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: 199 items
Online Journal Club free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Online Journal Club

Online Journal Clubs are currently being offered as part of a small project to students registered on a small number of second level biology related modules within The Open University. We are hoping to be able to offer the opportunity to participate in these events to a wider audience in future.

Free course
1 hr
Groups and teamwork free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Groups and teamwork

Are you always the quiet one when it comes to group discussion? This free course, Groups and teamwork, will help you improve your working relationships with other people in groups of three or more. The course also deals with project life cycles, project management and the role of the leader.

Free course
20 hrs
Obesity: balanced diets and treatment free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Obesity: balanced diets and treatment

The incidence of obesity is on the increase in affluent societies, and the phenomenon commands increasing attention from health professionals, legislators and the media. This free course, Obesity: balanced diets and treatment, looks at the science behind obesity, examining the dietary, physiological and genetic aspects of the topic.

Free course
15 hrs
Introduction to active galaxies free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to active galaxies

The field of active galaxies is recognised as one of increasing importance. But how do we know there are different kinds of galaxy? What are active galaxies? How are they powered? This free course, Introduction to active galaxies, examines the different types of active galaxies and looks at the crucial role of the active galactic nucleus and the...

Free course
20 hrs
Diagrams, charts and graphs free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Diagrams, charts and graphs

Diagrams, charts and graphs are used by all sorts of people to express information in a visual way, whether it's in a report by a colleague or a plan from your interior designer. This free course will teach you how to interpret these tools and how to use them yourself to convey information more effectively.

Free course
5 hrs
Tay Bridge disaster free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Tay Bridge disaster

The sudden collapse of Scotland's Tay Bridge in 1879 killed more than 70 rail passengers and shocked the population. An extensive inquiry was carried out, including numerous witnesses, experts and reports. Were the high winds that night to blame, or were poor design or mechanical failure at fault? This free course re-examines some of the ...

Free course
20 hrs
Aquatic mammals free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Nature & Environment

Aquatic mammals

Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes and yet all of the 4700 or so species have some characteristics in common, which justifies the inclusion of diverse types within a single group. Although mammals evolved on land, a number of species have become adapted to spending part or all of their lives in water and it is these ...

Free course
5 hrs
Rounding and estimation free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Rounding and estimation

Scientific calculators are a wonderful invention, but they're only as good as the people who use them. If you often get an unexpected or ridiculous result when you press the enter button, this free course, Rounding and estimation, is for you. Learn how to do a calculation correctly and get the right answer every time.

Free course
5 hrs
Engineering: environmental fluids free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Engineering: environmental fluids

This course introduces the properties of the atmosphere and how wind movements arise and are affected by pressures and the Earth’s motion, development of weather system, moving onto the Earth’s oceans and seas. Understanding how ocean movements are generated and sustained in the form of waves, tides, flows and currents is important in many ...

Free course
7 hrs
An introduction to minerals and rocks under the microscope free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

An introduction to minerals and rocks under the microscope

In this free course, An introduction to minerals and rocks under the microscope, you will experience the study of minerals using a polarising microscope. While the study of minerals can involve electron or ion beam chemical analysis, the polarising microscope remains the prime tool for the study of rock thin sections and is the foundation of ...

Free course
8 hrs
The restless Universe free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

The restless Universe

The restless Universe introduces you to major achievements and figures in the history of physics, from Copernicus to Einstein and beyond. The route from classical to quantum physics will be laid out for you in this free course without recourse to challenging mathematics but with the fundamental features of theories and discoveries described in ...

Free course
12 hrs
Moons of our Solar System free course icon level 1: introductory icon Badge icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Moons of our Solar System

In this free course, Moons of our Solar System, explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?

Free course
24 hrs