International Open Academy Reviews 

1,314
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Learning Material was very good. It was easier for me, especially with my somewhat cognitive difficulties at times. The only drawback, AI Instructors. I don't like supporting anything that takes away... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have followed several courses with IOA and everytime I have been satisfied with the subject, the content and the freedom to perform every course.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This has been one of the most wonderful, engaging, and educational courses I have taken in. awhile. The 150 hr advance course challenges as much as it prepares and equips. As I embark on a new career... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I love this company so much for online courses. I have done several courses which have greatly helped my office skills and I'm currently enrolled in several others. I highly recommend IOA. Really grea... See more

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Company details

  1. Educational Institution

Written by the company

International Open Academy (IOA) is a modern Learning Experience Platform that helps learners build practical skills, earn recognised micro-credentials and follow clear career pathways. Our platform adapts to each learner’s pace, interests and goals, offering accessible and job-focused online learning. IOA combines IOA Originals with creator-led courses from YouTube, Instagram and TikTok experts. Members can start quickly with short, mobile-friendly courses and progress through stackable micro-credentials that build real capability. Progress tracking, certificates and structured pathways make learning straightforward and motivating. As a trusted talent partner, IOA focuses on job-ready skills that support employability, upskilling and career change. Learners can explore new interests, strengthen existing skills or prepare for professional opportunities through guided or self-directed learning journeys. IOA has supported over 1.5 million learners in 140+ countries with inclusive, affordable and outcome-driven education. Our mission is to connect practical learning with real opportunities and give learners a clear route from interest to achievement.


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4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1K reviews

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4.3

All reviews

(1,314)

70 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Achieving a career in your passions! Amazing

I am so grateful there are opportunities like this that help those who have strong passions to grow and achieve a career in something that will help make a difference in many lives

23 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Denise,

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that our courses are helping you pursue your passions and make a difference. Your kind words mean a lot to us!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Total garbage

My experience was Very disingenuous and frankly incompetent my activation info was never sent out, when complaining I was sent messages saying it was a tech error and would be ok or a message asking £19.99 or £39.99 more to extend activation or become a full member
I was ignored when requesting a refund.
DO NOT wast your valuable time and money on this obvious con
Rubbish not even worth 1 star
RH

19 July 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Richard,

I'm truly sorry to hear about your frustrating experience and the issues with your course activation.

We recently encountered a technical error that affected new courses started on July 22nd, causing them to expire prematurely. This was an oversight on our part, and I apologize for any confusion it caused.

We have since resolved this issue, and you should now be able to access your course without any additional charges. We have emailed you a detailed solution to address your concerns and ensure you have a satisfactory experience with us.

Please know that we take your feedback seriously and are committed to improving our service. We would appreciate the opportunity to make things right.

Best regards,
IOA Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The study content was great

The study content was clear, thoroughly explained & easy to follow

4 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Abegail,

Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you found the study content clear, thoroughly explained, and easy to follow.

Your positive feedback is greatly appreciated and serves as encouragement for us to continue delivering high-quality educational experiences. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you once again for choosing IOA for your learning journey.

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I've really enjoyed taking the Teaching…

I've really enjoyed taking the Teaching Professional English course as it has been a great experience taking it since it deals with such aspects of ELT industry as Business English, English for Exams, ESP, or English for Specific Purposes and, of course, EAP, or English for Academic Purposes, and the course is just about all that. I love the way the course is developed and it's quite easy to navigate. Thank you for such great and professionally designed and presented courses!

4 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Ruslan,

Thank you for your fantastic 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed taking the Teaching Professional English course and found it to be a great experience.

It's wonderful to know that the course effectively covered important aspects of the ELT industry, including Business English, English for Exams, ESP, and EAP. We take pride in designing our courses to be comprehensive and user-friendly, so it's gratifying to hear that you appreciated the course structure and found it easy to navigate.

Your positive feedback encourages us to continue providing high-quality and professionally designed courses. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you once again for your kind words and for choosing IOA for your professional development.

Best regards,

The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Value!

I came across IOA when searching for a TEFL course. I signed up for monthly membership for €11.99 and I must admit I was a little wary of what quality the course would be at that price. I was really surprised at how good the course is! It was easy to follow, engaging and I could complete it at my own pace. With membership I have access to all of IOA's courses so I've also completed some of the other teaching courses and, just for fun, I've started the Card Magic course! It's really good!
I'm going travelling around Asia this summer and thought a TEFL qualification could be a good money earner while I travel. I did have to pay €23.99 for the ICOES certificate but I didn't mind as for €11.99 membership fee I've done 4 courses already.
It seems pretty flexible so I'll probably cancel my membership while I'm travelling and come back to IOA later in the year as I've seen a few more courses I'd definitely be interested in taking.

10 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Jenny,

Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our TEFL course and other offerings.

