Learning outside of school is hard.
You’ve got to figure out what you don’t know, set aside time to study, and then stick to your learning plan, often for weeks at a time. In other words, it’s a struggle.
But the beauty of online courses is that increased accessibility and reduced cost sit at the core of modern educational technology, meaning you learn from top programs around the world and enjoy programs that fit your lifestyle. Its benefits like these encouraged more than 92 million learners to join online learning platforms like Coursera in 2021.
Many of the best courses cost money, but there are tons of free online courses out there too. Some even offer certifications. In this article, we’ll break down the best places to find free online courses, before providing our top picks from various disciplines, including marketing, health, science, business, and communications.
All 80+ courses in this list are free—so dive in and pick the ones that interest you and fit your personal or professional goals.
Here are some shortcuts if you’re eager to jump ahead:
- The best places to find free online courses
- Free online courses for marketing
- Free online health courses
- Free online mental health courses
- Free online science courses
- Free online mathematics courses
- Free online coding courses
- Free online data science courses
- Free online graphic design courses
- Free online Adobe creative suite courses
- Free online writing courses
- Free online business and entrepreneurship courses
- Free online diversity and anti-racism courses
- Free online music courses
- Free online education courses
- Free online courses for course creation
- Free online personal development courses
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s next?
The best places to find free online courses
There are tons of great paid courses out there (including many our customers have created), but finding high-quality free courses on dense marketplaces like Udemy can be a challenge. With that in mind, here’s our shortlist of places you can go to find top-notch free courses:
Coursera’s courses are developed in partnership with world-renowned institutions like Stanford University and Harvard University—and there are hundreds of free ones. Whether you want to learn about food and health or writing for the sciences, they’ve got a course for you.
Studying for your SATs—or stuck on first-year calculus? Khan Academy’s got you covered. Founded by Sal Khan, this non-profit offers hundreds of courses focusing on subjects in the US school system. You name it, they’ve got a lesson on it.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) cracked open their vault and let out some of the absolute best free education on the internet. They provide lectures, notes, homework assignments and sample tests from actual MIT courses—and it’s a great place to cement your science and engineering fundamentals.
Codecademy has an array of free coding courses and learning tracks that’ll get you off the ground and coding functions for loops, and arrays in no time. Their paid tracks cover more advanced coding topics, but their free offerings are a great place to start your journey.
Alison offers 4000+ free courses, many of which offer diplomas and certificates of completion. Whether you want to learn a new language or become a DevOps engineer, there’s at least one course here that’ll have what you’re looking for.
EdX offers over 3000 courses and 300 programs developed in collaboration with top partners like Berkeley and Harvard University. Most of their courses are paid, but there’s a large collection of free ones—all of which are worth your while.
Free online courses for marketing
Marketing has many sub-fields, but the big three you need to know are search engine optimization, content marketing, and social media marketing. We’ve pulled together a collection of the best free courses in each area to get you up and running fast.
Pick a course or two from each section, work through them and you’ll be lightyears ahead of the competition.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The top three Google search results get more than half of all Google clicks. So it’s no surprise that businesses prioritize SEO in their web content. Developing your SEO skills is one sure way to make yourself a valuable asset to any team. Here are some of the best free SEO courses online.
SEO Fundamentals Course with Greg Gifford by Semrush
Duration: 2-8 hours
Recommended for: Beginner SEOs, current SEO professionals, anyone interested in learning about SEO
Certification: Semrush Academy Certificate
Description: Semrush is the definitive tool for keyword research and SEO analysis, and their free SEO Fundamentals Course with Greg Gifford will give a solid foundation. There are four hours of video lectures to get you started—and to get your articles ranking higher.
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google
Duration: 40 hours
Recommended for: Content Marketers, professionals looking to expand into marketing, digital marketing and SEO beginners
Certification: Google Digital Garage Certificate for Digital Marketing
Description: Ready to dive deep into digital marketing? Look no further than Google’s free Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Course. There are 40 hours of instruction covering everything from online business strategy to the inner workings of search engines. Plus, you can even earn a certification after you’ve passed the final exam!
Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: SEO beginners, small business owners, marketing team leaders
Certification: Not offered
Description: You might know nothing about SEO right now, but you’ll be a total pro after this two-hour course. Taught by instructor Sam Oh, this YouTube course uncovers the secrets behind building backlinks, technical SEO, and that keyword research thing marketers are always talking about online.
Free Online Courses for Content Marketing
Content marketing encompasses social media, email, and influencer marketing, along with content forms. Recently, Semrush compiled a list of over 85,000 content marketing job listings on Indeed. If you’re interested in securing a job in this field, demonstrating your knowledge of content marketing can certainly give you an advantage over your competitors.
