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: 109 items
The science of nuclear energy free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

The science of nuclear energy

This free course, The science of nuclear energy, will delve into the science behind nuclear power and explain what happens inside a nuclear reactor and what it means for an element to be radioactive. It will explore some of the risks of producing nuclear power and examine the arguments for and against including it in future energy planning as ...

Free course
12 hrs
Introduction to ecosystems free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to ecosystems

If we don't grasp why ecosystems function, it becomes harder to determine possible reasons for when they don't, and makes it difficult to identify possible environmental threats to humans. In this free course, Introduction to ecosystems, you will discover how organisms are linked together by complex interrelationships, how such links are studied...

Free course
12 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
What are waves? free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

What are waves?

This free course, What are waves? explains what waves are. It describes different types of wave as well as their properties. You can listen to the song of a humpback whale and learn about the process of echolocation which is used by dolphins to locate their food. You will also conduct your own online research into how bats use echolocation to ...

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
Manufacturing free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Manufacturing

How are designs turned into products? What resources, materials and methods are used and what set of activities goes under the heading of 'manufacturing'? This free course will introduce manufacturing as a system and will describe some of the many different ways of making products. We will illustrate how the required properties of the materials ...

Free course
20 hrs
Learning, thinking and doing free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Learning, thinking and doing

How do we learn? Understanding how is the key to learning more effectively. This free course, Learning, thinking and doing, looks at the three main categories of theories: the acquisitive, constructivist and experiential models of learning. There is no right way to learn but developing an active approach will ensure that you are open to new ideas.

Free course
16 hrs
Language, notation and formulas free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Language, notation and formulas

Communication is as vital in mathematics as in any language. This free course, Language, notation and formulas, will help you to express yourself clearly when writing and speaking about mathematics. You will also learn how to answer questions in the manner that is expected by the examiner.

Free course
5 hrs
Getting started with SPSS free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Society, Politics & Law

Getting started with SPSS

Handling statistical data is an essential part of psychological research. However, many people find the idea of using statistics, and especially statistical software packages, extremely daunting. This free course, Getting started with SPSS, takes a step-by-step approach to statistics software through seven interactive activities. No statistics ...

Free course
3 hrs
Prices, location and spread free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Prices, location and spread

The free course, Prices, location and spread, explores aspects of the question Are people getting better or worse off? It covers statistical measures characterising the location of a batch of data (the median and the mean), and looks further at weighted means and at the interquartile range as a measure of spread (variability). Boxplots and ...

Free course
18 hrs
Ethics in science? free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Science, Maths & Technology

Ethics in science?

This free course, Ethics in science? discusses how scientists have a moral and ethical responsibility to consider whether they should carry out an experiment. In this short course you will learn of the first clinical trials undertaken for scurvy and small pox and gain an understanding of how much more rigorous today’s clinical trials are. You ...

Free course
3 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