Since 1999, The Open University has been making free learning available to everyone online. From 2008, all that learning has been in one place - OpenLearn. The site you're looking at now.
We've got thousands of ways to learn - short articles by academic experts from the OU and beyond; videos; podcasts - even, if you're really keen, free courses. You can find your own way through our content - navigate by subject at the top of the page; choose by type of experience at the top right of most pages - or look to the bottom, where subjects and experience are listed again. Or, to get started - why not see what's popular right now?
Try something popular
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Do you have a photographic memory? Featuring:
Can you hold an image in your mind by just looking at it for a brief amount of time? Try our photographic memory test and see whether you have eidetic memory.
Take part now: Do you have a photographic memory?Do you have a photographic memory?Level: 1 Introductory
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Hitler's rise and fall: Timeline
Track the key events in Adolf Hitler's life, including his childhood in Austria, his decisions as Fuehrer of Germany, his leadership in the Second World War, and his eventual suicide.
Read now: Hitler's rise and fall: TimelineHitler's rise and fall: TimelineLevel: 1 Introductory
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10 big news stories that happened in 2006 (when OpenLearn was born)
How much do you remember about 2006? We take a look back at ten of the biggest news stories from the year.
Read now: 10 big news stories that happened in 2006 (when OpenLearn was born)10 big news stories that happened in 2006 (when OpenLearn was born) -
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Slip Slide Collide Featuring:
Want to learn more about the Earth's tectonic plates? Start your journey into the surface of the Earth with these three quick-fire challenges in our science game.
Take part now: Slip Slide Collide Slip Slide CollideLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Riches & Misery: The Consequences Of The Atlantic Slave Trade
What effects did the slave trade have on Africa? How did it develop the Americas? Could Britain have industrialised without the slave trade? Dr Will Hardy assesses the consequences of the Atlantic Slave trade.
Read now: Riches & Misery: The Consequences Of The Atlantic Slave TradeRiches & Misery: The Consequences Of The Atlantic Slave TradeLevel: 1 Introductory
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A brief introduction to the Chinese education system
This article outlines the structure of the Chinese education system and the study hours expected at a Chinese school.
Read now: A brief introduction to the Chinese education systemA brief introduction to the Chinese education systemLevel: 1 Introductory
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What are the benefits of interdisciplinary study?
It seems to be a buzzword in education and one that gets thrown around quite a lot these days. But what does 'interdisciplinary' study really mean? And why is it so desirable?
Read now: What are the benefits of interdisciplinary study?What are the benefits of interdisciplinary study?Level: 1 Introductory
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From old English to modern English
Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Vikings - how did they impact the English language? Marisa Lohr traces the origins and development of the English language, from its early beginnings around 450 AD to the modern global language we use today.
Read now: From old English to modern EnglishFrom old English to modern EnglishLevel: 1 Introductory
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Angel Breed Featuring:
Understand the basic rules of genetics and see if you can breed the rarest fish in our biology game.
Take part now: Angel BreedAngel BreedLevel: 1 Introductory
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12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learning Featuring:
What's your favourite Confucius quote on education and learning? Look at these examples and let us know what you think by voting in our poll.
Take part now: 12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learning 12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learningLevel: 1 Introductory
Take one of our most popular courses
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Take your teaching online
Featuring:
In this free course, Take your teaching online, you will gain knowledge fundamental to delivering effective teaching online. You will hear about the experiences of real educators, be introduced to cutting edge research, and understand the ideas and tools that shape how we teach and learn online. You will also learn useful methods that will guide you to test out these new ideas in your own practice.
Learn: Take your teaching online moreTake your teaching onlineLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Effective communication in the workplace
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This free course, Effective communication in the workplace, explores the importance of communication as a skill in the workplace. It aims to increase your understanding of communication skills and to help you to consider how your communication could be perceived by others. You'll cover areas such as verbal and non-verbal communication, written communication and using your communication skills to overcome challenging situations.
Learn: Effective communication in the workplace moreEffective communication in the workplaceLevel: 1 Introductory
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Managing my money for young adults
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This free course, Managing my money for young adults, will help you start to think about managing your finances. You will learn how to budget effectively, and will be encouraged to start thinking about your financial future.
Learn: Managing my money for young adults moreManaging my money for young adultsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Understanding autism
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Learn about autism, one of the most challenging long-term conditions of the century. This free course, Understanding autism, introduces the autism spectrum, how it is experienced by individuals and families, and why it has become a global concern. The course explains how understanding of the autism spectrum and approaches to diagnosis and care have evolved. Key scientific approaches to studying autism are explained and illustrated, alongside substantial use of different personal perspectives. The course culminates with key topical issues such as autism in adulthood, and missed diagnosis in women. The course is suitable for all who need a clear, authoritative overview, and does not require prior knowledge of science or social science. It uses text, images and audio-visual media.
Learn: Understanding autism moreUnderstanding autismLevel: 1 Introductory
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Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world
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This free course, Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world, will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life. It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital well-being, staying safe and legal, finding and using information and online tools, and dealing with information overload. The importance of developing a critical approach to life online is emphasised throughout, whether consuming or creating information. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your own situation and to apply what you learn to real-life scenarios, using a digital skills plan to keep a record of progress.
Learn: Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world moreDigital skills: succeeding in a digital worldLevel: 1 Introductory
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MSE’s Academy of Money
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The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to produce this new free course to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. Packed with videos, audios, quizzes and activities the course covers all the key aspects of personal finance in six sessions of study that each take around two hours to complete.
Learn: MSE’s Academy of Money moreMSE’s Academy of MoneyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Everyday maths 1
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This free course, Everyday maths 1, is designed to bring your learning to life, inspiring you to improve your current maths skills or helping you to remember any areas that you may have forgotten. Working through the examples and interactive activities in this course will help you to, among other things, run a household or make progress in your career.
Learn: Everyday maths 1 moreEveryday maths 1 -
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Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
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This free course, Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online, will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.
Learn: Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online moreIntroduction to cyber security: stay safe onlineLevel: 1 Introductory
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Forensic psychology
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In this free course, Forensic psychology, you will discover how psychology can help obtain evidence from eyewitnesses in police investigations and prevent miscarriages of justice.
Learn: Forensic psychology moreForensic psychologyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting
Learn about the essential numerical skills required for accounting and bookkeeping. This free course, Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting, explains the fundamental rules of double-entry bookkeeping and how they are used to produce the balance sheet and the profit and loss account.
Learn: Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting moreIntroduction to bookkeeping and accountingLevel: 1 Introductory
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