Advanced Competitive Strategy

Overview

"Advanced Competitive Strategy" is a 10-hour Coursera course offered by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), a respected German university. Despite its "advanced" title, it's labeled as beginner-level and promises to introduce new topics and modules in competitive strategy. With a strong 4.7/5 rating from 881 reviews, it appears to deliver solid foundational insights into the subject.

Who It's For

This course suits complete beginners curious about competitive strategy, such as business students, early-career professionals in management or consulting, or entrepreneurs looking to understand market dynamics. No prior knowledge is implied by the beginner level, making it accessible without prerequisites, and it's ideal for self-paced learners who want a quick, structured dive (10 hours total) rather than a deep, long-term commitment. Roles like business analyst, strategy consultant, or startup founder would benefit, but skip it if you're seeking intermediate/advanced content.

Strengths

• High student satisfaction: A 4.7/5 rating from 881 reviews signals reliable, engaging content that resonates with learners.
• Prestigious provider: Backed by LMU, adding academic credibility and a valuable Coursera certificate for resumes.
• Efficient format: Just 10 hours makes it perfect for busy professionals, likely blending videos, quizzes, and modules effectively (inferred from Coursera's standard high-quality structure and positive ratings).
• Free access: Enroll for free, lowering barriers while offering paid certificate upgrades.
• Beginner-friendly entry to strategy: Balances accessibility with "new topics," appealing to those building foundational skills.

Weaknesses

• Confusing title vs. level mismatch: Labeled "advanced" but beginner-level, which might frustrate learners expecting deeper dives or set wrong expectations on prerequisites.
• Limited preview info: The truncated description ("new topics and modules with even more ...") leaves content details vague, making it hard to gauge fit without enrolling.
• Short duration trade-offs: At 10 hours, it may skim surfaces rather than provide in-depth analysis, potentially underwhelming for those wanting comprehensive projects or case studies.

Curriculum Highlights

With limited syllabus details available, the standout promise is its focus on "new topics and modules with even more" in competitive strategy, suggesting fresh, updated content beyond basics. This beginner-friendly progression likely covers core concepts like market positioning and rivalry in an engaging, modular format—praised in the high review volume and ratings—making it a concise entry point that builds curiosity without overwhelming.

Value Assessment

Absolutely worth the 10-hour time investment, especially since you can enroll for free and only pay (~$49) for the certificate if needed—strong ROI for career boosts in business roles via LMU branding. Compared to longer paid alternatives (e.g., full MBAs or other strategy specializations), it's a low-risk, high-satisfaction steal; the 4.7 rating beats many free YouTube intros, though deeper free options exist on edX if you want more length.

Bottom Line

Take this course if you're a beginner dipping into competitive strategy and value quick, credible learning from a top university—it's a no-brainer at 10 hours and free to start. Pass if the "advanced" label misleads you into expecting expert-level depth.

Rating

9/10 – Excellent for beginners based on stellar ratings and efficiency, docked slightly for vague details and title confusion that could mislead.