10 Top Websites for Free Online Courses from Top Universities, Certificates | World-Class Education
Free online courses are a great way to learn new skills, advance your career, or simply explore your interests. Many top universities and organizations now offer free online courses, and some even offer certificates on completion. In this article, we will list 10 top websites for Free Online Courses from Top Universities.
Top Websites for Free Online Courses from Top Universities
These websites offer a wide range of courses in different subjects, so you will definitely find something that interests you. These courses are usually self-paced, so you can learn at your convenience. They can also provide thousands of free e-books, videos, short films and many other special features covering a wide range of topics for the benefit of students.
1. Open Culture
Open Culture – 1,700 free online courses from Top UniversitiesÂ
Introduction
Open Culture is a website that provides free cultural and educational media and about 1,700 free online courses from Top Universities like MIT, Harvard, Yale, etc. It was founded in 2006 by Andrew Keen, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned critic. digital revolution.
Keane’s mission for Open Culture is to make high-quality cultural and educational content more accessible to everyone, regardless of income or location.
Special Features
Open Culture offers a wide range of free content, including:
Audiobooks: Thousands of free audiobooks, both classics and contemporary works.
Online courses: Free online courses from leading universities and educational institutions around the world.
Movies: Hundreds of free movies, including documentaries, feature films, and short films.
Language lessons: Free language lessons in over 100 languages.
E-books and textbooks: Thousands of free e-books and textbooks, covering a wide range of subjects.
Free vs Paid
All of the content on Open Culture is free without any hidden fees or subscription charges.
Review and Rating
Open Culture is highly rated by users and critics alike. The website has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post.
Things to Consider
While Open Culture is free, there are a few cautions that one should follow before using the site:
Not all content is created equal: The quality of content on Open Culture varies. Some of the content is produced by highly reputable institutions, while other content is produced by individuals or small organizations. It is important to evaluate the quality of the content before using it.
The site can be overwhelming: Open Culture has a vast amount of content that is sometimes very confusing, where to start or what to choose. It is helpful to have a specific topic or area of interest in mind when using the site.
The site is supported by advertising: Open Culture is a free site, but it is supported by advertising. Users may see ads on the site or in the content they are viewing.
Overall, Open Culture is a great resource for free cultural and educational content. It offers a wide range of high-quality content, and it is easy to use and affordable. However, it is important to be aware of the quality of the content and the advertising on the site.
Open Culture is a website that provides free cultural and educational media and about 1,700 free online courses from Top Universities like MIT, Harvard, Yale, etc. It was founded in 2006 by Andrew Keen, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned critic. digital revolution.
Keane’s mission for Open Culture is to make high-quality cultural and educational content more accessible to everyone, regardless of income or location.
2. Khan Academy
Khan Academy – A Free, World-Class Education for Everyone
Owner and Establishment
Khan Academy was founded in 2005 by Salman Khan who was earlier a former hedge fund analyst and graduated from MIT and Harvard Business School. Khan started Khan Academy to teach math to his cousins, but the videos quickly went viral and Khan left his job in 2008 to focus on Khan Academy full-time.
Introduction
Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that provides free online courses, lessons, and practice exercises on a variety of subjects, including math, science, history, economics, arts, and humanities. It is one of the most popular educational resources in the world, with over 100 million registered users.
Features
Personalized learning: Students can start at their own level and learn at their own pace.
Interactive learning: Khan Academy’s resources include videos, practice exercises, and quizzes that help students learn and retain information.
Alignment with standards: Khan Academy’s resources are created by experts in the field and are aligned with standards in the United States and around the world. This makes students confident that they are learning the skills they need to succeed.
Availability in multiple languages: Khan Academy’s resources are available in over 36 languages, making it a valuable resource for students all over the world.
Flexible learning: Students can learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Variety of subjects: Khan Academy offers resources on a wide range of subjects, so there is something for everyone.
Free vs Paid
Khan Academy’s mission is to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.
Review and Rating
Khan Academy is a highly-rated educational resource. It has been praised for its innovative approach to learning, its focus on personalization, and its high-quality content. Khan Academy has received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Common Sense Media.
Things to Consider
Some users have reported that the videos can be too long or boring.
Some users have reported that the practice exercises can be too difficult or repetitive.