Content Marketing Tutorial For Beginners by Simplilearn
Duration: 2.5 hours
Recommended for: Content marketing beginners
Certification: Content marketing Certification
Description: Simplilearn took the equivalent of an entire content marketing course…. and just put it on YouTube for free. This two-hour lecture covers the fundamentals of content marketing and includes info on SEO, ranking on Google, and getting organic views on YouTube. It’s definitely worth your time.
Inbound Marketing Certification by Hubspot
Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: Students learning marketing, beginners in sales, Sales Managers
Certification: Certification in Inbound Marketing
Description: HubSpot literally invented inbound marketing, and it’s only right that they’ve got a course ready to train new marketers. This two-hour course gives you the chance to get your content marketing skills certified, and learn about everything from buyer personas to the flywheel model of business.
Duration: 1 hour
Recommended for: SEO beginners, beginner content writers, small business owners
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Beyond SEO, SEMRush also has a free course on content marketing. Their four-hour course is taught by experts and will help you get organically discovered by customers. (Who doesn’t love not having to pay for advertising?)
Newsworthy Moments in Business by Enever Group
Duration: 15-30 minutes
Recommended for: Small business owners, Business professionals, Marketing specialists
Certification: Not offered
Description: In Newsworthy Moments in Business, the instructor takes you through the three types of moments where the news might be hiding in your business.
Duration: 8-10 hours
Recommended for: Beginner journalists, writers, online researchers
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: This collection of courses is designed for current journalists and journalism students. Students can expect to learn about a variety of field-critical topics like how to search on social networks, find when a photo or video was published, and find old versions of online publications. This collection is one of the few free online courses with certificates, making it a great value for students.
Free Online Courses for Social Media Marketing
Ad spend in 2023 on social media is projected to reach over $268 billion. And companies are spending that money for good reason, because an estimated 4.75 billion people use social media. Here are some social media courses that will help you develop your skill set in this field.
Social Media Crash Course by Freelance Academy
Duration: 5 minutes
Recommended for: Social media beginners
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by Senior Instructor Gael Gililand, this free course breaks down the pros and cons of the major social media platforms. Aimed at beginners who’re just getting started with social marketing, Gililand helps students pick the right channels to focus on and even includes a free resource bank.
Hootsuite Platform Certification by Hootsuite
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Recommended for: Social media managers, marketing professionals, small business owners
Certification: Hootsuite Platform Certified Professional Certification (offered for a one-time fee of $99)
Description: Hootsuite is many marketers’ go-to for social media scheduling and publishing, and their free platform certification gives you a solid way to prove your digital marketing skills. They’ve got a slate of paid certifications for advanced learners, too.
Internet Marketing for Smart People by Copyblogger
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Marketing professionals wanting to learn lead generation, Content Marketers, SEO beginners
Certification: Not offered
Description: Copyblogger’s Internet Marketing for Smart People breaks down the four pillars of effective online marketing: relationships, direct response copywriting, content marketing, and a valuable product. Made up of 16 free ebooks, this course will turn you into a pro marketer in no time flat.
Meta Blueprint by Meta
Duration: Varies per course
Recommended for: Marketing professionals, those looking to further their digital marketing career
Certification: Various Meta Certifications
Description: Meta’s big three (Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp) are crucial social media channels that no marketer can ignore. This program includes courses for small businesses, brands, job seekers, and even community leaders. No matter how you use Meta’s channels, you’ll find valuable training here.
A Mini E-course in Visibility for Poets by the Polymath Agency
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Digital Marketers, Beginner poets, Creative Writing professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course provides instruction to aspiring poets on how to establish a professional presence online and market themselves.
How to Craft a Brand Identity That Feels Right by the Brand Stylist
Duration: 45-70 mins depending on the course
Recommended for: Small business owners, aspiring brand designers, website designers, beginner photographers
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course teaches an understanding of how to create a commercial brand that goes beyond aesthetics and moves your business forward.
Free online health courses
Diploma in Human Nutrition by Brian Lindshield
Duration: 10-15 hours
Recommended for: Beginner nutritionists, dieticians, public health professionals
Certification: CPD accredited Diploma/Certificate
Description: This free course on human nutrition is a crash course on the role that nutrition plays in shaping our health and well-being. Taught by Brian Lindshield, it covers the human digestive system, proteins, lipids, metabolic pathways, and so much more.
The Science of Nutrition and Healthy Eating by OpenLearn
Duration: 24 hours
Recommended for: Beginner nutritionists, publish health professionals, dieticians
Certification: Open University digital badge and statement of participation
Description:
Learning How to Learn by Deep Teaching Solutions
Duration: 15 hours
Recommended for: High school graduates, college students, lifelong learners
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Taught by instructor Barbara Oakley, this course shines a light on crucial learning techniques used by pros in all fields and all disciplines—including music, literature, mathematics, and sports. A great power-up for your brainpower.
