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20 Best Websites To Find Online Courses (Free & Paid)

We did our research to find the best online course websites. The list includes top-quality courses to learn new skills fast.

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Top 20 Websites to Find Online Courses

Key learnings.

Online courses are a great way to build new skills in a relatively short period of time. They are less expensive than traditional classes and you can follow a course from the comfort of your own home.

In this guide, you’ll find the best online course websites covering a range of topics, including digital marketing, graphic design, coding, personal development, marketing, business, photography, and much more.

All courses are delivered online by accredited academies and online learning platforms. Together with the paid courses, the list includes some great free online courses that are definitely worth your time.

So, if you want to explore new career paths, build a new skill, start a new hobby or learn a new discipline, you’ll love this list. We’ve done our research and handpicked the best free and paid sites offering online training courses. All you have to do is find the best course for you and start learning!

These are the best online course websites to find high-quality online courses :

• Reliablesoft Academy
• MasterClass

Google Skillshop

• LinkedIn Learning
• HubSpot Academy
• Simplilearn
• Semrush Academy
• Google Digital Garage
• Meta Blueprint
• Harvard University (Online Courses)
• Microsoft Learn
• Alison (Free Online Courses)
• CXL Institute

1. Reliablesoft Academy

Founded in 2002, Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Academy is one of the most reliable training platforms to learn digital marketing. Through their online academy, they offer 13 courses covering all important areas of digital marketing, including:

• Facebook / Instagram Ads
• Google Analytics
• Content Marketing
• Keyword Research
• Email Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Affiliate Marketing
• Retargeting
• YouTube Marketing

Their most popular course is the Digital Marketing Full Course , which teaches students the secrets of online marketing through a series of videos and tutorials. Upon completing the course, you can get an SEO and Digital Marketing Certification.

Students can download the courses offline or follow the lessons using the online interface.

Reliablesoft courses are highly rated by students , affordable, and have a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee (the best money-back from all online academies).

Currently, online courses are offered at an 80% discount . The offer is valid for a limited time only.

Explore Online Courses

Udemy is perhaps the most popular online learning platform. According to statistics provided by the company, they have more than 130K online courses in their database and a student base of 35 million people.

Udemy courses are grouped into several categories, the most popular are:

• Development
• IT and Software
• Personal Development
• Photography

Udemy courses are budget-friendly and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. In their library, besides paid courses, you’ll also find a number of free courses. Just type in “Free Courses” in their search bar, and you’ll get a list of more than 10,000 courses you can follow without paying.

To find the best courses on Udemy , choose one of the course categories from the top menu and then filter the results based on the number of ratings. You can also look for the ‘bestseller’ badge displayed in the description of popular courses.

If Udemy is not the right learning platform for you, there are great alternatives .

3. Coursera

Coursera offers online courses from world-class universities and reputable companies. It positions itself as a leading online learning platform for higher education. They claim to have more than 70M learners worldwide and partnerships with more than 200 universities and educators in different industries.

In their catalog, you’ll find a number of free courses, paid courses, specializations, certificates, and degree programs.

Their most popular course categories are:

• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Information Technology

University students can enroll in Coursera courses for free, provided their university is part of their partners’ program.

For non-university students, the cost varies per course, specialization, and certificate. For some courses, you can enroll for free and then pay for the certificate. For other courses, you can buy a monthly subscription and access a number of courses as long as you pay the monthly fee.

While Coursera offers great courses and accredited certifications from leading companies and universities, its refund policy is very strict.

So, I recommend reading their pricing fees and conditions before enrolling in a course to avoid any unpleasant surprises. You can also consider one of the Coursera Alternatives .

Udacity focuses on career advancement and provides the essential tools to succeed in landing the job of your dreams.  The website has a robust catalog that not only covers the skill but also provides classes on applying for jobs and interviewing.

Here are the training programs that are included:

• Programming and Development
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cloud Computing
• Autonomous Systems

Udacity is another free membership platform offering free and paid online courses. There is no monthly subscription requirement, but registering as a user is necessary in order to gain access to the catalog. Within the search features, it allows you to filter free courses so that you can browse if you’d like to try them before you buy.

This platform also offers career prep opportunities, including meeting with career coaches, resume reviews, LinkedIn reviews, and more. Just an added bonus to the Udacity platform and in line with their mission to train the world’s workforce in the careers of the future.

5. Skillshare

Jumping from the very techy world of coding, Skillshare was founded with creatives in mind. Skillshare seeks to not only help members get inspired and learn new skills but also allow instructors to share their expertise and earn money.

Founded in 2010, Skillshare has curated some of the best online classes to take for innovators and creators.

Here are just a few of the categories it offers:

• Illustration
• Freelancing

In order to access all Skillshare courses, you will need to create a Premium account which comes with a 7-day free trial. After the trial period, you can pay an annual fee of $99 or $19/mo. I even saw a 30% off special on their website, so be sure to look out for the deals!

What I find valuable about this membership is that you will receive access to ALL of the incredible online classes and workshops available on the platform. To help you narrow down your decision, here is a list of the best skillshare courses you can take this year.

You are able to follow your favorite instructors, keep a library of the classes that you want to take, check out your class history, and have more convenient and user-friendly features. It’s definitely one to check out.

6. MasterClass

If you’re into pop culture, you’ll love being a part of MasterClass . Ranging from industries such as acting, creative writing, sports, and beyond, popular celebrities and experts in the field are sharing their mastery with the everyday person.

The platform is fun and current but still packed with education.

Here are some of the course topics that are covered in MasterClass:

• Arts & Entertainment
• Sports & Gaming
• Science & Tech
• Design & Style

MasterClass is set up as a membership platform at $15/mo billed annually. Although they do not offer a free trial, they do extend a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

It’s very user-friendly allowing downloading to watch offline, the use of PDF workbooks for every class, and mobile-friendly. They add new classes every month so you are sure to have more to browse. If you are curious, MasterClass is for you.

Additional resources to find more online courses

• Best Digital Marketing Courses – 10 great courses to teach yourself digital marketing online.
• Best Social Media Marketing Courses – the top courses to learn social media marketing.
• Best Content Marketing Courses – free and paid courses to get started with content marketing.
• Best SEO Courses – a list of SEO courses with a certification to build your SEO skills and become an expert.
• Best eCommerce Courses – online courses to teach yourself eCommerce. The list includes both free and paid training courses.
• Best Free SEO Courses – the best free courses on search engine optimization. Take online or download offline.
• Best Google Ads Courses – the best courses to master the secrets of Google Ads.
• Best Free Online Marketing Courses – a list of the top courses on online marketing that are 100% free.
• Best WordPress Courses – the top courses to learn WordPress online.

7. Google Skillshop

It’s no surprise that many businesses are using Google as a platform to run, scale, and advertise their businesses. With a mission to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” it’s no wonder it has managed to turn its name into an action one can actually take.

Because of its usefulness in the digital marketing world, it’s worth checking out their free Google Skillshop center to learn more about using their platform. Through Skillshop you can achieve a number of free Google certifications in the following categories:

• Google for Education
• Google Marketing Platform
• Analytics Academy
• Google My Business
• Google Ad Manager
• Google Cloud
• Waze Academy
• Google AdMob
• Authorized Buyers
• Android Enterprise Academy

is a free learning center with lengthy and in-depth lessons. If you’re looking to move forward with Google Ads or use the Google platform in any way to market your business, Skillshop is definitely worth browsing.

8. LinkedIn Learning

As a platform that aims to connect professionals with one another, it’s a seamless transition to using LinkedIn as a professional development tool. LinkedIn Learning has over 16,000 of some of the top online courses in a wide range of industries.

The courses are broken down into the 3 main categories of business, creative, and technology.

Here are just some of the sub-categories available on the platform:

• Business Analysis and Strategy
• Career Development
• Finance and Accounting
• Leadership and Management
• Marketing Sales
• Audio and Music
• Graphic Design
• Web Development
• And so much more

LinkedIn Learning provides a mix of both paid and free courses with a monthly membership of $29/mo. You are able to try it for free for a full month on an individual plan. One of the unique features of this platform is that they offer team memberships when you fill out a form to connect with a sales consultant.

With industry experts teaching these online learning courses, it has been trusted by industry leaders such as Kellogg’s, Lego, MGM Resorts, Zillow, and more. If you have a goal to make the learning culture a part of your team, LinkedIn Learning is a top-notch option.

9. Codecademy

If you’re looking to uplevel your knowledge in an industry that is the way of the future, Codecademy has some of the best online courses available for coding. Codecademy is looking to rebuild the education system from the bottom up in creating the education that the world truly needs.

Here are the subjects that Codecademy courses offer:

• Developer Tools
• Machine Learning
• Code Foundations
• Game Development
• Mobile Development
• Data Visualization

There is also a wide range of coding languages that are offered such as Javascript, HTML & CSS, PHP, and more.

