Getting Started with LinkedIn Learning

This guide is designed to support your access to LinkedIn Learning, an extensive library of expert-led, on-line courses that can help you enhance your communication, leadership, and technical abilities, whether you're gearing up for internships or your first job.

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Working through this guide will help you to:

  • Help you access LinkedIn Learning and become familiar with its features.
  • Create, use and review LinkedIn Learning Paths.
  • Make use of features for building networks and listing career goals and interests.

What is LinkedIn Learning?

LinkedIn Learning is an online platform where you can take eLearning courses to help your current studies or build skills for your future career. It has a huge library of online courses on topics like coding, design, business, and personal development and so much more.

Why use LinkedIn Learning?

LinkedIn Learning is more than a basic learning portal. It devises a learning path tailored to your career goals and then organises courses in a sequence that builds your skills from foundational to advanced levels. Your learning path will be based on industry needs and job market demands. The goal is to help you grow and adapt for success in today’s evolving job market.

Step One: Sign-On to LinkedIn Learning

Sign-On to LinkedIn Learning

As a student at the University of Manchester you will use Single Sign-On (SSO) to access LinkedIn Learning. This allows you to log in using your existing university email and so you don’t need a separate LinkedIn Learning account. Instead, you can quickly access learning resources through your university credentials.

Below is a simple guide to help you navigate logging in, whether you’re using a web browser, mobile app, or your university’s portal. Following these steps ensures a seamless and secure login experience, giving you instant access to LinkedIn Learning’s extensive course library.

Logging in Directly on LinkedIn Learning Website

  1. Go to LinkedIn.com
  2. Click on Join now
  3. Choose Sign in with your organisation’s account
  4. Enter your University email address. LinkedIn will redirect you to the University's login page
  5. Enter your university email and password (the same credentials you use to log into university systems)
  6. After successful authentication, you’ll be automatically redirected to LinkedIn Learning
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your LinkedIn profile

Accessing LinkedIn Learning for the first time

When you access LinkedIn Learning for the first time:

  • See an introductory screen explaining LinkedIn Learning
  • Select areas of interest or career goals
  • Identify skills and topics in which you want to develop

Note: During this process, you may be prompted to connect your personal LinkedIn account with your new LinkedIn Learning account. This step is optional, as a LinkedIn account is not necessary to use LinkedIn Learning. However, there are certain benefits to linking your accounts and it's worth reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of connecting them before making your decision.

For further help go to our FAQ page.

Step Two: Start Learning

Once you have completed the setup, you will be directed to your personalised LinkedIn Learning homepage.

On the left side, you'll find the Navigation bar, which includes:

  • My Career Journey:
    • Choose your career goal (whether it is to advance your current career, transition to a new career, or develop skills to manage teams)
    • Choose skills specific to your career
    • Review "My Learning Plan"

  • My Library:
    • In progress: Courses you've started but haven't finished
    • Saved: Courses you've "bookmarked" for later
    • My Collections: Courses you've organised into custom categories
    • Assigned by ...: Courses assigned to you, often with a due date
    • Recommended by ...: Optional courses recommended for your growth, without deadlines
    • Learning History: Courses you've completed

While there are many ways to start learning, the easiest and most straightforward method is to use the Search bar and apply filters to find specific courses or topics that interest you.

Watch this video to see how easy it is to search for courses and content on LinkedIn Learning.

Download Video Transcript

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  • Use the Search Bar: Enter relevant keywords (e.g., "data analysis," "time management") in the search bar at the top of the LinkedIn Learning homepage.
  • Apply Filters: Narrow down your search results by using filters:
    1. Category: Select specific topics such as Business, Technology, or Creative.
    2. Skill Level: Choose between beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels.
    3. Duration: Filter by course length, such as "Under 10 minutes" or "1-3 hours."
    4. Type: Filter by content type, including courses, videos, or learning paths.
  • Review Course Previews: Look at the search results, which include the course title, instructor name, thumbnail image, and a brief course description.
  • Check Ratings and Views: Consider the course’s rating and the number of views to assess its popularity and relevance.
  • Use Advanced Search Techniques: Refine your search by using Boolean operators like AND, OR, or quotation marks for more precise results.
  • Explore Recommended Courses: Check out the suggested courses based on your previous searches or completed courses.
  • Access and Save Courses: Click on a course to view more details and lessons. You can also save courses for later by adding them to your "Saved" list or marking them as “In Progress.”
  • Search on Mobile: You can also search for courses using the LinkedIn Learning mobile app for on-the-go learning.