Wellness Ritual Taster by Keystone
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Those interested in alternative medicine, public health professionals, beginner herbalists
Certification: Not offered
Description: Try out a few different wellness experiences in this free intro course. Establish why rituals are important and why wellness matters to your work, explore the art of self care by completing a self-care check list, introduce a body scan meditation, and follow along with an audio body scan meditation.
Beginners 4 Week Tone Up Free Workout by Millers Fitness Online
Duration: 4 weeks
Recommended for: People interested in working out at home
Certification: Not offered
Description: Enjoy a 4 week fitness programme to help with developing a healthy lifestyle. This course is suitable for all fitness levels, perfect for either getting started or jumping back into fitness.
Yoga for Your Vital Bones – Getting Started by 3 Green Circles
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: People who want to get into yoga, College student-athletes, Elderly people who want to exercise
Certification: Not offered
Description: Students learn about yoga for bone health in this course.The why: yoga is uniquely beneficial for the health of our bones. The what: what is yoga and how to do it at home? The how: how to practice safely so you can maximize those benefits.
5 Krav Maga Techniques by Krav Maga Academy 360
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Beginners in Krav Maga, Beginner martial artists, People wanting to learn self-defense
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course teaches 5 different Krav Maga techniques to use against various attacks and threats.
Food 1.0-The Heart of Wellbeing: The Gut Biome by Total Life Concept
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: People wanting to improve their Gut Health, Dieticians, Aspiring Nutritionists
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course teaches how food can prevent disease and support health as well as how certain foods can lead to disease.
Things to Remember: A week of affirmations by Hand Craft Yoga
Duration: 7 days
Recommended for: Students and people looking to strengthen their self-confidence
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course provides 7 days of affirmations to help boost daily energy for students. The affirmations are described by the course creator as your daily “mindset vitamins.”
Free CCRN cardiac module 1 by Certified RN
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Registered nurses
Certification: Not offered
Description: A great resource for RNs studying for their PCCN or CCRN exams. This is a prep course for registered nurses.
Multiple Sclerosis: What is it? How is it Diagnosed? by Find Empathy
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Therapists wanting to expand their knowledge base, New MS patients, Loved ones of MS patients
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course will help mental health providers learn the basics of multiple sclerosis with content from a person living with the disease, a neurologist, and a mental health provider specializing those newly diagnosed.
Free online mental health courses
The Science of Well-Being by Yale University
Duration: 19 hours
Recommended for: People interested in self-improvement
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Taught by Professor Laurie Santos, this free course has helped over 3,000,000 students challenge themselves to increase their own happiness and develop more productive habits. Along the way, Santos breaks down common misconceptions about personal well-being and helps students create personal wellness activities.
Understanding depression and anxiety by OpenLearn
Duration: 8 hours
Recommended for: People struggling with anxiety and depression and people interested in learning more about mental health
Certification: Statement of participation
Description: Depression and anxiety affect many of us, and this free course will equip you with a deep understanding of the causes behind these mental health challenges. You’ll learn about the biology and psychology that shape different depression and anxiety disorders—and risk factors that we should all watch out for.
The Future of Mental Health in the Black Community by Simple Practice Learning
Duration: 30 minutes
Recommended for: Clinical social workers, Marriage and Family therapists, Substance Abuse counselors
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by licensed psychologist and trauma expert, Dr. Ebony Butler, this course explores what the future of mental healthcare will look like for the Black community. Her course explores how practitioners can reduce barriers to access—and community stigma.
Your Free Mini Course – Mindfulness by iMind Training
Duration: 30 minutes
Recommended for: People interested in managing and reducing stress and anxiety
Certification: Not offered
Description: In this free course learners explore emotional regulation, a sense of connectedness, how to improve relationships, and release negative thoughts and habits.
Free online science courses
The Underwater World: Marine Biology by Thriving Corals Project
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Marine Biology professionals and people interested in marine biology
Certification: Not offered
Description: Created by the Thriving Corals Project, this course will submerge you into the wild world of coral reefs. Taught by instructor Zuzanna, this course will bring you up to speed with this fascinating sub-field of ecology.
Why Do We Dream by Human Givens College
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Mental health professionals, sleep experts
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by psychologist Joe Griffin, this course breaks down the theories behind dream states and discusses the impact dreams have on our mental health. Griffin discusses the auto-symbolic process, how our emotional expectations influence what we dream about, and the evolutionary factors that have shaped our unconscious minds.
Introduction to Anatomy for Sports Massage by Movement Therapy Education
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Massage Therapists, sports medicine professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by our customer Movement Therapy Education, this course breaks down everything from the history of anatomy to movement analysis—and teaches you all the anatomical terminology you’ll ever need. Whether you’re in school or just curious about anatomy, this course will get you going.