The pricing for Codecademy is a 3-tier membership. The good news here is that there is a free option, and although this option is limited in its content and real-world projects, it’s a great way to get some foundational training.

The Pro Tier is intended for the individual and is $19.99/mo paid annually or $29.99/mo if paid on a monthly basis. The 3rd tier is a team member which you can get a quote if you enter your email and company name. There is also a discount for college students!

Overall, if you want to add coding to your professional skills, Codeacademy is the place to start.

10. HubSpot Academy

Hubspot Academy offers everything from quick and practical courses to comprehensive certifications. They aim to help business professionals develop their skills regarding inbound sales, marketing, and customer support.

Hubspot is a reliable and credible platform which is one of the many reasons it’s one of the best places to educate yourself or your team.

Listed here are some of Hubspot’s course topics:

• Customer Service
• Advertising
• Hubspot Software

Even though you do have to create an account to get access to the Hubspot Academy courses, it is completely free. So if you are willing to invest your time in learning more about digital marketing, sales, and advertising, this is a great option for you.

If you are active on LinkedIn, the free certification courses will benefit you. Adding industry-recognized badges to your profile lets potential clients know that you are educated and willing to invest in your professional development. A little time and effort go a long way.

11. Simplilearn

Starting out in 2009 as a blog sharing project management tips, Simplilearn has grown into the world’s #1 online Bootcamp. This platform offers high-end classes for digital professionals from industry leaders.

Through individual courses, comprehensive certification programs, and partnerships with world-renowned universities, this platform provides work-ready skills for the ever-changing digital world.

Among these online courses are topics that cover:

• Project Management
• Cyber Security
• Business & Leadership
• Software Development
• Quality Management

Simplilearn is compiled of individual courses, so there is no membership requirement. If you are looking for higher education options and access to some of the best online classes in digital skills, this platform is worth browsing.

Some of the online boot camps offer both self-paced and live class recording options, and depending on the complexity and caliber of the course, it could range anywhere from $99-$3,000+.

I suggest thoroughly checking out the landing page of the course you are considering; watching the intro video, looking at the ratings, and reading the FAQs will help you avoid unrealistic expectations.

12. Semrush Academy

Semrush is all about online visibility, making its online courses on digital marketing top-notch. Not only does Semrush offer these courses, but they have an entire platform of SEO and digital marketing tools that are free for users. SEMRush Academy is a bonus feature.

Here are the categories that are included:

• Pay Per Click
• Social Media Management
• Competitive Research
• SEMRush Software

And everything they offer in the academy is 100% free. Once you are a registered SEMRush user, click on your desired category and start browsing, watching, and getting certified.

So, if getting more digital marketing knowledge is on your to-do list, check out these online learning courses.

What edX has to offer is higher education that’s accessible to anyone. Founded by Harvard and MIT, this platform has some of the best online courses from the most popular universities around the world.

There is a wide range of subjects on edX including:

• Agriculture
• Communication
• Engineering
• Food & Nutrition

edX provides free access to its catalog of both free and paid online courses. The unique feature of this platform is that they provide accessible college programs including online Master’s Degrees.

If you’re looking for continuing education in any form, but are a busy person needing online accessibility, these programs are the perfect opportunity for you.

14. Google Digital Garage

Google Digital Garage (now part of Google Skillshop) is unique in that, although it has its own set of courses, it has also curated courses from other online course platforms (some even on this list already!) Google Digital Garage also offers live classes that are streamed through YouTube.

Here are the 3 main categories that are included in this learning platform:

• Data & Tech

Google Digital Garage is free and very user-friendly. If you’re looking for the best place to learn more but not be overwhelmed, this is a great option for you. There are simple categories and filters so that you can narrow down your search.

Selections may take you off of the platform to another online course website, but you can simply click on the filter “Google” under course provider to make sure you are selecting one of the Google courses. There is even one free digital marketing certificatio n course available!

15. Meta Blueprint

Meta Blueprint is a social media marketing course library full of self-paced and step-by-step tutorials. Not only do they offer courses, but they also have advanced courses in Facebook advertising and certifications as well.

Some of the courses here include:

• How to Advertise on Instagram
• How to Create Ads on Facebook
• Get Started with Commerce Manager
• Map the Customer Journey

Again, Meta Blueprint is another free platform that allows you to uplevel your digital marketing skills with no risk. When logged in to Facebook, you are able to keep track of your course program and build your own library of active courses.

The certification program that it offers is a sure way to stand out on your resume and LinkedIn. You can take the blueprint courses, take practice exams, view a study guide, and then participate in the official certification exams. It’s worth the effort!

16. Harvard University (Online Courses)

Harvard University has an entire site dedicated to its online learning. Because of its resources, the subjects available range anywhere from art & design, to health & medicine, and then to programming.

Here is a list of more categories that Harvard University offers online:

• Education & Teaching
• Mathematics
• Social Science

These programs range anywhere from $0 to $50,000+. Although most of the classes offer certificates of completion, some can be completed as credit toward a degree. If you want some formal education in your field, Harvard University is the best place to be.

17. Microsoft Learn

Microsoft learning aims to encourage both beginners and experienced professionals to achieve their goals faster with self-paced learning. There are 3 ways to learn on this platform through online courses, certifications, and live and recorded events.

Rather than categories, Microsoft Learn breaks down the courses by role:

• Administrator
• AI Engineer
• Business Analyst
• Business User
• Data Analyst
• Data Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Database Administrator

Microsoft Learn is not the most user-friendly site, so I suggest using the “Discover Your Path” function to find the courses that are right for you.

The courses range from no cost up to $1,500+. If you head over to this platform, make sure to check out the “Learn TV” option for some valuable learning opportunities.

18. Alison (Free Online Courses)

Alison’s belief is that “free education, more than anything, has the power to break through boundaries and transform lives. They are one of the world’s largest free learning platforms for education and skills training and offer a wide range of categories including:

As advertised in its mission statement, Alison provides all of its courses for absolutely free. Of course, the trade-off for that is that you will see ads throughout the platform, which seems like a good deal. But if you aren’t about that, you can pay a $7.99 monthly fee.

Another thing to know is that the courses are free, but the diplomas and certificates are not. So if you are looking to have certificates for your resume, be aware of that before getting started.

19. Upskillist

With 100+ courses to choose from, Upskillist offers a plethora of online courses. They believe it’s never too late to learn, so they make it easy for real qualifications that lead to success.

These online courses included categories like:

• Health & Wellness

Upskillist starts with a 4-week free trial. Then, you can select one of their premium subscription plans. The cost is $39/mo (for 3 months), $35/mo (for 6 months), and $19/mo (12 months).

Their courses offer certifications and have the bonus of being educator-supported, meaning you can get your questions answered, which is always helpful when navigating online courses.

20. CXL Institute

CXL Institute offers 100+ online courses covering different topics. The main areas include:

You can pay $249 monthly and get unlimited access to all courses or buy courses individually for $299. All CXL courses come with a Certification and a 7-day money-back guarantee.

All instructors are industry experts and the lessons are carefully crafted to keep learners engaged throughout the course.

Learning a new skill is easier these days with the plethora of online courses available on the Internet. You can go through a course at your own pace and without having to attend a physical class on campus.

Most courses listed above are on-demand and offer lifetime access, meaning that you can follow the course at any time and for as long as you want.

The cost varies per academy and type of course but it’s affordable for most people and less expensive than classroom-based learning.

You can also view our list of the best online courses with certificates to find high-quality online courses that come with a free certification.

Do you know of any great courses or online course providers missing from the list? Let me know in the comments below.

Alex Chris is a digital marketing consultant, author, and instructor. He has more than 18 years of practical experience with SEO and digital marketing. Alex holds an MSc Degree in eCommerce and has consulted with Fortune 500 companies in different industries. He blogs regularly about SEO and Digital marketing, and his work has been referenced by leading marketing websites. Connect with Alex on Twitter and LinkedIn .

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December 8, 2020 at 10:52 am

Excellent courses! Easy to understand and highly recommended.

October 3, 2021 at 10:54 am

Thanks for commenting. Yes, they are great online courses to build new skills.

All the best Alex

About Reliablesoft

Online training.

We compared 13 popular online learning platforms for all ages, budgets, and interests – our favorites include Coursera for certificate courses and MasterClass for creative arts classes

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• The rise of online learning is democratizing education by improving access to top-notch courses.
• We compared some of the platforms we cover the most to help you find the best ones for you.
• We looked at popular platforms like Coursera , edX , MasterClass , Skillshare , Duolingo , and more.

As online learning continues to grow in popularity, so do the options available to you. Whether you want to take a popular free Ivy League class for fun , pursue part of an online master's degree , boost your career with some additional certifications , or just learn a new language at your own pace , there are many options out there for you .

