Instructional Design Online Courses 2025: Top Colleges, Eligibility, Platforms & Jobs
Instructional Design Online CoursesThe Instructional Design Online Courses focus on teaching learners how to design effective and engaging learning experiences for a variety of audiences. These courses approach training design and development using various models, including ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Design Thinking.
Instructional Design Online Courses will be beneficial for teachers, trainers, HR professionals, and anyone who is involved in learning and development. In India, you can find courses from some of the best platforms, such as SCDL (Symbiosis), ISTD, KPMG Learning Academy, and Coursera. Each course typically lasts between 4 weeks and 6 months, with fees ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹60,000 depending on the offered by provider based on depth and offerings.
Some providers offer a free online course as a primer, complete with certification. As there are no strict eligibility requirements, candidates from all backgrounds can pursue these courses. Completing an instructional design online course could present career opportunities in education, corporate learning and development, training, online and curriculum design, and e-learning.
Entry-level salaries typically range from ₹4 to ₹8 lakhs per annum, while experienced practitioners can earn ₹20 lakhs or more. The goal of these courses is to help learners master the tools and techniques to design learning experiences that really make a difference to any digital and classroom environment.
Instructional Design Online Courses: Quick Highlights
The table below shows the quick highlights of the Instructional Design Online Courses.
Feature | Details |
Course Duration | A few hours to 12 months |
Key Topics Covered | ADDIE model, Bloom’s Taxonomy, curriculum design, e-learning tools, LMS |
Top Platforms | SCDL (Symbiosis), KPMG Learning Academy, ISTD, Coursera, Udemy |
Course Fees | ₹2,000 to ₹60,000 |
Free Courses Available | Yes, via MOOCs and introductory modules |
Eligibility | Open to all; background in education, HR, or training preferred |
Certification | Available in both free and paid formats; SCDL and KPMG certificates valued |
Entry-Level Salary | ₹4–8 lakhs per annum |
Experienced Salary | ₹12–20+ lakhs per annum |
Benefits | Career in education & corporate training, flexible learning, high demand |
Free vs Paid | Free covers basics; Paid includes projects, mentorship, and deeper content |
Best Instructional Design Online Courses
Instructional Design Online Courses assist learners in designing quality training programs using established models, such as ADDIE or Bloom’s Taxonomy. Instructional Design Online Courses offered by established providers, such as SCDL, KPMG, and ISTD, are beneficial for learners in the roles of educator, trainer, and content developer.
SCDL Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
PG Diploma in Instructional Design | SCDL Faculty | 12 Months | ₹36,000 | 4.7 |
KPMG Learning Academy Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Certified Instructional Design Practitioner | KPMG Experts | 65 Hours | ₹45,000 | 4.8 |
ISTD Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Instructional Design Certification | ISTD Faculty | 6 Months | ₹25,000 | 4.6 |
Coursera Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Instructional Design Foundations | University of Illinois | 4 Weeks | ₹3,200 | 4.7 |
Learning Experience Design | University of Michigan | 5 Weeks | ₹4,000 | 4.6 |
Udemy Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
eLearning Development with Storyline | Udemy Experts | 3 Hours | ₹999 | 4.6 |
Instructional Design for Beginners | Udemy Experts | 2 Hours | ₹499 | 4.5 |
edX Instructional Design Online Courses
Course Name | Trainer Name | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Instructional Design Models | University System of Georgia | 6 Weeks | Free / ₹7,000 | 4.6 |
Design Thinking for Learning | University of Texas | 5 Weeks | ₹5,500 | 4.6 |
Top Indian Colleges for Instructional Design Online Courses
In the table below, you can discover the top rated Instructional Design online courses content from India's top institutions. The table includes course names, providers, length, and fees, from the official platforms.
Course Name | University/Institution | Duration | Fee |
Certificate in Instructional Design | Henry Harvin Education | 16 Hours | ₹15,000 |
PG Diploma in Instructional Design | Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning | 1 Year | ₹52,000 |
Instructional Design for Online Learning | IDOL, University of Mumbai | 6 Months | ₹25,000 |
Instructional Design Certification Course | IIM Skills | 4 Weeks | ₹19,900 |
Instructional Design Basics | Alison (Online Platform) | 2 Hours | Free |
Instructional Design for eLearning | Udemy (Online Platform) | 3 Hours | ₹499 |
Learning Experience Design Fundamentals | Coursera (via University of Illinois) | 4 Weeks | ₹3,200 |
Instructional Design Foundations | edX (via University System of Georgia) | 6 Weeks | ₹5,000 |
Free Instructional Design Online Courses
Below is the table that shows some of the popular platforms offering high-quality, Instructional Design Online Courses.
