All our free courses
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Nature & Environment
Surface water
Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a sustainable source of water for the future. In the UK there are areas where water supplies are limited, as shown by recent droughts. Globally, there are ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Biofuels
This free course, Biofuels, investigates what is meant by a biofuel and covers the advantages of using biofuels compared with fossil fuels. The different types of biofuel are explored, with particular emphasis on transport biofuels. Finally, the issue of whether biofuels are the complete answer to our future energy needs is considered.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Seeing the light
This free course, Seeing the light, will teach you about how the Sun affects your home, both in terms of light and warmth and the energy it generates. You will learn about how it can affect your health and well-being, and how different climates design their homes differently to maximise the benefits of the Sun.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
History & The Arts
Welsh history and its sources
This course is a teaching and learning resource for anyone interested in Welsh history. It contains study materials, links to some of the most important institutions that contribute to our understanding of the history of Wales, and a pool of resources that can help you understand Welsh history and the way it is studied. Included in the material ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
Understanding society: families
In this free course, Understanding society: families, you will explore how different families have different ideas about how work in the home should be divided. You will also investigate the diversity of families. We will see how any discussion of the division of labour has to recognise that families differ in terms of shape and size.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Starting with maths: Patterns and formulas
Patterns occur everywhere in art, nature, science and especially mathematics. Being able to recognise, describe and use these patterns is an important skill that helps you to tackle a wide variety of different problems. This free course, Starting with maths: Patterns and formulas, explores some of these patterns, from ancient number patterns ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Exploring sport online: Athletes and efficient hearts
We all know that the heart is very important but what exactly does the heart do? Why is the blood so important? What functions do the lungs perform? In this free course, Exploring sport online: Athletes and efficient hearts, we will try to provide at least a basic understanding so we can answer these questions and begin to understand why knowing...
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Education & Development
Careers education and guidance (Chinese)
本免费课程是“职业生涯教育与指导”课程的中文翻译版本，英文原版也在本网站中提供。 This free course is the Chinese version of Careers education and guidance which is also available in English.
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Education & Development
A global dimension to science education in schools
Is your science teaching very western-oriented? This free course, A global dimension to science education in schools, is aimed at those teachers who would like to give a more global feeling to their teaching. You will learn how to source scientific articles with a greater emphasis on science and technology beyond the western world and experience...
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Education & Development
Enhancing pupil learning on museum visits
Museums give children experiences above and beyond the everyday experiences that enrich and build upon classroom teaching and learning. Taking pupils to a museum, or bringing museum artefacts into school, instantly changes the dynamics of the usual learning environment. It gives you as a teacher the opportunity to start afresh with each child, ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
Why teach art?
What value does art have in the school curriculum? The answer is provided by this free course, Why teach art? Aimed primarily at colleagues teaching art in schools, it explores the justification for including art in the school curriculum together with some of the current criticisms commonly heard.
free course icon
level 3: advanced icon
Digital & Computing
Network security
Encryption of files and firewalls are just some of the security measures that can be used in security. This free course, Network security, which assumes you have a substantial knowledge of computing, helps to explain the intricacies of the continually changing area of network security by studying the main issues involved in achieving a ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
People-centred designing
Designed products surround us all and range from bus tickets to buildings. This free course, People-centred designing, focuses firmly on usability and the increasingly important phenomenon of people-centred design. It aims to inform consumers of design (i.e., all of us) about this crucial characteristic of design. In addition to stimulating ...
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
History & The Arts
History of reading: An introduction to reading in the past
This free course, History of reading: An introduction to reading in the past, consists of a series of essays, drawn from material contained in the Reading Experience Database, that illustrate different aspects of reading in Britain during the period from 1450 to 1945. These essays are designed for you as the reader to dip in and dip out, ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: Food for thought
Who were our ancestors? How are apes and humans related? And where does the extinct Homo erectus fit into the puzzle? In this free course, Studying mammals: Food for thought, we will examine culture, tool use and social structure in both apes and humans to gain an understanding of where we come from and why we behave as we do. This is the tenth ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: The social climbers
Monkeys have long fascinated us because of their similarities to the human race. In this free course, Studying mammals: The social climbers, you will find out about some of the characteristics that make them so like us: their physiology, complex social interactions, large brains and intelligence. This is the ninth course in the Studying mammals ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: Life in the trees
David Attenborough looks at life in the trees: examining how species have evolved to cope with arboreal living. In this free course, Studying mammals: Life in the trees, you will learn how lemurs, anteaters, bears and many others have developed different methods to help movement and survival.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: The opportunists
Many mammals are food specialists, with complex adaptations that gear them toward a particular food source. So how do the omnivores survive and prosper without these fancy evolutionary features? This free course, Studying mammals: The opportunists, examines the physiology, diet and strategies of some of these opportunistic feeders. It is the ...