Overall, Khan Academy is a valuable educational resource that offers a wide range of benefits to students of all ages. It is a free, accessible, and high-quality resource that can be used to supplement traditional education or to learn independently.
3. edX
edX – Premium Website for Free Online Courses from Top Universities (4000+ courses)
Owner and Establishment
edX is a for-profit online learning platform founded in 2012 by scientists from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The platform offers online courses from over 160 top universities around the world, including Stanford, Berkeley, Columbia, and Oxford.
Introduction
The edX courses cover a wide variety of subjects, including business, computer science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Courses are taught by experienced professors and instructors from the partner universities. edX also offers a variety of professional education programs, such as the MITx MicroMasters program and the Harvardx MicroBachelors program.
Features and Benefits
edX courses are self-paced allowing students to learn the subject at their own convenience. For ease of understanding the courses include assignments, quests, readings, and video lectures, it may also have live Q&A sessions with instructors.
edX offers a number of benefits to students, including:
Access to high-quality education from top universities with the flexibility to learn at your own pace and your own schedule.
Paid courses are comparatively very affordable to the cost of traditional tuition.
Opportunity to earn verified certificates of completion
Free vs Paid
edX offers both free and paid premium courses to students. Generally, in Free Online Courses from Top Universities, students have access to the course and the course materials, but they may not receive a certificate of completion.
Paid courses allow students to earn a verified certificate of completion, which can be useful for professional development or job applications.
Review and Rating
edX is a highly-rated online learning platform. It has received a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering whether or not to take an edX course, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Cost: Paid courses can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Time commitment: Courses can vary in length, but most courses take several weeks or months to complete.
Level of difficulty: Courses can vary in difficulty, so it is important to choose a course that is appropriate for your skill level and interests.
Certificate value: The value of an edX certificate can vary depending on the employer and the industry.
Overall edX is a valuable online learning platform that offers a wide range of paid and free online courses from top universities around the world. edX courses are a great way to learn new skills, advance your career, or simply expand your knowledge.
4. Coursera
Coursera – Online Learning 7,000+ courses (Paid and Free online courses from Top Universities)
Owner and Establishment
Coursera is a for-profit online learning platform founded in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, two Stanford University professors. Coursera offers online courses from over 200 top universities and companies around the world, including Yale, Princeton, Google, and IBM.
Introduction
Coursera offers a wide range of courses in a variety of subjects, including business, computer science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Courses have lectures/sessions taken by experienced professors from top universities and companies.
Online Coursera includes a wide range of professional certificates which include Google Cloud Professional, a Masters of Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania and much more.
Special Features
Coursera offers a number of special features that make it a unique online learning platform. These features include:
MasterTracks: MasterTracks are short-term, certificate-granting programs that are designed to help students develop the skills they need for in-demand jobs.
Specializations: Specializations are groups of courses that are designed to teach students a specific skill or area of knowledge.
Guided Projects: Guided Projects are hands-on projects that allow students to apply the skills they have learned in their courses.
Career Services: Coursera offers a variety of career services to help students find jobs, including resume writing assistance, interview preparation, and job matching.
Free vs Paid
Coursera offers both paid and free online courses from top universities.
Free courses allow students to audit the course and access the course materials, but they do not receive a certificate of completion.
Paid courses allow students to earn a verified certificate of completion, which can be useful for professional development or job applications.
Review and Rating
Coursera is a highly-rated online learning platform and has received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 4.3 on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
Cost: Paid courses can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Time commitment: Courses can vary in length, but most courses take several weeks or months to complete.
Level of difficulty: Courses can vary in difficulty, so it is important to choose a course that is appropriate for your skill level and interests.
Certificate value: The value of a Coursera certificate can vary depending on the employer and the industry.
5. Academic Earth:
Academic Earth – Everyone deserves access to world-class free Online courses from Top Universities
Owner and Establishment
Academic Earth is a non-profit online education website which was founded by Richard Ludlow in 2009.
The website offers free online video courses and academic lectures from the world’s top universities, such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, University of Oxford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.
Introduction
Academic Earth offers a wide range of courses in a variety of subjects, including business, computer science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
Academic Earth also offers a variety of features, such as curated course collections, personalized recommendations, and study tools.