Courses Assigned to You

Your academic may use LinkedIn Learning to create tailored Learning Paths or Collections to help guide your studies. These curated resources are designed to complement your coursework and provide additional opportunities to deepen your understanding and skills.

  • Learning Paths:

    • Learning Paths are a structured series of courses organised to progressively build your skills, which can be especially useful when learning complex topics like coding or data analysis. You may have Learning paths created for you by your academic.

  • Collections:

    • Collections are a more flexible grouping of courses or resources that you can explore at your own pace, allowing you to dive into specific topics or areas of interest.

These curated resources are designed to complement your coursework and provide additional opportunities to deepen your understanding and skills.

Watch this video to learn more about learning paths and how to use them to find content on a specific topic.

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    To find courses within Learning Paths on LinkedIn Learning, follow these steps:

  • Browse Learning Paths:
    • From the homepage, select the My Library option in the navigation bar.
    • Under this section, look for courses that have been "Assigned for you ..." These are curated collections of courses designed to guide you through mastering specific skills or topics in a structured way.
  • Search for a Learning Path:
    • Use the Search Bar at the top of the page to type in specific skills, topics, or career goals you’re interested in.
    • Include "Learning Path" in your search (e.g., "Leadership Learning Path") to find relevant pathways that bundle multiple courses together.
    • Use filters such as Skill Level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) or Duration to narrow down your options and find the most suitable Learning Path for you.

Courses Chosen By You

You can customise your learning experience by creating My Collections

My Collections

My Collections allow you to gather learning content based on your personal interests or career goals. This lets you organise courses and resources according to your preferences, allowing you to explore specific topics or areas of interest at your own pace. This creates a personalised learning path that aligns with your objectives.

Watch this video to learn how to keep track of the learning materials that matter most to you.

Download Video Transcript

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Creating a collection helps you organise your learning materials in a way that’s easy to manage and tailored to your goals, allowing for a personalised learning experience.

To create a Collection on LinkedIn Learning, follow these steps:

  • Find a Course or Video: Use the Search Bar at the top of the page or browse the platform to find a course, video, or learning content you want to save.
  • Save to Collection: Once you find a course or video you want to include, click the Save button (usually represented by a bookmark icon) next to the course title or video. A pop-up will appear, giving you the option to save the content to an existing collection or create a new one.
  • Create a New Collection: Select Create New Collection from the pop-up window. Name your collection (e.g., "Leadership Skills" or "Project Management") and add a description to clarify the focus of the collection. Click Create to finalise.
  • Manage and Access Your Collection: You can access your collections anytime by going to My Library in the left-hand navigation menu. From here, you can view, edit, or add more content to your collections as needed.

Update your LinkedIn Learning

We recommend you regularly review and update your LinkedIn Profile and LinkedIn Learning Path with any new goals or interests. By tailoring your Learning Path, you can ensure that it stays relevant to your career goals and areas of interest.

You can amend your LinkedIn Learning Path by following these steps:

  • Log into LinkedIn Learning: Access LinkedIn through your account or the University portal.
  • Navigate to "My Learning": Click on the "My Learning" tab located in the top menu to see your ongoing courses and Learning Paths.
  • Select Your Learning Path: Choose the Learning Path you want to modify from the list of enrolled courses and paths.
  • Add or Remove Courses:

    1. To add courses, search for the course you want and click "Save" or "Add to My Learning" to include it in your Learning Path.
    2. To remove courses, go to the Learning Path and click the three dots next to the course title, then select "Remove from My Learning" or simply remove it from the path.

  • Reorder Courses: You can adjust the order of courses by dragging and dropping them in the sequence you prefer within the Learning Path.
  • Track Your Progress: Review your amended Learning Path and ensure it aligns with your evolving goals. Progress will continue to be tracked, and you can revisit or modify it as needed.

Step Three:

At any time you can connect your LinkedIn Learning account with your LinkedIn profile to share your achievements, your career goals and interests and build your professional network.

Sign-up to LinkedIn (if you don't have an account)

  1. Go to LinkedIn.com
  2. Click on Join now
  3. Fill in your personal details: first name, last name, email, and password
  4. Click Agree & Join
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your LinkedIn profile

Connect your LinkedIn Learning account to your LinkedIn profile

  1. Click your photo (top right corner) and select Settings
  2. Below Connect your LinkedIn account to your LinkedIn Learning account provided by your organization, click Connect my account
  3. Log into LinkedIn Learning again
  4. If you agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy, click Accept and continue
  5. For further information, see Reconnect your LinkedIn profile to your Learning account

Share your Achievements

Sharing your certificates of completion on LinkedIn enhances your LinkedIn Learning experience by showcasing your skills and commitment to continuous learning, which improves your professional branding.

It enriches your profile, increases visibility to recruiters, and allows you to connect with like-minded professionals while encouraging engagement within your network.

By demonstrating your expertise and transparency, you build credibility, inspire others, and motivate yourself to set future learning goals, ultimately opening doors to new opportunities and fostering a culture of growth in your professional community.

Watch this video to see how to easy it is to dowload and share a Certificate of Completion.

Certificate of completion from How to Use LinkedIn Learning by Oliver Schinkten

Download Transcript

**DFC**

How to share your certificate of completion on LinkedIn.

  • Complete Your Course: Ensure you have finished the course or learning path to receive your certificate of completion.
  • Access Your Certificates:
    • Log in to your LinkedIn Learning account.
    • Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
    • Select “Learning History” from the dropdown menu.
  • Find Your Certificate:
    • In your learning history, locate the course you completed.
    • Click on the course title to open the course details.
  • Download Your Certificate:
    • Look for the option to download or print your certificate.
    • Click on the download button to save the certificate as a PDF file on your device.
  • Share on LinkedIn:
    • Log in to your LinkedIn account.
    • Go to your profile and click on the “Add profile section” button.
    • Select “Add licenses & certifications.”
  • Enter Certification Details:
    • Name: Enter the title of the course.
    • Issuing Organization: Enter "LinkedIn Learning."
    • Issue Date: Select the date you completed the course.
    • Credential ID (if applicable): You can leave this blank or fill it in if provided.
    • Credential URL: Paste the link to your certificate if you have one.
  • Save and Share:
    • After entering all relevant information, click “Save.”
    • Your certificate will now be visible on your LinkedIn profile under the “Licenses & Certifications” section.
  • Post on Your Feed:
    • Consider creating a post to announce your achievement.
    • Share your thoughts about the course and tag LinkedIn Learning.
    • Add an image of your certificate for a more visually engaging post.
  • Engage with Your Network:
    • Encourage your connections to check out the course by tagging them or asking for their thoughts in the post.

List your career goals and interests

Sharing your career goals on LinkedIn enhances your LinkedIn Learning experience by helping the platform recommend courses tailored to your goals. It also allows your network and mentors to suggest relevant resources, connect you with professionals in similar fields, and increases your visibility to recruiters. This information will help LinkedIn suggest:

  • Job or internship opportunities
  • Companies to follow
  • Professional groups to join for networking

Build Your Professional Network

Sharing your professional goals, interests, and certificates on LinkedIn Learning can be highly effective, but only if you have a strong and engaged network.

A well-developed network ensures that the right people—peers, mentors, and industry professionals—see your achievements and can provide meaningful support, feedback, or even opportunities.

Without a decent network, these posts may go unnoticed, limiting their impact. Building a solid network allows your shared content to reach a broader audience,

  • amplifying your visibility
  • fostering connections, mutual relationships, allowing fuller profile access and messaging
  • enhancing your professional growth

Watch this video. It uses the music industry to demonstrate how LinkedIn makes it easy to connect with others, including top professionals, and shows how these connections can help make your learning and achievements more visible.

LinkedIn networking tips from Social Media Promotion for Musicians, Artists, and Engineers by Bobby Owsinski

Download Transcript

Networking Tips for Students on LinkedIn Learning

  • Create a Strong Profile: Start by building a complete and professional LinkedIn profile. Include your educational background, skills, and interests to attract connections in your field.
  • Explore Learning Paths: Use LinkedIn Learning to explore various learning paths that interest you. Completing these courses can enhance your knowledge and skills, making you more appealing to potential connections.
  • Engage with Course Content: Actively participate in discussions and comment on course materials. Share insights or ask questions to engage with instructors and fellow learners.
  • Follow Industry Professionals: Identify and follow industry leaders and instructors in your field of study. This allows you to stay updated on their content and engage with their posts.
  • Connect with Course Peers: If you’re taking courses, connect with fellow learners. Send personalised connection requests mentioning the course you took together to establish common ground.
  • Join Relevant Groups: Look for LinkedIn groups related to your field of study or interests. Engaging in these groups can expand your network and introduce you to like-minded individuals.
  • Utilise Recommendations: Request recommendations from instructors or peers after completing a course. This can help build credibility and showcase your skills to potential connections.
  • Share Your Learning Journey: Post about the courses you've completed or the skills you've acquired on your LinkedIn feed. Sharing your progress can attract connections and foster conversations.
  • Attend Webinars and Live Events: Participate in live events or webinars hosted on LinkedIn Learning. Use these opportunities to ask questions and network with speakers and attendees.
  • Ask for Informational Interviews: After connecting with professionals, consider requesting informational interviews to learn more about their experiences and insights in your field.

