which gives an indication to the interviewer that your initiative to learn a specific skill is good.
Besides this, the certificates can also be useful for personal development, building a portfolio, and showing employers that you have taken steps and worked hard to gain relevant knowledge.
Especially in creative and practical fields like web development, digital marketing, design, or IT, Udemy certificates can add more value to overall learning and development.
Although Udemy certificates are 100% legit, they are not formally accredited, so they don’t carry the same weight as a university degree or other professional degree courses that we get from recognised colleges, universities, and bodies.
Employers and companies typically care more about what you do with the certificate itself.
So, while Udemy gives 100% legit certificates as proof of course completion, their true value comes from how you apply and showcase the skills you learned.
Are Udemy certificates useful?
Of course, yes. Udemy certificates are 100% useful. They can help you get a job, pass a job interview, and add extra value to your resume. For example, in fields like digital marketing, web development, design, data tools, and business software, employers often care about what you can do rather than where you learned it. If you have a Udemy certificate, you can leverage it to get a job.
It will act as proof of your self-learning and commitment to improving knowledge, which is a positive signal, especially for freshers, career switchers, and freelancers as well.
Here are some of the ways your Udemy certificate can be useful:
They can add more value to your resume. For example, if you lack a formal degree or course, you can showcase a Udemy course completion certificate on your resume.
Besides that, a Udemy certificate can also be used for career switching and looking for a new job. Example: A marketing professional takes “Python for Beginners” → shows a transition toward data or automation roles.
You can also leverage your Udemy certificates to get freelancing opportunities by showing them to clients as proof of knowledge for the skills you have learned.
Are Udemy certificates worth mentioning in a CV/resume?
Yes, Udemy certificates are worth mentioning in your CV and resume. They add value, support relevant skills, and demonstrate your commitment and hard work toward learning, skill development, and acquiring new knowledge.
They are 100% legit and useful but do not carry the same benefit as a college degree or university course.
However, a Udemy certificate can help you stand out from others in a crowded job market. When you add or showcase a Udemy certificate on your CV or resume, it explains to the company or hiring manager your commitment to learning new skills and enhancing your knowledge.
Some examples:
Skill validation: Completing a “Python for Data Analysis” course can support applications for junior data roles.
Career transition proof: A “Digital Marketing Bootcamp” certificate helps show readiness to move from sales to marketing.
Is the Udemy course certificate valid?
Yes, Udemy certificates are valid as proof that you have completed a specific course on the platform. They confirm that you have relevant knowledge in the field in which you have worked. They hold good value in skill-based jobs like IT, marketing, web design, and business tools.
Companies in these fields often look for candidates who have completed certification courses and have practical knowledge and hands-on experience working on real projects.
However, Udemy certificates are not accredited by any college or university, so they do not count for government jobs, licensed professions, or academic admissions. They cannot replace a college or university degree as well.
Can I get a job after Udemy?
The short answer is yes. You can get a job with the help of a Udemy course certificate, but you cannot depend on it alone. Today, the job market has moved toward skill-based hiring rather than degree-based hiring. Employers do hire people who have used Udemy to build a portfolio and learn specific skills to bridge skill gaps.
However, skill is the most important factor considered when hiring any candidate for any job role.
Even after completing a Udemy course and having relevant certificates, a candidate won’t be hired if he or she does not have enough skill, knowledge, and hands-on experience.
Therefore, a Udemy course certificate can help in getting a job, but it won’t guarantee success.
The biggest mistake people make is becoming professional course takers. If you have 20 certificates but zero projects or real-world applications, recruiters will see you as someone who can follow instructions but can’t solve problems.
FAQs About Is Udemy Certificate Worth it?
They are recognized as proof of learning, but not as formal or accredited qualifications.
They can help when paired with practical skills, projects, or relevant experience.
No, Udemy certificates are not officially accredited by educational institutions.