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.

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Grid List Results: 197 items
Bayesian statistics free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Bayesian statistics

This free course is an introduction to Bayesian statistics. Section 1 discusses several ways of estimating probabilities. Section 2 reviews ideas of conditional probabilities and introduces Bayes’ theorem and its use in updating beliefs about a proposition, when data are observed, or information becomes available. Section 3 introduces the main ...

Free course
12 hrs
Introduction to linear equations and matrices free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to linear equations and matrices

In this free course, matrices are used as a concise way of representing systems of linear equations which occur frequently in mathematics. Section 1 looks at simultaneous linear equations in two and three unknowns and then generalises the ideas to systems of linear equations. Section 2 develops a strategy for solving systems of linear equations....

Free course
16 hrs
Data analysis: hypothesis testing free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Data analysis: hypothesis testing

Making decisions about the world based on data requires a process that bridges the gap between unstructured data and the decision. Statistical hypothesis testing helps decision-making by formulating beliefs about the world, including people, organisations or other objects, and formally testing these beliefs. In this free course, you will ...

Free course
9 hrs
Introducing mammals free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Nature & Environment

Introducing mammals

Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes, and yet all species have some characteristics in common. These similarities justify the inclusion of all such diverse types within the single taxonomic group (or class) called the Mammalia. This free course, Introducing mammals, offers a starting point for the study of mammals. It will ...

Free course
5 hrs
Digital forensics free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Digital forensics

Digital evidence features in just about every part of our personal and business lives. Legal and business decisions hinge on having timely data about what people have actually done. This free course, Digital forensics, is an introduction to computer forensics and investigation, and provides a taster in understanding how to conduct investigations...

Free course
8 hrs
Working on your own mathematics free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Working on your own mathematics

This free course, Working on your own mathematics, focuses on your initial encounters with research. It invites you to think about how perceptions of mathematics have influenced you in your prior learning, your teaching and the attitudes of learners.

Free course
4 hrs
Blood and the respiratory system free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Blood and the respiratory system

‘Don’t hold your breath’ is an expression you’ve probably heard many times, but may not have thought too much about. In this free course, Blood and the respiratory system, you’ll study why respiration is so important for life, including how air enters and leaves the lungs, how oxygen is transported in the blood, the many dynamic factors that ...

Free course
10 hrs
Exploring anxiety free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Exploring anxiety

This free advanced level course, Exploring anxiety, serves as an introduction to masters level study in neurosciences and mental health. Focusing on anxiety, you will consider key issues concerning diagnosis, causes and interventions. You will also learn how to evaluate news items, and to go behind the headlines and begin to explore some of the ...

Free course
9 hrs
Innovation through representation free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Innovation through representation

Innovations are realised through design, and some of the most useful tools in the designer's toolbox are the representations that are used to move from a vague idea, to a concept, and then to a realised product, service or system. This free course, Innovation through representation, explores what innovation is and how representations are used to...

Free course
15 hrs
Introduction to complex analysis free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to complex analysis

This free course, Introduction to complex analysis, is an extract from the third level Open University course M337 Complex Analysis, which develops the theory of functions of a complex variable, emphasising their geometric properties and indicating some applications.

Free course
12 hrs
Birth of a drug free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Birth of a drug

The search for new medicinal products is one of the major driving forces behind the development and application of new synthetic methods. This free course, Birth of a drug, focuses on a specific case study that follows the development of a drug for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is a particularly good example of the application of ...

Free course
4 hrs
Forensic science and fingerprints free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Health, Sports & Psychology

Forensic science and fingerprints

This free course, Forensic science and fingerprints, covers how science can make fingerprints easier to study, how they are used in court and some of the questions about the extent to which fingerprint identification is sound and scientific. Students will learn the principles used in classifying and matching fingerprints (often called marks).

Free course
10 hrs