Don't give up, take up!
New year, new resolution? Why not try taking something up rather than giving something up? We've got a few ideas where you could get started - take a look at the FREE tools and courses below and, to discover more about how we can help you, watch our short animation on to make the most of OpenLearn (and discover how it helps OU students in different ways too)
Succeed in the workplace
Is this the year you put your career first? Check out our Badged Open Course, and if you fancy a STEM career, feast your eyes on our collection. You can also check out our full collection of badged open courses on employability.
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Succeed in the workplace
Learn more to access more details of Succeed in the workplaceDo 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 ...
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Applying Psychology to Work
Learn more to access more details of Applying Psychology to WorkNavigating work in a changing world with the power of psychology.
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Interested in a STEM career?
Read now to access more details of Interested in a STEM career?Browse our collection of FREE resources offering useful skills and solutions to help you get into a STEM career or return to one.
Start writing
New year, new novel? Have you been itching to get your first novel started and haven't known where to begin? Well we know where - here! Start with Ten top tips for writing a novel. Then delve into the resources below:
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Start writing fiction: characters and stories
Learn more to access more details of Start writing fiction: characters and storiesStart writing fiction is a free course that helps you to get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters.
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Writing what you know
Learn more to access more details of Writing what you knowDo you want to improve your descriptive writing? This free course, Writing what you know, will help you to develop your perception of the world about you and enable you to see the familiar things in everyday life in a new light. You will also learn how authors use their own personal histories to form the basis of their work.
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Creative writing and critical reading
Learn more to access more details of Creative writing and critical readingThis free course, Creative writing and critical reading, explores the importance of reading as part of a creative writer’s development at the postgraduate level. You will gain inspiration and ideas from examining other writers’ methods, as well as enhancing your critical reading skills. Examples will cover the genres of fiction, creative ...
Sort out your finances
Getting financially savvy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From quick podcasts to free beginner-friendly courses, these resources help you build healthier money habits, boost your confidence and make smarter financial decisions for now and the future.
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The Financial Five a Day Podcast Series
Listen now to access more details of The Financial Five a Day Podcast SeriesDo you want to improve your financial nutrition? This podcast series will inspire you to think more purposefully about your personal finance and money habits.
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MSE’s Academy of Money
Learn more to access more details of MSE’s Academy of MoneyThe 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.
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Midlife MOT: wealth, work and wellbeing
Learn more to access more details of Midlife MOT: wealth, work and wellbeingIntroducing your Midlife MOT. Your midlife years – that is, when you’re between about 40 and 60 – will probably be a very hectic time indeed. You might have ended up in a challenging job, or you might be working hard to get one. You could be looking after the kids, your parents or maybe both. Maybe you’re putting time and energy into a whole new...
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5 tips on financially thriving
Read now to access more details of 5 tips on financially thrivingIf your finances feel stretched, you’re not alone. These five simple steps can help you regain control and start thriving financially. And when you’re ready to go further, dive into free OpenLearn courses and resources to boost your money know-how.
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Retirement planning made easy
Learn more to access more details of Retirement planning made easyThis free course on money and retirement planning has been produced by The Open University in collaboration with Legal & General.
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Managing my money for young adults
Learn more to access more details of Managing my money for young adultsAs a young adult, it is essential to effectively manage your finances. You will learn how to budget effectively, and will be encouraged to start thinking about your financial future.
Choose health
Whether you've eaten too many mince pies over the Christmas break and need a health kick, or maybe you want to concentrate on your mental health and wellbeing this year instead - we've got you covered with our free courses and articles.
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The gut microbiome: balancing the body
Learn more to access more details of The gut microbiome: balancing the bodyThis free course introduces the composition and functions of the human gut microbiome and explores how the gut microbiome interacts with different parts of the body. It explores how the gut microbiome can be altered by factors related to the human host (such as genetics, age, and the menopause) and through lifestyle factors (such as diet, ...
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Five reasons why you should care about mindfulness
Read now to access more details of Five reasons why you should care about mindfulnessMindfulness is about focusing on the present moment, whilst at the same time accepting your feelings, thoughts, and body’s sensations. But why does mindfulness matter?
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Sport and Fitness Hub
Learn more to access more details of Sport and Fitness HubWelcome to the Sport and Fitness Hub. Enjoy exploring our range of free courses, articles and interactives to exercise your body and mind.
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The science of nutrition and healthy eating
Learn more to access more details of The science of nutrition and healthy eatingExamine the science behind nutrition, covering aspects of biology, chemistry and physics as well as giving some insight into healthier eating. Reading food labels, choosing healthier foods, hydrating appropriately and understanding how we taste food will allow you to be more informed about the choices you make about the food you eat.
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A perfect day: how well do you know your happiness hormones?
Take part now to access more details of A perfect day: how well do you know your happiness hormones?How to have a good day? Do our choices have an effect on our happiness hormones? Try our interactive activity and see if you can help make Rowan's day better!