We understand that you were initially wary due to the affordable membership price, so it’s fantastic to know that our courses exceeded your expectations in terms of quality and engagement. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the flexibility of completing the courses at your own pace and found our membership option valuable, allowing you to explore various subjects, including the Card Magic course for fun!

Your plans to travel around Asia sound exciting, and we’re delighted that our TEFL qualification could be a helpful tool for you during your travels. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the additional fee for the ICOES certificate and are glad that you found the overall value of our membership worthwhile.

We look forward to welcoming you back to IOA when you return from your travels. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Safe travels and happy learning!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed!!!

Hello,

I am writing to express my disappointment and frustration regarding the TESOL certificate I obtained from your organization. Despite being assured that it is internationally recognized, I have found out that it is not accepted in my country. This has led me to question the validity of the information provided by your organization.

I demand a clear explanation of why I was misled and what steps your organization will take to rectify this situation. I expect a prompt and satisfactory response to this matter.

Thank you for your attention, and I await your urgent reply.

Sincerely,
W.brockett

24 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Marie,

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your disappointment and frustration regarding the TESOL certificate. Our goal is to provide valuable and recognized learning experiences, and we apologize if this has not been the case for you.

Our TESOL courses hold accreditations from reputable organizations such as CPD, IAPCC, and ICOES, and are designed to meet international standards. However, recognition can vary by country and specific institutions. We do our best to provide accurate information, but local acceptance is ultimately determined by individual employers and regulatory bodies.

We take your concern seriously and want to address this issue promptly. Please provide us with more details about your situation, including your contact information, so we can investigate further and work towards a satisfactory resolution.

You can reach our support team directly at https://help.internationalopenacademy.com/en-US/contact, or reply to the message we have sent you on Trustpilot to gather your contact details.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are committed to resolving this matter and appreciate your patience.

Best regards,

The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Forensic science and criminology

This was a really excellent course with plenty of reading material. It is ideal for anyone interested in forensic science and reasonably priced. It is an ideal way of finding out what is involved and whether right for you but the multiple choice exam also allows you to gain a recognised certificate should you wish to proceed further. Customer service very quick to respond to any queries you have.

24 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Sam,

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you found the forensic science course excellent and reasonably priced. It's great to know that the course materials and multiple-choice exam met your expectations and provided valuable insights.

We're also pleased that our customer service team could assist you promptly. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Signed up for a months membership

Signed up for a months membership, there are LOADS of course. I think I prefer the video ones, but have only scratched the surface so far. Debating moving to a yearly plan as its better value.

24 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that you're enjoying your membership and finding value in our extensive course offerings. It's great that you prefer the video courses and are considering upgrading to a yearly plan for even better value.

We appreciate your support and look forward to accompanying you on your learning journey!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This has been a great experience

This has been a great experience! The courses are well-designed for teachers aiming to teach English abroad, helping with lesson planning and classroom management. The support team is prompt, professional, and incredibly friendly. Best of all, IOA is internationally recognized, so you can teach abroad. I recently received a job offer abroad with my ICOES/TEFL certificate through IOA. I’ve recently picked up a monthly membership and have moved to some of their other courses. So far, I’ve tried the Social Media Manager, Instagram for Business, and Facebook for Business courses. They are all high-quality and video-based. Highly recommend IOA!

24 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy


Hi Andy,

Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with our courses. It's wonderful that our TEFL course has helped you secure a job offer abroad and that you're finding our other courses valuable as well.

We're glad you appreciate the quality and design of our courses, especially for lesson planning and classroom management. It's also great to know that our support team has met your expectations with their prompt, professional, and friendly assistance.

Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're delighted to have you as part of the IOA community. Best of luck with your teaching journey abroad and your continued learning with our courses!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Experience with International Open Academy

I really enjoy my experience with International Open Academy. The courses are affordable, up-to-date, and well-structured. They offer low-cost monthly membership options that provide access to a vast amount of content. The diverse course selection caters to entrepreneurship and freelance career development opportunities. The courses are taught in a pleasant, interesting, and consistent manner, allowing me to work independently and earn certificates that help me grow my independent contractor business. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to learn something new.

21 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Alejandra,

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that you're enjoying your experience with International Open Academy. It's great to know that you find our courses affordable, up-to-date, and well-structured.

We're glad that our low-cost monthly membership and diverse course selection have been beneficial for your entrepreneurship and freelance career development. It's wonderful to hear that our courses have helped you grow your independent contractor business.

Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're thrilled to have you as a part of the IOA community. Keep up the great work, and happy learning!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Highly Recommend IOA for Skill Development been using International Open…

I've been using International Open Academy (IOA) for several months, and it's been a very positive experience. The courses are clear, well-organized, and directly applicable to various professional fields.
One of the best aspects is their membership plans, which offer access to the full library of courses at a reasonable price. This has allowed me to explore a wide range of subjects and continually develop new skills without breaking the bank.
The support team is prompt and helpful, which has made navigating the platform straightforward. Additionally, the option to purchase accredited certificates has added real value to my resume.
Overall, IOA provides good quality and value for anyone looking to enhance their skills or advance their career. I highly recommend it.
Fabiana G

8 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Fabiana,

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience with International Open Academy. It’s great to know that our courses, membership plans, and support team have met your expectations and helped you develop new skills affordably.

Your feedback about the accredited certificates adding value to your resume is especially appreciated. We strive to offer quality education that enhances our learners' professional journeys.

Thanks again for your recommendation and for being a valued member of the IOA community!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

EASY-PEASY

I love that I can access all of these courses for an affordable monthly price! It would be nice to have a bundle payment option for multiple courses rather than paying for each certification individually! Setting learners up with potential job leads and or internships would be ideal! TY! :)

21 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Mel,

Thank you for your positive review! We're glad to hear that you appreciate the affordability and access to our wide range of courses. We do offer discounts for bundles of certifications—please contact us for more details. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we will soon be launching job and internship opportunities related to our courses. Please keep an eye on our website or subscribe to our newsletter to receive these updates.

Thanks again for your feedback and for being a part of the IOA community!

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give this place a 0 I would…

If I could give this place a zero, I would. Not only do they charge for certificates, but they also refuse to refund your money. I waited over two weeks for a refund that never came, and when I followed up, they simply referred me to their policy. Their customer service is appalling—they completely ignored my concerns and provided no real assistance. I am extremely frustrated with their poor communication and lack of accountability. This program is useless and a waste of money.

31 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi SM,

Our policies, clearly stated on our website, specify that monthly plans are non-refundable. In your case, you canceled the membership after the payment was made. You took advantage of our offer of one free month but were aware that you would be charged for the following month if you did not cancel the plan before the end of the free month.

The value in question is $11.99, and for this amount, you had access to our full library, completed several courses, and started new ones. Despite this, we offered a certificate of achievement as a goodwill gesture, which you declined.

Regarding your comments about our customer service, we responded to each of your emails and passed your case to management for review, which is what took more time. We aim to provide clear communication and adhere to our policies to ensure fairness to all customers. Your refund request was handled according to these policies.

For clarity, our refund policy states: "Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable. This is because when you purchase a subscription to the Site and Services, you are purchasing an ongoing rolling subscription with periodic billing of the subscription fees. Each time you pay the subscription fees, you agree to roll over your existing subscription into the next billing period. You can stop making payments for your subscription at any time, but you will not receive a refund for any subscription fees already paid."

We believe your comments are unfair given the value provided and the terms you agreed to.

Best regards,
International Open Academy Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I would also give this place a 0 if I…

I would also give this place a 0 if I could. No other place charges you for the certificate. I'm going to write reviews everywhere to warn people. This is a scam. I was very very disappointed!!!!

10 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Maggie,

We are sorry to hear about your disappointment. Our goal is to provide valuable learning experiences, and we apologize if the conditions of our courses were not clear.

As mentioned on our website and in our Help Center, our courses do not automatically include a certificate upon completion. This information is detailed on our accreditation page, Help Center, and Terms of Use page. We offer certificates as an optional extra for those who wish to obtain one, with prices clearly listed. This allows us to keep the cost of the courses themselves more affordable.

Our courses hold accreditations from reputable organizations such as CPD, IAPCC, and ICOES, offering international certification options for a fee, clearly listed on our website. We do not agree with characterizing our products and services as "a scam." This information is clearly stated on our website, and the cost of certificates is transparently displayed throughout the site. While it’s easy to overlook details, we strive to ensure all necessary information is accessible to our customers.

If the course was purchased through one of our partners, the information on what is included is also clearly mentioned in the offer details.

We understand your frustration and would like to resolve this matter. We have sent you a message on Trustpilot to gather your contact details. Alternatively, you can reach us directly at https://help.internationalopenacademy.com/en-US/contact, and we will do our best to assist you.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Best regards,
Your IOA Support Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A TOTAL RIP OFF

I don't understand how you can purchase a course and then you still being charged for your certificate. I even joined to be a member but still it's asking me to purchase my certificate. So, you complete a course, pass the course without a certificate because you will need to pay again??? THIS IS A RIPOFF!!!!!!

6 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Jessica,

We’re sorry for any confusion regarding the certificate fees. As explained in our email, all deals with our partners, such as Daddy Deals, include a Letter of Completion, which you have already received.

Our courses do not automatically include additional certificates upon completion. This information is detailed on our accreditation page, Help Center, and Terms of Use page. However, we do offer certificates as an optional extra for those who wish to obtain one.

