masterclass

MasterClass is an online education platform that delivers pre-recorded video lessons taught by renowned experts across fields such as cooking, filmmaking, writing, sports, and business. Lessons are presented in high-production-value videos, and courses come with supplementary materials designed to support practice and reference.

The service was founded in 2015 by David Rogier and Aaron Rasmussen in the United States. It launched with a roster of celebrity instructors and has since expanded to hundreds of courses across diverse categories, growing its global subscriber base through an all-access subscription model.

Each class presents a series of video lessons organized into modules, with downloadable workbooks and practice assignments. Access is provided through an annual or monthly subscription, allowing users to watch classes across disciplines on web and mobile apps. The content emphasizes practical insights and storytelling from the instructors rather than formal accreditation.

Reception has highlighted the platform’s production quality and breadth of instructors, appealing to fans and casual learners. Critics point to variable depth across courses, a relatively high price, and a focus on celebrity branding over rigorous pedagogy. MasterClass has influenced the online education landscape by popularizing celebrity-led, cinematic-style instruction.