Best Free Online Courses and Certifications to Learn New Skills
Free online courses provide a convenient, affordable, and accessible way for people to learn and improve their skills. It can be a convenient way to learn new skills and brush up on existing ones. Free online courses can provide learners with the skills and knowledge they need to advance in their careers or to pursue a new career path. This can help to get better job opportunities and higher salaries.
In this article, we go over a list of free online courses by popular subjects from top universities. You’ll find a collection of online courses by popular subjects from world’s leading universities via reputable providers. The courses are especially career focused that are great to boost your career, and personal development as well.
Most courses are self-paced, so you can start anytime. You can also achieve certificate after completion of a course. Some courses are free and provide free certificate of completion. Some courses are free but certificates are paid. Some courses are paid but Financial Aid is available. Explore the categories below to find a course that’s right for you.
Online Courses by Popular Subjects
Business & Management
If you are in pursuit of professional growth, these Business and Management courses listed bellow will help you to maximize your profession and career skills. These courses are aimed at anybody who would like to pursue their interests or work towards their professional growth, and to learn new skills.
Communication
Improving Communications Skills is an essential to get ahead in business and in life. With these courses, you’ll learn the best method of communication for negotiation, how to create persuasive messages, when to cooperate and when to compete, and develop the critical communication skills you need. You’ll learn how to communicate more effectively at work and in life to achieve your goals.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Business Communication | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison | iversity |
| Communication Skills | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison | iversity |
| Emailing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Public Speaking | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
Coding & Programming
These days, programming skills can be very affordable, and it always offers a variety of benefits. To help learners on how to code, we’ve compiled a list of courses on programming and coding listed below. Learn in-demand skills in programming or learn how to code to get a better understanding of how apps and websites are developed and designed.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Business Technology | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Ethical Hacking | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Game Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Information Security | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Python | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| R Programming | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Web Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
Creative Arts & Media
Explore visual art forms including film, music, photography or theatre by learning about the Creative Arts & Media. Join Creative Arts & Media courses from renowned film schools, universities, and cultural institutions. In these Creative Arts & Media courses you’ll learn to compare different methods and Mediums artists use to create works on visual art.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Audiobook Creation | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Cartography | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Cooking | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Design & Creativity | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | iversity |
| Digital Media | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Fashion | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Music | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Photography & Visual Arts | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Podcasting | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Screenwriting | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Voice Acting | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Writing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison | iversity |
Data Science
Learn in-demand skills in data science, data analytics, big data, processing and more. Enroll in free data science courses from top institutions and industry experts. Take an online data science course with top universities and organizations, and build a solid foundation in data science. You’ll learn how to analyze data and communicate insights in a business environment.
| Big Data | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Data Analysis | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | iversity |
| Data Analytics | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Databases | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Data Modeling | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Data Science | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Data Visualization | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
Education & Teaching
Learn how to teach online and explore the best ways to teach online. Enroll in teaching online courses and learn essential strategies for successful online teaching. These courses will be the foundations for Excellence in teaching online. These courses are also best for teachers who need to connect remotely with their students.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Teach Online | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Language Teaching | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Primary Education Teaching | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Professional Development for Teachers | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Secondary Education Teaching | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Teaching Computing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Teaching English/TEFL | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Teaching Maths | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Teaching Science | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
Finance & Accounting
If you are in pursuit of professional growth, these finance and accounting courses listed bellow will help you to maximize your profession and career skills. These courses are aimed at anybody who would like to pursue their interests or work towards their professional growth, and to learn new skills.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Banking | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Cryptocurrency & Blockchain | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Financial Management | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Internal Auditing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Personal Finance | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Passive Income | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Stock Trading | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Taxes | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
IT & Computer Science
Computer science study can open up doors for many job seekers and career switchers. Sub-disciplines of computer science includes theory, analytics, hardware and software systems, data science, and a range of other topics that will enrich your professional skills. Learn in-demand skills to get a better understanding of how computer systems are developed and designed.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| AI & Robotics | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| Cloud Computing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Computer Security and Networks | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Cyber Security | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Data Management | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| DevOps | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| IT Certifications | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Java | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Microsoft Certifications | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Mobile Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Software Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