Modern Physics by Academic Lesson
Duration: 12 hours
Recommended for: Beginner physicists, students
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by Professor Steven Sekula, this 11-hour course gets straight to the mind-bending theories at the core of modern physics. Once you’re done, you’ll know your muons from your gluons, and why special relativity is just so special.
Free online mathematics courses
Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up by Harvard University
Duration: 7 weeks long
Recommended for: People interested in quantitive reasoning and probability and statistics professionals
Certification: Certificate of Completion (offered for a one-time fee of $99)
Description: This 7-week long mathematics course is offered by Harvard University and explores probability and statistics to give students a crash course on quantitative reasoning. It’s completely free—so why not roll the dice?
Calculus 1 – Full College Course by freeCodeCamp
Duration: 12 hours
Recommended for: College students, high school students
Certification: Not offered
Description: For many undergraduates, Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 are the hardest courses you’ll ever take. Luckily, freeCodeCamp has created a two-part lecture series with over ten hours of instruction to take you through both courses. You’ll go from first principles derivatives to integrating logarithms in… well, not no time. But you will understand the math!
Linear Algebra – Full College Course by freeCodeCamp
Duration: 12 hours
Recommended for: College students, high school students
Certification: Not offered
Description: Besides calculus, the other core area of math that every science undergrad needs exposure to is linear algebra. Taught by Dr. Jim Hefferon, this 20-hour course covers everything from row reduction to subspaces and eigenvectors. (Non-science people: keep scrolling, we’ve got sections just for you, too.)
Free online coding courses
TML & CSS Crash Course by Lighthouse Labs
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Beginner web designers, aspiring coders, small business owners
Certification: Not offered
Description: Modern coding curricula almost always start with HTML and CSS, and for good reason—they’re everywhere. In this free course, instructor Maggie Moss will introduce you to the basics of coding and guide you through building and customizing your very first webpage.
(New) Responsive Web Design by freeCodeCamp
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Beginner Web Designers, Aspiring Coders, Small Business Owners
Certification: Responsive Web Design Certification
Description: In FreeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design course, you’ll learn the core languages front-end developers use to build websites: HTML and CSS. This is a great starting point for new developers and an ideal entry point into FreeCodeCamp’s more advanced courses.
Javascript Algorithms and Data Structures by freeCodeCamp
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Web Designers, small business owners
Certification: JavaScript Algorithm and Data Structures Certification
Description: HTML and CSS shape your webpage’s appearance, but it’s the Javascript code that actually makes it interactive. This 300-hour bootcamp covers everything Javascript, from variables, to objects, loops, and functions.
Computer Science by OSS University
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: People interested in computer science, aspiring coders, aspiring computer technicians
Certification: Not offered
Description: The OSSU curriculum gives students an in-depth grounding in the computer science fundamentals, and is designed for dedicated self-studiers. It’s a fantastic starting point for learners who want structure as they start their journey into the field of computer science—and it was developed by a Thinkific customer, too!
iOS App Development Course by Lighthouse Labs
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Web developers, software developers, computer science professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Curious about how Steve Jobs (well, the talented workers at Apple) built all those apps? If so, join lecturer David Mills for an introduction to iOS development. You’ll learn Apple’s programming language Swift, and develop your own music player—similar to the Apple Music or Spotify app.
Free online data science courses
Data Analysis with Python by freeCodeCamp
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Beginner web designers, aspiring coders, small business owners
Certification: Data Analysis with Python Certification
Description: Python is the most popular open-source language for data analysis and data science, and this FreeCodeCamp learning track will take you from zero to Pandas hero. You’ll learn how to use libraries like Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib and Seaborn, and soon you’ll be cracking open data frames like it’s nothing. (We mean it.)
R Programming by Johns Hopkins University
Duration: 57 hours
Recommended for: Beginner web designers, coders without a background in R programming, beginner software developers
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Besides Python, R is the other big name in data science. This Coursera course was developed by Johns Hopkins University faculty, and covers everything you’ll need to know about R programming. That includes cleaning data, writing functions, debugging, and everything in between. As one of only a few free courses with certificate included, students will be able to leverage their newfound knowledge in resumes and their LinkedIn profile.
Learn Data Science in 10 Hours by Edureka!
Duration: 10 hours and 20 minutes
Recommended for: Aspiring data scientists, data Analysts
Certification: Not offered
Description: Data science is the hot buzzword on every analyst’s to-learn list, and this ten-hour course from Edureka is one of the best jump-off points online. The course starts with a broad overview of the industry before diving deep into probability, machine learning, and every algorithm you’ll need to get your career up and running.
