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.

Society, Politics & Law
The economics of flood insurance
This course shows how some of the theories and tools of economics can be applied to understanding and tackling the problem of flood risk in the UK. With the incidence of flooding rising due to climate change, this is an increasingly important policy issue worldwide. You will gain insights into the practical use of economics in a ...

Society, Politics & Law
Y Gymru Gyfoes
Drwy edrych ar wahaniaethau a chysylltiadau, mae'r cwrs yn gofnod awdurdodol a diweddar o economi, cymdeithas, gwleidyddiaeth a diwylliant Cymru gyfoes ac mae'n cynnwys amrywiaeth eang o astudiaethau achos diddorol.

Society, Politics & Law
Legal skills and debates in Scotland
This free course, Legal skills and debates in Scotland, considers how laws are interpreted and applied. It looks at legislation, court judgments, argument, judicial reasoning and rights. It also explores the relationship between society’s values and the laws which it supports and how policy and rights influence development of law.

Society, Politics & Law
Scottish courts and the law
This free course, Scottish courts and the law, explores the role, function and purpose of the courts in Scotland and their relationship with the law. You consider the way in which cases come to court, the difference between the criminal and civil justice systems, the separation of powers, how individuals may become involved with the court ...

Money & Business
Entrepreneuriaeth Gwledig yng Nghymru
Beth yw'r materion pwysig i'w hystyried wrth ddechrau neu redeg busnes bach mewn amgylchedd gwledig? Bydd yr uned astudio hon yn eich cyflwyno i rai syniadau a modelau a fydd yn eich helpu i weithio allan yr hyn rydych am ei wneud gyda'ch syniad busnes ac ystyried effaith byw mewn lleoliad gwledig.

Education & Development
Planning a better future
Planning a better future is an introductory course for anyone considering changing jobs, wondering how to move up the ladder or return to work after a break, and those who might be looking to aspire to better things.

Society, Politics & Law
Critical criminology and the social sciences
This free course, Critical criminology and the social sciences, will provide you with an insight into some of the main disciplines within the social sciences, focusing in particular on critical criminology. It will begin by outlining some of the defining characteristics of the social science disciplines of psychology, law, sociology and critical...

Society, Politics & Law
Exploring economics: the secret life of t-shirts
This free course, Exploring economics: the secret life of t-shirts, aims to describe what goes into making and selling t-shirts. Which resources, which markets, who is involved, the income people get, the income and value they create are all discussed. You will explore these questions at different stages of the production of a t-shirt, and ...

Health, Sports & Psychology
Exploring issues in women's health
This free course, Exploring issues in women's health, will introduce social model approaches to health and wellbeing, which take as their starting point not the scientific context of the body, but the social context in which women live. The focus is on women and the impact of social and cultural factors on women's health. The course touches...

Health, Sports & Psychology
Dechrau gyda seicoleg
Y 'pos mwyaf a phwysicaf' rydym yn ei wynebu fel pobl yw ni ein hunain (Boring, 1950, tud. 56). Mae pobl yn bos - yn bos cymhleth, cynnil ac amlhaenog, a daw'n fwy cymhleth fyth wrth i ni esblygu dros amser a newid o fewn cyd-destunau gwahanol. Wrth ateb y cwestiwn 'Beth sy'n ein gwneud ni yn pwy ydym ni?', mae seicolegwyr yn ...

Society, Politics & Law
Questioning crime: social harms and global issues
This free course, Questioning crime: social harms and global issues, introduces the concept of social harm as an alternative to the more familiar concept of 'crime' as a basis for studying aspects of the social world which are damaging or harmful. In doing so, it will encourage you to think critically about the strengths and limitations of ...

Society, Politics & Law
Changing cities
Urban processes are increasingly held to be responsible for causing a variety of problems environmental destruction, social injustice, global financial instability. They are also identified as harbouring the potential to meet these challenges through urban experiments in sustainable living, creative culture and alternative economies. This ...