Special Features
Academic Earth offers a number of special features that make it a unique online education platform. These features include:
Curated course collections: Academic Earth curates course collections on a variety of topics, such as popular culture, personal development, and the future of work.
Personalized recommendations: Academic Earth uses machine learning to recommend courses to students based on their interests and learning goals.
Study tools: Academic Earth offers a variety of study tools, such as note-taking tools, progress tracking, and discussion forums.
Free vs Paid
Academic Earth is completely free to use. In Academic Earth without any hidden fees or charges, students can avail of free online courses from top universities.
Review and Rating
Academic Earth is a highly-rated online education platform. It has received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering whether or not to use Academic Earth, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Course selection: Academic Earth offers a wide range of courses, but the selection may not be as comprehensive as some other online learning platforms.
Course quality: The quality of courses on Academic Earth varies depending on the university and the instructor.
Certificate value: Academic Earth does not offer certificates of completion for its courses.
6. FutureLearn
FutureLearn – short free online courses from top universities and organizations around the world.
Introduction
Introduction
FutureLearn is an online learning platform that offers short courses from top universities and organizations around the world. It was founded in 2012 by Simon Nelson, Geoff Steadman, and Stephen Pritchard, three former executives from The Open University.
FutureLearn’s mission is to make education more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Special Features
FutureLearn offers a number of unique features, including:
A wide range of courses: FutureLearn offers over 1,500 courses in a variety of subjects, including business, technology, healthcare, and the arts.
Flexible learning: FutureLearn courses are self-paced, so you can learn at your own convenience.
Engaging content: FutureLearn courses are designed to be engaging and interactive, with video lectures, quizzes, and discussion forums.
Expert instruction: FutureLearn courses are taught by experts from leading universities and organizations around the world.
Free vs Paid
FutureLearn offers both free and paid courses. Free courses give you access to all of the course content, including video lectures, quizzes, and discussion forums.
Paid courses give you access to additional features, such as graded assignments, certificates of completion, and access to tutors.
Review and Rating
FutureLearn is highly rated by users and critics alike. The website has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot and has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and Forbes.
Things to Consider
While FutureLearn is a great resource for free online courses from top universities, there are a few things to consider before using the platform:
Not all courses are created equal: The quality of courses on FutureLearn varies. Some courses are produced by highly reputable institutions, while others by individuals or small organizations. It is better to evaluate the quality of the course before one enrolls.
Some courses can be expensive: While FutureLearn offers a variety of free courses, some of the paid courses can be quite expensive.
You may need to be self-motivated: FutureLearn courses are self-paced, so you need to be motivated to complete the coursework.
7. Udemy
Udemy – Online Learning Made Easy
Owner and Establishment
Udemy with headquarters in San Francisco and California is a for-profit online learning platform founded by Oktay Caglar, Gagan Biyani, and Eren Bali in 2010.
Introduction
Udemy offers over 210,000 online courses on a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, design, photography, and personal development.
Udemy courses are taught by experienced instructors from around the world.
Special Features
Udemy is known for its special features that make it a different learning online learning platform. These features include:
Lifetime access to courses: Once you purchase a course on Udemy, you have lifetime access to it. You can watch the lectures, complete the assignments, and download the resources as many times as you like.
Downloadable resources: Many Udemy courses include downloadable resources, such as e-books, worksheets, and templates. This allows you to learn and retain information more effectively.
Mobile app: Udemy offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. This allows you to learn on the go and at your own convenience.
Free vs Paid
All Udemy courses are paid. However, Udemy frequently offers sales and promotions, so you can often find courses for a discounted price.
Review and Rating
Udemy is a highly-rated online learning platform. It has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering whether or not to use Udemy, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Course quality: The quality of courses on Udemy varies depending on the instructor. Therefore, It is advisable to read reviews of a course before enrolling.
Price: Udemy courses are not as cheap as some other online learning platforms. However, Udemy frequently offers sales and promotions, so you can often find courses for a discounted price.
8. Alison
Alison –Â 4000 Free Online Courses from Top Universities with Certificates and Diplomas
Owner and Establishment
Mike Feerick, a serial social entrepreneur and Harvard MBA graduate founded Alison as a for-profit online learning platform in 2007, headquartered in Galway, Ireland.
Introduction
Alison offers over 4,000 free online courses on a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, engineering, health, humanities, and personal development.
