You may enroll in thousands of online courses taught by top universities on e-learning platforms like edX, Coursera, and FutureLearn, many of which are absolutely free. Most of them are also part of longer programs that may be more reasonably prices alternatives to on-campus education, or they provide optional paid certificates of completion that you may include on your résumé or LinkedIn.
Here are 7 top universities offering free online courses that you should try when you have some free time! Taking some online courses is a good option to make you more productive and enhance your knowledge at the same time!
1. Harvard University
Being the most well-known university in the world, Harvard University offers more than 600 free online courses through the HarvardX platform. By registering for HarvardX courses, you can get a taste of an Ivy League education for free and online from home.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
(https://www.edx.org/course/cs50s-introduction-to-artificial-intelligence-with-python)
- The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches Us about the Good Life
(https://www.edx.org/course/the-path-to-happiness)
- Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science
(https://www.edx.org/course/science-cooking-from-haute-cuisine-to-soft-matte-2)
Find out more interesting courses at https://www.edx.org/school/harvardx
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is recognized as one of the world's most prestigious universities, as it ranks first in the most recent QS World University Rankings. MIT offers plenty of free online courses with a variety of topics that you can choose from! Through their website, you can also download MIT's lecture notes, exams, and videos for free, with no registration required.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning
(https://www.edx.org/course/machine-learning-with-python-from-linear-models-to)
- You Can Innovate: User Innovation & Entrepreneurship
(https://www.edx.org/course/you-can-innovate-user-innovation-entrepreneurship)
- Molecular Biology - Part 2: Transcription and Transposition
(https://www.edx.org/course/molecular-biology-part-2-transcription-and-transposition)
Find out more interesting courses at:
3. Stanford University
Stanford University, the top three best universities in the world, is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and for educating some of the greatest brains in technology. Stanford University offers free online courses in a variety of subjects or you can also choose to receive a verified certificate for a reasonable fee.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- International Women's Health and Human Rights
(https://www.edx.org/course/international-womens-health-and-human-rights)
- American Prophet: The Inner Life and Global Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Introduction to Food and Health
(https://www.coursera.org/learn/food-and-health)
Find out more interesting courses at:
4. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1868, and its flagship campus was established in Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay, with the goal of creating a "City of Learning.". Using the edX Platform, BerkeleyX fosters the development and international distribution of online learning programs.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- The Science of Happiness
(https://www.edx.org/course/the-science-of-happiness-3)
- Effective Business Writing
(https://www.edx.org/course/effective-business-writing-2)
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies
(https://www.edx.org/course/bitcoin-and-cryptocurrencies)
Find out more interesting courses at https://www.edx.org/school/uc-berkeleyx
5. University College London
Founded in 1826, UCL is one of the top universities in the United Kingdom. UCL ranked eighth in QS World University Ranking 2023. You can enhance your skills and knowledge by accessing some online courses from UCL through the Future Learn website.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- The Many Faces of Dementia
(https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/faces-of-dementia)
- Teaching the Holocaust: Innovative Approaches to the Challenges We Face
(https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/holocaust-teaching)
- Why We Post: the Anthropology of Social Media
(https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/anthropology-social-media)
Find out more interesting courses at https://www.futurelearn.com/partners/ucl
6. École Polytechnique
École Polytechnique is a leading French institute that combines top-tier research, academics, and innovation in science and technology. They offer around 30 online courses (including 10 taught in English) for students from all over the world.
- Negotiating Your Salary
(https://www.polytechnique.edu/elearning/en/catalog/online-course/negotiating-your-salary)
- Plastic Electronics
(https://www.polytechnique.edu/elearning/en/catalog/online-course/plastic-electronics)
- Seismology to Earthquake Engineering
(https://www.polytechnique.edu/elearning/en/catalog/online-course/seismology-earthquake-engineering)
Find out more interesting courses at https://programmes.polytechnique.edu/en/e-learning
7. Imperial College London
With a global reputation for excellence in research, engineering, medicine, and business, Imperial College London ranks among the top 10 universities in the world. Through the use of cutting-edge digital technology, Imperial online courses are created to encourage interaction, learning, and the development of fundamental skills.
These are some courses that might spark your interest:
- Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success
(https://www.coursera.org/learn/creative-thinking-techniques-and-tools-for-success)
- Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis in Public Health
(https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-statistics-data-analysis-public-health)
- Why Move Towards Cleaner Power
(https://www.edx.org/course/why-move-towards-cleaner-power)
Find out more interesting courses at:
