# Coursera Scraper - Courses, Specializations & Certificates (`thirdwatch/coursera-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Coursera course listings by keyword. Get title, partner/university, rating, difficulty level, skills, duration, course type (course/specialization/professional-cert), and more.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/thirdwatch/coursera-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Thirdwatch](https://apify.com/thirdwatch) (community)
- **Categories:** AI
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.20 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md):

```bash
npm install apify-client
```

In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md):

```bash
pip install apify-client
```

In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):

````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash

In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md).

If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).


# README

## Coursera Scraper

Extract Coursera courses, specializations, and professional certificates by keyword. Get structured data on course titles, universities, ratings, difficulty levels, skills, duration, and more — no browser needed, pure HTTP.

### What does this scraper do?

This actor searches Coursera by keyword and returns detailed course listings. It is useful for:

- **EdTech market research** — survey what courses exist in any subject area
- **Learning path discovery** — find all specializations and professional certificates for a skill
- **Competitive benchmarking** — compare Coursera's catalog to your own content
- **Lead generation** — identify topics with high enrollment and learner ratings
- **Academic research** — analyze MOOCs by university, level, and skills taught

### Input

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `queries` | array | List of search keywords, e.g. `["machine learning", "python"]` |
| `maxResults` | integer | Max courses per query (default: 50, max: 500) |
| `proxyConfiguration` | object | Optional Apify proxy config (not required for Coursera) |

### Output fields

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `title` | string | Course title |
| `slug` | string | URL slug, e.g. `machine-learning-introduction` |
| `url` | string | Full Coursera URL |
| `partner` | string or array | University or organization offering the course |
| `partners` | array | Full list of partners (for co-offered courses) |
| `course_type` | string | `course`, `specialization`, `professional-certificate`, `guided-project` |
| `level` | string | `Beginner`, `Intermediate`, `Advanced`, or `Mixed` |
| `rating` | number | Average learner rating (0–5), e.g. `4.87` |
| `num_ratings` | integer | Number of ratings |
| `duration` | string | Estimated time, e.g. `1-3 months` |
| `skills` | array | Skills covered (up to 10), e.g. `["Python", "Machine Learning"]` |
| `is_free` | boolean | Whether the course is free to audit |
| `is_coursera_plus` | boolean | Included in Coursera Plus subscription |
| `image_url` | string | Course thumbnail URL |
| `tagline` | string | Short marketing description |
| `languages` | array | Languages the course is fully translated into |
| `query` | string | The query that returned this course |

### Example output

```json
{
  "title": "Machine Learning",
  "slug": "machine-learning-introduction",
  "url": "https://www.coursera.org/specializations/machine-learning-introduction",
  "partner": ["DeepLearning.AI", "Stanford University"],
  "partners": ["DeepLearning.AI", "Stanford University"],
  "course_type": "specialization",
  "level": "Beginner",
  "rating": 4.89,
  "num_ratings": 38721,
  "duration": "1-3 months",
  "skills": ["Unsupervised Learning", "Supervised Learning", "Machine Learning Methods", "Model Training"],
  "is_free": false,
  "is_coursera_plus": false,
  "image_url": "https://d15cw65ipctsrr.cloudfront.net/...",
  "tagline": "#BreakIntoAI with Machine Learning Specialization\nOffered by DeepLearning.AI, and Stanford University",
  "languages": ["English"],
  "query": "machine learning"
}
````

### Technical details

- **Data source**: `window.__APOLLO_STATE__` embedded JSON in Coursera's SSR search pages
- **Pattern**: Pure HTTP (Pattern A) — 256 MB memory, no browser
- **Rate**: 12 courses/page, polite 1.5s delay between pages, 2s delay between queries
- **Deduplication**: by slug across all queries
- **Proxy**: not required; optional Apify proxy supported

### Pricing

Pay-per-result pricing with volume discounts:

| Tier | Price |
|------|-------|
| FREE (first 1K) | $0.002/result |
| BRONZE | $0.0016/result |
| SILVER | $0.0012/result |
| GOLD | $0.001/result |

### Use cases

#### Find all machine learning courses

