Global Universities Offering Free Online Courses: Global universities have launched a remarkable path of giving free online courses to worldwide students in a society increasingly driven by digital innovation and accessible information. This paradigm change has created limitless options for learners all across the world, overcoming geographical and financial obstacles.
These free online courses cover a wide range of subjects, appealing to a wide range of interests and passions. The alternatives are limitless, ranging from the domain of Arts and Design, where students may dig into the intricacies of visual expression and creative thought, to the dynamic landscapes of Programming, Coding, Mathematics, Medicine, and Computer Science, where cutting-edge skills can be obtained.
Renowned colleges such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Yale University, MIT, Michigan State University, and others have led the way in delivering free online courses, giving students access to world-class education. These free online courses enable learners to improve their skills, explore new fields, and advance their careers. Furthermore, they encourage lifelong learning and democratise education, allowing people from all walks of life to gain knowledge and competence.
The availability of such global universities offering free online courses has revolutionised the way education is accessible and experienced in this digital age. Check out the article to know more about top universities and the online courses offered by them.
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Given below is the list of the top 8 universities worldwide that offer free online courses. Also, explore the most popular courses available at each of these universities:
Harvard University
With more than 6,00,000 learners from 193 countries enrolled in 1200+ courses, Harvard University is the most-preferred destination for free online courses. Harvard offers a variety of digital learning opportunities in a wide array of areas such as mathematics, medicine, art & design, business, computer science and more.
Founded by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the learning platform edX offers more than 100 free online courses that can be accessed by anyone across the globe.
Popular Free Online Courses at Harvard University
Field |
Course |
Duration |
---|---|---|
Programming |
CS50's Introduction to Game Development |
12 Weeks |
Programming |
CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript |
12 Weeks |
Business |
Nonprofit Financial Stewardship Webinar: Introduction to Accounting and Financial Statements |
NA |
Programming |
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science |
11 Weeks |
Health & Medicine |
PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Epidemic of 1854 |
1 Week |
Computer Science |
CS50 for Lawyers |
10 Weeks |
Art & Design |
Monteverdis LOrfeo and the Birth of Opera |
3 Weeks |
Mathematics |
Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up |
7 Weeks |
Humanities |
Introduction to Digital Humanities |
7 Weeks |
Computer Science |
CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python |
7 Weeks |
Stanford University
Launched in 1995, Stanford Online has been offering an affordable and flexible way to let students learn new skills or study trending subjects to advance their careers ever since. From health & medicine to arts & humanities, Stanford University works towards providing learners with a robust catalogue of programmes and courses that meet their requirements.
Ranked 2nd in the world by both Times Higher Education and QS, Stanford University's free online courses are delivered through partnerships with Aalto University Executive Education, Coursera, edX, Get Smarter, and Great Learning, to name a few.
Popular Free Online Courses at Stanford University
Field |
Course |
Duration (Approx.) |
---|---|---|
Health & Medicine |
Child Nutrition and Cooking |
11 Hours |
Health & Medicine |
Dementia and Diversity in Primary Care: A Primer- Guidelines, Ethnic Differences, and Assessment |
NA |
Education |
Organisational Analysis |
NA |
Mathematics |
Introduction to Mathematical Thinking |
39 Hours |
Arts & Humanities |
Americas Poverty and Inequality |
9 Weeks |
Arts & Humanities |
American Prophet: The Inner Life and Global Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
11 Weeks |
Engineering |
Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques |
NA |
Engineering |
Automata Theory |
7 Weeks |
Arts & Humanities |
Careers in Media Technology |
NA |
Computer Science |
Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications |
49 Hours |
Yale University
Ranked 17th in the QS World University Rankings 2021, Yale University provides free as well as for-credit courses delivered by world-class instructors and scholars. From astronomy to poetry, Open Yale Courses cover a wide range of topics for undergraduates, graduates and others.
While Open Yale Courses do not offer certificates or credits, Yale College credit courses are offered online through Yale Summer Online. With no registration required for these courses, the university launched the same to expand its reach to learners from all over the world.
Popular Free Online Courses at Yale University
Field/ Department |
Course |
Sessions |
---|---|---|
Astronomy |
Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics |
24 |
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology |
Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior |
36 |
Economics |
Financial Markets |
26 |
English |
Modern Poetry |
25 |
History of Art |
Roman Architecture |
19 |
Philosophy |
Death |
26 |
Political Science |
Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform |
24 |
Sociology |
Foundations of Modern Social Theory |
25 |
Psychology |
The Psychology, Biology and Politics of Food |
23 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is one of the most popular online learning destinations with millions of visits each year. With a whopping 43% out of around 500 million visits, the majority of the audience looking for free online courses includes self-learners. MIT OCW is a permanent web-based publication of all the courses offered at the university which are available for all. Ranging from anthropology to political science, MIT OCW a wide spectrum of both undergraduate and graduate online courses for free.