Our courses hold accreditations from reputable organizations such as CPD, IAPCC, and ICOES, offering international certification options for a fee, clearly listed on our website. This allows us to keep the cost of the courses themselves more affordable while providing valuable certification options for those who need them. We do not agree with characterizing our policy as a "ripoff." The fee structure is transparent and designed to offer flexibility and affordability to our students.

To address your concerns, we’ve provided a solution via email. Please check your inbox for further details.

If you have further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you, and we value your feedback.

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I bought a lifetime membership and have…

I bought a lifetime membership and have never been able to access it. I was communicating with someone from IOA and she supposedly fixed it but I still can't log-in.

5 June 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Erin,

We’re sorry to hear about the issues you’ve had accessing your lifetime membership. This is certainly not the experience we want for our learners. Our team is dedicated to resolving any issues, so we need more details to understand what went wrong. We were unable to locate your account with the name provided in the review, which is why we asked for more information on Trustpilot’s messaging system.

Additionally, please reach out to us directly at https://help.internationalopenacademy.com/en-US/contact so we can assist you further.

Thank you for your patience,
The IOA Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

HIDDEN COSTS BEWARE OF THE SCAM

I paid and bought the 120-hour TESOL Certificate. After I finished the system asked to pay another $70 for the digital certificate. That's an abuse. Try using other TESOL courses who do not charge separately for everything.

23 May 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi M.Tevfik,

We’re sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with the certificate process. Firstly, I want to clarify that our courses do not automatically include a free certificate upon completion. This information is explained in detail on our accreditation page, Help Center, and Terms of Use page. We offer certificates as an optional extra for those who wish to obtain one. Prices are clearly mentioned on our website: https://internationalopenacademy.com/pages/accreditation_and_certificates.

Our courses hold accreditations from reputable organizations such as CPD, IAPCC, and ICOES, offering international certification options for a fee, clearly listed on our website. Prices for documents start as low as $14.99. The highest-priced item is an ICOES hard copy certificate at $29.99, which includes standard delivery. If you opt for express DHL delivery, it will increase the cost, but this is optional and not required. We strive to keep our pricing transparent and provide various options to suit different needs.

We do not agree with characterizing our policy as "an abuse" or a "scam". The fee structure is transparent and designed to offer flexibility and affordability to our students. This approach allows us to keep the initial cost of the courses low while providing valuable certification options for those who need them.

We understand that this might not have been clear at the time of your purchase, and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Additionally, some offers might already include a document, depending on the promotion.

If you need further assistance or clarification, please contact our support team at https://help.internationalopenacademy.com/en-US/contact. Since you didn’t leave any contact details in your review, we have also reached out to you on the Trustpilot portal to help resolve this issue.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we hope to assist you further.

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

High quality at an affordable cost

I have taken several online courses threw IOA . IOA offers high quality lessons that are easy understand and adapt to the real world. I am satisfied and will continue to purse education threw this accredited school.

21 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Jared,

Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you find our courses high quality and easy to understand. It's great to know that you're satisfied and plan to continue your education with us. Your positive feedback means a lot to us.

Best regards,
The IOA Team

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Course OK but you can't return to refresh and use it after its expired

I enjoyed my dog training course once I figured how to navigate. I messed up the first study session exam as I didn't understand the system- you can't go back. I did learn and would like to refresh and practice a couple of sections, but, unlike other online courses, it disappears when your time is up.

9 May 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Hi Angela,

Thank you for sharing your feedback about your dog training course experience. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the course content.

We apologize for any confusion with the navigation and exam system. We understand the importance of flexibility in learning and are continuously working to enhance our platform's features.

Regarding the study timeframes, our courses do come with specific timeframes to ensure completion within a reasonable period. Upon registration, you have 12 months to activate the course. Once activated, you'll have 60 days to complete it. This information is available for consultation on our website.

If you'd like to refresh and practice sections of the course, please reach out to us at https://help.internationalopenacademy.com/en-US/contact. We'll review your case and do our best to assist you.

Thank you for choosing International Open Academy!

Best regards,
IOA Support Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am very satisfied with my learning…

I am very satisfied with my learning experience at the International Open Academy. You educate course participants in a very pleasant, interesting, smart and consistent way. In a very short time, I gained a lot of knowledge and Certificates, which are licensed.

6 May 2024
Unprompted review
International Open Academy logo

Reply from International Open Academy

Dear Nina,

Thank you for your wonderful review and feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a satisfying learning experience with International Open Academy.

We strive to provide engaging and informative courses delivered in a pleasant and consistent manner. It's fantastic to hear that you gained valuable knowledge and earned licensed certificates in a short period.

Your success and satisfaction are important to us, and we appreciate your kind words. If you have any further feedback or if there's anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for choosing International Open Academy for your learning journey!

Best regards,
IOA Support Team

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