The internet provides unlimited access to free educational content, making lifelong learning easier than ever. From Ivy League universities to tech companies, many top institutions now offer free online courses and classes.
This guide covers 46 of the best free online courses across diverse topics like technology, business, academics, hobby skills and more. We’ll highlight key course features, instructor quality, certificate options and platforms to help find the ideal courses to expand your knowledge.
Let’s explore some amazing free learning opportunities!
Table of Contents
Programming & Computer Science
Harvard CS50 – Introduction to Computer Science
The quintessential computer science course, Harvard’s CS50 provides an outstanding introduction to key programming concepts and languages like C, Python, SQL, JavaScript and more. Taught by engaging professor David Malan.
Offered By: Harvard
Instructor: David Malan
Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner
certificate: Free or Paid Verified Option
Stanford – Machine Learning
This in-depth course from Andrew Ng teaches the concepts and algorithms underlying modern machine learning techniques. Covers training models, classification, neural nets, deep learning and more. Programming exercises in Python.
Offered By: Stanford
Instructor: Andrew Ng
Language: English
Skill Level: Intermediate
Certificate: Free
MIT – Introduction to Programming Using Python
MIT’s beginner course provides a solid grounding in using Python for programming. No prior coding experience required. Covers data types, control flow, OOP, data structures, testing and debugging.
Offered By: MIT
Instructor: Dr. Ana Bell
Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Microsoft – Introduction to Programming Using Python
Another great intro Python course from Microsoft. Covers data structures, version control and program design. Includes hands-on coding practice and quizzes to reinforce key concepts.
Offered By: Microsoft
Instructor: Christopher Harrison Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Google IT Automation with Python
This hands-on course from Google covers Python programming and automation techniques for practical IT applications like manipulating files, APIs, version control, testing and tracking. Valuable programming practice.
Offered By: Google
Instructor: Google IT Support Team Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Business & Management
Wharton Business Foundations
Top-notch course from Wharton Business School covers core business functional areas including operations, marketing, accounting, finance. Provides fundamental business knowledge.
Offered By: Wharton School
Instructor: Varies by Module
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
HBS – Entrepreneurship Essentials
Learn the basics of entrepreneurship and startup strategies from the prestigious Harvard Business School. Covers opportunity evaluation, business plans, funding, marketing and growth.
Offered By: Harvard Business School
Instructor: Mikhail Parakhin Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Berkeley Marketing Analytics
Gain an analytical approach to marketing and metrics in this introductory course from UC Berkeley. Demystifies digital marketing using data and frameworks to optimize business decision making and ROI.
Offered By: UC Berkeley
Instructor: Mary Honors, Ben Stuart Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Salesforce Trailhead – Admin Beginner
Develop skills using Salesforce through interactive hands-on modules focused on the platform’s core administration functions like configuration, security and user setup. In demand skills.
Offered By: Salesforce Trailhead
Instructor: Salesforce Experts Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Google Project Management
Develop core project management skills including creating timelines, managing resources, budgets, and risks. Valuable PM fundamentals applicable across industries and domains.
Offered By: Google
Instructor: Google Project Management Experts Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Web Design & Development
Responsive Web Design – FreeCodeCamp
Extensive 300 hour course to master responsive web design covering HTML, CSS, design, accessibility and web development tools. Includes large projects and coding challenges.
Offered By: freeCodeCamp
Instructor: Quincy Larson
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
UC Davis – Introduction to Web Accessibility
Learn best practices for making websites accessible to people with disabilities. Covers web accessibility guidelines, testing tools, and implementation techniques.
Offered By: UC Davis
Instructor: Sarah Horton Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Google – Technical Writing
Improve technical writing skills for web development and API documentation. Covers drafting, editing, collaborating, and implementing a documentation style guide.
Offered By: Google
Instructor: Google Technical Writing Team Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
WordPress Development – LinkedIn Learning
Detailed course on core WordPress development skills like themes, plugins, custom posts types and performance optimization. Great for building sites on WordPress.
Offered By: LinkedIn Learning
Instructor: Morten Rand-Hendriksen Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free with Premium
Introduction to CSS – edX
Straightforward course to gain a foundation in CSS fundamentals including syntax, selectors, styling text and positioning page elements using CSS. Core skill for web design.
Offered By: W3Cx
Instructor: W3C Education
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Data Science, AI and Analytics
IBM Data Science – Cognitive Class
Well structured data science course covering tools, techniques, machine learning algorithms and Python coding skills needed to extract insights from data.