Popular Free Online Courses at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Field |
Course |
Level |
---|---|---|
Aeronautics and Astronautics |
Aerodynamics |
Undergraduate |
Anthropology |
How Culture Works |
Undergraduate |
Biological Engineering |
Becoming the Next Bill Nye: Writing and Hosting the Educational Show |
Graduate |
Chemistry |
Principles of Chemical Science |
Undergraduate |
Comparative Media Studies/Writing |
Digital Humanities |
Graduate |
Economics |
Game Theory |
Graduate |
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science |
Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
Undergraduate |
Mathematics |
Calculus with Applications |
Undergraduate |
Media Arts and Sciences |
Computational Camera and Photography |
Undergraduate |
Political Science |
Feminist Thought |
Undergraduate |
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University, ranked 25th in the QS World University Rankings 2020, promotes accessible education in a variety of areas such as business, social and natural sciences, international studies, and education, to name a few. The university enrols more than 20,000 students every year across nine academic divisions including Whiting School of Engineering (Engineering For Professionals), Carey Business School, School of Education, and more.
Popular Free Online Courses at Johns Hopkins University
Department |
Course |
Level |
---|---|---|
Whiting School of Engineering (Engineering for Professionals) |
Artificial Intelligence, Master of Science |
Masters |
School of Education |
Counselling, Master of Science |
Masters |
School of Nursing |
Doctor of Nursing: Executive Track |
Doctoral |
Whiting School of Engineering (Engineering for Professionals) |
Data Science, Master of Science |
Masters |
School of Advanced International Studies |
Global Risk, Master of Arts |
Masters |
Carey Business School |
Marketing (Part Time), Master of Science |
Masters |
Bloomberg School of Public Health |
Bioethics |
Certificate |
Whiting School of Engineering (Engineering for Professionals) |
Mechanical Engineering, PhD |
Doctoral |
Whiting School of Engineering (Engineering for Professionals) |
Computer Science, Post-Masters Certificate |
Certificate |
Carey Business School |
Financial Management, Graduate Certificate |
Certificate |
Ecole Polytechnique
Ecole Polytechnique has been ranked 87th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. It offers a number of trending courses from the secondary education level to the PhD level.
Currently, around 30 free online courses are available for students across the world on various MOOC platforms. Taught by highly-experienced professors of Ecole Polytechnique, the courses also allow students to self-assess directly on the platforms. The courses may last between four and eight weeks, upon completion of which they can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Popular Free Online Courses at Ecole Polytechnique
Field |
Course |
Duration |
---|---|---|
Mathematics |
Introduction to Probability |
6 Weeks |
Science |
Quantum Optics |
5 Weeks |
Science |
Nonlinear Optics |
9 Weeks |
Science |
Quantum Mechanics |
8 Hours |
Science |
Fundamentals Of Waves And Vibrations |
6 Weeks |
Business and Management |
How To Finance Your Venture |
6 Weeks |
Business |
Creating And Developing A Tech Startup |
7 Weeks |
Michigan State University
With a history of offering free online courses for over 150 years, Michigan State University lets students from across the globe accelerate their careers in various fields. Through these video-based courses, learners can gain industry-relevant experience from top-notch leaders in their respective areas.
Online courses at this top research university are delivered through classes featuring interactive content, video lectures, group discussions, chat rooms, live lectures, quizzes, infographics and more.
Popular Free Online Courses at Michigan State University
Field |
Course |
Duration |
---|---|---|
Agriculture |
Basic Food Safety |
NA |
Journalism |
Become a Journalist: Report the News! |
29 Weeks |
Design |
Game Design and Development |
25 Weeks |
Photography |
Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR |
29 Weeks |
Business |
How to Start Your Own Business |
34 Weeks |
California Institute of the Arts
Open Learning at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) is an initiative adding to carefully-designed undergraduate and graduate programmes in the fields of critical studies, dance, music, theatre, art and film/video.
CalArts is a renowned global institute dedicated to delivering visual and performing arts education in the United States. Through partnerships with major online education providers, the college offers both free-based and non-credit certificates in game design, poetry, UI/UX design, web design, music theory and more.
Popular Free Online Courses at California Institute of the Arts
Field |
Course |
Duration (Approx.) |
---|---|---|
Design |
Game Design |
75 Hours |
UI/UX Design |
72 Hours |
|
Graphic Design |
67 Hours |
|
Web Design: Web Development and Design using WordPress |
8 Sessions/6 hours of work per session |
|
Arts & Humanities |
Music Theory |
22 Hours |
Arts & Humanities |
Poetry |
8 Hours |
Other Universities Offering Free Online Courses
Apart from these top eight universities offering free online courses, there are a number of other leading institutions worldwide that are educating learners through limited but streamlined online courses. Given below is the list of the same:
Finally, the availability of such global universities offering free online to students signals a new era of learning and personal development. These courses not only break down access and cost barriers but also provide learners with vital information and skills. The advantages are numerous, as learners may improve their qualifications, explore new disciplines, and broaden their job options. International students may create a global mentality, stay competitive in a fast-changing job market, and engage on a lifelong path of intellectual enrichment and professional achievement by taking free courses from top-ranking universities across the world. The future offers enormous potential for individuals who take advantage of the opportunities given by these free online courses and use them to construct a better future.
Hope the article helps you find the ideal free online course for you. For more information or assistance, please write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.
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