As the demand for skills-based hiring continues to grow, it’s becoming easier than ever to build a successful career without the need for a traditional four-year degree. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a professional seeking to upskill, or someone looking to transition into a new career, there are a wealth of online courses available from world-renowned institutions.
Universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, in collaboration with MOOC platforms like Coursera and edX, offer a variety of free online courses. The best part? Many of these courses come with certificates that can help you stand out to potential employers.
Below are the Top 10 Free Online Courses With Certificates that you can enroll in to boost your career in 2024:
Top Platforms With Free Courses
- Coursera
- edX
- Google Digital Garage
- Udemy
- Skillshare
- Harvard
- FutureLearn
- Berkeley X
- LinkedIn Learning
- Pluralsight
- Shaw Academy
- Great Learning
- Open Yale courses
- Udacity
- Alison
- Khan Academy
- Microsoft
- MIT
- Academic Earth
- CreativeLive
- Codecademy
- Simplilearn
- Mindvalley
- Canvas
- NovoEd
- Ted-Ed
- Facebook Blueprint
Here’s a curated list of some of the best free online courses offering certifications upon completion:
1. Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization
- Institution: New York University Tandon School of Engineering
- Platform: Coursera
- Course Duration: 8 months (flexible learning)
- Level: Beginner
With increasing digital threats, cybersecurity is a critical skill for today’s professionals. This course provides an overview of key concepts, including cryptography and network security.
2. Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics
- Institution: University of California, Davis
- Platform: Coursera
- Course Duration: 6 weeks
- Level: Intermediate
This course explores the ethical implications of AI and big data, helping professionals in data science, business, and tech navigate complex moral issues in the digital age.
3. The Science of Well-Being
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 19 hours
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
Developed by Yale, this course aims to increase personal happiness and build healthy habits by exploring psychological research on well-being.
Key Topics:
- Misconceptions about happiness
- Overcoming biases
- Strategies to improve happiness
3. Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 8 months
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
This course, created by Google, equips IT professionals with essential skills in Python programming, Git, and IT automation. It also covers troubleshooting, debugging, and configuration management.
Key Topics:
- Automating tasks with Python scripts
- Using Git and GitHub for version control
- Managing IT resources in the cloud
4. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 10 months
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
Designed by IBM, this course is ideal for those interested in machine learning and data science. It provides hands-on experience in data analysis, predictive modeling, and working with data science tools.
Key Topics:
- Data Science methodology
- Data analysis with Python
- SQL and data visualization
6. Machine Learning
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 60 hours
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
Offered by Stanford, this course introduces machine learning, data mining, and statistical pattern recognition, with applications in various fields like medical informatics and robotics.
Key Topics:
- Linear and logistic regression
- Neural networks
- Regularization and algorithm application
7. Python for Everybody Specialization
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 8 months
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
This course by the University of Michigan teaches the basics of programming with Python, covering key concepts such as data structures and APIs.
Key Topics:
- Fundamentals of Python programming
- Using functions and loops
- Python application development
8. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
- Platform: edX
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
Harvard’s CS50 is an entry-level computer science course focusing on algorithms, data structures, and programming languages like C, Python, and SQL.
Key Topics:
- Problem-solving with algorithms
- Web development
- Final project presentation
9. Digital Marketing Specialization
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Approx. 8 months
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
This course from the University of Illinois covers SEO, social media marketing, and analytics, with a hands-on capstone project in partnership with Grainger.
Key Topics:
- Digital marketing strategies
- Data analysis and web analytics tools
- Social media marketing techniques
10. The Complete iOS 10 Developer – Create Real Apps in Swift 3
- Platform: Udemy
- Duration: 48hr 55min
- Fee: Free
- Certificate: Yes
- Level: Beginner
This course teaches iOS app development with Swift, covering a wide range of app types, from GPS maps to transcription apps.
Key Topics:
- Professional iOS app development
- Swift programming skills
- Creating and publishing apps
These free courses not only provide valuable skills but also come with certificates, enhancing your career prospects in various fields.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