7 Easy Steps to Get Started with Mobile Data Collection by Humanitarian Data Solutions
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: People new to mobile data collection
Certification: Not offered
Description: Working on a mobile dev team but struggling to collect data? Join forces with Thinkific customer Humanitarian Data Solutions and learn everything you need to know about collecting data on mobile at scale. All you’ll need is a phone, a laptop, and a wifi connection—so let’s get going.
Introduction to Data Visualization by Simplilearn
Duration: 9 hours
Recommended for: Product managers, Agile and Scrum professionals, data scientists
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Data visualization is the art of turning numbers into actionable stories—and the skill’s never been in higher demand. This course introduces tools like Tableau, Power BI, Excel, R, and Python, and explores how they can be used to create stunning visualizations.
Introduction to Tibbles by R-Squared Academy
Duration: 4 hours
Recommended for: People interested in learning more about R programming or RStudio, web developers, computer science professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: When you’re working in data science, you’ll often be given data that needs some serious cleaning. This course from R-Squared Academy will introduce you to tibbles, an alternative for data frames that can help you clean data faster and take your analysis game to the next level.
Free online graphic design courses
Graphic Design Basics by Canva
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Aspiring graphic designers and marketing professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Canva’s design tools are industry-renowned for their quality and ease of use, and this course will get you designing fast. They cover everything from alignment to font selection, contrast, and color selection. Get ready to create moodboard magic.
Graphic Design for Beginners by Animaker
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Aspiring graphic designers, marketing professionals, marketing professionals without a graphic design background
Certification: Not offered
Description: Brand-new to graphic design? Then look no further—this Animaker course will help you understand the fundamentals of graphic design, color theory and typography, and much more. You’ll be creating top-tier graphics and ads in no time.
Duration: 29 hours
Recommended for: Content creators and marketing professionals
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Free online Adobe creative suite courses
Photoshop for Beginners by Envato Tuts+
Duration: 3 hours
Recommended for: Graphic designers, photographers, videographers, content creators
Certification: Not offered
Description: Nobody is pixel-perfect—and a little Photoshop never hurts. Taught by Adobe Instructor Dan Scott, this three-hour course dives deep into everything you could want to know about Adobe Photoshop. You’ll learn the differences between healing brushes and the clone stamp tool, and soon you’ll be editing like a pro.
Adobe InDesign Course for Beginners by Bring Your Own Laptop
Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: Graphic designers, photographers, videographers, content creators
Certification: Not offered
Description: If you’re designing print magazines, brochures, or books, Adobe InDesign is your tool. This two-hour YouTube course (also taught by Dan Scott) breaks down everything you’ll need to know about InDesign. So come try it out, and take your print design skills up a notch.
The Complete Beginners Guide to Adobe Illustrator by Gareth David Studio
Duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Recommended for: New graphic designers and artists
Certification: Not offered
Description: Adobe Illustrator is the other crucial Creative Cloud tool every designer needs to master, and this 19-episode course from Gareth David is the perfect primer for new designers. Covering everything from vector paths to all those different pen tools, you’ll leave knowing how to bring that vision in your head to life.
Free online writing courses
Write Your First Novel by Michigan State University
Duration: 127 hours
Recommended for: Novelists, authors, writers
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Many writers dream of getting that first novel submitted to a publisher, but creating a whole book from a raw idea is hard. Taught by Professor David Wheeler, this Coursera course aims to get students past their mental blockers, outlining their character profiles, and through their first novel.
Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking by Harvard University
Duration: 8 weeks
Recommended for: English professionals, public speakers, professionals in politics
Certification: Professional Certificate in Leadership and Communication ($139)
Description: Persuasive writing and speech skills aren’t something you’re born with—they’re learned. Led by Harvard Professor James Engell, this EdX course introduces the theory and practice of rhetoric, persuasive writing, and speech. Once you’re done, you’ll start to win more arguments (or at the very least, put up a good fight.)
Business Writing Techniques by DoaneX
Duration: 4 weeks
Recommended for: Business professionals, entrepreneurs, young professionals
Certification: MicroBachelors Program in Business and Professional Communication for Success ($149)
Description: There’s a lot of nuance involved in business writing, from how formal your tone is to exactly when it’s appropriate to use emojis. Presented by EdX, this course breaks down business writing techniques and discusses how to modulate your voice for different professional environments.
- The Craft of Writing Effectively by the University of Chicago Social Sciences
Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Recommended for: Graduate students and professional writers
Certification: Not offered
Description: Aimed at graduate students, this one-hour lecture is a perfect bite-sized guide to clear, concise and engaging academic writing. Taught by Larry McEnerney, Director of the University of Chicago’s Writing Program, this course will help you strip the jargon out and write no-nonsense prose.
