Study skills
Studying can be daunting. These free courses will refresh your study skills and prepare you for success.
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Languages
Describing language
This free course introduces you to the basics of describing language. Using examples from English, you’ll learn how words are built, how they fit together to make sentences, and what labels like noun, verb and adjective mean. You’ll see how language patterns in regular ways and how the meaning of a sentence is more than the sum of its parts. ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Succeed with maths: part 1
If you feel that maths is a mystery that you want to unravel then this free course is for you. It will guide you through how numbers are put together, give you confidence with using percentages, fractions and negative numbers and provide you with problem solving skills for your everyday life and the wider world.
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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.
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Education & Development
All my own work: exploring academic integrity
Are you currently studying? This free course, All my own work: exploring academic integrity, is designed to help you build confidence in producing your own work for academic purposes. You will explore what plagiarism is and how to avoid it, and learn how and when to reference. The course also includes an interactive to work through, which will ...
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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.
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Education & Development
Academic Skills - Key words in essay titles
When you’re assigned an essay, it’s important to look at the title closely. Understanding key terms is the key to writing effectively.
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Education & Development
About University Ready
Free resources from universities in Wales to help you take your first steps into higher education.
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Education & Development
Writing critically and structuring your essay - Academic Study Skills
Techniques you can use to help your essays flow coherently and to make your arguments clearer and more persuasive.
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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...
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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.
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Education & Development
Critical thinking – A skill and a process
To be successful at learning we need to do more than just remember information - critical thinking is essential. Anne Wesemann explains the benefits...
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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 ...
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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.
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