To help you decide which ones might work best with your schedule, budget, and goals, we compared 13 of the platforms we cover the most : edX , Coursera , FutureLearn , MasterClass , Skillshare , LinkedIn Learning , Udemy , Udacity , CreativeLive , Codecademy , Duolingo , Babbel , and Rosetta Stone .

The best online learning platforms for accredited university courses and degrees

• The best online learning platforms for career skills certifications

The best online learning platforms for creative skills and hobbies

• The best online learning platforms for learning a new language

Coursera , edX , and FutureLearn are three popular online learning platforms that offer courses, certificate programs, and even master's degrees from top universities as well as well-known companies and non-profit organizations.

All three have courses you can audit for free, as well as options to pay for a certificate of completion. They also have multi-course programs you can exchange for real college credits from select schools, or apply to their full master's programs.

The topics covered on each platform are incredibly diverse, covering everything from computer programming and finance to positive psychology and art history . They can be taken to advance your career or expand your knowledge in a subject for fun.

Keep reading below to learn the differences between edX , Coursera , and FutureLearn :

Cost: Individual courses are usually free to audit for a limited amount of time; certificates and longer programs vary in price.

Pros: You can most courses for free, including ones in longer programs (great for testing out a longer certificate program before committing to it); financial assistance is available

Cons: Some courses are archived, meaning you can still access them but can't earn a certificate; Charges one lump sum for courses instead of a subscription fee

You can browse all edX courses here .

Cost: Individual courses are usually free to audit; certificates and longer programs vary in price. You can also sign up for an annual Coursera Plus subscription ($399) and get access to 90% of Coursera's offerings.

Pros: Many programs charge a monthly fee, so the faster you finish, the more money you save; financial assistance available; offers some free certification courses

Cons: No financial assistance for Coursera MasterTracks; you can only audit one-off courses (you will have to pay for ones that are part of a Specialization)

You can browse all Coursera courses here.

FutureLearn

Cost: Individual courses are usually free to audit; certificates and longer programs vary in price. You can also subscribe to FutureLearn Unlimited for $189.99 annually to get unlimited access to courses.

Pros: UK-based, offers more international options; offers some free certification courses

Cons: Not as many course options as edX and Coursera; you can only audit one-off courses (you will have to pay for ones that are part of an ExpertTrack)

You can browse all FutureLearn courses here.

The best online learning platforms for career skill certifications

What all of them have in common

LinkedIn Learning , Codecademy , Udemy , and Udacity all offer online courses, programs, and bootcamps that can advance your career, including in in-demand subjects like omputer programming that boast high job satisfaction .

Unlike in-person or intensive bootcamp programs, these courses are self-paced and flexible, letting you practice and earn a certificate on your own time. They can be great for quickly picking up a new skill to boost your resume , testing out a potential job path before committing to a longer program, or gaining the qualifications you need to transition careers or move up in your role.

Keep reading below to learn the differences between LinkedIn Learning , Codecademy , Udemy , and Udacity :

LinkedIn Learning

Cost: A LinkedIn Learning subscription is $19.99/month (annually) or $29.99/month (month-to-month).

Pros: Short video classes broken down into digestible segments; certifications go right on your LinkedIn profile; LinkedIn occasionally makes popular career courses free for a limited time

Cons: Less interactive; no way to submit homework assignments or reinforce what you've learned

You can browse all LinkedIn Learning courses here.

Cost: Codecademy Pro is $39.99/month (month-to-month) and $19.99/month annually. Pro Student offers 35% off to eligible current students. (Note: Codecademy is currently offering 40% off Pro and Pro Student memberships through October 22 .

Pros: Some free beginner options ; a huge range of programming courses; Fun, hands-on projects

Cons: Less interactive than traditional coding bootcamps

You can browse all Codecademy courses here.

Cost: You can pay a one-time fee per course or subscribe to a Udemy Personal Plan for $29.99/month for unlimited access to all Udemy courses

Pros: Easy to use on mobile; offers a huge range of course offerings; popular bootcamps are updated frequently so you're working with the latest information; frequent sales on courses

Cons: Less interactive; harder to reinforce or test what you've learned; not all courses come with certificates

You can browse all Udemy courses here.

Cost: Nanodegrees can be paid for as you go, starting at $399/month or $1,017 total

Pros: Offers some free courses ; provides additional career resources and support to help you find a job after a Nanodegree

Cons: Nanodegrees can get pricey and involve a bigger time commitment if you want to finish faster to save money

You can browse all Udacity courses here.

While platforms like edX and Coursera are great for taking university-accredited courses for fun , MasterClass , Skillshare , and CreativeLive all offer subscriptions to unlimited online courses and are particularly great for growing creative skills like writing, photography, art, design, and acting — though they all offer courses in other subjects like personal development.

All three platforms offer courses from celebrities and experts at the top of their fields, from famous chefs and bestselling authors to well-known Stanford faculty members . They also offer courses in more niche creative subjects, from hand-lettering to bird photography .

While they don't offer the same direct feedback on your work as in-person instruction, they can be a fun way to unwind and learn a new skill at your own pace.

Keep reading below to learn the differences between MasterClass , Skillshare , and CreativeLive :

MasterClass

Cost: A MasterClass subscription is $180 annually (broken down to $15/month)

Pros: Beautiful and engaging video quality; celebrity instructors; offers a broad range of topics; digestible format; online forum provides a sense of community

Cons: No certifications; have to hold yourself more accountable to learn

You can browse all MasterClass courses here .

CreativeLive

Cost: You can pay a one-time fee per course or subscribe to a CreativeLive membership for $13/month.

Pros: Lots of in-depth bootcamps; great selection of in-depth courses to expand your skillsets

Cons: Less interactive; no direct feedback

You can browse all CreativeLive courses here.

Cost: A Skillshare Premium subscription is $32/month (month-to-month) or $15/month (annually)

Pros: Nice video quality; some celebrity and expert instructors; great for very niche topics

Cons: No certifications; mostly focused on art and design

You can browse all Skillshare courses here.

The best online learning platforms for learning new languages

Duolingo , Babbel , and Rosetta Stone are three language-learning platforms we cover a lot, and each has different strengths depending on which language you want to learn, your level of experience, and your time commitment. 

What they all have in common is flexibility — they can be great for brushing up on your high school Spanish or learning a few Japanese phrases before a trip .

Keep reading to learn more about the differences between Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone:

Cost: Free; Duolingo Plus is $6.99/month for features like ad-free experience and unlimited tries

Pros: Great for learning new vocabulary; Fun, gamified experience; Easy to use on mobile; Lots of language options (including Yiddish )

Cons: Not as much practice directly speaking with someone in conversation

You can browse all of Duolingo's language options here.

Cost: $13.95 for 1 month; $9.95/month (3 months); $8.45/month (6 months); $6.95/month (1 year)

Pros: Focused on teaching you realistic conversation topics, such as travel or career-focused phrases; Uses native speakers to demonstrate lessons; frequent sales offered

Cons: Some language programs are not as strong as others ; Not as many language options as other services

You can browse all of Babbel's language options here.

Rosetta Stone

Cost: $11.99/month (3 months); $7.99/month (1 year); $179 lifetime (unlimited languages)

Pros: Fully immersive, mimicking real-life experience; Huge selection of languages to choose from

Cons: More expensive, requires more of a time commitment 

You can browse all of Rosetta Stone's language options here.

• Main content

Best online courses and online class sites of 2024

Learn new skills without leaving your house

Best for guided projects

Best for business, best for professional skills, best for celeb classes, best for online degrees, best affordable option, best for uk, best for nanodegrees, best for creatives, best for digital transformation, how we test.

The best online courses and online class sites make it easier to learn new skills from home through distance learning online.

1. Best for guided projects 2. Best for business 3. Best for professional skills 4. Best for celeb classes 5. Best for online degrees 6. Best affordable option 7. Best for UK 8. Best for nanodegrees 9. Best for creatives 10. Best for digital transformation 11. FAQs 12. How we test

Long gone are the days of having to attend a college to take a class. Now, with available learning platforms, through the use of video streaming, there are a wide variety of skills that can be learned from the comfort of your abode.

Websites abound that have online classes on demand. This can range from a single lecture on a specific topic, to a series of lectures to gain new knowledge in a field, to entire graduate level degrees offered by leading universities. You can even learn from professors on the other side of the planet via this method!

Course topics cover the spectrum. Some can be professionally oriented, designed to update skills for older workers, or those with a degree outside the area of study. Other courses are designed to supplement knowledge, offering additional study, such as advanced training for a certification exam. However, it is not all so serious, with coursework also available that borders on entertainment, with options for a cooking class, or film appreciation. In any case, in a competitive work environment, having some recent coursework can be an important CV builder, without having to do the rigors of a formal degree.

