If you’ve ever bought a course on Udemy and regretted it five minutes later, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve done it too, a few times. Some instructors didn’t match my learning style, others were outdated, and once I even bought the wrong course by mistake, which led me to look up how the Udemy refund process actually works.

Luckily, Udemy’s refund policy is one of the fairest in the e-learning world, but it’s not perfect. After a few refund requests, I learned exactly how the system works, when you’re eligible for a refund, and what to expect when the refund is processed.

In this honest guide, I’ll share how to request a refund, how long it takes, and when you might only receive Udemy credits instead of cash.

Outline:

1. How the Udemy refund 30-day policy works
2. When you’re eligible for a refund
3. How to request a refund for a course
4. Refund timeline and refund status updates
5. Partial refunds and Udemy credits explained
6. Refunds for subscription plans purchased through Udemy.com
7. Mobile app refunds (Apple App Store & Google Play)
8. My personal experience getting a refund
9. Common refund mistakes and refund abuse
10. Final verdict and key takeaways

1) How the Udemy refund 30-day policy works

Udemy offers a 30-day refund policy for nearly every paid course. That means most Udemy courses can be refunded within 30 days after the purchase, provided the request meets certain requirements.

You can request a refund through the course page under “Purchase History,” or go directly to the refund page in your Udemy account.

Key rule: your refund will be granted to your original payment method unless you choose Udemy credits or the transaction is not eligible (for example, due to refund abuse or multiple repeated requests).

2) When you’re eligible for a refund

You’re eligible for a refund if you bought the course less than 30 days ago and haven’t completed most of the lessons.
Eligible course purchases include both one-time purchases and bundles, unless otherwise required by applicable law in your country.

However, certain restrictions may apply:

• Subscription plans purchased through Udemy.com follow different rules.
• In-app purchases from the Apple App Store or Google Play must be handled through their refund systems.
• Courses purchased on Udemy using coupons or promotions are still eligible, provided the request meets standard policy conditions.

If your transaction is eligible, you can expect a full refund within 5–10 business days.

3) How to request a refund for a course

Here’s how I usually submit a refund request:

1. Go to your Udemy account
2. Click on Purchase History
3. Choose the course and click Request Refund
4. Select a reason (you’ll be asked for short feedback)
5. Submit

Once your refund request is submitted, you’ll get a confirmation email.
If you paid with a debit card or PayPal, the refund method goes back to the original payment method.

If you used Udemy credits, you’ll receive those back instead. The same applies to eligible courses purchased on Udemy via gift credits or promo balances.

4) Refund timeline and refund status updates

Based on my own experience, refunds usually appear within 5–10 business days, depending on your bank.
If the refund was requested via Udemy credits, it’s instant.

To check your refund status, go to the course’s refund confirmation page or your account’s purchase history.

If you still don’t see your refund, contact Udemy directly regarding refund inquiries.

5) Partial refunds and Udemy credits explained

Sometimes, Udemy doesn’t issue a full refund, especially if you’ve watched a large portion of the course or otherwise meets our 30-day cutoff. In that case, you may receive Udemy credits instead.

You can use these credits to buy other Udemy courses, and they don’t expire. I once received a partial refund request in the form of credits after completing 80% of a course, fair enough, considering I learned quite a bit.

If you’re entitled to a refund, but your card can’t be processed, Udemy can be refunded within credits, which can still be used on every course on the platform.

6) Refunds for subscription plans purchased through Udemy.com

Subscription plans purchased through Udemy.com (like “Udemy Business” or personal subscriptions) are handled differently.
These subscription refunds must be requested through your subscription settings page.

Important: once your monthly billing renews, purchases may only be eligible for a refund unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Udemy’s refund policy for subscriptions is flexible, but you must submit a refund request before your next billing cycle starts.

7) Mobile app refunds (Apple App Store & Google Play)

If you purchased through a mobile app, refunds for subscription plans purchased via Apple App Store or Google Play can’t be processed by Udemy directly.
You must contact Apple and Google Play separately.

For inquiries for these in-app purchases, follow Apple or Google’s refund systems.
If you need help, you can please contact Apple and Google Play or reach out to Udemy’s support for guidance.

8) My personal experience getting a refund

I’ve requested around five refunds on Udemy over the years.
The first time I bought the course, I didn’t realize the instructor’s accent was too hard to follow, so I immediately asked for refund. It was processed quickly, and the refund was granted in just three days.

Another time, I requested a partial refund for a course I’d nearly finished. Udemy offered credits instead, which I later used to buy another Python course.

So far, every refund for a course I’ve requested has been handled fairly, provided it otherwise meets the requirements to submit a refund.

9) Common refund mistakes and refund abuse

Udemy tracks refund abuse closely.
If someone repeatedly buys courses, completes them fully, and keeps asking for refunds, the transaction is not eligible for future refunds.

Refund abuse aside, the most common mistake I see from learners is missing the 30-day deadline.
Remember: you can only get a refund within 30 days after the purchase, not 31.

10) Final verdict and key takeaways

Udemy’s refund process is quick, transparent, and fair, as long as you follow the rules.
I’ve been refunded both to my original payment method and as Udemy credits, and both worked smoothly.

It’s one of the few e-learning platforms that truly stands behind a money-back guarantee, making it risk-free to try new topics. If you are interested in reading whether Udemy courses are worth it, feel free to read our blogpost on it.

🔹 Bullet Point Summary

• You can request a refund for most Udemy courses within 30 days.
• Refunds go to your original payment method or Udemy credits.
• Eligible courses purchased on Udemy are refunded in 5–10 business days.
• Subscription plans and in-app purchases follow different rules.
• Refund abuse can make your transaction not eligible.
• You can always contact Udemy directly for refund inquiries.
• A partial refund request may result in credits instead of cash.
• Udemy’s 30-day refund policy makes it safe to explore any course.

Frequently Asked Questions