Africans who are interested in getting training and employable skills in a variety of industries that recruiters are always seeking online to hire remotely now have the chance to do so through some of the best colleges in the world. The greatest part is that it may be done at your own speed, online, and at no cost.
Free online courses are a great way to boost your employment prospects: they add a little extra something to your CV and are a great talking point in interviews, as well as being a great way to spend your free time.
It might be difficult to choose which of the numerous reputable higher education institutions that are now providing free online courses you should enroll in since there are so many options available.
We have compiled a small selection of the most popular free online courses offered by some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. This is by no means a full list; rather, it only provides an overview of some of the numerous institutions that make online learning opportunities available.
- Harvard University
Harvard University offers over 600 free online courses and enables you to get a taste of an Ivy League education for free. Here are just a few of their courses you might enjoy:
The Health Effects of Climate Change: Climate change is more topical than ever. In this seven-week course, find out how global warming impacts human health and how we can help to diminish its effects.
View all of Harvard University’s online courses here.
- University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine offers a variety of courses on a wide range of subjects. Here are several that might spark your interest:
Better Business Writing in English: This course promises to help you develop a personal voice in your writing, allowing you to practice your writing skills in different types of business communications.
Introduction to Electronics: Learn about the basic components of electronics: diodes, transistors, and op-amps. Perfect for those who want an insight into electrical engineering.
See the University of California, Irvine’s full list of online courses here.
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology has been offering online courses since 2012. Since then, 3.3 million people have enjoyed these world-class courses, in a wide range of topics. Here are a few you might enjoy:
Data Analytics in Business: This course helps you to understand data and business analytics. It then allows you to apply these business analytics algorithms and methodologies to real-world business datasets.
Innovation Leadership: A six-week course for anyone looking to become an innovation leader. You’ll learn why innovation leaders are essential for growth and how to become one.
Supply Chain principles: This 15-hour course is a great introduction for anyone looking to pursue a career in the supply chain. It will help you gain an understanding of the extended supply chain and make you aware of the career paths available to you.
Take a look at Georgia Institute of Technology’s fully online course list here.
- École Polytechnique
École Polytechnique is a leading French institute that combines top-level research, academics, and innovation at the cutting edge of science and technology. It offers 29 online courses, 10 taught in English and 19 taught in French. Here are a few that might interest you:
How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper: Designed for students with previous experience in academic research, this course will do exactly what it says in the title. Taught in English, you will learn to accurately write and publish a full scientific paper in four weeks.
Browse all of École Polytechnique’s online courses here.
- Michigan State University
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70416542/ea4f10f0_7432_46bb_9d77_7e2a1b85e11a_1140x641.0.jpg)
One of the largest universities in the United States, Michigan State University offers a selection of online courses. Here are a few that might appeal to you:
Become a Journalist: Report the News: Study journalism’s impact on society and issues and trends. Learn best practices and ethical standards for news-gathering processes. This course takes approximately six months to complete and is great for aspiring journalists.
Write a Feature-Length Screenplay for Film or Television: Over 20 weeks, you will write a complete, feature-length screenplay for film or television. You’ll be taught a structured process that allows you to produce a polished script.
Art for Games Specialization: This beginner-focused course will teach you the essentials of 2D and 3D game art production over six months.
Take a look at the other courses on offer at Michigan State University here.
- California Institute of the Arts
Ranking 20th worldwide for Art and Design in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2020 is the California Institute of the Arts. The school offers several creative courses:
Graphic Design Specialization: This six-month course teaches the fundamental skills needed for graphic design. You will also complete a project which can be used for a professional portfolio.
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop: In this ten-hour course you will learn key poetic terms and devices by studying a range of poems by modern and contemporary poets. You will also get the chance to write your own poems and get feedback from professionals.
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning: You will carry out an objective analysis of a work of graphic design in this course, critiquing its effectiveness. This is a course for beginners and will take approximately eight hours to complete.
You can find the full list of courses at the California Institute of the Arts here.
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is an international research university that aims to advance teaching and research in science, technology, engineering, management, and business studies. Here’s a selection of the online courses they offer:
Introduction to Fintech: Learn about the innovations, technology, and regulations driving the transformation of finance in Asia’s first FinTech MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). This course begins on May 15 and will be taught by leading experts.
Making Sense of News: This six-week course will develop your critical thinking skills to allow you to better identify reliable information in news reports and become better informed.
State, Law, and the Economy: If you’re interested in learning about economics, this course is a great place to start. The course teaches essential economic concepts relevant to the study of political economy.
- UCL (University College London)
One of the top schools in the UK, ranking eighth in the world in the most recent QS World University Ranking. They offer a wide variety of courses, including:
Anthropology of Social Media: Why We Post: A five-week course on the consequences of social media and a comparative and anthropological approach to social media users around the world.
Citizen Science and Scientific Crowdsourcing: An Introduction: Run by UCL’s department of geography, this course will give you a basic understanding of citizen science and introduce you to the academic literature in this area.
Culture, Health, and Wellbeing: An Introduction: This course will help you develop, deliver and evaluate health and well-being work within a museum, arts, heritage, or cultural organization. It is a great introduction for anyone looking to work in this sector.
See what other online courses UCL has to offer here.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is highly regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious universities, ranking first in the world in the most recent QS World University Rankings. Here’s a selection of their online courses:
Number theory I: This graduate-level course will cover a range of topics in algebraic and analytic number theory.
Microeconomic Theory and Public Policy: If you’re interested in learning economics, why not learn from one of the best? This course uses microeconomic theory to analyze public policy. It will teach you the basics of economics and you are free to take the course at your own pace.
Making Books: The Renaissance and Today: For people looking for something a little different, this course explores the impact of new technology on the recording and distribution of words and images during the invention of the printing press in 1450, the adaption of electricity to communication technology in the 19th century, and digital media today.