Reader offer: Top courses from $14.99 when you first visit Udemy

Udemy is an online learning platform where you can access over 25,000 courses all taught by professionals. Choose from a vast course catalog with topics ranging from programming to lifestyle. 

Preferred partner ( What does this mean? ) 

These are the best laptops for students on the market.

The best online courses and online class sites of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Coursera

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Coursera is an online educator that also focuses on college level education, and has partnered with leading universities including Arizona State University and Duke University, and also has alliances with many Fortune 500 companies. This platform is notable as the emphasis is on university courses, along with over a thousand free content videos, and also certificate programs. This content can be taken to acquire a college degree, all fully online. 

The standout feature is the Guided Projects, which are done to allow the learner to put their newly acquired skills to use, under the watchful guidance of an instructor. Those looking to acquire some job ready skills, whether in the form of a certificate, a degree or an advanced degree, from a name brand university should take a look at this platform.

Read the full Coursera review .

• ^ Back to the top

Udemy is notable for its super large course catalog, a ridiculously large 155k courses focused on business content taught by over 56k instructors. This is driven in part by the over 7,000 enterprise customers. Users are sure to like the comments for the course that are integrated into the platform, the transparency in when the course was last updated, along with the high quality trailers to help assess if a course is right for your needs. 

We also noted the choice of tiers, and the longer 30-day money back guarantee period. Some downsides do encompass that some courses need to be purchased individually as opposed to a monthly subscription, the limited support options that are missing a direct phone number and an email address, and the bugs with the apps, especially with offline viewing. For those looking for the right business course, with support materials to support the learning, Udemy is worth a good look.

Read the full Udemy review .

3. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an educational outgrowth of the highly popular, professional networking platform. As you might suspect, this platform is focused on development of professional skills, with a catalog that is expansive at over 16,000 offerings. The plan is simplified, with only a single tier, but it can be subscribed to either annually or monthly. We also like the interactive basis of this platform, which focuses on demonstration of the skills obtained, with online quizzes and exercise files available. 

The content is also quite professional, with the education conducted via expert instructors in their fields. Learners also praise the flexibility in learning, via the smartphone apps, an audio only option (perfect for jogging), and offline learning possibilities. Finally, the integration with LinkedIn is apparent, with the ability to put the certification achieved upon successful completion of the course onto the learner’s LinkedIn page.

Read the full LinkedIn Learning review .

4. MasterClass

While some platforms have courses by the thousands, MasterClass offers less, in numbers, with just over a hundred courses on offer. However, what it lacks in breadth of subject matter, it more than makes up for with its list of educators that easily qualify as Hollywood A-listers and the like. 

We take exception to the annual billing without a month to month option, but there is a choice of plans among three tiers. Also realize that learning cinematography from acclaimed director James Cameron has got to be an experience, but overall MasterClass offers more casual content, so don’t look for an online master’s degree here. 

Another standout feature is that the content is high quality, with each course having trailers that could be shown in a movie theater to help students decide if the course is worth pursuing. While there are fewer courses on offer, also realize that each one is a comprehensive look at the subject, being broken up into around 20 segments, each averaging about 10 minutes in length.

Read the full MasterClass review .

For those looking for an online learning platform to obtain a college degree- either undergraduate or graduate - edX is an excellent choice. Rather than having to look at online schools one at a time, edX makes it possible to access coursework among 160 universities, the likes of Berkeley, Harvard University and Boston University. Furthermore, this coursework is taught by university professors that teach over 3,000 courses. 

Courses are designed to result in obtaining a certificate, an online college degree, or even applied towards a degree at a university. This high level of quality education does not come at a bargain price, or an all you can eat monthly subscription, but rather these types of degrees can have a cost in the thousands, however keep in mind that they are less than attending the same school in residence, not to mention saving the costs of room and board at a dormitory. 

Read the full edX review .

Coming out of Ireland, Alison is an affordable approach to a learning platform. The notable standout is that everyone can afford it, with a free (ad supported) tier, and thousands of courses available for learners to take. We also appreciate the still affordable higher tiers, that eliminate the ads, with offerings of flexible monthly, annual and lifetimes tiers, with options to have a certificate of completion, or letter of attestation of the completed coursework at bargain basement prices. 

Some shortcomings need to be noted, such as the lack of degrees and the automated approach to support. Still, for those that just want some courses, and are on a limited budget, Alison is a solid starting point with a catalog sure to offer opportunity for its already 3.5 million learners.

Read the full Alison review .

7. FutureLearn

Leave it to the Brits to package some great educational opportunities from the UK into an online learning platform, through the internet available from anywhere, anytime. The course content offered by FutureLearn fits into ExpertTracks, which is a 10 to 12 week block of learning, and covers 3 to 4 courses leading to a certificate upon completion of study. The content focuses on beginner level content designed for job education. 

Some significant downsides include the lack of smartphone apps, average user reviews, and unclear pricing. The limited support options also hamper this service. New users should check out the free course availability as some courses can be started on a trial basis, and also keep in mind the 7-day trial period. Those not looking for an ExpertTrack should also look for the single courses that are available as well. 

Read the full FutureLearn review .

Udacity has a focus on providing education for business and technology with courses in areas such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and instructors that are industry experts. 

Learners like fully online nanodegrees that emphasize job related education, which are targeted at more developed than a certificate program, while falling short of a traditional college degree. Feedback is provided through a mentoring program, which is personalized to develop the student’s skills via direct critique of submitted projects. 

While the higher cost of this option may be a barrier (which gets paid on a monthly basis), and the support options could be better, it gets high marks in the user reviews of its smartphone apps. For those looking to develop computing skills via online education, Udacity is a worthy option.

Read the full Udacity review .

9. SkillShare

SkillShare has a large catalog of 35,000 plus online videos, divided into the categories of Create, Build and Thrive. It also has Workshops that offer a more in depth look into areas. It is easy to get started with this platform, as there are three tiers offered, and a week long free trial. However, we found the service to be more expensive than some others, with only an annual plan offered rather than offering it on a month by month basis. 

Also, another issue was that credit card info was a requirement for accessing the trial, and we found reports of the difficulties with cancellation of this service. Going through this service, issues aside, we found it an attractive option for those looking to learn new creative skills, with coursework offered in areas including illustration, photography and design.

Read the full SkillShare review .

10. Pluralsight

Coming out of Utah, Pluralsight provides technology based education, targeting skills for the digital transformation. It is a highly developed platform, with partnerships to educate those in industry, with such known tech names as Adobe and the Nasdaq counted among its 17,000 business users. 

While the emphasis appears to be on the enterprise market, there is the option for individual users as well. There is a choice of two plans for these individual users, we appreciate the option to pay monthly or annually, and on the upper tier there are over 7,000 courses. 

Support is also solid with many choices to get in touch to get help. There are some issues we encountered with creation of our account, but for those seeking out advanced technology education, that is up to the high standards of enterprise, Pluralsight is worth a look.

Read the full Pluralsight review .

We've also featured the best online learning platforms.

What is an online course website?

An online course website is an online platform for education. Each typically utilizes video lectures as the primary mode of learning, along with supplemental materials to reinforce the education, and demonstrate the learning. This can include course syllabi, graded projects, chat rooms for students, mobile apps for learning on the go, practice questions, and even formal exams. The education is often on a large variety of topics, but more in depth than what you would typically find on more casual websites, that are more for entertainment than formal education. These online courses are an excellent opportunity to acquire new skills, update knowledge, and branch into new areas.

Online Learning Platforms vs Learning Management Systems

An online learning platform has much in common with a learning management system (LMS), and the two terms are commonly confused, and even used interchangeably. However, there is a key difference.

A LMS is defined by Wikipedia as “A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.”

In contrast, there is no clear definition for what an online learning platform is, and also its alternate term, eLearning. The online learning platform is a more generic term that also encompasses a LMS, but alternately not every online learning platform has all the features of an LMS.

For example, there is plenty of educational content online, such as on YouTube and other websites, and this can be used for learning purposes. However, this does not meet all the requirements to be a LMS platform, as it lacks documentation, tracking, and reporting of the educational progress.

Online Learning Platform vs Online Course Websites

As stated above, there is no clear definition for what an online learning platform is, other than to say that there are plenty of websites for education. They can range from a more formal LMS that can provide tracking, documentation and reporting of the education that has been done, to less formal sites that can be as open as an online educational video. For example, sites such as Lifehacker, or wikiHow provide education, but it is not formal, or trackable in the sense that they would provide a certification.

Then there is the term “Online course website.” Again, this is a vague term that covers both extreme ends. While some would use it interchangeably with a LMS, the latter is the preferred term that once again can provide tracking of educational progress, and is more formal, able to provide documentation of education progress including certificates or degrees as applicable.

What is a MOOC?