Related: 10 of the Best Online English Courses
Free online business and entrepreneurship courses
Sales Doesn’t Have to Be Scary by Enever Group
Duration: 30 minutes
Recommended for: Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, business professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: You don’t need to have a Patrick Bateman-esque skincare routine to be good at sales. This typeform course led by business strategist Clive Enever will have you crushing your sales targets, whether you’re cold-calling or doing your fifth Salesforce callback.
The Foundations of Entrepreneurship by freeCodeCamp
Duration: 5 hours and 45 minutes
Recommended for: Entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, business professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Presented on freeCodeCamp’s YouTube, this five-hour course breaks down Chris Haroun’s award-winning book 101 Crucial Lessons They Don’t Teach You In Business School. It’s a comprehensive guide to navigating corporate politics, management, and building relationships.
Related: 16 Online Courses for Entrepreneurs
Lean Six Sigma and the Environment by Business Performance Improvement
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Business owners, project managers, sustainability professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Project managers all over the world use Lean and Six Sigma to deliver quality work on time—but this can sometimes come at the expense of environmental safety. This Business Performance Improvement course breaks down the limitations of Lean and Six Sigma, and explains how your organization can modify them to reduce its carbon footprint.
Jobberman Softskills Training Course by Jobberman
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Recent college graduates, people re-entering the workforce, people pursuing a promotion
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course from Jobberman is a crash course in workplace relationships that spans business etiquette, time management, and storytelling. Tune in and lock your next promotion down.
Free Course on How to Earn Online by Learn with Lokesh Lalwani
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Freelancers and self-employed professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Geared towards Indian freelancers, instructor Lokesh Lalwani explores the many options that’re out there for earning money online—and shines a light on common scams freelancers fall for. From data entry through portfolio creation, Lalwani’s got you covered.
How to Start a Hot Sauce Brand by Actionworks
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Entrepreneurs and business professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: Taught by Yellowbird Foods founder George Milton, this ActionWorks, highly niche course breaks down everything an entrepreneur would need to know about breaking into the hot sauce space.
Excel Associate – Essential Formulas by MOS University
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Tax professionals, bookkeepers, data researchers
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course provides an insight into how we prepare you to take the MO-200 Excel Associate exam. It includes lectures on specific topics, Try It Yourself exercises, how to organize the exam, and sample exam standard questions.
Retirement Business Mini Course by Solo Build It!
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: People planning for retirement or interesting in improving their personal finance situation
Certification: Not offered
Description: Students gain a solid understanding of what an online business is, what’s involved in creating one, and whether it’s the right solution for them. We help students identify a possible business niche and show them how to research the viability of their ideas.
Related: 10 of the Best Finance Courses
Learn our Top 5 Features in Microsoft Teams by Inspire Cloud
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Team leaders, managers, and people interested in mastering Teams
Certification: Not offered
Description: Learn the Top 5 Features in Microsoft Teams which include Transcriptions, Sharing Content in Meetings, Custom Video Settings, Group Chat, and Task Management.
Website Dashboard Mini-Course by Productivity Plus
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Web developers, business managers, entrepreneurs
Certification: Not offered
Description: Would you like to know exactly where you should be spending your time and what marketing efforts are really worth putting your dollars behind? This website traffic dashboard allows you to make data-driven decisions to grow your traffic – without the tech overwhelm. Gain vital insights from your website data by simply looking at a pretty chart. Boost your business growth by leveraging the power of data and discover exactly what marketing strategies are generating an ROI for your business in this course.
Networking Made Simple by Simple Networking
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Business professionals
Certification: Not offered
Description: This course teaches 4 strategic ways of following up to build relationships and grow your professional network.
- Welcome to your lemonade stand by Lemonade Stand UK
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Children interested in learning about business and entrepreneurship
Certification: Not offered
Description: Students learn about brainstorming ideas, marketing, business setup, finance, and sales. Great for kids learning basic entrepreneurship and business concepts.
Free online diversity and anti-racism courses
Anti-Racism Specialization by the University of Colorado Boulder
Duration: 3 months
Recommended for: Human resource professionals, DEI professionals, people interested in anti-racism
Certification: Not offered
Description: Offered through Coursera, this valuable course trains participants in contributing to and guiding conversations around race, racism, and anti-racism. You’ll get a solid grounding in intersectionality and a better understanding of how to practice anti-racism in your work and personal life.
Free Racialized Trauma Course by Cultural Somatics Institute
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Aspiring trauma specialists, mental health professionals, healthcare providers
Certification: Not offered
Description: Understanding racialized trauma is important—regardless of whether you’re a person-of-color or an antiracist ally. This course from the Cultural Somatics Institute will help you start that vital work, and open your eyes to different types of intergenerational traumas.
Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace by ESSEC Business School
Duration: 10 hours
Recommended for: HR professionals, DEI professionals, business owners
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Taught by Professor of Management Junko Takagi, this Coursera course prepares future managers to balance economic and social factors in the workforce—and have the uncomfortable conversations that are so important for creating safe, inclusive spaces.
