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Do you want to learn how the pioneers made bread, or finally, like to master art history – in the comfort of your own home? Well, now you can. In the past couple of years, the ability to take classes or even get a degree online has never been easier. And, the best time to start learning from the world’s top institutions is right now. 

We’ve gathered a list of the seven best free eLearning sites. Take the first step towards your future today! Why are you waiting? They’re free!

The 7 Best Free eLearning Sites

1. edX

edX is one of the top online learning platforms available. Top-tier schools such as MIT, Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and Boston University partner year-round with edX — providing over 2,500 massive open online courses (MOOCs). 

In addition to introductory courses, edX offers professional certificates, MicroBachelors programs, MicroMasters programs, and a Global Freshman Academy. One of the best online learning platforms. Some of these degree programs have nominal fees. But if you are looking to advance your education, with both self-paced video and teacher-led options. These educational opportunities are hard to beat!

edX free course offerings include:

• Public Health, Global Policy
• Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering
• Blockchain and FinTech
• Introduction to Cloud Development

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.edx.org/

2. Coursera

Coursera is a solid online learning platform. Their strength is the global collaboration with over 190 multinational companies and exemplary universities, including Google, IBM, University of London, Stanford University, Rice University, and Duke University. Coursera has thousands of online, self-paced, video-based courses.

Professional certificates and full university degrees require a nominal fee to validate. Or a Coursera Plus subscription is available for $59/month, allowing unlimited access to take as many courses as you want with full certificate benefits!

Coursera free course offerings include:

• Google IT Support Professional Certificate
• Foundations of Mindfulness
• IBM Cybersecurity Analyst
• DNA Decoded

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.coursera.org/

3. University of the People

The University of the People is free for all and offers a variety of degree programs, including business administration, health, and computer science. 

With claims to be part of the “Education Revolution,” University of the People is the first tuition-free, accredited, online institution dedicated to global access to higher education. The University of the People helps high school graduates overcome burdensome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints to achieve their educational goals.

University of the People was accredited in February 2014, offering associate and bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration, Computer Science, and Health Science and master’s degree programs in Business Administration and Education.

University of the People free course offerings include:

• Masters in Business Administration
• Certificate in Public Health
• Masters in Education

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.uopeople.edu/

4. Canvas

Canvas is a MOOC platform used by smaller local universities and community colleges to teach online courses. Canvas promotes openness and innovation in education by providing teachers and educators at all levels access to professional development courses and programs.

Popular institutions on Canvas include the University of Colorado Boulder, Tennessee Tech, and the Swinburne University of Technology. Canvas has adapted its curriculum towards teaching methods and skills for the next generation of educators.

Canvas free course offerings include:

• Best Practices for Biomedical Research Data Management
• Computer Systems Validation
• Writing in Disciplines Professional Development
• Librarian Research Data Management

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.canvas.net/

5. Kadenze

Kadenze focuses on STEAM education, and its collaborators are some of the best institutions in the world – Princeton University, Paris College of Art, Calarts, UNLV, and School of the Visual Arts NYC. A shortlist of subjects includes film, animation, and pedagogy.

While much at Kadenze is free, there are fees for several of the programs. But, significant discounts are available.

Kadenze free course offerings include:

• Camera Essentials
• DigiFab 2D
• North Indian Classical Music
• Computer-Assisted Music in Python

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.kadenze.com/

6. Code.Org

Code.org is a robust online learning and e-learning platform designed for younger students and adults interested in computer science and coding skills. The Code.org community offers mini-lessons, including videos, how-to projects, and fun tutorials. Numerous resources for parents and teachers are also available on the site.

Code.org free course offerings include:

• AI for Oceans
• Coding in Astronomy
• Minecraft
• Hour of Code

Ages: K-5, 6-12, 12+

Link: https://studio.code.org/courses

7. FutureLearn

FutureLearn lets you learn online from universities and companies worldwide – King’s College London, Monash University, and the University of Wollongong. In addition to educational partnerships, FurureLearn collaborates with multinational corporations and non-profit organizations such as Accenture, Amnesty International, the British Library, and UNESCO.

Video-based lessons provide high-quality content for personal development and advanced education in business management, health and medicine, and teaching.

FutureLearn free course offerings include:

• Understanding Fashion: From Business to Culture
• Allergies: When the Immune System Backfires
• Marketing Analytics
• Advanced Cybersecurity

Ages: 18+  

Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/

And a couple more, for good measure.

8. TED-ED

It would be a mistake if we left out TED-ED. A specially funded project of TED Talk, the wildly successful business lecture series, TED-ED covers a range of subjects including health, literature, language, and psychology, in short, easy-to-digest videos. Additionally, Ted ED provides separate categories for students, educators, and parents to facilitate the online learning process for all.

TED ED free course offerings include:

• Does Stress Cause Pimples?
• Why perfect grades don’t matter?
• The Science of BBQ
• The Rise and Fall of the Lakota Empire

Ages: 10+

Link: https://ed.ted.com/

9. The Open University

The Open University, based in the United Kingdom, strives to make learning easy. There are over 100 free hours of online education in money, business, health, sports, psychology, society, politics, and law for those looking to advance their professional and personal development. Additionally, The Open University offers 120 degree-based curriculum pathways.

The Open University focuses on delivering bite-sized learning experiences designed to fit easily into daily life. Course formats include from 60-second animated videos to 24-hour classes — quizzes and interactive games. More structured, instructor-led education is also available.

Ted ED free course offerings include:

• Gaelic in Modern Scotland
• A Question of Ethics: Right or Wrong?
• Forensic Psychology
• Advanced French

Ages: 18+

Link: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Best Free eLearning Sites

And one more site, Open Culture, is a website that offers a comprehensive list of free classes, sorted by subject instead of by their eLearning platform. It saves time when you know you want to take a course in 16th Century architecture or a ninth-century Viking-style boat building, but you don’t know where to find it.

Honestly, these are just a sampling of the dozens of free eLearning sites for all ages. And there are many more that provide exciting and innovative coursework for a small fee or annual membership.