A MOOC is a “Massive Open Online Course.” These are offered by edX, a leader in online education. The idea is that while a traditional classroom gets limited in how many students can attend, with a MOOC, as it gets offered through the internet, literally millions of folks can all take the class and benefit from the education. It is literally an economy of scale so that high quality education can be disseminated.

According to edX, the first MOOC offered was through MIT, and it is a course entitled “Circuits and Electronics.” As of 2019, over 50k learners have taken this course!

With such success, it is no surprise that there has been growth in this MOOC segment. There are now MOOC’s for business so that education can occur for corporate learners. Also, edX has offered college credits for select MOOC’s since 2015.

What sort of computer do I need to take online courses?

The good news is that just about any modern computer will be absolutely fine for this online education, and these platforms work through any web browser. Those looking to do this inexpensively can get the job done with a Chromebook , which tends to be quite affordable.

Most of the platforms offer apps for smartphones, on both the iOS and Android platforms. This is ideal for learning on the go, and also allows the education to proceed on a tablet device from either platform.

For a Windows laptop , ideally a larger screen with 1080p resolution (or higher), and a solid set of speakers would be ideal. However, don’t think you need to expend serious resources on this, as even an entry level laptop, with a Celeron processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a minimal internal hard drive will be more than adequate for the education. You can even use Windows 10 in S mode, although having the full version of Windows 10 is easier as then you can install other software, such as a word processing program to take notes.

Also check out our roundup of the best laptop .

How do I build and sell a course?

With the popularity and growth of so many online learning websites, it has presented the opportunity for folks to not only take these courses, but also to be able to teach them as well. The first step is to figure out what you want to teach, which can range from a university type of course, to a casual single lecture. 

The potential educator should also take an honest assessment of their skill level, and what actually qualifies them to teach the course. A qualification that learners will appreciate is having a degree in the field, especially a graduate degree, such as the terminal degree in the field, such as a PhD. Having such a degree clearly shows the scholarship in the area, and would qualify you to teach at any college or university, along with an online platform. 

Not having a terminal degree can in some cases be substituted by a certification or license in select fields, such as a manicurist who wants to teach nail care. Additionally, with this democratization of content, there can be plenty of situations where experience in the area can also qualify the individual to be able to impart knowledge, such as working in the field successfully for a number of years, or even performing the task at home, such as a stay at home parent that wants to teach laundry skills.

Figuring out your qualification, and the type of course then will help to determine what platform it will be appropriate for. For example, unless you are a professor at Harvard, your content will not be appropriate for the online Harvard education site. However, there is no shortage of sites, so next you need to find a site, and certainly start with checking the sites above, realizing that some are better suited to more formal courses, and others are looking for more casual content. Once you identify the target site, get in touch, as most of them have links for those looking to be the next great educator.

Is YouTube a good online course website?

YouTube, and other online streaming site s are a valuable resource to learn new skills. There is no shortage of content available, to learn anything and everything, such as how to cook a new dish, how to repair your car, and a lesson in home improvement.

However, this type of content has its limitations. One is that it is taught by anyone, and there is a varying skill level, and in most cases it is not taught by skilled instructors, such as a university professor. In many cases the goal is as much to entertain as it is to instruct. This is fine for casual content, such as in our prior example of a cooking video, but not as well suited for more formal instruction.

Finally, while a LMS can provide proof of the education, YouTube does not offer this. In other words, there are no certificates, or degrees offered to provide an employer as a demonstration to the new knowledge obtained.

Are Harvard online courses really free and worth it?

Harvard University is a leading institution, and they do indeed have online educational offerings. They certainly have a full variety of coursework available, and it is a mix of paid and free content. As Harvard has consistently topped the list of endowed US universities, with a staggering $40+ billion of endowments, this is a chance for them to give something back.

Harvard has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and founded edX. While the free courses that Harvard offers are on a website for Harvard Online , realize that the course content is on edX.

There are plenty of high quality courses available through Harvard University, approximately 140 in a recent count. Some are quite specific, and not quite what would qualify as a standard university class, such as “Nonprofit Financial Stewardship Webinar: Introduction to Accounting and Financial Statements” that would target only a select group with interest in this area. Mixed in are courses that are not free, and have a cost, so be sure to double check when signing up, or you can filter to only look at the free courses.

A popular area of these online courses is the CS50 series, which covers computer science topics. This coursework is targeted to AP high school students in this area. It includes about 30 courses, such as the “CS50's Introduction to Game Development,” an intermediate course that covers “The development of 2D and 3D interactive video games.” The course is in English, and is designed to be completed over a 12 week period, for 6 to 9 hours weekly, although it is self-paced to accommodate other learning paces. While this course can be audited for free by anyone, a Verified Certificate is available for those that complete it for $199.

There is no shortage of learning platforms out there to choose from. Thankfully for you, we have sorted through them to find the ones that will benefit users.

We look at a number of factors, and truth be told no one learning platform will be the best for everyone. Things to consider start with the pricing, and for that we look at the plans. Some platforms even have free courses offered. Others charge by the course, and some companies have a monthly subscription, there is truly a learning platform for every budget.

Content is another factor. Some platforms focus on a specific area, such as computer programming, while others have more expansive catalogs that rival what any major college would offer.

Another issue is the quality of the coursework. Some are more crowd sourced, allowing a democratization of education. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have platforms that partner with top rated professors at name brand universities to teach the content.

Finally, there are the extras offered, such as the available smartphone apps. Also, there are the available certifications, and degrees that can be completed for looking for a more formal education.

Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .  

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Tom Bedford was deputy phones editor on TechRadar until late 2022, having worked his way up from staff writer. Though he specialized in phones and tablets, he also took on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK and now works for the entertainment site What To Watch.

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The 10 Best Online IT Certifications of 2023

Written by Intelligent.com Higher Education Team

Updated: April 27, 2023

Find your online information-technology program in minutes!

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Online courses can be a great way to study information technology because they allow you to learn from home and study at your own pace. In addition to providing you with new skills, some offer formal credentials that may be attractive to prospective employers. Whether you’re just starting in IT or want to level up your skill sets, these 10 online courses in information technology are a good place to start:

• edX — UWashingtonX’s IT Project Management — Top Pick
• edX — IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Programming — Best Advanced Course
• edX — IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Cybersecurity and Social Implications — Best for Exam Prep
• edX — IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Software Development — Most Specialized
• Udemy — Information Technology Essentials — Most Affordable
• Udemy — IT for Beginners, IT for Dummies, IT for Non-IT — Shortest Course
• Udemy — IT Project Management for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide — Best for Beginners
• Udemy — IT for Recruiters and Talent Management Professionals — Best for Non-IT Professionals
• Coursera — Technical Support Fundamentals — Best for Professional Outcomes
• Skillshare — IT Project Vision and Scope Definition — Best for Business

Our Ranking Criteria

The quality of online IT courses can vary widely, so we reviewed almost 20 of the best online IT classes to narrow them down to these top 10. The right course for you will depend on several factors, including your skill level, budget, and the amount of time you have available to study. We took the following criteria into account to create our list:

Basic Ranking Criteria

Before selecting a course, it’s important to make sure that you meet the prerequisites, will have enough time to complete it, and will receive a suitable certificate at the end. We’ve made note of how each course compares in terms of these four factors:

Time to complete. Some courses can be completed in just a few hours, while others take longer and require a longer commitment. Most courses provide an estimate of how long they’ll take to complete or the total number of hours of learning materials included.

Prerequisites required. Most of the courses on our list don’t require you to have any prior IT experience, but some working knowledge of the industry may help.

Flexible schedule. Many online courses allow you to study at your own pace, but some may have time-sensitive assignments or learning modules. We’ve focused on courses that offer the most flexibility in terms of scheduling and self-directed study.

Certificate of completion. Some courses provide a formal credential that you can put on your resume, while others simply provide a certificate of completion. Be sure to check what kind of certificate you’ll receive if you intend to use it professionally.

Advanced Ranking Criteria

The above criteria can be used to assess almost any online course, but if you’re looking for a course on information technology, there are more industry specific requirements. Here are a few advanced criteria we used to put together our list:

• The course has a comprehensive syllabus, either for the subject matter overall or for a specific area of focus (such as programming or cybersecurity).
• The course is presented by IT professionals or academics who have experience in the IT industry.
• The course is backed by a university or another trusted educational provider.
• The course was produced recently (within the past 5 years) to keep up with the latest industry trends.
• The course has positive reviews and ratings (at least 4 stars).
• The course is available on a user-friendly platform with good customer support.
• The course includes a mix of theory and practical IT concepts.
• The course covers material that is relevant to job-seekers or professionals in the IT industry (i.e., based on industry-standard exams or credentials).
• The course includes transcripts and/or subtitles for easier study.

The 10 Best Online Information Technology Courses

Edx uwashingtonx’s it project management.