```json
{ "queries": ["machine learning"], "maxResults": 100 }
```

#### Compare Python courses across levels

```json
{ "queries": ["python beginner", "python intermediate", "python advanced"], "maxResults": 50 }
```

#### Survey digital marketing certificates

```json
{ "queries": ["digital marketing", "social media marketing", "seo"], "maxResults": 60 }
```

### Notes

- Coursera search returns specializations, professional certificates, and individual courses in the same results
- Filter by `course_type` in your downstream processing to separate these
- The `num_ratings` field is the most reliable proxy for enrollment count (Coursera does not expose raw enrollment in search results)
- Results are sorted by Coursera's relevance ranking by default

# Actor input Schema

## `queries` (type: `array`):

List of keyword queries to search on Coursera. Each query returns up to maxResults courses. Examples: 'machine learning', 'python for beginners', 'digital marketing'.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of courses to return per query. Each page returns 12 courses. Total results = queries × maxResults.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Optional Apify proxy configuration. Leave empty for direct connection (Coursera does not require a proxy).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "queries": [
    "machine learning",
    "python",
    "marketing"
  ],
  "maxResults": 50,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "queries": [
        "machine learning",
        "python",
        "marketing"
    ],
    "maxResults": 50,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": false
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("thirdwatch/coursera-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "queries": [
        "machine learning",
        "python",
        "marketing",
    ],
    "maxResults": 50,
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": False },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("thirdwatch/coursera-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "queries": [
    "machine learning",
    "python",
    "marketing"
  ],
  "maxResults": 50,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}' |
apify call thirdwatch/coursera-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=thirdwatch/coursera-scraper",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "Coursera Scraper - Courses, Specializations & Certificates",
        "description": "Scrape Coursera course listings by keyword. Get title, partner/university, rating, difficulty level, skills, duration, course type (course/specialization/professional-cert), and more.",
        "version": "1.0",
        "x-build-id": "JgQI56eyoUMWjHZxW"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/thirdwatch~coursera-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-thirdwatch-coursera-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/thirdwatch~coursera-scraper/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-thirdwatch-coursera-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK",
                        "content": {
                            "application/json": {
                                "schema": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/thirdwatch~coursera-scraper/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-thirdwatch-coursera-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    "components": {
        "schemas": {
            "inputSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "required": [
                    "queries"
                ],
                "properties": {
                    "queries": {
                        "title": "Search Queries",
                        "type": "array",
                        "description": "List of keyword queries to search on Coursera. Each query returns up to maxResults courses. Examples: 'machine learning', 'python for beginners', 'digital marketing'.",
                        "default": [
                            "machine learning",
                            "python",
                            "marketing"
                        ],
                        "items": {
                            "type": "string"
                        }
                    },
                    "maxResults": {
                        "title": "Max Results Per Query",
                        "minimum": 1,
                        "maximum": 500,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Maximum number of courses to return per query. Each page returns 12 courses. Total results = queries × maxResults.",
                        "default": 50
                    },
                    "proxyConfiguration": {
                        "title": "Proxy Configuration",
                        "type": "object",
                        "description": "Optional Apify proxy configuration. Leave empty for direct connection (Coursera does not require a proxy)."
                    }
                }
            },
            "runsResponseSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "data": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "id": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "actId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "userId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "startedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "finishedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "status": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "READY"
                            },
                            "meta": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "origin": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "API"
                                    },
                                    "userAgent": {
                                        "type": "string"
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "stats": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "inputBodyLen": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2000
                                    },
                                    "rebootCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "restartCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "resurrectCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "computeUnits": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "options": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "build": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "latest"
                                    },
                                    "timeoutSecs": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 300
                                    },
                                    "memoryMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1024
                                    },
                                    "diskMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2048
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "buildId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultDatasetId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultRequestQueueId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "buildNumber": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "1.0.0"
                            },
                            "containerUrl": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "usage": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "usageTotalUsd": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "example": 0.00005
                            },
                            "usageUsd": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "number",
                                        "example": 0.00005
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```