Cengage launches unlimited subscription service

In the US, publisher and technology company Cengage is launching a ‘first-of its kind’ digital subscription service for students called Cengage Unlimited, reports the Bookseller.

The service, launching in August 2018, provides students with access to Cengage’s entire digital portfolio, including more than 20,000 products across 70 disciplines, at one set price. The subscription cost for one semester is US$119.99 (A$157.80) , while 12 months’ access costs US$179.99 (A$237) and two years’ access costs US$239.99 (A$314). Subscribers can retain reference access to key materials for a year after their subscription ends.

The service includes access to ebooks, digital platforms and study guides, as well as the option to rent print books, though the subscriber is charged a US$7.99 (A$10.50) shipping fee.

Cengage Unlimited is part of the publisher’s goal to move 90% of US higher education sales to digital formats by 2020, and is a departure from the traditional educational sales model, which had relied on the sale of print textbooks. CEO Michael Hansen said the service would offer an alternative to the ‘traditional and costly approach of paying for each course’s materials individually’. He said the move would revolutionise an ‘outdated textbook model’, adding: ‘the economics work because we believe this is such a compelling offer to faculty and students that we’re going to attain significant additional adoption’.

Category: International news