Intelligent Award: Top Pick

This edX course is offered by the University of Washington, which may lend it extra credibility when adding it to your resume. It comes with a high price tag ($537.30), but you’ll get a UWashingtonX IT Project Management Professional Certificate when you’re done. You can also enroll for free, if you don’t want to get a certificate. The full program includes three courses on portfolio management, governance, and other topics related to leadership and management in IT. The suggested completion time is 5 months with 2 to 5 hours of study per week, but you can move at your own pace. Although there aren’t any prerequisites, the subject matter is more advanced than some other courses.

• Price: $537.30
• Time to complete: 5 months (2 to 5 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is ideal for those who are already IT professionals, but want to deepen their skill sets in the areas of project and program management.

edX IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Programming

Intelligent Award: Best Advanced Course

This course is provided by UPValenciaX and backed by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Spain. It’s delivered in English with an English transcript, and can be taken at your own pace on your own time. You can access all of the course materials for free, or pay $75 to receive a verified certificate when you finish the course. The complete IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals program includes five courses in all and is designed to prepare you for the CLEP ISCA exam. You’ll learn about topics such as pseudo code, SQL language, data warehousing, and object-oriented programming. You’ll need at least some prior experience with math and computers.

• Price: Free (Add a Verified Certificate for $75)
• Time to complete: 4 Weeks (3 to 6 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is perfect for learners who want to take the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam and work in the IT industry.

edX IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Cybersecurity and Social Implications

Intelligent Award: Best for Exam Prep

This course is also offered by UPValenciaX and is part of their Fundamentals for Business Professionals program. You can enroll in it for free, or pay $75 to receive a verified certificate when you’re done. You’ll need basic math and computer knowledge to follow along, but can work through the material at your own pace. Most participants take around 3 weeks to complete it, with around 3 to 6 hours of study per week. Both the lessons and the transcripts are available in English, and the material will prepare you for the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam. Topics of study include e-commerce, business strategy, and cybersecurity.

• Time to complete: 3 Weeks (3 to 6 hours per week)

Who should take this course? This course is best for IT professionals who want to take the CLEP ISCA exam and pursue more advanced opportunities in the IT industry.

edX IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Software Development

Intelligent Award: Most Specialized

This course is focused primarily on software development, and covers everything from the software development lifecycle (SDLC), to various tools, methods, and standards. You’ll learn about user interface design and the roles on a software project team. As with the previous two courses on our list, this is offered by UPValenciaX, and you can take it as a standalone class or as part of a 5-course series. Enrollment is free, and a verified certificate of completion is available for an extra $75. The curriculum is based on material from the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam.

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at professionals who work alongside software developers, including those in managerial and administrative positions.

Udemy Information Technology Essentials

Intelligent Award: Most Affordable

The Information Technology Essentials course was created by Destin Learning and is available on Udemy for $12.99. It’s designed to provide an overview of the history and current state of IT technology using easy-to-understand language. You’ll learn about computer hardware, networking, cloud computing, programming, and more. Specific topics include the software development life cycle (SDLC), Amazon AWS, and database management systems. It’s intended for anyone who wants to learn more about the IT industry or explore IT careers, with the final section covering the top IT jobs for 2021. Lessons are broken down into 41 lectures that run for just over 4 hours.

• Price: $12.99
• Time to complete: 4 hours

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at “entry-level computer science students” and non-IT professionals who are considering a career in the industry.

Udemy IT for Beginners, IT for Dummies, IT for Non-IT

Intelligent Award: Shortest Course

This course contains 1.5 hours of content broken down into 32 lectures, making this the shortest course on our list. You’ll get an overview of jobs in the IT industry, including UX designers, system administrators, and project managers. Then, you’ll cover cloud and IoT technology, programming languages, and development methodologies. You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between front-end and back-end problems. Exercises include designing a database and building a simple if/then game to help you get into the mindset of a programmer. This course is priced at $13.99.Once you finish it and pass the quiz, you can request a certificate from the instructor.

• Price: $13.99
• Time to complete: 1.5 hours

Who should take this course? This course is designed for “non-technical professionals in an IT environment.”.

Udemy IT Project Management for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners

This course is intended for those who are new to project management, or those who want to learn about key project roles and project stages. The majority of the course focuses on creating a project management plan, with lessons on risk management, issue management, change management, and more. There are quizzes after each section to test your comprehension of the material, and you’ll get a certificate once you’ve completed the entire course. There are 32 lectures in all for a total of 2.5 hours, which you can complete at your own pace. The course is currently available on Udemy for $12.99 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Time to complete: 2.5 hours

Who should take this course? Although there are no prerequisites, this course is designed for first-time project managers or those who want to level up their skills.

Udemy IT for Recruiters and Talent Management Professionals

Intelligent Award: Best for Non-IT Professionals

This course is a bit different from the others because it’s not designed for IT professionals or to teach you specific IT skills. Instead, it’s meant to give recruiters, HR professionals, and talent managers who work in the IT industry a better understanding. While you won’t learn how to code or develop software, you’ll learn what questions to ask in an interview and how to use lingo like SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. The instructors claim it will help you “speak [the] language” and improve your business relationships. There are no prerequisites, but some recruitment experience is recommended. The course is available for $12.99 and takes 2.5 hours to complete.

• Price: $11.99

Who should take this course? As the name implies, this course is intended for recruiters and talent managers who want to understand the IT industry in more depth.

Coursera Technical Support Fundamentals

Intelligent Award: Best for Professional Outcomes

Technical Support Fundamentals is designed to train you as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. It’s part of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program, so you’ll get an official certificate upon completion. You can enroll in the course for free as part of Coursera Plus, which costs $399 per year and includes additional courses, or pay $39 per month for the single course. The course covers topics such as customer support, binary code, Linux, and troubleshooting, and offers subtitles in multiple languages. Financial aid may also be available for some students.

• Price: $39 per month
• Time to complete: Approximately 24 hours

Who should take this course? This course is a good introduction for learners who want to apply for a customer-facing IT support role, but it may be too basic for other learners.

Skillshare IT Project Vision and Scope Definition

Intelligent Award: Best for Business

This class is designed to narrow in on one specific area of focus: defining the vision and scope of an IT project. You’ll cover the material through 16 video lessons on topics such as vision statements, success metrics, and business risks. You’ll learn how to develop business requirements documentation, limitations and exclusions, and more. There’s also a hands-on project that involves coming up with the vision and scope for an app. This course doesn’t dive too deep into technical material, but it does introduce a wide range of industry terminology and practices. It’s offered on Skillshare, which costs $19 per month or $99 per year. You can access it on your computer or the Skillshare mobile app so you can study at home or on the go.

• Price: $19 per month, $99 annually ($8.25 a month)
• Time to complete: 1 hour 43 minutes

Who should take this course? This course is ideal for professionals who want to learn about the business side, rather than the technical side, of IT project development.

Online Course Comparison Chart

Tips for Succeeding in an Online Information Technology Course

1. consider the cost, how much do online information technology classes cost.

Online IT courses vary widely in terms of price — from free to over $500. Expect to pay more if you’re taking a course provided by a major college or university, or if you’ll get a professional credential when the course is finished. Many online courses offer frequent discounts, so keep your eye on the price.

Will my employer pay for me to take the course?

That depends. If you can explain to your employer how the course material is related to your job and will benefit the company, they may be willing to pay for it as a professional development expense. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out in the industry, you may be expected to acquire appropriate training yourself before being hired.

2. Get your tech squared away

Many online courses are delivered via video lessons, so you’ll need a reliable internet connection and a computer that can handle streaming video content. Most courses aren’t delivered live, so you won’t need a webcam or microphone. If your course has any additional hardware or software requirements, these should be explained in the course description. Be sure to test out any equipment you need ahead of time.

3. Use the right study resources

Some courses may have their own required reading materials, but if you want to brush up on your knowledge of IT basics, consider checking out one of these books: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold is a good place to start, as is Information Technology Essentials by Eric Frick.

Career Outlook for Information Technology

Online information technology (IT) courses provide you a flexible and affordable path to developing the latest, most sought-after technology skills and advancing your IT career. An IT certification can open doors to a wide range of job opportunities, from website development to helpdesk support. Below are a some additional jobs related to information technology:

IT support specialist

IT support specialists fix computers, software, and networks for companies and individuals. Due to the customer service nature of the position, these professionals often work more nights and weekends than other IT professionals. IT support specialists may also train end users on the effective and secure use of various technologies to increase productivity and efficiency. The median annual salary for IT support specialists is $57,910 .

Software developer

The field of software development is expected to grow 25% by 2031. Individuals who work in software development study, design, and administer computer programs to fulfill employer or user needs. These problem-solving and code-writing experts also update and troubleshoot software after its initial design, and document any changes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers earn a median annual salary of $109,020 .

