Learn New Skills: Free Online Courses
Improve your career prospects or explore a new hobby.
Many websites offer free courses. These are some you can access across a variety of subjects.
Coursera — Visit Coursera
Coursera partners with top universities like Stanford, Yale, and MIT to offer free courses in business, technology, health, and more. Some require payment for certification, but many allow you to audit the content for free.
Popular Free Courses:
Digital Marketing Basics
Python for Beginners
Financial Markets by Yale University
Khan Academy — Visit Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit platform that offers free courses in math, science, economics, and humanities.
Popular Free Courses:
Algebra and Calculus
Physics and Chemistry
Economics and Personal Finance
MIT OpenCourseWare — Visit MIT OpenCourseWare
MIT provides free access to its actual course materials, including lecture notes, assignments, and exams. These are perfect for self-learners who want a deep dive into subjects like engineering, computer science, and business.
Popular Free Courses:
Introduction to Computer Science
Principles of Microeconomics
Artificial Intelligence
Codecademy (Free Tier) — Visit Codecademy
Codecademy offers interactive coding lessons in Python, JavaScript, HTML, and more. While the full experience requires a subscription, the free tier provides access to beginner-friendly coding exercises.
Popular Free Courses:
Learn Python
Web Development Basics
SQL for Data Analysis
Alison — Visit Alison
Alison offers free courses in business, technology, health, and personal development. While certification requires payment, all course materials are accessible for free.
Popular Free Courses:
Project Management Essentials
Workplace Communication Skills
Nutrition and Wellness
OpenLearn (The Open University) — Visit OpenLearn
OpenLearn provides free courses in psychology, history, business, and science. Many courses include downloadable certificates upon completion, making them an option for professional development. Open University (OpenLearn)
Popular Free Courses:
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Understanding Mental Health
Business Fundamentals
Stanford Online — Visit Stanford Online
Stanford University offers free online courses in health, engineering, and business. These courses are taught by Stanford professors and industry experts.
Popular Free Courses:
Machine Learning Basics
Public Speaking Essentials
Leadership and Management
edX — Visit edX
edX provides free courses from top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley. Many allow free auditing, but full access to graded assignments and certificates requires payment.
Popular Free Courses:
Introduction to Computer Science (Harvard)
Data Science Basics (IBM)
Business Strategy (Wharton)
Udemy (Free Resource Center) — Visit Udemy
Udemy offers thousands of free courses across various subjects, including business, technology, and personal development. Free courses are shorter and may not include certificates.
Popular Free Courses:
Time Management Essentials
Web Development Basics
Public Speaking Skills
LinkedIn Learning (Limited Free Courses) — Visit LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning occasionally offers free courses in career development, leadership, and business skills. Some courses are free for a limited time.
Popular Free Courses:
Upskilling and Reskilling Strategies
Leadership and Management Essentials
Productivity and Time Management
Google Digital Garage — Visit Google Digital Garage
Google Digital Garage provides free courses in digital marketing, business strategy, and tech skills. Many courses include free certification.
Popular Free Courses:
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Understanding Code Basics
Business Communication Skills
Saylor Academy — Visit Saylor Academy
Saylor Academy is a nonprofit organization that provides 100% free college-level courses in business, humanities, and STEM subjects. Their courses are self-paced and designed by experts, a great option for independent learners.
Class Central — Visit Class Central
Class Central curates free courses from universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. They also provide a massive list of free certificate courses, making it easier to find high-quality learning opportunities.
FutureLearn (Free Courses Section) — Visit FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers free short courses in business, healthcare, and personal development. While some courses require payment for certification, the learning materials are accessible for free.
Harvard Online (Free Courses Section) — Visit Harvard Online
Harvard University offers free online courses in computer science, programming, and artificial intelligence. These courses are taught by Harvard professors and provide a high-quality learning experience.
Make the most of these free learning platforms.
Define Your Learning Goals
Identify what you want to learn and why. Is it career growth, skill-building, or personal development? Have a clear goal to choose the right courses and stay motivated.
Start with Beginner-Friendly Courses
Begin with introductory courses rather than jumping into advanced material. Platforms like Khan Academy and Coursera’s free sections provide structured beginner courses that ease you into complex topics.
Set a Learning Schedule
Treat your online learning like a real class. Set specific study times throughout the week to maintain consistency. Even 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference.
Take Notes & Summarize
Don’t just passively watch videos. Write down key points, summarize concepts in your words, and create flashcards to reinforce what you learn.
Engage with Interactive Resources
Use platforms that offer quizzes, exercises, and projects to apply what you learn. Websites like Codecademy and MIT OpenCourseWare provide hands-on activities to strengthen understanding.
Participate in Discussion Forums
Platforms like Class Central and FutureLearn have forums where learners share insights, ask questions, and discuss course topics. Engage with others to improve comprehension and keep you accountable.
Apply What You Learn
Theory is great, but practical application is better. If you’re taking a coding course, build small projects. If you’re learning photography, go out and shoot pictures.
Stay Committed, But Be Flexible
If a course doesn’t seem useful or engaging, switch to another one. You’re not locked into anything.
Get Certifications (If Needed)
Some platforms like Coursera and Alison offer certificates, sometimes free, sometimes paid. If a certificate helps your resume, invest in one or find a course that includes free certification.
Learn & Explore
Don’t limit yourself to just one course or platform. Experiment, see what works for you.