Course Name | Duration | Trainer | Description |
Instructional Design | 15 Weeks | Dr. Sajna Jaleel (MGU Kerala) | Covers ID history, models (ADDIE, Bloom), e-learning tools, and pedagogy |
Instructional Design Foundations and Applications | 5–6 Hours | University of Illinois Faculty | Introduces core ID theories, models, and career paths; free via audit mode |
Instructional Design Principles for E-Learning | 4–5 Hours | Alison Experts | Explores e-learning design principles, multimedia use, and learner engagement |
Become an Awesome Instructional Designer | 30 Minutes | Udemy Experts | Covers ID basics, learner motivation, and business goals; free preview available |
Free Instructional Design Online Courses With Certificate
This list consists of Free Instructional Design Online Courses with Certificate options, from credible institutions like UGC, IITs, and worldwide universities through platforms like SWAYAM, edX, Coursera, and Alison. They are free to enroll and learn, and may require the option for a certificate, with a small investigation fee.
Course Name | Duration | Description |
Instructional Design (MGU Kerala – SWAYAM) | 15 Weeks | Covers ID models, multimedia tools, and pedagogy; certificate available on exam |
Instructional Design Foundations (Illinois – Coursera) | 5–6 Hours | Free to audit; certificate available with fee; covers ID process and models |
Instructional Design Principles (Alison) | 4–5 Hours | Free certificate included; focuses on e-learning design and learner engagement |
Eligibility Criteria for Instructional Design Online Courses
Here is a quick summary of the eligibility criteria for Instructional Design Online Courses:
- Open to all: Most free (e.g. Coursera, Alison) and short term courses are open to anyone, provided they have a basic level of English and computer skills.
- Graduate degree: Diploma or certification programs (e.g. SCDL, ISTD) require at least a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
- Diploma holders: Some programs (e.g. SNDT) will also accept candidates with a 3-year diploma and 1 year of work experience, in e-learning, content writing, or training roles.
- Preferred backgrounds: Educators, HR professionals, trainers, content developers, and instructional designers are preferred candidates.
Why Learn Instructional Design Online Courses in 2025?
Instructional Design is the foundation of contemporary education and training and in 2025, it is the key to having a successful, future-proof career. Whether you are a teacher, trainer or content developer, online courses provide a simple way for you to upskill and capitalize on the digital learning opportunity. Some of the key highlights about Instructional Design Online Courses is mentioned below:
- Increased Demand: The eLearning industry is growing exponentially, and companies are in serious need of talented designers.
- Flexible and Future-Proof: Learn at your pace, develop ready-for-AI skillsets, and cut your own path.
- Career Change Friendly: Teachers, writers, and HR professionals; a high-impact digital role can be all yours.
- Portfolio Building: Online courses allow you to create authentic projects that employers want to see.
Job Opportunities After Completing Instructional Design Online Courses
Here is a structured overview of Job Opportunities After Completing Instructional Design Online Courses in India.
Job Title | Average Salary (INR) | Key Responsibilities |
Instructional Designer | ₹4 LPA – ₹12 LPA | Design eLearning modules, storyboards, and assessments |
Learning Experience Designer | ₹6 LPA – ₹15 LPA | Create engaging, learner-centered digital experiences |
Curriculum Developer | ₹3.5 LPA – ₹10 LPA | Develop structured academic or corporate training content |
eLearning Developer | ₹4 LPA – ₹14 LPA | Build interactive courses using tools like Articulate, Captivate |
Corporate Trainer | ₹5 LPA – ₹18 LPA | Deliver training programs and workshops for employees |
LMS Administrator | ₹4 LPA – ₹10 LPA | Manage Learning Management Systems and user data |
Technical Content Writer | ₹3 LPA – ₹9 LPA | Write instructional manuals, guides, and training documents |
Freelance ID Consultant | ₹3 LPA – ₹20 LPA+ | Offer design services to clients across industries |
Education Technologist | ₹6 LPA – ₹16 LPA | Integrate tech tools into learning environments |
Project Manager – L&D | ₹7 LPA – ₹22 LPA | Lead instructional design projects and manage teams |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Do any instructional design online courses allow flexible scheduling?
Ans: Yes, many platforms offer instructional design courses with flexible scheduling, such as:
- Coursera: Self-paced with soft deadlines
- edX: Audit anytime, learn at your own pace
- Udemy: Lifetime access, no time restrictions
Ques: Which instructional design courses focus on the ADDIE model specifically?
Ans: Courses that focus on the ADDIE model:
- Instructional Design – MGU Kerala (SWAYAM)
- Instructional Design Foundations – Coursera (Illinois)
- ISTD Certification – India (practical use of ADDIE for real-world L&D)
Ques: How do instructional design courses from Harvard compare to the University of Pennsylvania?
Ans:
- Harvard (via Harvard Extension): More academic and research-driven; suitable for higher education or policy roles.
- University of Pennsylvania (Coursera): Practical, project-based, focused on digital learning and UX.
Compare instructional design courses by your goal: academic vs. application-focused.
Ques: Are there affordable instructional design online courses under ₹5,000?
Ans: Yes! Affordable instructional design online courses include:
- Instructional Design for Beginners – Udemy (₹499)
- Instructional Design Principles – Alison (Free)
- Instructional Design Foundations – Coursera (₹3,200)
These are perfect for students or professionals on a tight budget.
Ques: Are there instructional design courses on edX worth taking?
Ans: Yes, instructional design courses on edX include:
- Instructional Design Models (University System of Georgia)
- Design Thinking for Learning (University of Texas)
They offer flexible options with free auditing and paid certificates.