Top 5 Resources For Free Online Learning

Posted on February 29, 2016

Want to study but short of cash?

Here are five of the best online education service providers to check out!

If you’re feeling the itch to learn something new, but your financial affairs are encouraging you to calm the hell down, there is some good news coming your way – you can study for free online with many different providers.

Great news!

To make things easier for you, we’ve collected the top course providers in one place, all of which are affordable.

You can track your progress, choose your own schedule, work to your own pace, and basically, enjoy a user-friendly experience which allows you to learn without heavy price tags.

So here are our highlights:

Coursera

Service
This particular website is great from the start because it is easy to use. Almost all the courses displayed on the website offer free access, and prices are related to graded work, of which there is financial aid available. The site is aimed towards learners who want to earn a grade but can’t afford to pay the sometimes high fees related to colleges.

Advantages
Basically, it’s the large number of courses on offer, with over 1200 displayed. There is also the option to head further into your subject if you choose, with the funding option for many people,

What subjects are on offer?
It’s impossible to list them all, but you can learn about power electronics, genetics and society, as just two examples. If you fancy earning your stripes in data science, you’re catered for, as well as many options for creative writing courses.

Website: coursera.org

EDX

Service
The website gets you excited because it highlights the advantages and fun of learning on its front page. The fact that many partners are also on board, such as the University of California, and Harvard University to name just two, is a real confidence booster. There are countless courses to choose from, and you can look at courses which are starting soon, ones currently underway, as well as the ones which are self-paced, e.g. you do it all at your own speed.

Advantages
We’ve outlined many already, but the big name is probably what sells it. There is also a large range of education levels on offer, including high school and XSeries, which means nobody misses out. This is a very accessible site for all.

What subjects are on offer?
Again, there are far too many to list, but subjects span across business and management, communication, economics and finance, architecture, arts and culture, to name just a few. English grammar and essay writing is a popular one.

Website: edx.org

Open University

Service
Everyone has heard of the Open University, and the big name gives you major confidence boosting, as well as the high level of customer service. Many employers see Open University courses as being as good as, if not better, than college courses, and there are also paid courses on offer, with financial aid options clearly displayed. The free courses are plentiful, with over 800 different subjects.

Advantages
The big name is probably the best advantage we can give, but the customer service on offer is another one – basically you are never on your own, even though you are studying on a distance basis.

What subjects are on offer?
Far too many to list yet again. Some of the most popular currently are essay and report writing skills, introduction to cyber security, and introduction to book-keeping and accounting.

Website: open.edu

Academic Earth

Service
This company believes that everyone deserves the chance to study and be educated, and was started up in 2009. Many of the world’s top colleges are featured, which again gives you confidence, and there are many courses to suit every possible interest, across many different levels.

Advantages
There is a large catalogue of providing colleges listed, so you know that what you’re studying has major clout. On top of this, the list of subjects is seemingly endless.

What subjects are on offer?
Subjects span many different topic areas, including accounting, management, business marketing, education, and psychology.

Website: academicearth.org

Open Education Database

Service
Our final choice gives away its service in the title – it is a database, and a great site to head for everything in one place, without having to trawl the internet for other providers. There are over 10,000 free online courses displayed across many large colleges and universities.

Advantages
Basically the ease of use, because everything is there for you. On top of this, you have confidence in knowing that accreditation is by large scale organisations.

What subjects are on offer?
As there are 10,000 shown, you will certainly find what you’re looking for. A few to suggest are Advanced Biology, and Advanced Chemistry, to name just two out of countless more in the same niche.

Website: oedb.org