Further support for your development

During your studies, you will receive support to develop professional skills that are relevant to your chosen career path. Building these skills takes time and is part of your lifelong learning journey. Throughout your time at university, you can return to this guide and LinkedIn Learning whenever you find it useful.

You can also access workshops and guides through the Library teaching programmes which support academics skills, research and specialist support areas such as copyright.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q1: Is LinkedIn Learning free to use?

    Yes! The University of Manchester has made LinkedIn Learning available to all students FREE of charge.

    Q2: Do I need a LinkedIn profile to use LinkedIn Learning?

    No, you don't need a LinkedIn profile to use LinkedIn Learning. The University provides access through our platform using your University credentials. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can connect it for personalised experience and progress tracking.

    Q3: Do I need a password for LinkedIn Learning?

    No, you don’t need a separate password for LinkedIn Learning if you access it through the University of Manchester’s Single Sign-On (SSO) system.

    With SSO, you can log into LinkedIn Learning using your University credentials (the same username and password you use for other University services). Once you’re logged in through SSO, you won’t need to create or remember an additional password for LinkedIn Learning.

    If you connect your personal LinkedIn account to LinkedIn Learning, you may still need to use your LinkedIn password to manage that personal account, but the University-related access is handled via SSO.

    Q4: Can I use LinkedIn Learning on mobile devices?

    Yes, LinkedIn Learning is accessible through its mobile app available on both iOS and Android platforms. Simply download the app, and log in using your University credentials.

    Q5: Will I be able to access LinkedIn Learning once I leave the University?

    No. You will only have access to LinkedIn Learning while you are a student at the University as it is connected with your University account. Before you leave, it is recommended that you connect your university LinkedIn Learning account to a personal LinkedIn account to retain your learning history.

  • Q1: Can I connect my LinkedIn Learning to my LinkedIn profile?

    Yes! You can connect your LinkedIn profile to LinkedIn Learning to personalise your experience, track progress across devices, and display completed courses on your profile.

    Q2: Should I connect LinkedIn Learning with my LinkedIn profile?

    You don't have to connect the two but if you do you will be able to view the certificates you've gained through LinkedIn Learning on your LinkedIn profile. It will also enhance your visibility to potential employers, track your learning progress effectively, and leverage LinkedIn's features to validate and display your skills (ultimately supporting your professional development and networking opportunities).

    Q3: What should I do before I connect my Linked Learning with my LinkedIn profile?

    Before using LinkedIn, we recommend you read their Privacy policy and User agreement and if you need any support with their service, please access this directly from LinkedIn.

    Q4: Can I use the same password for both LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning?

    No, please do not use the same password you use to login to University services when setting up an account.

    Q5: Does the university have a relationship with LinkedIn?

    The University has no relationship with LinkedIn, which is an external company.

    Q6: If I connect accounts, will my learning activity be automatically published to my LinkedIn profile?

    No. You can choose what parts of your LinkedIn Learning history you want to share with your personal LinkedIn profile.

    Q7: How do I disconnect LinkedIn Learning with my LinkedIn profile?

    If you have connected your personal LinkedIn and university LinkedIn Learning accounts but wish to disconnect them, you can do so from within LinkedIn Learning using: Me > Settings > Disconnect my account.

    If you are sure you want to disconnect your account (you will not be able to migrate your learning history to another account), click Disconnect.

    Your accounts will now be disconnected. But if you change your mind at a later date they can be reconnected from the same menu.

  • Q1: How do I get a Certificate of Completion?

    When you’ve finished watching all the videos in a course or learning path, you will receive a certificate of completion. You can access these certificates from your Learning History page.

    If you choose you can add certificates to your LinkedIn profile but this is optional.

    Q2: Are LinkedIn Learning certificates officially recognised by employers?

    LinkedIn Learning certificates show that you’ve completed a course, but they are not accredited. However, a LinkedIn Learning certificate on your LinkedIn profile could increase your visibility to potential employers and showcase your commitment to learning.

    Q3: Can other users see my Certificates and learning profile?

    Other users cannot see your progress unless you choose to share it. You can manually add courses or certifications to your LinkedIn profile.

  • Q1: How does LinkedIn Learning arrange learning content?

    Learning content on LinkedIn Learning is available in several formats.

