• Course
  • Part-Time YouTuber Academy

Part-Time YouTuber Academy
Review

Discover the proven strategies and techniques to thrive on YouTube – without quitting your day job

Medium
  • Last updated 01/01/2025
by Ali Abdaal

What you'll learn ? Overview

The Part-Time YouTuber Academy is an immersive, cohort-based course designed to help aspiring and growing YouTubers build a sustainable, profitable channel without giving up their day jobs. Drawing on Ali Abdaal’s journey from zero to over 6 million subscribers, the course distills years of hard-earned experience into actionable lessons, live workshops, and interactive Q&A sessions.

Participants learn everything from content strategy and video production to audience growth, monetization, and the business systems that underpin a successful YouTube channel. The target audience is broad: professionals, creators, freelancers, and anyone keen to grow a YouTube presence for income or impact.

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

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Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Ideal for aspiring creators, professionals, or freelancers looking to build a side income or transition to full-time content creation with structured support.

Instructor

Ali Abdaal

YouTuber and productivity expert. Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Ali Abdaal is a multifaceted entrepreneur, YouTuber, podcaster, and bestselling author. As of February 2025, his YouTube channel boasts over 4 million subscribers, showcasing his expertise in productivity, personal development, and technology. A former medical doctor, Abdaal leverages his academic background to create evidence-based content on study techniques, time management, and lifestyle optimization. His unique blend of scientific rigor and accessible communication has established him as a leading voice in the online productivity space.
Abdaal's career trajectory is marked by significant milestones. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a medical degree in 2018, working as a junior doctor in the UK's NHS for two years. In 2013, while still a student, he founded 6med, an educational company helping medical school applicants. His YouTube journey began in 2017, initially focusing on study techniques and medical school experiences. By 2020, he had amassed 1 million subscribers, pivoting to broader productivity content. In 2023, Abdaal published his first book, 'Feel-Good Productivity', which became a New York Times bestseller.
• New York Times bestselling author for 'Feel-Good Productivity' (2023)
• Reached 4 million YouTube subscribers (2025)
• Founded successful educational company 6med (2013)
• Graduated from University of Cambridge with medical degree (2018)
• Launched Part-Time YouTuber Academy, with over 2000 alumni worldwide
• Featured in major publications including The Guardian, Forbes, and Business Insider
• Keynote speaker at VidCon 2023
• Guest on 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast with Steven Bartlett
• Speaker at TED x Cambridge University (2022)
• Interviewed on 'The Daily Stoic' podcast with Ryan Holiday
• Featured speaker at YouTube Creator Summit 2024
• Guest lecturer at London School of Economics on digital entrepreneurship
Ali Abdaal maintains a robust online presence across multiple platforms. On YouTube, he posts 1-2 high-quality videos weekly, covering productivity, technology, and personal development topics. His Instagram account features daily stories and 3-4 posts per week, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses and quick productivity tips. On Twitter, he engages in daily discussions and shares insights, often generating thousands of likes and retweets. His LinkedIn profile is updated regularly with professional milestones and article shares. Abdaal's podcast, 'Deep Dive', releases weekly episodes featuring in-depth conversations with notable guests.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration30
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • 🧠 PrerequisitesNo prior YouTube experience required; basic tech comfort recommended.
  • 💻 RequirementsLaptop or desktop, reliable WiFi, optional camera/mic upgrades.
  • 💸 Hidden CostsMay need to invest in camera/mic/software if starting from scratch (estimated $100–$500).
  • 🙋‍♂️ Support OptionsLive Q&A, community forum, dedicated support team, alumni Slack/Discord.

Course content

  • Module 1: Mindset & Foundations – Why YouTube, goal setting, overcoming fear
  • Module 2: Idea Generation & Scripting – Finding your niche, content planning, writing scripts
  • Module 3: Filming & Editing – Camera setup, lighting, editing basics, workflow
  • Module 4: Publishing & SEO – Thumbnails, titles, YouTube algorithm, analytics
  • Module 5: Growth & Monetization – Audience building, sponsorships, multiple income streams
  • Module 6: Productivity & Systems – Batching, outsourcing, long-term channel strategy
  • Module 7: Live Q&A, Feedback, and Community Support

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Generally positive, with many praising the actionable advice, supportive community, and Ali’s open, relatable teaching style.

Praised points

Community, actionable insights, and transparency are consistently highlighted.
  • Supportive peer network
  • Step-by-step frameworks
  • Direct access to Ali and his team

Criticisms

Price and time commitment are the main sticking points.
  • Cost is higher than many alternatives
  • Some content overlaps with Ali’s free YouTube material
  • Fast-paced cohort can feel overwhelming

Testimonials

"Ali’s guidance took my channel from 200 to 5,000 subscribers in 3 months."
"The community kept me motivated every week."
"Practical frameworks, not just theory – finally!"
"Pricey, but I recouped the cost with my first brand deal."
"Ali’s honest about his failures, not just the wins."

Social insights

Discussions show that most participants value the accountability and structure, but some question if the price justifies the content, especially for those who already consume Ali’s free resources. The networking aspect is often seen as the biggest differentiator.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to help students grow a profitable YouTube channel part-time. Most outcomes align with student testimonials and Ali’s transparent sharing of his own metrics.

Price History

Early cohorts were priced between $1,500–$5,000; recent pricing is more accessible at $995.

Upsell Practices

Occasional offers for private coaching or premium workshops; not aggressive.

Student Success

Several students report reaching monetization and landing sponsorships; independent bloggers have shared detailed before-and-after channel growth.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Custom platform (academy.aliabdaal.com), praised for reliability and user experience.

Content Accessibility

Session replays and downloadable resources available for most modules.

Mobile Compatibility

Platform is mobile-friendly, but live sessions are best on desktop.

Technical Requirements

Stable internet, basic laptop or desktop; higher production value possible with better gear.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

Few public complaints; occasional concerns about price-to-value for advanced users.

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Refund policy issues

Refund policy is stated, but may be restrictive during certain enrollment periods.

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Marketing practices

Transparent, with realistic claims based on Ali’s own experience.

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Community feedback

Mostly positive, with some calls for more advanced material in later cohorts.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

High for motivated beginners and those seeking structure and accountability; less so for advanced creators.

Conclusion

We recommend the course for those ready to invest time and money into growing a YouTube channel, especially if community and mentorship are priorities.

FAQs about this course

The cohort runs for approximately 4–6 weeks, with ongoing community access after completion.

No, most students begin with basic setups (smartphone and laptop); gear upgrades are optional.

The main content is delivered live in cohorts, with some pre-recorded material for flexible review.

A refund policy is offered, but terms may vary by cohort and are sometimes restrictive after the course begins.

Yes, replays and resources remain available for lifetime access.

The course covers multiple monetization strategies, but individual results depend on effort and niche.

Yes, participants join a cohort-based community with ongoing peer and mentor support.

Recordings are provided for all live workshops and Q&A sessions.

No hidden fees for the course, but you may choose to invest in equipment or optional upgrades.
thumbnail Images
$ 995
Total score: 8,0/10 ⭐
  • Duration30
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/01/2020
  • Format Enum.course_Format.cohort or Workshop
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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Part-Time YouTuber Academy Review