Offered By: IBM Cognitive Class
Instructor: Romeo Kienzler Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Google Data Analytics
Develop core data analytics skills for the workplace including data cleaning, analysis, visualization and storytelling. Build job-ready portfolio.
Offered By: Google
Instructor: Google Data Analytics Experts
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Statistics with Python – edX
Practical Python programming course focused on statistical analysis, exploratory data analysis and predictive modeling. Valuable data science skills.
Offered By: MITx Instructor: Christopher Tanner
Language: English Skill Level: Intermediate
Certificate: Free
IBM AI Foundations for Business
Intro to AI course provides business context for trends in artificial intelligence and applications across industries. Frameworks for adopting AI in organizations.
Offered By: IBM Cognitive Class
Instructor: Ruchir Puri Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
UC San Diego – Data Science Math Skills
Quickly learn essential math requirements for data science including calculus, linear algebra, statistics, probability, and SQL queries. Prep for further technical coursework.
Offered By: UC San DiegoX Instructor: Brian Caffo Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Humanities & Creativity
Animation Fundamentals – CalArts
Exceptional introduction to principles of animation and character design taught by CalArts animation faculty. Basics apply to both 2D and 3D animation.
Offered By: CalArts
Instructor: Mike Stern Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Berklee Music Production – edX
Music production and remixing techniques taught by Berklee College of Music faculty. Covers DAW software, recording, effects, mixing and editing.
Offered By: BerkleeX Instructor: Prince Charles Alexander Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Introduction to Logic – Stanford
Learn formal logic concepts centered around propositional logic and its mathematical foundations. Valuable critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Offered By: Stanford Lagunita Instructor: Michael Genesereth Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Yale Fiction Writing – Craft and Forms
Writing workshop focused on honing fiction writing craft across diverse narrative forms like flash fiction, short stories, novellas and novels.
Offered By: Yale Online
Instructor: Amy Bloom Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Digital Media and Storytelling – CurtinX
Engaging course on effective communication and narrative development across digital media formats including video, social, websites, and presentations.
Offered By: CurtinX Instructor: Noelene Callaghan Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Personal Development & Health
Learning How to Learn – Coursera
Master learning fundamentals including memory, mental models, procrastination, and effective study techniques to advance knowledge and skills faster.
Offered By: Coursera Instructor: Barbara Oakley Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Stanford Psychology of Well-Being
Thought provoking course teaching research-backed principles of positive psychology to live a happier, more fulfilling life and cultivate well-being.
Offered By: Stanford Lagunita Instructor: Leona Brandwene
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
MindControl: Managing Your Mental Health
Learn cognitive behavioral therapy-based techniques to monitor and constructively work through complex mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and trauma.
Offered By: CurtinX
Instructor: Loretta Larkey Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Mayo Clinic First Aid Basics
Covers essential skills everyone should know like treating injuries and wounds, handling environmental emergencies, and basic CPR and administering naloxone.
Offered By: Mayo Clinic First Aid
Instructor: Karl Disque Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Science-based nutrition course exploring the relationship between food, health and the environment. Discover how to eat healthy and shop smart.
Offered By: Stanford Lagunita Instructor: Maya Adam Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Career Building & Productivity
Rhyme Combinatorics Lessons – Coursera
Fun course teaching combinatorics concepts like combinations and permutations through hip hop lyrics. Unorthodox but outstanding teacher.
Offered By: Coursera Instructor: Alexander S. Kulikov Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Google Project Management Certificate
Comprehensive foundation in core project management principles and tools including PM methodologies, budgeting, scheduling, and risk mitigation.
Offered By: Google
Instructor: Google Project Management Experts Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
English Grammar and Essay Writing – UC BerkeleyX
Develop stronger English grammar, essay structure, style and reading comprehension skills for more effective academic and professional writing.
Offered By: edX Instructor: Chuck Guilford
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Microsoft 365 Basics
Introductory course to build core skills for productivity and collaboration using Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and more.
Offered By: Microsoft
Instructor: Various Microsoft Experts Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Introduction to Financial Accounting – Wharton
Fundamentals of financial accounting including double entry systems, income statements, cash flows, and balance sheets. Critical knowledge for business roles.
