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
Numbers, units and arithmetic free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Numbers, units and arithmetic

Do fractions and decimals make you apprehensive about maths? Do you lack confidence in dealing with numbers? If so, then this free course, Numbers, units and arithmetic, is for you. The course will explain the basics of working with positive and negative numbers and how to multiply and divide with fractions and decimals.

Free course
5 hrs
Public health approaches to infectious disease free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Public health approaches to infectious disease

This free course, Public health approaches to infectious disease, reviews the current global burden of infectious disease, the public health strategies that are reducing the impact of some major infections and the challenges facing national and international organisations in preventing illness and death caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Free course
3 hrs
Understanding antibiotic resistance free course icon level 1: introductory icon Badge icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Understanding antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat, compromising our ability to treat infections and increasing the risk of routine surgery. Resistant infections are increasing due to overuse of antibiotics and this has resulted in the emergence of 'superbugs' (bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics). This free course, Understanding antibiotic ...

Free course
24 hrs
General principles of cellular communication free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

General principles of cellular communication

Learn about how cells sense and respond to extrinsic stimuli, a capacity that allows them to communicate with each other and to respond to changes in their environment. This free course, General principles of cellular communication, explains cell signalling pathways in general terms and identifies some of the universal characteristics of ...

Free course
8 hrs
What is a metal? free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

What is a metal?

This free course, What is a metal? explores the main characteristic properties of metals and their varied use in our everyday lives. Each metal has its own personal signature and you will undertake an online experiment to identify individual metals.

Free course
3 hrs
Metals in medicine free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Metals in medicine

This free course, Metals in medicine, focuses on the use of metals and their compounds in the production of images of internal structures in our bodies and on the role of metal-containing compounds as drugs in the treatment of disease.

Free course
12 hrs
IT in everyday life free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

IT in everyday life

We now live in a global village where distance is no longer a barrier to commercial or social contact. This free course, IT in everyday life, will enable you to gain an understanding of the information and communication technologies that drive our networked world and how they now permeate our everyday lives.

Free course
4 hrs
Drug development process: combating pain free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Drug development process: combating pain

Drug development process: combating pain, is a free course offering a brief introduction to the process of new drug discovery; from identification of a suitable candidate drug molecule to the development of a commercial drug product available in the clinic for pain relief or as an anti-inflammatory.

Free course
2 hrs
Introduction to finite element analysis free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to finite element analysis

What is finite element analysis (what is it and why do we carry it out? This free course, Introduction to finite element analysis, introduces the essence of finite element analysis. As an example of its use, you will look at the case of FEA of the tub of a racing car. You will also have the opportunity to try out two exercises to carry out a ...

Free course
7 hrs
Achieving public dialogue free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Achieving public dialogue

There are a wide range of interactions between 'science' and 'the public'. Examples range from visiting a museum, or indulging in a science-related hobby, to reading a newspaper article about a breakthrough in the techniques of therapeutic cloning. Many of these interactions could be said to be 'passive'. This free course, Achieving public ...

Free course
16 hrs
In the night sky: Orion free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

In the night sky: Orion

In this free course, In the night sky: Orion, you will explore the night sky, discover how stars formed and find out about exoplanets, all through the constellation of Orion.

Free course
24 hrs
Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century

This free course, Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century, provides a general overview of how digital technology has come to dominate virtually every aspect of the modern world and some guidance on how to prepare for this digital life. It also provides a more detailed explanation of the internal structure and workings of a typical ...

Free course
10 hrs