Open University OpenLearn free online courses 2026

OpenLearn is The Open University’s catalog of free online learning. It features more than 900 courses and learning opportunities across subjects including business, technology, science, health, education, law, politics, languages, history and the arts. Courses are self-paced, and the catalog can change as materials are updated.

You can read course materials without an account. Create a free OpenLearn account if you want to enrol, track your progress and access completion documents. Most courses offer a free Statement of Participation after you meet their completion requirements. A digital badge is offered only for selected Badged Open Courses. OpenLearn courses do not award formal academic credit or an Open University qualification.

Subjects to Explore

• Business, money and entrepreneurship
• Digital skills, computing, science and technology
• Health, sports and psychology
• Education, society, politics and law
• Nature, the environment, languages, history and the arts
• Study skills and professional development

Course Details

Provider: The Open University
Platform: OpenLearn
Format: Online and self-paced
Cost: Free
Catalog: 900+ courses and learning opportunities; listings may change
Study levels: Introductory, intermediate and advanced options
Duration: Varies by course, from short lessons to longer study programmes
Completion documents: Free Statement of Participation for most courses; digital badges on selected Badged Open Courses
Deadline: No fixed course deadline is listed; check each course page for its current details

How to Start Learning

1. Browse the OpenLearn free-course catalog and choose a subject or course that interests you.
2. Read the course description for its level, study time and completion requirements. You can view learning materials without an account.
3. Create a free OpenLearn account to enrol, track progress and access any available Statement of Participation or digital badge.
4. Complete the activities required for the particular course. A badge is available only when the course is identified as a Badged Open Course.

OpenLearn is a flexible way to explore university-level learning at no cost, but completion documents are not academic credit or an Open University qualification. Course availability and recognition options vary, so check the details on the official OpenLearn free courses page and the individual course page.