OpenLearn

OpenLearn is a learning website run by The Open University. It gives away about 900 short online courses. These courses come from the university's own study material. You can also read articles, play learning games, take quizzes, and watch videos. Anyone can use it. There are no entry tests, no class times, and no fees. Courses take 1 to 24 hours to finish. When you finish a course, you get a free statement of participation. OpenLearn started in 2006 and has served millions of learners around the world.

Key Features

1. Free Short Courses

Pick from about 900 courses based on real Open University modules. Each takes 1 to 24 hours, and there are no deadlines or class schedules.

2. Statement of Participation

Finish any course and download a free statement of participation from The Open University. It shows the course name and your completion.

3. Digital Badges

Badged Open Courses award a free OU-branded digital badge. You can share it online to show your new skills, though it carries no formal credit.

4. Articles, Quizzes, and Videos

Learning goes beyond courses. The site holds thousands of articles, quizzes, games, and videos across many subjects.

5. Open Licence and Ebooks

All content uses a Creative Commons licence. Courses are also free as ebooks in Word, PDF, and ePub formats, including on Kindle and Google Play.

6. Many Subjects

Courses span languages, business, science, maths, computing, health, psychology, history, and education. You can filter by skill for work or study.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I use OpenLearn for?

You can explore a subject before starting formal study, build skills for work, or learn something new just for fun. Over half of the Open University's own students use it to support their studies.

Can teachers and educators reuse OpenLearn material?

Yes. The courses carry a Creative Commons licence, which is designed to let others share and reuse them. Check the licence note on each course page before reusing it.

Do OpenLearn certificates count as qualifications?

No. The statements of participation and digital badges show you finished a course, but they carry no formal credit toward a degree or diploma.

Can I download OpenLearn courses to study offline?

Yes. Courses are available in free ebook formats, including Word, PDF, and ePub. The ebooks are also published for free on Kindle and Google Play.

Do I need an account or any qualifications to start?

No. There are no entry rules and no requirements. You can study any course at any time, and courses have no cohorts, start dates, or time limits.

Conclusion

OpenLearn is a solid choice for anyone who wants to learn online at no cost and at their own pace. The courses come from a real university, so the quality is high. Short lessons, badges, and statements of participation make it easy to show what you learned. Visit the official site to browse courses and start learning today.