Information security analyst

Information security analysts protect a company’s computer network and data from hackers and data breaches. Most information security analysts work for financial, government, and technology companies that store sensitive data, safeguarding data by building, maintaining, and monitoring firewalls, data encryption systems, and other software. Many of these professionals also practice attacking their clients’ software systems to find vulnerabilities they need to address to ensure privacy. Individuals who work as information security analysts earn a median salary of $102,600 , according to the BLS.

Web developer

Web developers create and maintain websites. The process commonly involves creating a website using coding languages such as HTML, JavaScript, or SQL and then testing the usability of its layout, functions, and navigation. Projected to see a 23%increase from 2021 to 2031, the field of web development is growing much faster than the average occupation. Web developers also handle a site’s technical aspects, like speed and capacity (how much traffic it can handle). The average web developer makes roughly $78,300 annually .

Computer network architects

Typically a senior-level position within IT, computer network architects design, build, manage, and troubleshoot data communication networks for organizations and companies, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. These professionals, also known as network engineers, also ensure the effective operation of the network infrastructure of networks to ensure they operate effectively — this includes the installation of routers, cables, modems, and other necessary hardware and software. The median annual wage for computer network architects is $120,520, according to the BLS in May 2021 .

Educational requirements for careers in information technology

Employers prefer IT professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher, especially those who will work in information security, network architecture, and software development. However, although there are no set educational criteria, it may be difficult to get entry-level IT work without a high school diploma or associate degree. Nevertheless, industry hopefuls can improve their chances of being hired by earning certifications, which are highly valued in the IT industry. In fact, a few well-chosen online courses, along with the ability to demonstrate one’s competence, can be all that’s needed to launch a successful IT career.

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Courses

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the medium wage for all IT occupations is $91,250, and the field will grow 11 percent over the next decade.

Are there free online information technology courses?

Yes, several of the courses on this list are free, and only cost money if you want to get a formal certificate upon completion.

How long is the average online information technology course?

Some online IT courses can be completed in less than 5 hours of study. Others contain multiple modules and are designed to take several weeks or months.

Can I get an IT degree online?

Yes, you can get a bachelor’s degree in IT entirely online, but this will likely take 2 or more years, just like any other college course.

Can I teach myself information technology?

That depends on how you define “self-taught”. Some IT professionals get into the field without ever getting a formal degree, but they may still take online courses to learn new programs and refine their skills. Many online IT courses are self-directed, so you can learn at your own pace, while benefiting from a structured lesson plan.

Which IT skills are in demand?

While the field is always changing, the most in-demand IT skills include data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

Interested in a degree instead?

Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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10 Best Websites For Affordable Online Courses In 2024

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We’ve researched dozens of online courses for the best educational learning platforms — these are our top 10 picks.

Many of us follow a pretty typical education trajectory: elementary school, middle school, high school. Some of us go on to college or university, and others go even further, earning higher degrees and making careers in academia. No matter how far your formal education journey takes you, learning doesn’t have to stop there. We can continue learning—whether for career advancement or simply for fun.

Why should you take online courses?

Online learning platforms offer lots of advantages for anyone looking to advance their career or learn something new. They are flexible and accessible in comparison to in person classes, as you’ll be able to access course materials anytime and anywhere you have access to a computer and an internet connection. Most online courses allow for self-paced learning, making it easier to commit and follow through with the workload as your personal schedule and priorities shift (here’s our tips on how to stay productive while learning remotely ). You can even access online courses from institutions anywhere across the globe, allowing you to learn from top experts without having to leave your home. 

You’ll find online courses are also more affordable than in-person lectures. By studying online, you’ll save tons of money that would typically be spent on commuting and accommodations. Online courses, by comparison, are also cheaper than traditional in-person classes, making it easier for you to advance your skills on your terms. 

That’s why we love these ten learning platforms that are leading the way in online education. These websites are free or low-cost and offer courses from a wide spectrum of topics like knife and cooking basics to graphic design and mobile development. For the tech lover, language learner, or aspiring artist, there’s something for everyone. 

Our criteria:

Our team has audited dozens of online courses and learning platforms courses, as well as scoured thousands of customer reviews for this round-up of our favorite educational websites. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet our criteria below:

• AVAILABILITY OF EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | These online course websites offer a wide selection of courses taught by certified professionals who have authority in their industry.
• RANGE OF COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED | Each of these learning websites provide courses and certifications for various relevant and in-demand skills, topics, and professions.
• AFFORDABILITY | We’ve prioritized low-cost and free online learning platforms on this list.

No matter where you are in the world or your educational background, let’s keep learning together with these online training and certification programs.

(Psst, and for a subject close to our hearts, check out this list of our favorite online writing classes !)

Best Overall | Best For Casual Learners | Best Free Option

Best For  | Affordable classes for professional skills Features | Certifications available, courses taught by real-world experts, 210K+ courses available, 67M+ learners globally, available app Our Pick   | Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro Pricing  | À la carte ($12–$200+) 

Udemy ’s focus is to make quality education more accessible—and they’ve made some serious progress. To date, it’s achieved over 900 million enrollments around the world with courses ranging from Instagram marketing to aromatherapy. Starting at just $12, you can access more than 210,000 online courses that work with your pace and your lifestyle—plus, it’s yours forever. There’s a reason why businesses like Adidas and Mercedes-Benz utilize Udemy for their teams. Available in many languages and accessible around the world, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking up Udemy’s trial offer—time to get to learning!

2. Coursera

Best For  | On-demand higher education degrees, university certificates, and credits Features | Certifications & degrees available, courses taught by experts from 275+ leading universities & companies, ability to earn recognized credentials, available app Our Pick   | Modern Art And Ideas Pricing  | Guided projects (starting at $10/per course); Specialized program (starting at $49/month); degrees (starting at $9K/per)

Coursera believes that everyone should be able to learn anywhere, anytime, and from the world’s top education providers. Since then, it’s reached over 129 million learners and partnered with more than 275 universities to bring all kinds of content to users. Whether you’re looking for a general course, a specific specialization, or a university-recognized degree, Coursera will be your one-stop-shop. You’ll find specializations in topics like data science or econometrics as well as degrees that can be taught over one to four years.

3. Masterclass

Best For  | On-demand classes from industry experts across fields Features | Courses taught by globally-recognized icons & experts, 200+ classes available, available app, available on Roku & Amazon Our Pick   | Sara Blakely Teaches Self-Made Entrepreneurship Pricing  | Starting at $120/year (Unlimited classes)

Masterclass brings revered and renowned heroes, icons, and experts to your screen for one-on-one classes in their areas of expertise. Whether you’re learning acting from Natalie Portman, scientific thinking from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, or self-expression from famed queen of drag RuPaul, each practice and process is broken down into an average of 20 on-demand, cinematically produced video lessons and a downloadable workbook with optional assignments. With over 200 instructors offering high quality education and insight, the fields you can explore are endless.

Best For  | Self-paced college courses from top institutions Features | Certifications & degrees available, courses taught by experts & professors, partnered with universities, 4,400+ programs available, 81M+ learners, available app Our Pick   | IBM: Software Engineering Basics for Everyone Pricing  | Free–$25,000+ (Online Master’s Degrees)

What happens when two of the most prestigious higher education institutions come together for open learning? edX . Harvard and MIT collaborated to create the only MOOC (massive online open courses) provider and nonprofit around. Today, it works with more than 250 partners, including MIT, Columbia University, and Georgia Tech, to name a few. The online learning options run the gamut: you can choose one course or an online Master’s Degrees, with a range of professional certificates and “micro” Master’s programs.

5. Skillshare

Best For  | Accessible classes for personal and business development Features | Certifications available, courses taught by knowledgeable teachers, available app Our Pick   | Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design Pricing  | Free, Premium ($32/month or $168 annually)

Skillshare offers more than 34,000 classes to anyone, anywhere, based on design, business, tech, and more. It prides itself on providing more than just access to education; Skillshare considers itself an online learning community of more than 830K active members. At Skillshare, you can learn skills, network with others, and discover new opportunities, all in one place. There are classes available for free (check out “Going Freelance” or “Intro to SEO”), or if you upgrade to Premium you can unlock even more. Those funds enable them to pay teachers, and you’ll have access to classes offline and without ads. Not sure if you can afford them? Skillshare offers plenty of scholarships (and free or low-cost trials), too, so there is something for everyone.

6. LinkedIn Learning

Best For  | Professional development Features | Certifications available, courses taught by industry professionals, personalized course recommendations, available app Our Pick   | Project Management Foundations Pricing  | Starts at $20/month (Unlimited classes)

You’ve likely already heard of LinkedIn, and may even currently use it for networking and job-searching. But the employment-oriented service also offers online education. With LinkedIn Learning , you gain access to over 20,000 expert-led classes across business, technology, and creative. (Dozens are added every week and there’s no limit to how many you can watch.) The platform also provides personalized course recommendations based on your skills. With classes available in 13 languages, you can download exercise files so you can practice while you learn and will earn a certificate for each class you complete.

