edX Online

How to audit an edX class

Did you know you don’t have to pay to review online edX courses? By auditing an online course on edX, you can determine whether the course requirements and materials suit your needs. Learn how to enroll and audit an edX course in this guide.

By: Shelby Campbell, Edited by: Valerie Black

Last updated: October 1, 2025

Why it’s worth auditing an edX course

Auditing an edX course means reviewing the course material for free. It’s an option for students who want to explore the rigor and content of the course before signing up for the full experience.

On edX, you can audit nearly all of our online courses from top schools, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and the University of Cambridge.

When you audit a class on edX, you can:

  • Determine the commitment required.
  • Assess whether the course teaches relevant skills for your goals.
  • Learn about the subject without investing in the course.
  • Evaluate whether the subject is a good career path for you.

Unlike the full enrollment experience, learners in the audit track can only access the materials for as long as the course is active, generally 4–12 weeks. Only those in the certificate track have unlimited access to the materials once the course has ended.

Steps for auditing an edX class

As an audit learner, you’ll have temporary access to course materials and assignments. Here’s how to get started:

Find your course

Before you enroll to audit a course on edX, determine which course will best suit your needs. Consider what you’re looking to get out of the course and which edX offering speaks best to these goals.

Some professional certificate, MicroBachelors® and MicroMasters®, and XSeries programs allow you to audit their course offerings, but edX Executive Education programs don’t offer an audit track.

Enroll in the course

After picking your class, click the “audit course” link on the page, often below the registration button. This link will refer you to two sign-up options — one that allows you to register for the full experience and another to continue the audit. Click the “audit” option to move forward with enrolling in the audit track.

Read the syllabus

You can now access the course materials and complete assignments. Start by reviewing the syllabus, which often contains a schedule, a list of readings and assignments, and due dates. Then, click through to the instructions for how to use the program’s interactive online system.

Explore the course

Once you’re familiar with the program formatting, you can begin reading through the course materials. These materials vary between courses, instructors, and schools. For the audit track, they generally include readings, video lectures, discussions, and ungraded assignments that you can complete on your schedule.

Complete the course or register for your certificate

While you can view and complete the course on your own time, you’ll only have access to the materials when it’s active. Make sure to complete your audit within the specified timeframe. You can also register for the full experience to keep your access and earn a certificate.

How to decide which class to audit

You can audit almost every course on edX. Consider the following scenarios that may lead a student to audit a course before investing in the certificate:

You want to upskill for AI
Then audit...
You need to build leadership skills before a potential promotion
Then audit...
You want to explore whether you’d like to be a project manager in your field
Then audit...
You’re interested in a career in web development but aren’t sure whether you like the field enough to invest in a degree program
Then audit...
You want to see how challenging it would be to add accounting to your management skills
Then audit...
You’re a business leader who wants to learn how to make your business more sustainable
Then audit...
You want to make data-driven business decisions
Then audit...
You want to determine how difficult it would be to learn C++ programming
Then audit...
You’re interested in integrating AI digital marketing solutions
Then audit...

Free classes on edX

Along with the audit option, you can take free courses to earn a certificate on edX. Explore free course offerings:

Frequently asked questions about auditing an edX class

Can I put an audited course on my résumé?

While you can use an audited course on your résumé, hiring managers may request proof of a passing grade. Learners who choose the audit track don’t earn a verified certificate, which offers a link that validates that you’ve taken and passed the class.

Is it better to audit a course than get a certificate in the course?

No, it’s typically better to have a certificate after completing an online course. Recruiters often prefer to see evidence, such as an edX verified certificate, that your online course programs provided enough rigor to prepare you for real-world experience.

Is there any limit to the number of classes I can audit on edX?

No, you can audit any number of courses on edX for free.

Will I learn as much from auditing a course as I would if I enrolled in the course?

While the course materials are available for free in the audit track, enrolling in a course allows you to receive feedback from professors, potentially helping you learn more. This individualized, constructive feedback can help you address any areas of weakness or misunderstanding and gain a well-rounded view of the subject.

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