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.

  • All topics
Grid List Results: 199 items
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
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
Transport and sustainability free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Transport and sustainability

This free course, Transport and sustainability, explores the issues around sustainable transport and how the role of technology and society can interact to lower the overall impact of transport.

Free course
12 hrs
Medical statistics free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Medical statistics

This free course is concerned with some of the statistical methods used in epidemiology and more widely in medical statistics. Section 1 introduces cohort studies in which individuals are classified according to their exposure and followed forward in time to evaluate disease outcomes. Section 2 looks at models for cohort studies. Section 3 ...

Free course
16 hrs
Toys and engineering materials free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Toys and engineering materials

This free course, Toys and engineering materials, introduces engineering in context. It explores the variation in materials and composite materials, and provides real-life examples of material use in the manufacture of toys, and how the development of materials over time has influenced design.

Free course
10 hrs
Introduction to differential equations free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to differential equations

Differential equations are any equations that include derivatives and arise in many situations. This free course, Introduction to differential equations, considers three types of first-order differential equations. Section 1 introduces equations that can be solved by direct integration and section 2 the method of separation of variables. Section...

Free course
18 hrs
The science behind wheeled sports free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Health, Sports & Psychology

The science behind wheeled sports

Please note: This course contains two Flash activities which are no longer playable. These are being updated. This course can still be studied, but you may like to postpone your study for now if you would rather have the full experience.

Free course
8 hrs
An introduction to geology free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

An introduction to geology

In this free course, An introduction to geology, you will explore basic geological processes, focusing on how, where and why different rocks and natural resources form across the Earth.

Free course
12 hrs
Working mathematically free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Working mathematically

This free course, Working mathematically, is aimed at teachers who wish to review how they go about the practice of teaching mathematics, those who are considering becoming mathematics teachers, or those who are studying mathematics courses and would like to understand more about the teaching and learning process.

Free course
10 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
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
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in STEM free course icon level 3: advanced icon Badge icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in STEM

This free course, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in STEM, provides a toolkit for conducting Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). SoTL involves educators using their disciplinary knowledge to investigate a question about learning and teaching, gather evidence in a ...

Free course
24 hrs