Free Online Courses with Certificates: Full List

Last updated: 1 November 2026

Imagine earning a useful certificate, improving your CV and learning new skills from home. Online education has never been easier to access. Many well-known universities, international organisations and technology companies offer free online courses, and some of them also give you a free certificate when you finish. Whether you want to change careers, move into a new industry or simply learn something new, these courses are a good place to start.

Important: “free course” does not always mean “free certificate”. Many platforms let you study for free but charge for the certificate. We note for each provider below whether the certificate is free or paid.

Free Online Courses With Certificates by Top Universities

These universities offer free online courses. Check the certificate note for each one.

• Harvard University – CS50 computer science courses: The CS50 courses (such as CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science) are free to study. You can earn a free CS50 Certificate, issued by CS50, by scoring at least 70% on every required assignment; a verified edX certificate is paid. CS50x official page. See also our guide to the Harvard CS50 online course with free certificate.
• King’s College London – short online courses on FutureLearn: King’s offers a range of short courses on FutureLearn. Free access lasts for the course duration; a FutureLearn certificate requires a paid upgrade. King’s College London on FutureLearn
• The Open University – OpenLearn free courses: Hundreds of free short courses. You can earn a free Statement of Participation, and some courses also award a free digital badge. OpenLearn
• University of Helsinki – Elements of AI: A free introduction to artificial intelligence created by the University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn. The Introduction to AI certificate is free; the certificate for the follow-up course, Building AI, costs €50. Elements of AI
• University of Tasmania – Understanding Dementia: A free health course (MOOC) from the university’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. Participants who complete the final quizzes can download a certificate of completion. Understanding Dementia MOOC

Free Online Courses With Certificates by Top Companies

Several major companies offer free training that can help you prepare for in-demand careers:

• Microsoft – Microsoft Learn (including AI training): Microsoft Learn training is free. You earn badges for finishing modules and trophies for finishing learning paths. Formal Microsoft Certifications require passing a separate exam; check the exam details before you register. Microsoft Learn
• IBM – IBM SkillsBuild: IBM’s free education programme with courses in AI, data analytics, cloud, cybersecurity and workplace skills. Learners can earn IBM-branded digital credentials. IBM SkillsBuild
• Salesforce – Trailhead: Salesforce’s free online learning platform for CRM and business tools, where you earn points and badges as you complete modules. Official Salesforce Certifications are separate and charge an exam fee. Trailhead
• freeCodeCamp – web development and programming: A non-profit coding curriculum; freeCodeCamp states that every part of it, including its certifications, is free. freeCodeCamp
• Coursera – courses in tech, business and soft skills: Many courses can be studied for free, but Coursera certificates are generally paid. Coursera offers financial aid for learners who cannot afford the fee. Coursera
• DataCamp – data science and Python: The free plan gives access to the first chapter of every course. Certificates of completion are only included in paid plans. DataCamp plans
• HubSpot Academy – digital marketing and sales: Free courses and free certifications, such as Inbound, Content Marketing and Email Marketing. HubSpot Academy

Also useful – HackerRank skills certification tests: HackerRank is not a course provider, but it offers skills certification tests in areas such as problem solving and SQL. If you pass, you get a certificate you can share with employers. HackerRank Skills Certification

Free Online Courses With Certificates by International Organisations

Several international organisations and global institutions offer free online courses:

• British Council – Understanding IELTS: A free online IELTS preparation course run by the British Council with FutureLearn. On FutureLearn, free access lasts for the course duration and certificates generally require a paid upgrade. Understanding IELTS (British Council)
• FAO – food and agriculture (FAO elearning Academy): Free, multilingual courses. For certified courses, you receive a digital badge after scoring at least 75% in the final evaluation. FAO elearning Academy
• UN CC:Learn – Introductory e-Course on Climate Change: A free course from the UN’s climate change learning partnership (UNITAR). Learners who score at least 70% on each quiz can download a certificate of completion. Introductory e-Course on Climate Change
• World Health Organization (WHO) – OpenWHO: WHO’s free, open-access learning platform, covering health topics including emergency preparedness. If you meet a course’s requirements, you can download a Record of Achievement or a Confirmation of Participation. OpenWHO
• Cisco Networking Academy – IT and networking: Free, self-paced online courses in networking, cybersecurity and related IT skills. Cisco Networking Academy

Benefits of free online courses

• A certificate from a well-known institution can strengthen your CV.
• You can learn skills that employers are looking for.
• You can study at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.
• The learning materials are free, so cost is not a barrier to getting started.
• A certificate can help you progress in your current job or move into a new field.

How to Get Started?

Choose a course from the list above and register for free on the provider’s official website. Before you start, check whether the certificate for that course is free or paid. Free certificates such as the CS50 Certificate, OpenLearn Statements of Participation, HubSpot certifications and freeCodeCamp certifications can be added to your LinkedIn profile and CV.

Start learning today and build skills for a brighter future.

Last updated: 2 November 2026

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