Free courses

Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to study. We offer nearly 1000 free courses across 9 different subject areas. Our courses are available to start right away.

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Grid List Results: 414 items
Introduction to Arabic free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Education & Development

Introduction to Arabic

In this free course you will learn the Arabic alphabet, vowels, and also a little bit about the history of the Arabic language.

Free course
4 hrs
Child mental health: is it in crisis? free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Health, Sports & Psychology

Child mental health: is it in crisis?

There is much discussion about the issue of children and young people’s mental health problems in the media, and we often hear this issue referred to as a ‘crisis’. But what does the evidence say? Are rates of mental health problems rising? In this course you will explore these important questions as well as delving into a case study of a young ...

Free course
3 hrs
Supporting climate action through digital education free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Education & Development

Supporting climate action through digital education

Education has a vital role in tackling the catastrophic impact of the climate emergency. However, there's abundant evidence that educators, worldwide, lack the knowledge and skills to effectively address the climate crisis in their teaching. This free course will equip you for designing and delivering online, blended and technology-enhanced ...

Free course
16 hrs
Empires: power, resistance, legacies free course icon level 1: introductory icon

History & The Arts

Empires: power, resistance, legacies

Empires have existed throughout most of human history. They have spanned the globe. They have influenced the way we are governed, our systems of trade, how we use technology, our relationships with the natural world. They have shaped how we have seen, mapped and divided the world. They have profoundly affected how we have understood and ...

Free course
8 hrs
Supporting physical development in early childhood free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Health, Sports & Psychology

Supporting physical development in early childhood

Are you involved in caring for or educating babies and young children either as a practitioner in the workforce or as a parent/carer? In this free course, Supporting physical development in early childhood, you will learn how to ensure young children do enough physical activity and how it improves child mental and physical health development....

Free course
18 hrs
Managing my investments free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Money & Business

Managing my investments

Gain the skills to manage your investments: analyse portfolio risk and plan your pension, with this free online course.

Free course
24 hrs
Conducting qualitative interviews: an introduction free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Education & Development

Conducting qualitative interviews: an introduction

An introductory level free course on conducting a basic qualitative interview. The course covers preparing for interviews, setting up an interview, familiarisation with research tools and obtaining informed consent. It then covers tips and suggestions for conducting the interview before moving on to after the interview and recording fieldnotes.

Free course
3 hrs
Introducing Black leadership free course icon level 1: introductory icon Badge icon

Society, Politics & Law

Introducing Black leadership

In this free course, you will develop skills to empower yourself as a leader. Guided by the Five Ps model of leadership (person, process, position, product and purpose), you will learn about the challenges and possibilities of Black leadership. Developing skills in communication, critical analysis and teamwork will promote competence in a wide ...

Free course
24 hrs
Inclusive Leadership: Collaborating for professional development free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Education & Development

Inclusive Leadership: Collaborating for professional development

This free course will enable leaders and aspiring leaders in a range of educational settings to consider different approaches to leading inclusive professional development. Students will be introduced to concepts and practices for collaborative enquiry and contextually relevant professional development. They will be encouraged to reflect on how ...

Free course
8 hrs
Inclusive Leadership: Effecting change free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Education & Development

Inclusive Leadership: Effecting change

This free course will enable leaders and aspiring leaders in a range of educational settings to reflect on key concepts for inclusive leadership. They will be introduced to the influence of values and emotions in leadership and consider how underpinning principles of social justice can change leadership relationships and interactions. Students ...

Free course
8 hrs
Making social media work in Higher Education free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Education & Development

Making social media work in Higher Education

This free course explores the potential of social media as a space that can be used in higher education/University to enhance educational experiences. It examines how students can take advantage of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp to engage and connect with other fellow students and their lecturers. While, also examining the ...

Free course
8 hrs
Teaching the First World War free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Education & Development

Teaching the First World War

This free course, Teaching the First World War, is designed for history teachers and their pupils. It provides a wide range of visual, textual and oral sources to enrich the teaching of the First World War. It covers familiar and less familiar aspects of the history of the First World War, ranging from the debate on the origins of the war and ...

Free course
12 hrs