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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Digital & Computing
Discovering computer networks: hands on in the Open Networking Lab
Have you ever wondered how the internet gets into your home, school, college or workplace? How do all the computers, phones, tablets, printers and other devices connect and work together? In this free course, Discovering computer networks: hands on in the Open Networking Lab, you can explore how computer networks operate, discover how data is ...
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level 3: advanced icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Exploring depression
This free advanced level course, Exploring depression, serves as an introduction to masters level study in neurosciences and mental health. Focusing on depression, you will consider key issues concerning diagnosis, causes and interventions. You will also begin to explore theoretical models, biological and psychological explanations, and look at ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Digital thinking tools for better decision making
Ever since the very beginning of humanity, tools have played a pivotal role in who we are and what we do. Tools for recording, processing and communicating information have a time-honoured history – from the clay tokens used in Mesopotamia to mechanical calculating machines. The invention of the digital computer has boosted the scale, speed and ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Studying natural sciences bilingually
Thinking of studying a Natural Sciences course? Considering studying through the medium of Welsh and want to know what the benefits are? Not sure whether your Welsh is good enough? If you’re reading this article, it’s quite possible you’ve thought about these questions. This article aims to answer these questions, and show how studying ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Astudio’r gwyddorau naturiol yn ddwyieithog
Meddwl am astudio cwrs yn y Gwyddorau Naturiol? Ystyried astudio trwy’r Gymraeg ac eisiau gwybod beth yw’r manteision? Dim yn siŵr os ydy eich Cymraeg yn ddigon da? Os ydych chi’n darllen yr erthygl hon, digon tebyg fod y cwestiynau hyn wedi codi yn eich meddwl. Pwrpas yr erthygl hon yw ateb y cwestiynau hyn, a dangos sut gallai astudio’r ...
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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 ...
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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Learning from major cyber security incidents
As a society, we are now almost always connected to the internet and rely on it for many different day-to-day activities. However, this dependency on the internet can make us vulnerable to attacks.
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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Fire ecology
This course explores the role of fire as a natural disturbance in ecosystems. It introduces the concept of a fire regime and its influence on the type and distribution of organisms that occur in fire prone ecosystems. It also looks at some of the adaptations of plants that have evolved in these ecosystems and how animals either avoid or exploit ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Could we control our climate?
Climate crisis is one of the grand challenges we face as a society, but it can be hard to approach as a subject. Not only can the science at times seem dauntingly complex, but the solutions are also far from clear. This leaves many people feeling confused, guilty, anxious, angry, or else completely switched off from the subject. This course ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Understanding science: what we cannot know
This free course, Understanding science: what we cannot know, investigates the boundaries of our understanding across numerous scientific fields. It asks whether it's possible that we will one day know everything, or whether some knowledge will always lie beyond the bounds of human comprehension.
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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Electronic applications
Electronics is fundamental to modern life. Take for example this free course, Electronic applications. An interactive website with videos and interactive software will show how electronic systems pervade everything we do; review some basic ideas of signal processing, control and communications; and allow you to use a digital filter to remove ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training (GICAST)
This free course, Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training (GICAST), will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.