edX courses are either self-paced or instructor-paced. Pacing refers to how course teams run the course, and whether you need to complete course materials on a set schedule.
How do I know whether my course is self-paced or instructor-paced?
| What's the difference? | Self-paced | Instructor-paced |
| Content availability | Everything available as soon as the course starts | Content may be published periodically |
| Due dates on assessments | Flexible (read more about the suggested schedule) | Fixed |
| Certificates available | As soon as you pass | After the course ends |
| Course duration (read about end dates) | Several months or years | 3 - 16 Weeks |
Many edX courses are instructor-paced. These courses set a fixed schedule. The course team sets specific due dates for assignments and exams, and you complete the course within a defined time period, such as 8 to 12 weeks. In instructor-paced courses, course materials become available at specific times as the course progresses. In most instructor-paced courses, certificates are generated for learners who have passed the course shortly after the end of the course.
In contrast, self-paced courses do not set a fixed schedule for assignments. All of the course materials are available as soon as the course starts. You can read more about self-paced courses here: How do self-paced courses work?
How can I tell what kind of course this is?
Before you enroll, check the course enrollment page details just below the course's title. It will read Self paced (Progress at your own speed) for self paced courses or Instructor-paced (Instructor-led on a course schedule) for instructor-paced courses.