Free Ivy League Education? These 9 Top Universities Offer Free Online Courses!
Taking free online courses can be an excellent way to enhance your resume and give you some intriguing conversation starters for job interviews. Plus, it's a productive way to use your free time.
With a plethora of renowned universities offering free courses online, choosing where to start can be overwhelming.
We've compiled a list of some popular courses from top-tier universities worldwide. This list isn't exhaustive but gives you a taste of the diverse learning opportunities available online.
1. Harvard University
Harvard University has over 600 free online courses, giving you a chance to experience Ivy League education without the hefty price tag. Here are a few standout courses:
Shakespeare's Life and Work: In this four-week course, you'll delve into William Shakespeare's plays while learning about his life and the historical context of his time. It also covers how his work is performed today.
Justice: This 12-week course introduces you to moral and political philosophy, examining classical and contemporary theories. You'll read works by notable philosophers like Aristotle, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Jon Stuart Mill, and John Rawls.
The Health Effects of Climate Change: Over seven weeks, you'll learn about the impact of global warming on human health and explore ways to mitigate these effects.
2. University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine offers a diverse range of courses. Here are a few that might catch your interest:
Better Business Writing in English: This course helps you develop a unique voice in your business writing and offers plenty of practice in different business communication forms.
Introduction to Electronics: Ideal for those curious about electrical engineering, this course covers basic electronics components such as diodes, transistors, and op-amps.
Games without Chance: Combinational Game Theory: This beginner's guide to combinational game theory delves into the mathematics of games that do not involve chance.
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Since 2012, Georgia Tech has provided online courses, reaching over 3.3 million learners worldwide. Here are a few you might like:
Data Analytics in Business: This course teaches you to understand and apply data and business analytics to real-world business datasets.
Innovation Leadership: Over six weeks, you'll learn why innovation leaders are crucial for growth and how to become one.
Supply Chain Principles: This 15-hour course is a fantastic introduction for those considering a career in supply chain management, offering insights into the extended supply chain and potential career paths.
4. École Polytechnique
A leading French institution, École Polytechnique excels in research, academics, and innovation in science and technology. They offer 29 online courses, with 10 in English and 19 in French. Here are a few highlights:
An Introduction to Probability: Taught in French, this two-part course provides a solid foundation in probability, gradually building your understanding through weekly classes.
How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper: This English-taught course is perfect for students with prior research experience, guiding you through writing and publishing a scientific paper in four weeks.
From Particles to Stars: If you're fascinated by the universe's formation and evolution, this ten-week French course covers the last 14 billion years of cosmic history.
5. Michigan State University
One of the largest universities in the U.S., Michigan State University offers a variety of online courses. Here are a few that might interest you:
Become a Journalist: Report the News: This course explores journalism's impact on society, teaching best practices and ethical standards. It takes about six months to complete, ideal for aspiring journalists.
Write a Feature-Length Screenplay for Film or Television: Over 20 weeks, you'll write a full-length screenplay, following a structured process to create a polished script.
Art for Games Specialization: This six-month course covers the basics of 2D and 3D game art production, perfect for beginners.
6. California Institute of the Arts
Ranked 20th globally for Art and Design by QS World University Rankings in 2020, the California Institute of the Arts offers several creative courses:
Graphic Design Specialization: This six-month course covers fundamental graphic design skills and includes a project to add to your professional portfolio.
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop: In this ten-hour course, you'll study key poetic terms and devices, write your own poems, and receive feedback from professionals.
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning: This beginner-level course involves analyzing graphic design works and critiquing their effectiveness, taking about eight hours to complete.
7. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
HKUST is a research university dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, management, and business studies. Here are a few of their online offerings:
Introduction to Fintech: Starting on May 15, this course explores the innovations, technology, and regulations transforming finance, taught by leading experts.
Making Sense of News: This six-week course enhances your critical thinking skills to better evaluate news reports and identify reliable information.
State, Law and the Economy: Perfect for those interested in economics, this course introduces essential economic concepts related to political economy.
8. University College London (UCL)
Ranking eighth globally in the latest QS World University Rankings, UCL offers a variety of online courses, including:
Anthropology of Social Media: Why We Post: Over five weeks, this course examines the impact of social media from an anthropological perspective, comparing its use worldwide.
Citizen Science and Scientific Crowdsourcing: An Introduction: UCL's geography department offers this course, introducing the concept of citizen science and relevant academic literature.
Culture, Health, and Wellbeing: An Introduction: This course helps you develop, deliver, and evaluate health and wellbeing initiatives within cultural organizations, making it a great starting point for a career in this sector.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Renowned as one of the world's top universities, MIT offers several online courses, including:
Number Theory I: A graduate-level course covering various topics in algebraic and analytic number theory.
Microeconomic Theory and Public Policy: This course uses microeconomic theory to analyze public policy, teaching you the basics of economics at your own pace.
Making Books: The Renaissance and Today: This course explores the impact of technological advances on the recording and distribution of words and images, from the invention of the printing press to modern digital media.
These courses from top universities around the world provide a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills for free, no matter where you are. Dive in and discover something new today!