TheGreatCourses.com sells in-depth, professor-led video and audio lecture series across liberal-arts and practical topics. Compare here if you want college-style courses you can buy outright (or stream) and you’re willing to wait for the frequent sitewide discounts.
Predictable sale cadence
Sitewide and featured sales recur regularly — waiting for a promotion usually saves far more than one-off coupons.
Buy or subscribe
Compare buying a single course to subscribing to the streaming service if you plan to watch many titles; subscription often beats multiple purchases.
Satisfaction promise
Most purchases come with a 30-day satisfaction window — useful if you want to preview and request a refund.
What the site is known for
The Great Courses is strongest for deep, university-style lecture series taught by professors and field experts — full multi-hour courses on history, science, philosophy, music, photography and more. Expect long-form lessons designed for repeat reference rather than short how-to clips: ideal if you want a comprehensive single-topic deep dive.
How to get the best price
They run predictable featured sales (holidays, summer, year-end) that cut prices dramatically; sales often include bundles and ‘courses under $X’ promotions. Sign up for emails, check the site’s featured-sale page, and compare single-course purchase cost versus subscribing to the company’s streaming service if you’ll watch multiple courses — the subscription can be cheaper for heavy users.
Shipping, returns and trust
Streaming and downloadable courses are available immediately; physical DVD sets ship within days. Most purchases are covered by a 30-day satisfaction/return window — read the product page for exceptions (some digital add-ons differ). The site uses standard secure checkout and has longstanding customer-support/help pages if you need refunds or media replacements.
What they sell
Verdict
Worth it when
- Great depth: long, multi-lecture courses taught by academics — ideal for serious self-study
- Buy-once ownership option: download or own DVDs for repeated reference
- Frequent big sales and bundles — you can get premium courses at steep discounts
Skip it if
- Skip it if you want short, interactive tutorials or badge/certificate-driven courses
- Skip it if you need live instruction or one-on-one feedback rather than recorded lectures
FAQ
Does The Great Courses match prices?
When do the biggest discounts happen?
What is the returns policy?