Languages
Learn Chinese, English, French, Spanish, and more with these language courses. The courses are covered with academic, business, career, media, travel, and many more categories for beginner, intermediate and advanced level learners. The courses can be effective for you to start learning or to improve your target language.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Chinese | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| English | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| French | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| German | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| Irish | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| Italian | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Japanese | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison |
| Korean | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Linguistics | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Mandarin | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Norwegian | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Portuguese | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Russian | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Spanish | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison | iversity |
Marketing
Expertise on internet marketing is now an essential 21st century skill. The demand for people with digital marketing has become a worldwide trend. If you are interested on building a career in social media marketing, these courses will be perfect for you. Here are most effective free online courses on internet marketing to explore and enhance your skills.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Digital Marketing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison | iversity |
| SEO | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| Social Media Marketing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| Branding | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| Public Relations | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | iversity |
| Video and Mobile Marketing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
| Content Marketing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Alison | iversity |
| Affiliate Marketing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | iversity |
Office Productivity
Find free online Office Productivity Courses by experts and get the know-how you need to find success. You will learn Google, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Oracle, Virtual Assistant, and more. Most of the courses are self-paced, that means you can learn at your own pace. Explore the categories below to find a course that’s right for you.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD | Coursera | Edx | Udemy |
| Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | |
| Microsoft Access | Coursera | Edx | Udemy | Alison |
| Microsoft Excel | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Microsoft Office | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Coursera | Edx | Udemy | Alison |
| Microsoft Word | Coursera | Edx | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Operating Systems | Coursera | Edx | Udemy | Saylor |
| Oracle | Coursera | Edx | Udemy |
| Virtual Assistant | Coursera | Edx | Udemy |
Personal Development
Sub-disciplines of Personal Development include mental well-being, physical fitness, stress management, time management, interpersonal skills, parenting, financial planning, emotional intelligence, and a range of other topics that will enrich your professional and personal life.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Happiness | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Self Improvement | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Stress Management | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
| Presentation Skills | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor | Alison |
Professional Development
If you are in pursuit of professional growth, these Personal development courses listed bellow will help you to maximize your profession and career skills. These courses are aimed at anybody who would like to pursue their interests or work towards their professional growth, and to learn new skills.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Business Writing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Career Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Professional Development | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
| Professional Writing | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy | Saylor |
Social Sciences
Get high-quality Social Sciences courses, many from top universities via reputable providers, with the following online social science courses and lectures below. Sub-disciplines of Social Science include international relations, public policy, political science, social work, sociology, anthropology, governance, economics, law, and psychology.
| Categories | Course Providers |
|---|---|
| Gender Studies | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Race & Racism | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
| Women’s Rights | Coursera | Edx | Future Learn | Udemy |
FAQ on free online courses
What are the top free online course providers?
There are many free online course providers available, but some of the most popular and reputable are Coursera, Edx, Khan Academy, Alison, FutureLearn, Udacity, Udemy, CodeAcademy etc. These providers offer high-quality courses, often taught by experts in the field, and provide a flexible learning environment. In most cases, they partner with top universities and organizations worldwide to offer courses in a wide range of subjects.
How can we chose the best free online courses?
There are some factors that can be taken into consideration while choosing the best free online courses. It’s important to check the quality of the content, course duration or time commitment. A good course should be interactive, and offer opportunities to engage with other learners, instructors, and course materials. You should also check student reviews that can give you a good idea of the course quality. By considering these factors, you can choose the best free online courses that meet your learning needs, goals, and preferences.
Are Free Online Courses Worth It?
Free online courses can’t replace a formal degree. However, free online courses can be worth it, depending on your learning goals and needs. You can get an easy access to high-quality educational materials. Learners can study on their own schedule and at their own pace. It’s an effective way to learn and acquire new skills.
Are these online courses (MOOCs) really free?
Many online courses are free to access and take, but some may have additional costs associated with them. The majority of MOOCs, which are offered by platforms like Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, and Udacity, offer free access to course materials, including video lectures, quizzes, and assignments. However, some platforms may charge for certain features or services, such as verified certificates of completion or access to graded assignments or exams.
Can I get a certificate after completion of a free online course?
Yes, some free online courses do offer certificates of completion, while others do not. Many platforms like Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn offer free courses and certificates of completion. However, to receive a certificate, you may have to pay a fee for a verified certificate.
If you’re interested in Self-Paced online courses that you can start anytime, visit our collection: Self-Paced Courses: Start Your Best Online Courses Anytime. For a list of online courses by providers, visit Online Courses by Providers.