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.

Grid List Results: 142 items
Banning the bomb: a global history of activism against nuclear weapons free course icon level 1: introductory icon

History & The Arts

Banning the bomb: a global history of activism against nuclear weapons

In this free course you will learn about the global anti-nuclear movement that has worked for decades to prevent the use of nuclear weapons, with the ultimate aim of abolishing them altogether. You will see how opposition to nuclear weapons has been an important cause on every continent. Beginning in 1945, this course will equip you with ...

Free course
6 hrs
Carrying out research for policy and advocacy work free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Society, Politics & Law

Carrying out research for policy and advocacy work

How can you effectively influence decision makers to change laws, regulations or policies? How can your idea to improve an issue or problem be adopted by those in power? If you are involved in law reform or policy work, then this free course, Carrying out research for policy and advocacy work, is for you. Whether you are employed as a policy ...

Free course
8 hrs
Diagramming for development 2: exploring interrelationships free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Digital & Computing

Diagramming for development 2: exploring interrelationships

Diagramming for development 2: exploring interrelationships, is a free course that introduces you to the diagramming techniques of Influence diagrams, Multiple Cause Diagrams and Cognitive Maps. Using a case study project based in Africa, this unit illustrates the powerful use of systems diagramming for international development management. This...

Free course
4 hrs
Diagramming for development 1: bounding realities free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Digital & Computing

Diagramming for development 1: bounding realities

Diagramming for development 1: bounding realities, is a free course that introduces you to the systems diagramming techniques of Rich pictures, Spray diagrams and Systems maps. Using a case study project based in Africa, the course illustrates the use of powerful use of systems diagramming for international development management. This is a ...

Free course
4 hrs
Bun-chùrsa mu bhith a’ dèanamh atharrachadh poilitigeach is sòisealta free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Society, Politics & Law

Bun-chùrsa mu bhith a’ dèanamh atharrachadh poilitigeach is sòisealta

Written in a moment of multiple crises – environmental, economic, political, social and health-related – ‘An Introduction to making political and social change’ gives you a grounding in some of the key citizenship skills and information you will need to intervene in the world as it changes around you. This free course explores how you can make ...

Free course
10 hrs
Global challenges in practice: designing a development intervention free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Money & Business

Global challenges in practice: designing a development intervention

This free short course addresses the key elements of designing a development intervention. Its approach to ‘doing development’ will be value led rather than technical. There is a wealth of material teaching a technical approach to development intervention. This course seeks to shift the balance back to a value based approach to doing development...

Free course
12 hrs
International relations: exploring territorial divisions free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Society, Politics & Law

International relations: exploring territorial divisions

In this short taster course, drawn from part 1 of the MA in International Relations (D818), you will be introduced to the idea of international division, focusing on territory. Divisions over territory have often lied at the heart of global problems like conflict, and in the following pages you will learn about the roots of some of the lines on ...

Free course
3 hrs
Understanding PCSO powers free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Society, Politics & Law

Understanding PCSO powers

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) play a vital role in modern policing. They often serve as the primary point of contact for communities to report concerns and share information. In this free course, you’ll explore the powers that PCSOs in England and Wales use in their daily duties, their role in supporting response policing, and the ...

Free course
6 hrs
Introducing Black leadership free course icon level 1: introductory icon Badge icon

Society, Politics & Law

Introducing Black leadership

In this free course, you will develop skills to empower yourself as a leader. Guided by the Five Ps model of leadership (person, process, position, product and purpose), you will learn about the challenges and possibilities of Black leadership. Developing skills in communication, critical analysis and teamwork will promote competence in a wide ...

Free course
24 hrs
Investigating a murder with forensic psychology free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Health, Sports & Psychology

Investigating a murder with forensic psychology

In this course, you’ll explore the way suspects are dealt with during a police investigation and learn about how psychology can help the police with their enquiries.

Free course
12 hrs
Wildfires: environmental and social entanglements free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Society, Politics & Law

Wildfires: environmental and social entanglements

This course explores how environmental and social factors interact to cause wildfires and shows why these interactions need to be considered when preparing for future wildfires. Focusing on the 2007 wildfires in Greece, this course introduces students to the geographical concept of entanglement as a tool for exploring these interrelated factors....

Free course
6 hrs
Judicial decision making free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Society, Politics & Law

Judicial decision making

This free course, Judicial decision making, explains how judges decide cases. You will learn how judges make sense of evidence, and how they decide on fair outcomes in legal disputes. The course shows how the law constrains and influences judges, and what happens when the law is uncertain or contested. The course uses videos, practical examples,...

Free course
10 hrs