Offered By: Coursera Instructor: Brian J Bushee
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Test Prep & Admissions
Free LSAT Prep – Khan Academy
Khan Academy’s outstanding free prep course provides lessons, thousands of practice questions, tests and strategy for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Offered By: Khan Academy
Instructor: LSAC Experts Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
GMAT Quant Preparation – Coursera
Focused course to develop abilities for the quantitative section of the GMAT exam including arithmetic, algebra, geometry and word problems.
Offered By: Coursera
Instructor: Karen Bléjou Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
GRE Preparation – edX
Comprehensive curriculum covering the core verbal, quantitative, analytical and writing concepts tested on the GRE General Exam.
Offered By: edX Instructor: Boston University COM Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
SAT Prep Black Book – Coursef
Step-by-step guide to achieving higher SAT scores based on proven test-taking insights and strategies demonstrated to boost results.
Offered By: Coursef
Instructor: Mike Barrett Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
College Admissions and Search – edX
Practical guide to navigating the college admissions process from profile building through applications and essays to making a final decision.
Offered By: edX
Instructor: Boston University COM Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Foreign Languages
Start Speaking German – edX
Conversational German focusing on basic verbs, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar to quickly start communicating through simple dialogue.
Offered By: edX Instructor: University Erlangen Nuremberg Language: German
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Everyday Japanese – edX
Dialogue-based course to start acquiring basic Japanese language skills for real world interactions like shopping, directions and conversations.
Offered By: edX
Instructor: The University of Tokyo Language: Japanese Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Elementary Mandarin Chinese I – edX
Foundational introduction to speaking, listening, reading and writing in Mandarin Chinese focused on vocabulary and grammar essentials.
Offered By: edX Instructor: PekingX
Language: Mandarin Chinese Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Everyday Spanish – OpenLearning
Conversational lessons to quickly pick up useful Spanish phrases and vocabulary for travel or business. Build basic listening and speaking abilities.
Offered By: OpenLearning Instructor: Danielle Adams Language: Spanish
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Learn Korean Easily – HanyangX
Starter lessons focused on basic conversational skills like greetings, asking questions, shopping and more vocabulary to survive in Korean.
Offered By: HanyangX Instructor: Juwon Lee Language: Korean
Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Science & Engineering
Astro 101 – OpenLearning
Engaging introductory course exploring the major topics of astronomy including planets, stars, galaxies and cosmology.
Offered By: OpenLearning
Instructor: Andrew Fraknoi Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Introduction to Physics – edX
Conceptual overview of high school and college level physics curriculum including mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics.
Offered By: edX Instructor: Georgetown University Faculty Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Electronics – MIT OpenCourseWare
Foundational electrical engineering and electronics course covering analog and digital circuits, physics concepts and PCB design skills.
Offered By: MIT
Instructor: Dr. Anant Agarwal Language: English Skill Level: Beginner
Certificate: Free
Introduction to Environmental Science – OpenLearn
Broad introduction covering key topics in environmental science and conservation including ecosystems, sustainability, pollution, climate change and biodiversity.
Offered By: OpenLearn
Instructor: The Open University Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
Biochemistry: Biomolecules – edX
Essential biochemistry course focused on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids within cells.
Offered By: edX Instructor: Icahn School of Medicine
Language: English Skill Level: Beginner Certificate: Free
This sampling of courses demonstrates the diversity and breadth of free learning content available across practically any topic. You can gain knowledge from top institutions and experts at no cost.
- Take Advantage of Free Certificates– Many courses offer free certificates or badges upon completion, which you can showcase on your resume or LinkedIn profile. These add credibility.
- Find Courses that Provide Credit– Some free courses may be eligible for transfer credits at colleges or universities. This allows you to earn credits towards a degree cost-effectively.
- Join the Community– Engage with fellow learners in course forums and social groups to exchange insights and find study partners for motivation.
- Supplement With Paid Offerings– For complex subjects, pairing free intro courses with more advanced paid specializations or coaching can be worthwhile.
- Put Skills Into Practice– The best way to retain knowledge from courses is to apply learnings to real life as soon as possible.
- Take Good Notes– Actively taking notes cements comprehension and provides helpful reference material to look back on later.
- Re-Watch Lectures– Reviewing lectures and re-taking quizzes improves retention and connects concepts.
- Leave Course Reviews– Sharing feedback helps improve courses and alerts new learners to what they can expect.
With the right strategies, online courses allow you to continuously expand knowledge, progress your career and pursue interests affordably. Take advantage of the abundance of free learning content now available in nearly every domain. The opportunities are endless!