    • Courses:

      A course in LinkedIn Learning is a structured learning experience that consists of multiple video lessons, often accompanied by quizzes, exercises, and additional resources. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including technical, creative, and business skills, and are led by industry experts. Each course is designed to help you gain knowledge and skills in a specific area, with most ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

    • Collections:

      A Collection is a flexible group of courses or individual learning content that you create and organise around a particular theme or subject. They do not have a specific sequence, and they provide you with a customisable way to explore a set of learning materials at any pace.

    • Playlists:

      A Playlist is a collection of courses or individual videos arranged in a specific order. It serves as a way to group content that you want to watch or learn in a certain progression, helping you follow a personalised learning path that meets your academic or professional needs.

    • Learning Paths:

      A Learning Path is a curated series of courses designed to build your knowledge progressively from foundational to advanced levels. Learning Paths are typically structured around a specific skill set or career goal and are organised to guide you through the learning process step by step, ensuring a comprehensive mastery of the topic.

    Q2: There are so many courses, where do I start?

    Learning Paths in are "curated" by University staff, such as lecturers or academic support teams or by LinkedIn Learning experts to guide you through a sequence of topics or skills in a logical and effective way.

    This means that Learning Paths include only the most relevant, high-quality content, helping you achieve specific goals, such as mastering a particular skill set or advancing in your career, while saving you time and effort in searching for the right resources.

    Q3: How do I make learning relevant?

    • Share your career goals and interests with LinkedIn Learning and you will recieve suggested courses.
    • Type your area of study or your future job role into the search bar and see what comes up.
    • Browse recommendations - these are curated collections of courses suggested by your University studies.

  • Q1: Can other users see my learning profile?

    Other users (such as your connections or classmates) cannot see your learning progress unless you choose to share it. If you wish to showcase your completed courses or certifications, you can manually add them to your LinkedIn profile. This way, you have control over which courses or learning achievements you make visible to others.

    Your LinkedIn Learning activity, including your Learning Paths and completed courses, is private by default.

    Q2: What information does the University receive from LinkedIn Learning?

    The University's LinkedIn Learning administrators have access to an Institutional data dashboard where they can anonymised data that may include usage statistics, course completion rates, and engagement metrics.

    Disclaimer: The University of Manchester (UoM) has the ability to view reports at the individual level.

    Q3: Why does the University need this information?

    The purpose of collecting this data is to improve our educational offerings and support services.

    All data will be securely stored and used solely for these purposes. It will be retained for a specified period and then safely disposed of in accordance with data protection regulations.

    Q4: If I connect my LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn Learning what data is shared with the University?

    When you connect your LinkedIn Learning account to your personal LinkedIn profile, only your learning data will be shared with the University's LinkedIn Learning administrator. No other data from your LinkedIn profile will be accessible or shared.

  • T1: Download LinkedIn Learning videos for offline viewing

    The LinkedIn Learning mobile app allows you to download videos for offline viewing. This feature is especially useful if you are studying without internet access.

    T2: Change the language used in LinkedIn Learning

    You can change the language LinkedIn Learning uses on the interface and learning content library. Available languages other than English include:

    • Simplified Chinese
      		•
    • French
      		•
    • German
    • Japanese
    • Portuguese
      		•
    • Spanish
      		•
    • Dutch
    • Italian
    • Turkish
      		•
    • Polish
      		•
    • Korean
    • Bahasa Indonesia

    Read the guide for more help to "Change content language on learning".

    T3: Take advantage of your university subscription

    While you are a student at Manchester, take adavntage of the free subscription to improve your soft skills and participate in some creative learning.

    • Soft Skills: Alongside technical skills, take courses on communication, teamwork, leadership, and time management to improve your employability and adaptability.

    • Creative Learning: Utilise LinkedIn Learning’s vast library of creative topics (design, photography, writing) to diversify your skill set beyond your core studies.

    T4: Further Tips for LinkedIn Learning

    Read the guide for more tips on "How to Use LinkedIn Learning"

  • Q1: I am unable to access LinkedIn Learning, what can I do?

    The University provides access through a subscription with LinkedIn, an external company. Occasionally, the site may experience downtime, such as during maintenance, which is beyond the University's control.

    If you are having problems accessing the site, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser or try accessing the course from the LinkedIn Learning mobile app.

    You can also find help and support on the LinkedIn Learning website.

    Q2: I am unable to access LinkedIn Learning, who can help me?

    If you can access LinkedIn Learning but have issues with a course, learning path or certificate please contact LinkedIn Learning Support.

    However, if you can't access LinkedIn Learning at all please contact IT Services.