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Delete.Directory Content TeamOur team of privacy advocates and digital rights experts has helped over 100,000 users reclaim control of their online presence. We test every deletion process to ensure accuracy.
This guide helps you permanently delete your Coursera account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.
How We Verified This Guide
Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts
Quick Information
Time Required
5 minutes
Difficulty
easy
Steps
5 steps
Official Resources
Official deletion guide from Coursera
Additional Resources
Official privacy policy explaining data deletion and retention practices
Information about requesting your data before account deletion
Legal terms regarding account closure and certificate ownership
Step-by-Step Guide
Download All Certificates and Materials
Before deletion, download all earned certificates, course materials, assignments, and any other content you want to keep. Go to 'My Purchases' or 'Accomplishments' to access and download your certificates as PDFs.
Tips
- •Download certificates in high-resolution PDF format
- •Save assignment feedback and grades if meaningful to you
- •Export or screenshot your course progress
- •Download any lecture notes or supplementary materials
Warnings
- •Certificates cannot be re-issued after account deletion
Cancel Active Subscriptions
If you have Coursera Plus, a Specialization subscription, or any paid courses with recurring payments, cancel them to avoid future charges. Go to 'My Purchases' > 'Manage Subscriptions' and cancel each active subscription.
Tips
- •You can continue accessing course content until the subscription period ends
- •No refunds are provided for unused subscription time
- •Take screenshots of your subscription history for records
Access Account Settings
Log in to Coursera on the web, click on your profile picture in the top right corner, and select 'Settings' from the dropdown menu. Navigate to the 'Account' tab to access account management options.
Tips
- •Use the web version for account deletion (not mobile apps)
- •Ensure you're logged in with the account you want to delete
- •Have your password ready for verification
Request Account Deletion
In the Account Settings, scroll down to find 'Delete Account' option. Click it and follow the prompts. Coursera will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask for feedback about why you're leaving. Confirm your password to proceed.
Tips
- •Read all warnings about data loss carefully
- •Provide feedback if you want to help Coursera improve
- •Make sure you've downloaded everything you need
Warnings
- •Account deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed
Confirm Deletion and Wait for Processing
After confirming deletion, Coursera will send a confirmation email. Your account will be deactivated immediately, but full deletion may take up to 30 days to complete. You won't be able to access your account during this period.
Tips
- •Check your email for deletion confirmation
- •Keep the confirmation email for your records
- •Uninstall Coursera mobile apps from your devices
Warnings
- •Some data may be retained for legal compliance even after deletion
Important Warnings
All Certificates Permanently Lost
Course Progress Permanently Deleted
Verified Credentials Become Invalid
Paid Course Access Lost
Forum Posts and Discussions Removed
Coursera Plus Benefits Forfeited
Alternatives to Consider
Pause Subscriptions Without Deleting Account
Cancel all active subscriptions but keep your Coursera account. This allows you to maintain access to completed courses, certificates, and the ability to re-enroll later without starting from scratch.
Pros
- •Keep all certificates and course history
- •No subscription costs
- •Can re-enroll in courses later
Cons
- •Account data remains on Coursera servers
- •May receive marketing emails
- •Audit-only access to most courses
Download Certificates and Keep Account Inactive
Download all your certificates and course materials, then simply stop using Coursera without deleting your account. This preserves your credentials for verification purposes.
Pros
- •Certificates remain verifiable
- •Keep LinkedIn certificate links working
- •No data loss
Cons
- •Account and personal data remain on platform
- •Potential privacy concerns
- •Occasional email notifications
Switch to Alternative Learning Platform
Download your certificates and migrate to alternative platforms like edX, Udacity, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy. Many offer similar courses with different teaching approaches.
Pros
- •Access to different course content and instructors
- •Fresh start with potentially better features
- •May find better pricing options
Cons
- •Cannot transfer course progress
- •Need to rebuild learning profile
- •Different platform learning curve
Frequently Asked Questions
Your account is deactivated immediately after confirmation, but full deletion of all data may take up to 30 days. During this period, you cannot access your account or recover any data.
References & Citations
- [1]Coursera Privacy Notice
Official privacy policy explaining data deletion and retention practices
https://www.coursera.org/about/privacy
- [2]Coursera Data Rights and Export
Information about requesting your data before account deletion
https://learner.coursera.help/hc/en-us/articles/360001842031
- [3]Coursera Terms of Use
Legal terms regarding account closure and certificate ownership
https://www.coursera.org/about/terms
All citations verified as of 11/8/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.
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Last Updated
November 8, 2025