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.
Society, Politics & Law
Social work law and UK regulation
Social workers have significant powers, rights and responsibilities in their professional role. The law has a vital role in the regulation of professional practice, and such regulation is important to social workers, as it provides clear boundaries for their practice. Boundaries also provide the public with confidence in the profession. It is ...
Society, Politics & Law
An introduction to social work law
This course will get you to consider your initial perceptions of the social work role before exploring what social workers do in their day-to-day practice with people. It will highlight the core values of the social work profession and consider the challenges of applying these values in practice. The course will explore the relationship ...
Money & Business
Developing career resilience
Do you sometimes wish you were more resilient when faced with changes at work? Do you have career plans but feel unsure about progressing with them? If you do, then this free course, Developing career resilience, will help you to build your resilience and approach career-related change with greater confidence and motivation.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role
Are you a carer? Or do you work with a carer, or know someone who one? This free course, Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role, is designed to give an insight into the demands, both physically and mentally, of the caring role and look at how taking part in physical activity can offer benefits to the health and wellbeing ...
Health, Sports & Psychology
Biological, psychological and social complexities in childhood development
This free course uses the case studies of Liam, Chloe and Lola to explore childhood development and some of the biological and psychological conditions that can affect children and young people. You will focus on asthma, intellectual and development disorders, depression and anxiety, and eating disorders.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Developing resilience in sport
In this free course, Developing resilience in sport, you will explore how the concept of resilience can support athletes on their athletic development journey. You will examine how resilience can act as a buffer to protect against the challenges that might be faced by athletes and coaches. The protective qualities of resilience make it an ...
Health, Sports & Psychology
Introduction to adolescent mental health
This free course provides an introduction to adolescent mental health. The course is designed to encourage a greater understanding of mental health issues as well as to explore the variety of strategies that can be employed to support young people.
Education & Development
Race and Youth Policy: working with young people
How should we, as a society, best respond to and prevent gang and knife crime and violent extremism?
Health, Sports & Psychology
Applying to study for a PhD in psychology
This free OpenLearn course is for psychology students and graduates who are interested in PhD study at some future point. Even if you have met PhD students and heard about their projects, it is likely that you have only a vague idea of what PhD study entails. This course is intended to give you more information.
History & The Arts
A freelance career in the creative arts
A freelance career in the creative arts is a free badged course which lasts 8 weeks, with approximately 3 hours’ study time each week. You can work through the course at your own pace, so if you have more time one week, there’s nothing to stop you pushing on and completing another week’s study. This course has a specific focus on the ...
Education & Development
Succeed in the workplace
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 ...
Health, Sports & Psychology
An introduction to data and information in health and social care
Have you ever wondered about how information and technology have impacted healthcare? What influence does all this have on how a day-to-day clinical role is carried out? This free course, An introduction to data and information in health and social care, will help you to understand the ways computers and technology work with health data to ...