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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No sex please, we're British! Featuring:
There have been major changes in sexual attitudes over the years, but what are the views of the ‘average’ British person in terms of sex? Try our sexual attitudes interactive 'No sex please, we’re British!' to see how your views compare to the majority.
Take part now: No sex please, we're British!No sex please, we're British!Level: 1 Introductory
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The history of Spanish in about six minutes Featuring:
How old is Spanish? Where do words like siesta, cerveza or paella come from? What languages have influenced Spanish the most?
Watch now: The history of Spanish in about six minutesThe history of Spanish in about six minutesLevel: 1 Introductory
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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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57 genders (and none for me?) - Part two
Meg Barker points to some of the problems with Facebook's new range of gender options.
Read now: 57 genders (and none for me?) - Part two57 genders (and none for me?) - Part two -
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The seven types of plastic
To understand the types of plastics available, their differences and to figure out what can be recycled, refer to our quick guide below.
Read now: The seven types of plasticThe seven types of plastic -
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How does the human body fight a viral infection?
Some individuals generate an effective immune response to COVID-19. Why? Discover the immune response to viral infection in this explainer article...
Read now: How does the human body fight a viral infection?How does the human body fight a viral infection?Level: 2 Intermediate
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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 is Double Jeopardy?
Double jeopardy prevents a person from being tried again for the same crime. Dr Caroline Derry explains its importance and why the law has also been partially abolished...
Read now: What is Double Jeopardy? What is Double Jeopardy?Level: 1 Introductory
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Order your free print items
Posters and booklets from your favourite OU/BBC programmes.
Read now: Order your free print itemsOrder your free print items
Take one of our most popular courses
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Understanding autism
Featuring:
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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Supporting children's mental health and wellbeing
Featuring:
Do you have a professional or personal interest in the mental health issues affecting young children? Are you working with children or are you a parent or carer? This free course, Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, is designed to give insight into the factors that are contributing to our youngest citizens’ poor mental health; examining factors from a national and global perspective. By the end of the course you will have gained knowledge about strategies and interventions that will help you to understand how you can support children’s mental health and improve their wellbeing.
Learn: Supporting children's mental health and wellbeing moreSupporting children's mental health and wellbeingLevel: 1 Introductory
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Succeed in the workplace
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Do you want to change jobs, are you just starting in the job market or may be returning after a break? If so, then this free course, Succeed in the workplace, is for you. It will help you explore career opportunities. You will also gain the skills to write strong CVs and application forms, and to handle different types of interviews. By the end of the course you will have made a start on your own realistic and strong action plan to enable you to find a job that will fulfil your aspirations and suit your lifestyle.
Learn: Succeed in the workplace moreSucceed in the workplaceLevel: 1 Introductory
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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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Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
Featuring:
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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Exploring the psychological aspects of sport injury
Featuring:
Have you ever experienced a sport injury? Have you ever thought there could be a psychological dimension to sport injuries, as well as a physical one? Sport injury is relatively common among sport and exercise participants, and while the physical impact of injury is often easy to recognise, the psychological impact is less obvious. In this free course, Exploring the psychological aspects of sport injury, you will examine the relationship between injury and psychological factors. You will look at the link between injury and psychology at two distinct points – before an injury has occurred and then following an injury. First, you will consider the psychological factors that may increase the likelihood of sustaining a sport injury (pre-injury), and then you will consider psychological reactions to the incidence of a sport injury (post-injury). The course will also allow you to examine how sport and exercise psychology can be used both to help minimise the risk of injury and to help people cope better with sport injury rehabilitation. The video below featuring OU student and Olympic Gold Medallist Helen Richardson-Walsh explains more.
Learn: Exploring the psychological aspects of sport injury moreExploring the psychological aspects of sport injuryLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Personal branding for career success
Featuring:
This free course, Personal branding for career success, considers what a personal brand is and whether you currently have one. You’ll look in detail at theories and examples of personal branding, and relevant marketing processes and practices. You’ll identify the values, skills, knowledge and expertise that you want to promote to employers, and consider different ways to build and present your own brand.
Learn: Personal branding for career success morePersonal branding for career successLevel: 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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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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