Optimizing Diversity on Teams by the University of Pennsylvania
Duration: 12 hours
Recommended for: HR professionals, DEI professionals, business owners
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: Offered through Coursera, this course draws on social science perspectives to discuss how to overcome unconscious biases, handle conflicts healthily, and create safe, inclusive teams.
Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life and History by the University of Illinois
Duration: 7 hours
Recommended for: HR and DEI professionals and people interested in learning about race and its effects on modern society
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: This course introduces students to American history through a lens of race and cultural diversity. You can expect to learn about race in the United States from the colonial era to the present day and how it has impacted cultural institutions like education, real estate, and more.
Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change by the University of Michigan
Duration: 12 hours
Recommended for: Current and aspiring social workers
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: This course will look at what it means to be a social worker and help students define what their field and role is. Students will look at social work through a social justice lens and explore modern race-related challenges people face. Students will also learn about concepts such as oppression, privilege, intersectionality, and more. This course can be taken independently or as part of a larger certificate program called, the “Social Work: Practice, Policy, and Research MasterTrack Certificate Program.”
Free online music courses
Backing A Singer: Shenandoah by Modern Music Masters Inc.
Duration: 30 minutes
Recommended for: Music professionals, Business professionals, Singers with no background in business
Certification: Not offered
Description: In this 13-lesson mini-course, students will learn how to craft a pedal steel guitar part while backing a singer to the folk song “Shenandoah.”
Duration: 1 to 6 weeks (varies per course)
Recommended for: Music professionals and hobbyists
Certification: Certificate of Completion (available for $49 per course)
Description: The Berklee Online collection of free online classes includes 11 courses covering topics like music for wellness, music theory, and vocal recording. Students of all tastes and backgrounds are likely to find a course that suits their needs. As an extension of the Berklee College of Music, these courses are modeled after real-world learning experiences, world-renowned faculty, and accomplished musicians.
Music Producer Masterclass: Making Electronic Music by Chester Sky
Duration: 4-5 hours
Recommended for: Musicians and music producers
Certification: CPD accredited Diploma/Certificate
Description: This four module course is designed for students interested in making professional music and becoming a music producer with a focus on electronic music. Students will learn how to use popular music making software, turn idea into song, mix compositions, and more.
Free online education courses
CEM Assessments: The Essentials by Evidence Based Education
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Educators without formal data training
Certification: Not offered
Description: Designed for educators, Evidence-Based Education’s CEM Assessments: The Essentials covers the numerical, verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions that are used to assess students aged 3-19 years old.
5 Strategies to Help Your Students Get It by Rethink Math Teacher
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Educators and parents of struggling students
Certification: Not offered
Description: Many students struggle with math, and Rethink Math Teacher has created a free crash course for teachers who have students struggling to grasp mathematical concepts. Teachers, tutors, and parents alike can benefit from reviewing the five strategies shared in this free online class.
Online Yoga Teacher Training by Do Yoga With Me
Duration: 200 hours
Recommended for: Aspiring yoga trainers
Certification: Yoga Teacher Certification
Description: Thinkific customers Do Yoga With Me offer a 200- or 250- hour yoga teacher training program, certified by Yoga Alliance. The first stage of training is free to all—so it’s a great entry point for prospective teachers.
CrossYoga Online Training by CrossYoga
Duration: 100 or 200 hour training
Recommended for: Aspiring yoga trainers of the Christian faith
Certification: Not offered
Description: Designed for a niche audience, this course may be a Godsend (literally). Students interested in becoming yoga instructors will learn about posture, props, Christian yoga, and human anatomy.
Free online courses for course creation
How to Build a Thriving Online Learning Community by Thinkific Academy
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Online course creators, business owners, influencers, and more
Certification: Not offered
Description: Building a community that works for your students (while helping grow your business) doesn’t have to be hard. This nine-module course lets you tap into our instructors’ 30+ years of combined experience to flatten your learning curve. The result? You’ll launch your community more quickly and efficiently than figuring it out on your own (through trial and error).
Free 5 Day Online Course Creation Challenge by Master Trainers
Duration: 5 days
Recommended for: Online course creators looking to launch a course in under a week
Certification: Not offered
Description: These courses are all free, but course creation is one of the most effective ways to generate passive income around your main business. Tap in with the Master Trainers Academy, and they’ll challenge you to jump-start your online learning business in just five days. (Then, come to Thinkfic for all the tools you’ll need.)
Create Your Micro-Course in 5 Simple Steps by Kelly Tenney
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Online course creators interested in microlearning
Certification: Not offered
Description: Microlearning is popular because it’s bite-size education—think Duolingo or Noom. Microlearning lessons are the kind of task you can accomplish in a few minutes rather than an hour or two. It’s also all the rage right now and Kelley Tenney is here to teach you exactly how to launch your own course using the microlearning strategy.
