Study skills
Studying can be daunting. These free courses will refresh your study skills and prepare you for success.
free course icon
level 3: advanced icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Applying to study for a PhD in psychology
This free OpenLearn course is for psychology students and graduates who are interested in PhD study at some future point. Even if you have met PhD students and heard about their projects, it is likely that you have only a vague idea of what PhD study entails. This course is intended to give you more information.
article icon
Education & Development
How can I cope with exam stress
The exam period brings with it extra challenges - but if you manage your stress, you can make it through. Teena Clouston has some tips, and you may turn your papers over now.
activity icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Maths skills for Science
Want to study science but worried you don't have the maths skills required for higher education? Fret not! We have a handy interactive guide to get you on track...
article icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Time management and study
Whether you’re a full or part-time student, studying is likely to mean adding another commitment to your life. Having a lot to balance can sometimes affect our wellbeing and leave us feeling overwhelmed.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
Building confidence in using online forums
Learn about the benefits of online learning forums, with strategies for participating more fully.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Languages
How to learn a language
Learn about the concepts and skills required to learn languages successfully. This free course, How to learn a language, introduces the skills and strategies for language learning, setting realistic goals when learning languages and keeping motivated, practise speaking skills and vocabulary learning strategies. It will enable you to evaluate ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Education & Development
English: skills for learning
Develop the English reading and writing skills needed for university success.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Mathematics for science and technology
Maths is intimately entwined with science and technology, whether it is used to analyse data collected on plants in the Amazon rainforest, to calculate the trajectory of a comet or design a bridge to connect two countries. This means that science and technology go hand-in-hand with maths, and that a firm grasp of maths is crucial for studying ...
free course icon
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.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Succeed with maths: part 2
This free course, Succeed with maths: part 2, is a sequel to Part 1, in which you will continue to develop your mathematical knowledge and skills using everyday examples. The course takes a look at measurement of length, mass and volume, negative numbers and how to use these, scientific notation (based upon powers of 10), shapes and how to ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Education & Development
Taking your first steps into higher education
What is university study like? Is it for me? If you are asking yourself these questions, this free course is for you. Taking your first steps into higher education provides insights into how subjects are studied at university. This introduction to carefully selected materials helps you decide what you might want to study. You will be ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
Talk the talk
This free course introduces the mechanics of effective, persuasive oral presentations, by giving you the opportunity to analyse examples and then create your own. Using resources such as TED Talk videos, you will see how experts deliver professional talks and famous speeches, observe what works, and identify how language connects ideas and keeps...
Find the right course for you
At The Open University, we're pioneers of flexible learning that's respected by employers and affordable for you. That's why more than 170,000 students are studying with us right now.
Whatever subject you want to study, and whatever qualification you want, we've got the right course for you.
Create your free OpenLearn profile
Anyone can learn for free on OpenLearn, but signing-up will give you access to your personal learning profile and record of achievements that you earn while you study.