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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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Exploring data: Graphs and numerical summaries
This free course, Exploring data: graphs and numerical summaries, will introduce you to a number of ways of representing data graphically and of summarising data numerically. You will learn the uses for pie charts, bar charts, histograms and scatterplots. You will also be introduced to various ways of summarising data and methods for assessing ...
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level 1: introductory icon
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Science, Maths & Technology
Astronomy with an online telescope
This free course shows you how to navigate the night sky, and introduces the wide variety of objects it contains. You will develop a hands-on understanding of telescopic observations using the Open University’s own robotic telescope facility COAST sited on the island of Tenerife. Supported by your own measurements we illustrate how stars...
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level 3: advanced icon
Science, Maths & Technology
An introduction to software development
Software development is the practice of organising the design and construction of software, the beating heart of much technology fundamental to our personal and professional life. This free introductory course, An introduction to software development, discusses the engineering nature of software development, its challenges and some ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Design
This free course looks at the process of design, from assessing the complexity of design as an activity to exposing the difficulty in making general conclusions about how designers work. You will be able to identify innovation in a wide variety of designed objects and evaluate the impact of this innovation.
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Further Laboratory Skills for Chemistry
An OpenSTEM laboratory school providing you with 24 hours of ‘hands on’ experience with several widely used techniques in chemistry. Techniques include making up standard solutions and serial dilutions, use of automatic pipettes, solvent extraction, use of rotary evaporator, column chromatography, recrystallisation, handling air sensitive ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
What do genes do?
This free course, What do genes do?, explores how information contained in DNA is used, explaining the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein. Also introduced are the concepts of transcription (as occurs between DNA and RNA) and translation.
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level 3: advanced icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Introduction to structural integrity
The I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis in August 2007, resulting in at least 13 deaths, illustrates the importance of structural integrity. This free course, Introduction to structural integrity, looks at the investigation that followed the collapse of the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River in 1967 which demonstrates how the study of safe ...
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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
The making of individual differences
--- Please note: This is course is due to be archived on Wednesday 7th November. You can study the course up until this date. For learners who have completed the course, the Statement of Participation will remain in your learner records in your OpenLearn profile. --- How do we become individuals? This free course, The making of individual ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Alcohol and human health
What impact does alcohol have on the body? From a 'hangover' to cirrhosis this free course, Alcohol and human health, looks at the harmful effects of alcohol both in the short and long term.
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
People-centred designing
Designed products surround us all and range from bus tickets to buildings. This free course, People-centred designing, focuses firmly on usability and the increasingly important phenomenon of people-centred design. It aims to inform consumers of design (i.e., all of us) about this crucial characteristic of design. In addition to stimulating ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Neighbourhood nature
There is a fascinating world of nature all around us which we can see if we know how to look for it. Wherever you live, be it in a city or the countryside, you will find areas that support a range of wildlife. This free course, Neighbourhood nature, will provide you with basic scientific and observational skills so that you can go into your ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Basic science: understanding experiments
This free course, Basic science: understanding experiments, introduces you to science-based skills through simple and exciting physics, chemistry and biology experiments.