Alison paid courses offer some additional features like certificates of completion, personalized suggestions, feedback and live Q&A sessions.
Special Features
Alison offers a number of special features that make it a unique online learning platform. These features include:
Personalized learning: Alison uses machine learning to personalize the learning experience for each student. Students can learn at their own pace and focus on their relevant topics.
Interactive learning: Alison’s courses include a variety of interactive elements, such as quizzes, exercises, and simulations. This helps students to learn and retain information more effectively.
Social learning: Alison offers a variety of social learning features, such as discussion forums and peer review. This allows students to connect with other students and learn from each other.
Free vs Paid
Alison offers both free and paid courses. Free courses allow students to access the course materials and earn a certificate of completion.
Paid courses offer additional features and benefits, such as live Q&A sessions, personalized feedback, and access to exclusive resources.
Review and Rating
Alison is a highly-rated online learning platform. It has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering to use Alison, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Course quality: The quality of courses on Alison varies depending on the instructor and the subject matter.
Certificate value: Alison’s certificates of completion are not as widely recognized as certificates from other online learning platforms.
Technical issues: Some students have reported technical issues with Alison’s platform.
9. Codecademy
Codecademy – Learn to Code for Free online courses from Top Universities
Owner and Establishment
Codecademy headquartered in New York City, New York, is a for-profit online education platform founded by Zach Sims and Ryan Bubinski in 2011.
Introduction
Codecademy offers over 175 interactive coding courses on a variety of programming languages and technologies, including Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and SQL.
Codecademy courses are designed to be fun and engaging, and they use a variety of interactive elements to help students learn and retain information.
Special Features
Codecademy offers a number of special features that make it a unique online learning platform. These features include:
Interactive coding exercises: Students learn by coding exercises that are interactive and designed to be fun and engaging.
Real-time feedback: Codecademy provides real-time feedback on students’ coding exercises. This helps students to identify and correct their mistakes early on.
Gamification: Codecademy uses gamification elements, such as badges and leaderboards, to motivate students to learn and progress.
Free vs Paid
Codecademy offers both free and paid courses. Free courses give students access to the basics of coding.
Paid courses offer additional features and benefits, such as access to more advanced topics, personalized feedback, and one-on-one tutoring.
Review and Rating
Codecademy is a highly-rated online learning platform with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 4.5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering whether or not to use Codecademy, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Course selection: Codecademy’s course selection is not as comprehensive as some other online learning platforms.
Course quality: The quality of courses on Codecademy varies depending on the topic and the instructor. It is important to read reviews before starting a course.
Technical issues: Some students have reported technical issues with Codecademy’s platform.
10. Skillshare
Skillshare – Creatives Learning provides Paid and Free Online courses from Top Universities and Corporates.
Owner and Establishment
Skillshare is also headquartered in New York City and is a for-profit online learning platform founded by Aaron Iba and Michael Karnjanaprakorn in 2010.
Introduction
Skillshare offers over 30,000 online classes on a wide range of creative topics, including design, photography, filmmaking, and writing. Skillshare classes are taught by experienced professionals from the creative industries.
Skillshare also offers a variety of special features, such as hands-on projects, community forums, and live Q&A sessions.
Special Features
Skillshare offers a number of special features that make it a unique online learning platform. These features include:
Hands-on projects: Skillshare classes often include hands-on projects that allow students to apply what they have learned and create their own work.
Community forums: Skillshare offers community forums where students can connect with other students and instructors, ask questions, and share their work.
Live Q&A sessions: Skillshare offers live Q&A sessions with instructors, where students can ask questions and get feedback on their work.
Free vs Paid
Skillshare offers both free and paid subscriptions. Free subscriptions give students access to a limited selection of classes and features.
Paid subscriptions give students access to all of Skillshare’s classes and features, including hands-on projects, community forums, and live Q&A sessions.
Review and Rating
Skillshare is a highly rated online learning platform. It has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store.
Things to Consider
When considering whether or not to use Skillshare, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Course quality: The quality of courses on Skillshare varies depending on the instructor and the topic. It is important to read reviews before starting a class.
Price: Skillshare’s paid subscription is more expensive than some other online learning platforms but it also offers frequent offers, sales, and promotions.
Technical issues: Some students have reported technical issues with Skillshare’s platform.