Related: What is Immersive Learning?
Musician to Musicpreneur: How to Create Your Own Online Course in Music by Music Career Academy
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Music-focused course creators
Certification: Not offered
Description: Musicians work hard on their craft, but talent doesn’t always translate into paying gigs. This course by Thinkific customer ProMusicDB gives experienced musicians the tools they need to create passive income around their careers by teaching online music courses.
Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Recommended for: Online course creators
Certification: Not offered
Description: Hosted by Grumo Media’s Miguel Hernandez, this 80-minute intro to course creation will break down everything you need to know about course creation. You’ll start off by talking about the value of course creation, and then look at the tools, planning, and editing you’ll need to do. Hernandez ends off by discussing how to find your very first students!
Free online personal development courses
Duration: 21 hours
Recommended for: Expecting or current parents and guardians
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Description: This parenting course is designed to teach expecting or current caretakers of children new techniques and methods for instruction. The course includes demonstrations and emphasizes the importance of action on the student’s (parent’s) part. Examples of the techniques and topics covered include using the right tone of voice and parenting misconceptions.
Intro to Student Voice by VicSRC Online Learning
Duration: 1-30 days
Recommended for: High school and college students, student leaders, high school and college faculty
Certification: Not offered
Description: In this course, students will learn about how to use their voice to bring about change at their institution. Students can expect to learn what voice is, how to use it, and to learn from real life examples.
The 3-5-2 Decision Making Process by The Daedalus Group
Duration: Not listed
Recommended for: Managers, leaders, decision makers
Certification: Not offered
Description: Some decisions are harder than others. Participants in this free online course will learn about the 3-5-2 step process (10 steps total) to making difficult decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about free online classes? Here are some of the most common questions people ask.
Are free online certificates worth it?
Yes, free online certificates can help you get a job, promotion, pay raise, or other work-related achievements, making free certificates worth the time and effort. Regardless of your goal, free certificates are recognized achievements in business and will teach you new skills and knowledge. If you aren’t currently employed, free online certificates can also help you strengthen your resume and appeal to potential employers.
Can I put online courses on my resume?
Yes, if the online courses you’ve completed are relevant to your field or profession, they can be a great way to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and expertise to potential employers. Try listing your certifications in their own section, along with the date completed. This way, you’ll avoid detracting from any college degrees while showcasing your additional education.
Which free online courses are best?
This list alone features 80+ free courses, and many more are out there! But of the courses we’ve compiled in this list, here are a few of the best:
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing – Best for Digital Marketing
- SEO Training Course – Best for SEO
- Inbound Course – Best for Content Marketing
- Diploma in Human Nutrition – Best for Online Health
- The Science of Well-Being – Best for Mental Health
- HTML & CSS Crash Course – Best for Online Coding
- Graphic Design Basics – Best for Graphic Design
- How to Build a Thriving Online Learning Community – Best for Online Course Creation
Is there any free online course from Harvard?
Yes, Harvard offers a staggering 114 free online courses. These courses are available to anyone worldwide and cover topics like coding, business communication, pricing strategy, investing, statistics, rhetoric, global health, and so much more.
Are free Harvard online courses worth it?
Yes, online courses from Harvard are worth it. Completing free online classes will not only help you develop new skills, but it will also help you strengthen your resume and professional achievements. The Ivy League status of Harvard will make those achievements shine even more, making the free courses well worth it.
How do I start an online course from scratch?
Starting an online course can feel like an overwhelming project, but with countless online course platforms available, it doesn’t have to be. Platforms like Thinific make course creation a breeze, and if you’re looking to start a free online course, our free plan lets you do just that without a paid subscription.
To start your own online course, try following this simple 10-step process:
- Pick your course topic
- Make sure there’s a need for your course on the market
- Create compelling learning outcomes
- Develop your modules and lessons
- Outline how you’ll engage students throughout the course
- Produce your course (film, edit, publish)
- Create your academy on your chosen platform
- Establish your pricing structure (if your course is a paid offering)
- Launch your course
- Build your community
So, what’s next?
Now that you know just how many good free courses there are out there, you might be looking for ways to turn subjects you’re an expert on into income with digital products (Especially if you’re an entrepreneur or educator.)
That’s where Thinkific comes in. We make it easy to make money online by offering self-guided online courses and membership sites, and online communities. Our easy-to-use course design platform helps coaches, educators, and digital content creators build engaging, custom eLearning experiences and grow sustainable online businesses.
Try Thinkific for free and get the course creation, marketing, and selling tools you need to take your business up a notch.
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This list was originally published in July 2022 and was updated in April 2023 to be even more useful!
