OpenClassrooms
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Online education, Vocational training |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Pierre Dubuc, Mathieu Nebra |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Pierre Dubuc, Mathieu Nebra |
| Products | Online courses, degree programs, vocational training |
| Website | openclassrooms |
OpenClassrooms is an online education company based in France that focuses on vocational training, delivering courses in areas such as IT, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital competencies.
Established in 2013 by Pierre Dubuc and Mathieu Nebra, OpenClassrooms serves a global community of 2.5 million learners with content offered in English, French, and Spanish. The organization aims to democratize education by providing entirely online programs that integrate video lessons, written resources, practical projects, and one-on-one mentoring.
Courses and learning paths
OpenClassrooms offers a catalog exceeding 1,000 courses targeting high-demand skills including entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and web development.
Since 2015, the platform has developed comprehensive learning paths centered around hands-on projects and mentorship support. Learners submit projects for mentor evaluation and undergo a final assessment conducted by a panel. Those who pass receive diplomas recognized internationally.
Presently, OpenClassrooms features 12 degree programs in French and 7 in English, covering disciplines such as front-end web development, Ruby programming, Android and iOS app development, full-stack web development, UX design, and product management. These courses span bachelor’s to master’s levels and generally require between six months to one year to complete.
Membership structure
OpenClassrooms follows a freemium model.
Users may sign up at no cost and access the full course library; however, video streaming is restricted to five videos weekly.
The Premium Solo plan (€20 per month) grants unlimited video access along with certification opportunities.
The Premium Plus subscription (starting at €300 monthly) includes guided learning paths with project work, dedicated mentorship, and state-accredited degrees.
Accreditation
As a private distance education provider registered with the Board of Education in Paris, OpenClassrooms awards degrees from its own institution as well as partner organizations.
Upon successful completion of coursework and skills validation, students are granted diplomas at bachelor’s or master’s level.
For instance, the front-end web development program holds an EQF level 6 classification and is acknowledged across 50 countries through the Bologna Process, ensuring extensive recognition throughout Europe.
Each curriculum is listed in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP), confirming State-recognized diploma status.
History
Originally launched in 1999 by Mathieu Nebra and Pierre Dubuc under the name Le site du Zéro, OpenClassrooms started as a community focused on programming tutorials.
By 2007, it transitioned into a company offering online courses, MOOCs, and structured learning paths via a freemium approach, producing content internally or collaborating with institutions like École Polytechnique and corporations including IBM.
In October 2015, OpenClassrooms teamed up with the French Government to provide unemployed individuals with free Premium Solo memberships.
November 2016 marked the debut of its first internationally accredited bachelor's degree taught in English in Web Development.
In December 2016, a partnership with Morocco's ANAPEC enabled free Premium Solo memberships for job seekers.
User registrations reached 2 million by 2017 alongside 3.5 million unique monthly visitors.
In March 2017, an agreement with Tunisia's ANETI extended free Premium Solo memberships to unemployed persons.
April 2017 introduced a Job Guarantee within France: graduates unable to secure employment within six months receive a refund of their tuition fees; this initiative expanded globally by July 2017.
June 2017 saw collaboration with Capgemini to develop ‘online apprenticeships’—tailored programs combining digital learning with workplace training leading to bachelor’s or master’s qualifications.
In April 2021, OpenClassrooms raised $80 million from investors including the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Talks and awards
In 2015, Mathieu Nebra received recognition as one of the MIT Innovators Under 35 by MIT Technology Review. The following year, Pierre Dubuc was honored on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlighting his achievements in social entrepreneurship.
OpenClassrooms earned the ACSEL’R award for digital transformation in May 2016. Later that year, in November, co-founder Pierre Dubuc shared his insights on the future of education during the Young Leaders session at the World Policy Conference.
By July 2017, OpenClassrooms had secured a finalist position at the EdTechXGlobal Europe awards.