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Masterclass provides top-quality education for a variety of topics. Learn everything you need to know about Masterclass in this in-depth Masterclass review including my favorite classes!
Table of Contents
A Masterclass Overview
Get answers to all the FAQs about Masterclass like what it is, who it’s for, what it costs and more.
What is Masterclass?
In 2015, Masterclass was created by entrepreneur Aaron Rasmussen and film editor/director David Rogier to provide online education for creatives.
Masterclass offers online masterclasses (think high-level online courses) led by industry experts. For example:
Every year, Masterclass releases more content and they’re constantly expanding their categories.
Who is Masterclass for?
Masterclass is for anyone who wants a high-quality online learning experience in one of the categories Masterclass offers classes.
Since Masterclasses are pre-recorded, it’s ideal for people who want to work at their own pace.
What does Masterclass cost?
Masterclass costs $180 (USD) per year.
Sound expensive? Think about it. You’re getting the best of the best instructors (and access to their decades of experience) all delivered via high-quality video lessons. Doesn’t $180 sound like a bit of a steal now?!
Is there a free trial?
No. Masterclass doesn’t offer a free trial. They do, however, have a 30-day guarantee.
What is the refund policy?
If you’re not happy with Masterclass in 30-days, just send them a message and they’ll offer you a full refund.
From their website, “if Masterclass isn’t for you, then email us within 30 days of the date you purchase your subscription, and we’ll offer a full refund.”
Can I get a discount?
No. Masterclass occasionally offers promotions but there are no discounts (or discount codes).
What does Masterclass include?
Your $180 All-Access Pass includes access to everything available on Masterclass for a year.
This includes 80+ Masterclasses, the Masterclass Community (aka The Hub), and an exclusive newsletter.
What is the Masterclass community (aka The Hub)?
The Hub (aka the Masterclass community) is an online forum for Masterclass members. It’s fine, I guess, but I didn’t find it very useful. It’s not very active and what activity it does have isn’t very great.
What devices can I watch Masterclass on?
There are lots of options: personal computer, smartphone (via the web, Google Play app, or iOS app), on Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, Roku, and more!
Note: The iOS app comes with the ability to download some (but not all) lessons to be watched offline. This is not available on any of the other options.
What’s a Masterclass like?
Every Masterclass is different because different subjects and different instructors make it so.
On average, a Masterclass will contain 20 lessons (via high-quality video). The lessons average 10 minutes (within a range of 5 to 30 minutes).
Each Masterclass will also include supplementary materials such as background reading, reading lists, worksheets, a workbook, and more.
What are the lectures like?
Lectures are pre-recorded videos of excellent quality. Honestly, you can compare it to Netflix or Hulu (except educational). They average 10 minutes (but can be as short as 5 minutes and as long as 30 minutes).
Teaching styles vary. Instructors can speak directly to the camera, work with a student in the video, demonstrate something, or use another teaching method.
Who are the Masterclass instructors?
Masterclass instructors are world leaders in their field. They share with you the knowledge of how they became such experts. For example:
What’s available on Masterclass
Masterclass (currently) offers 9 categories. Here they are, along with a couple of the classes available in each category:
Film & TV
Music & Entertainment
Culinary Arts
Business, Politics, & Society
Writing
Sports & Games
Design, Photography, & Fashion
Lifestyle
Science & Technology
What are the best Masterclasses to take?
There’s no definitive list for this because it’s going to depend on your interests, starting knowledge, and personality. But, here are my 3 favorite Masterclasses.
Gordon Ramsey teaches Cooking I
Gordon Ramsey is a Scottish chef, restauranteur, and television personality. He has been awarded 16 Michelin stars
His Cooking I Masterclass includes 20 lessons with a total length of 3 hours and 52 minutes.
Who hasn’t heard of Gordon Ramsey? He has like 97 television shows on (okay I’m exaggerating, but he has several). I think everyone should take Gordon’s Masterclass or at least watch Knife Skills and Breaking Down a Whole Chicken. These two videos alone are (almost) worth the cost of an entire Masterclass subscription!
Ron Finley teaches Gardening
Ron Finley is an American fashion designer and urban gardening proponent. His Gardening Masterclass includes 10 lessons with a total length of 2 hours and 7 minutes.
Okay, so I don’t have a garden or any living plants because I kill everything (usually via neglect). BUT, Ron’s Masterclass is packed with practical advice to help you grow a garden (even for those like me). Furthermore, he really emphasizes all the benefits of having a home garden. I still don’t have a garden, but I’m feeling more inclined to try something simple.
Bobbi Brown teaches Makeup & Beauty
Bobbi Brown is an American makeup artist and the founder of Bobbie Brown Cosmetics. Her Makeup & Beauty Masterclass includes 19 lessons with a total length of 3 hours and 48 minutes.
I don’t wear a lot of makeup so I’m not even sure why I chose to watch this Masterclass, but I’m so glad I did. This class is not about using makeup to change your appearance (which IMO seems to be the thing these days). Instead, it’s all about using makeup to be YOU, “Makeup should not be a mask. … [It] should enhance who you are.”
I said earlier in this Review that The Hub (aka Community) isn’t very active. Bobbi’s Masterclass is an exception, there’s a fair bit of activity happening (although I’m not sure I’d quite call it active).
My Thoughts on Masterclass
Overall, I’m satisfied with Masterclass and consider it worth the $180. But it’s not perfect. Here are the things I like best (and least) about Masterclass.
What I like about Masterclass
I really do enjoy Masterclass. Here are just a few of my favorite things:
High Quality
The Masterclass lectures have a really high production quality. The lessons make sense. The supplementary materials are useful. Everything about Masterclass is high quality.
Expert Instructors
It’s so valuable to hear and learn from experts in a field. These are people with experience who worked hard to become an expert and now they’re sharing their knowledge with you. There are a couple who maybe shouldn’t be teachers but for the most part, they excel.
Variety of Masterclasses
I love the variety of content available (with new content being released regularly). There are over 80 Masterclasses across 9 categories. It’s nice to learn a bit about a variety of things!
What I dislike about Masterclass
While Masterclass does have some issues, I don’t consider any of them to be dealbreakers.
White Men Everywhere
Masterclass has included more diversity lately but most categories are still noticeably white and male.
For example, the writing category contains 12 masterclasses and 8 are led by white men. The music & entertainment category is another example, it has 13 masterclasses but only 2 are women. As a woman this is disappointing.
iOS Favoritism
The iOS app is the only way you can download lectures for offline access. So if you don’t have an iPhone or iPad, you get less access to Masterclass than people who do. As an Android & iPad user, I found the Android app constantly disappointing. It doesn’t feel very fair.
Masterclass Review Recommends: Buy It!
I recommend you buy a Masterclass Annual pass. I think it’s a worthwhile expense (but if you decide it’s not for you, they do offer a 30-day money back guarantee).
If you have any questions about Masterclass, please ask in the comments below!
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