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Five tips for relaxing during difficult times
Read now to access more details of Five tips for relaxing during difficult timesModern life can leave many of us feeling stressed out. Here Dr Mathijs Lucassen offers five tips so that you can relax.
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Five tips on how to plan new self-care routines
Read now to access more details of Five tips on how to plan new self-care routinesDr Sharon Mallon explores what is meant by self-care before introducing you to some of the top inexpensive and time-effective ways that you can introduce self-care practices into your life.
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Veganism interactive
Take part now to access more details of Veganism interactiveVeganism has been big news in recent years, and that trend looks set to continue. Explore the rise of veganism in this interactive, you will learn about how veganism relates to speciesism, the historical background to the vegan movement, and more.
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The science of alcohol
Learn more to access more details of The science of alcoholAlcohol plays a considerable part in the daily lives of humanity and has done for thousands of years. This free course, The science of alcohol, looks at the science behind the processes of brewing, distilling and vinification, and how many of our beverages are made. A historical aspect is also covered showing how the modern production techniques...
- Make sure you check out our Mind, Body, Media hub for a collection of free resources from Open University academics to ensure the wellbeing of you and your family.
Help others
Maybe you want to give something back to the community this year, or help an individual? Take a look at our free badged open course on volunteering and our interactive to help others stay safe online.
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Introducing the voluntary sector
Learn more to access more details of Introducing the voluntary sectorThis free course, Introducing the voluntary sector, will guide you through some of the distinctive features and values of the voluntary sector, how organisations are funded and involve volunteers and other ‘stakeholders’ in their work. It will also provide you with knowledge and skills you can apply to your own work or volunteering as well as ...
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Ministry of Sharing: Are you a safe sharer?
Take part now to access more details of Ministry of Sharing: Are you a safe sharer?Are you a model citizen or a menace to society when it comes to divulging personal details? Take the test from the Ministry of Sharing and find out whether you share too much information.
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Free resources for a safer online experience
Read now to access more details of Free resources for a safer online experienceSafer Internet Day is celebrated on 11 February, and Cyber Security Awareness Month takes place in October. To mark these events, we've pulled together some of our top FREE courses on cyber security, interactives on safe sharing and cyberbullying, and resources on keeping your money safe from scams.
More free courses on volunteering and cyber security:
Get fit
You can also get healthy by taking up more exercise; it doesn't have to be strenuous - it can be a brisk 20 minute walk everyday. Take a look at the boxes below for some inspiration and learn about the importance of recovery and rest before and after exercise.
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Recovery strategies in sport and exercise
Learn more to access more details of Recovery strategies in sport and exerciseThe ability to recover quickly from an intensive training session or match can be extremely advantageous to sports performers. Sport and fitness participants are increasingly using strategies such as ice baths and compression clothing to enhance their recovery from intensive exercise, but how effective are these strategies? Do they really speed ...
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Training for endurance in sport and fitness
Learn more to access more details of Training for endurance in sport and fitnessIn this free course you will explore an important aspect of strength and conditioning which refers to the physical preparation of athletes: endurance. You will look at the physiological factors that underpin endurance and assess how endurance can be developed relative to performance in a range of sports.
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Issues in women's health in relation to sport and fitness
Read now to access more details of Issues in women's health in relation to sport and fitnessExplore some themes in women's sport in the following animations.
Learn a language
Feliz año nuevo! Time to expand your horizons and learn the lingo! Where in the world are you headed?
- Beginners' Spanish: Food and Drink
- Intermediate German: The World of Work
- Beginners' Italian: Food and Drink
- Get ready for beginners' French
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Test your language skills: Spanish, French, Italian and German
Take part now to access more details of Test your language skills: Spanish, French, Italian and GermanHow are your language skills? Heading off on a trip to Spain, France, Italy or Germany and want to know how you'd fare getting by? Find out with our virtual, interactive adventures and test your language skills on the way!
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How to learn a language
Learn more to access more details of How to learn a languageThis course introduces the skills and strategies for language learning, setting realistic goals when learning languages and keeping motivated, practise speaking skills and vocabulary learning strategies. It will enable you to evaluate resources and create a virtual immersion environment.
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Open Centre for Languages and Cultures
Learn more to access more details of Open Centre for Languages and CulturesThe Open Centre for Languages and Cultures: your learning hub for communication in an interconnected world.
Go greener and help the planet
We can all contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental harms which result from burning fossil fuels, and other day-to-day services. Here are some helpful ideas to make greener choices for you and the planet from tackling everyday plastics pitfalls, to getting innovative with your dinner plate and more:
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Eating for the environment
Learn more to access more details of Eating for the environmentThis free course, Eating for the environment, will explore the links between food, nutrition and environmental sustainability.
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Sustainability Hub
Learn more to access more details of Sustainability HubLearn about living sustainably with this collection of free courses, articles, interactives and films from The Open University.
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Climate change
Learn more to access more details of Climate changeClimate change is a key issue on today's social and political agenda. This free course explores the basic science that underpins climate change and global warming.
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