Find out more about The Open University's Open degree.
With thousands of free learning resources across OpenLearn – from quick quizzes and interactive games to full-length online courses – it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s where our Top 10s come in.
These lists give you a real-time snapshot of what’s most popular right now on OpenLearn. Think of them as your shortcut to the hottest topics and most in-demand courses, chosen not by us but by the learners already exploring them.
Whether you want to dip into a bite-sized activity or commit to something bigger, the Top 10s are a great place to start.
Top 10 articles, hubs, interactives and videos
-
-
-
OpenLearn is 20
We're celebrating 20 years of free learning! Join us as we look back at how OpenLearn began, discover some surprising facts, explore how the world has changed over two decades and hear how OpenLearn helped Open University graduates.
Read nowArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Investigating Psychology Interactive
Investigate the conceptual and historical issues in Psychology with this interactive feature.
Take part nowActivity
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Try something popular
Need inspiration? Start with what’s trending on OpenLearn: our Top 10s showcase the content learners are loving right now.
Watch nowVideo
-
-
Discover OpenLearn on Spotify
OpenLearn now has its own channel on Spotify where you can watch and listen to our podcast - It’s All Academic - as well as discover more of our mini-documentaries, interviews and animations.
Read nowArticle
-
20 years in history: how much do you remember?
A lot can happen in 20 years. Put your knowledge to the test to see how much you can remember with this interactive quiz.
Take part nowActivity
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Do you have a photographic memory?
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 nowActivity
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Free online Education / Teaching courses
Discover these free Education and Teaching courses on OpenLearn.
Read nowArticle
Top 10 courses
-
Exploring learning disabilities: supporting belonging
This course takes the real-life cases of a number of different people to explore what it is like to have the label ‘learning disability’. The course also considers how it feels to support someone with a learning disability, as a family member, a friend, an advocate or a paid worker. Through these human stories the course considers the ...
Learn moreFree course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
MSE’s Academy of Money
The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) 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 moreFree course
12 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Leadership and followership
Explore what makes a good leader, recognise common leadership challenges, and identify the skills you need to develop if you want to enhance your own leadership experience.
Learn moreFree course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Everyday English 1
Improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.
Learn moreFree course
48 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Can renewable energy sources power the world?
We ask the question ‘Can renewable energy sources power the world?’ as a response to the growing awareness that increased use of renewable energy technologies is making a major contribution to global efforts to limit anthropogenic climate change. The course begins by examining the environmental concerns that have caused a rise in interest in ...
Learn moreFree course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Information security
Information security underpins the commercial viability and profitability of enterprises of all sizes and the effectiveness of public sector organisations. This free course begins by explaining why information security and its management are important for any modern organisation and to every individual. You need to be familiar with an ...
Learn moreFree course
10 hours
Level: 3 Advanced
-
Understanding autism
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 ...
Learn moreFree course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Intermediate French: Understanding spoken French
This course is aimed at intermediate learners of French with an interest in language and culture. It is designed to develop your understanding of spoken French through six video portraits of people living in the Touraine region in France and in Brussels in Belgium. It introduces you to naturally spoken language, and gives clear advice on how to ...
Learn moreFree course
6 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Start writing fiction
Have you always wanted to write, but never quite had the courage to start? This free course, Start writing fiction, will give you an insight into how authors create their characters and settings. You will also be able to look at the different genres for fiction.
Learn moreFree course
12 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Succeed with maths: part 2
This free course, Succeed with maths: part 2, is a sequel to Part 1, in which you will continue to develop your mathematical knowledge and skills using everyday examples. The course takes a look at measurement of length, mass and volume, negative numbers and how to use these, scientific notation (based upon powers of 10), shapes and how to ...
Learn moreFree course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
What next?
Sign-up for a free OU account to join the OpenLearn community and access more features.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest content.