Best For  | Free online classes for endless learning Features | Certifications & diplomas available, courses taught by the world’s leading experts, 6M+ graduates across the globe, available app Our Pick   | Introduction to Spanish Pricing  | Free, paid certifications/diplomas available

No matter what your interest is, Alison likely has a course for you, including ones that offer certifications and diplomas. Completely free to use, payment only comes in with certified or diploma courses. Otherwise, you can learn to your heart’s content on topics like project management, web design, or amateur French and German. Not sure where to start? Check out the Career Guide for many career paths and associated class options. From architecture to manufacturing to human services, you can find knowledgeable instructors and high-quality content for every imaginable subject.

Best For  | Online classes for in-demand tech and programming skills Features | Certifications & nanodegrees available, courses taught by industry experts, 205K nanodegree certifications earned, available app Our Pick   |  Intro to Programming Pricing  | Starts at $249/month (Unlimited classes)

Students first—that’s the policy of Udacity , an online learning platform started by two Stanford instructors who knew that offering up quality education would revolutionize the future of learning. What began as an “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course soon became hundreds of classes that focus on in-demand skills like virtual reality, full-stack development, and even self-driving cars. Ideal if you’re looking for a job in the world of tech or programming, Udacity’s classes are free. You only have to pay if you want to pursue a “nanodegree” which takes you down a specific career path.

9. Khan Academy

Best For  | Nonprofit based learning courses for students pre-k to college Features | Classes taught by teachers and experts, available in 36 languages, available app Our Pick   | Official LSAT® Prep Pricing  | Free

Khan Academy is a non-for-profit learning resource with a mission to empower students’ education through their accessible online platform. Started by one man who simply wanted to tutor math to his cousin, the company has now grown into a huge team that’s committed to offering world class educational skills. Here, you’ll find foundational school courses ranging from 6th grade math and AP college physics to SAT test prep and financial literacy classes. Best of all, these courses are self-paced, offer both instructional videos and exercises, and are 100% free! Take your growth into your own hands and at your own pace.

10. Catapult

Best For  | Zoom classes and virtual workshops for writers Features | Courses taught by industry experts, online and in-class options available  Our Pick   | 6-Week Open-Genre Generative Seminar: From First Thought to First Draft Pricing  | À la carte ($15 for independent study—$6,000+ for year long course)

Writers and readers looking for a community love Catapult for the wide variety of online classes, workshops, independent studies, and seminars offered in all genres. Take a generative fiction class, dig into revision techniques for your novel, or learn how to write a query letter to agents from leading writing and publishing professionals on a day-job-friendly schedule. You can even join a class to read and study books with other writers! Our team has taken multiple classes and loved our experiences, especially the connections we have made with other writers around the world.

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If you’ve already streamed your favorite series for the third time, and you’ve hit a wall with your latest game, what should you do while you’re sheltering at home? Well, maybe pick up a new skill or hobby by taking a class.

There is a huge number of courses available online, from coding to history to languages, and a lot of different resources to choose from. Below, we’ve listed some of the major sites where you can find online classes, some you can attend in real time and others you can pop into at your leisure.

While many of these websites charge fees for memberships or specific classes, we’ve indicated which ones also offer free courses.

Code Academy

Code Academy offers courses on computer science, data science, and web development. You can sign up for the free plan , which gives you access to 25 courses, or you can opt for the Pro level for $19.99 a month, which comes with 65 courses as well as exercises, quizzes, and projects. Signing up for the Pro subscription also gets you access to Code Academy’s “paths,” class sequences that can help you prepare for a specific career or learn a specific skill.

Sample Courses: Introduction to HTML ; Make a Website ; Learn SQL

Coursera is one of the most well-known platforms for online classes, and its catalog is so extensive that you could even complete a degree on the site. It hosts courses from institutions and organizations, including Google, Stanford, and, more recently, MoMA in a broad range of subjects. You can join Coursera for free, and you can audit many of the classes for free , but you will have to pay if you want a course certificate, to submit assignments, or get grades. Some courses have a one-time fee , or you can pay a monthly subscription fee to access a related set of courses, called a “Specialization.” You can also pay a yearly subscription fee for Coursera Plus , which gives you access to and allows you to earn certificates for most of Coursera’s classes. ( Here’s a full list .)

Sample Courses: Yale’s The Science of Well-Being ; Stanford’s Machine Learning ; MoMA’s Seeing through Photographs

edX was founded by Harvard and MIT, and it partners with other universities, including Berkeley, Brown, and Cornell, to provide courses online. The site has a broad variety of classes, including subjects that range from data sciences to the arts and humanities. Most courses are available for free , but you will typically have to pay between $50 and $300 to be able to submit assignments for feedback and to receive a certificate.

Sample Courses: Berkeley’s The Science of Happiness ; NYU’s Basics of Computing and Programming ; Harvard’s Modern Masterpieces of World Literature

Harvard University

If you really want to take a Harvard course, the university lists its online courses on its website. (These listings link to edX, which is where you can take the class.) Harvard offers courses on a variety of subjects; the classes go from two to over 12 weeks. The site lets you easily filter the results to find free courses . The paid courses cost anywhere from $30 to over $3,000, and if you want a certificate to prove you’ve finished a free course, that will come with an additional fee. (The ones we looked at ranged from $49 to $169.)

Sample Courses: Introduction to Computer Science ; Religion, Conflict and Peace ; Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science

Kadenze offers courses on art and technology — everything from graphic design to preparing for a career in media to learning an instrument. While some of these courses are created by Kadenze, others come from institutions such as the Maryland Institute College of Art, Berklee College of Music, Stanford, and Columbia. You can sign up for the free subscription, which allows you to enroll in the courses , but you can’t submit assignments or receive college credit. To get access to additional course content, submit assignments, and receive grades, you can sign up for the Premium plan , which costs $20 a month. In order to earn credit for the course, you’ll have to pay $300 per credit on top of that monthly subscription fee.

Sample Courses: Gender, Race and Technology ; Careers in Media Technology ; Guitar for Beginners

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a nonprofit designed as a resource to support students from preschool through high school, and it offers all of its courses for free. It includes courses in math, science, and engineering, as well as in the arts and humanities. It does offer some courses that may be useful for people who are no longer students, such as career advice, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and MCAT and LSAT test prep.

Sample Courses: Navigate your career ; Algorithms ; Statistics and probability

Like Kadenze, Skillshare offers courses mainly in the arts, with classes in animation, music, photography, and creative writing, but also offers instruction in business, technology, and marketing. Its course catalog is intended to encourage creativity and help people build creative skills into careers. Skillshare has a number of courses available for free , but to access the full catalog of courses, you have to pay for a premium membership of either $19 a month or $99 a year.

Sample Courses: How to Make a Podcast ; Building Your Freelance Business ; Demystifying Graphic Design

Udemy has a collection of 100,000 courses available, most of which tend to be career-focused, with subjects such as finance and accounting, office productivity, programming, and marketing. However, Udemy also offers courses on subjects such as music, lifestyle, personal development, and health and fitness. While most of Udemy’s courses have a fee associated, you can filter your results to see the courses Udemy offers for free ; however, you won’t earn a certificate or be able to communicate with the instructor like you would in a paid course.

Sample Courses: Best Practices for Working Remotely ; Getting Started with Playing Guitar ; Free Digital Marketing Basics Course

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8 Online Learning Platforms That Allow You To Move At Your Own Pace

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The world is constantly changing whether we like it or not. While many of us are spending more time at home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still possible to expand your knowledge and skill set—for personal or professional growth—by taking advantage of low-cost online learning platforms.

Online learning is an easy way to expand your professional skillset, acquire new knowledge, or focus ... [+] on personal enrichment.

As you’re about to discover, a variety of websites offer online courses that allow you to participate in classes, workshops or seminars taught by world-renowned instructors. Best of all, you can typically take advantage of these on-demand learning opportunities around your own schedule and at your own pace. You can also use your own device to take these classes, obtain new certifications or expand your professional skillset, and then use your newfound knowledge to command a higher salary or make yourself a more desirable applicant when applying for a job. Of course, you can also take advantage of these services for your own personal enrichment by pursuing knowledge related to subjects or hobbies of interest.

The online learning opportunities you’re about to discover are all free or affordable, but only some offer actual accreditations or recognized diplomas. Others simply offer knowledge or the ability to enhance your skill set relating to almost any topic imaginable. So if you’re looking to expand your horizons in 2022, let’s take a look at 10 online-based services that offer a wide selection of eLearning opportunities.

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Masterclass

MasterClass

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For between $15 and $23 per month, MasterClass gives you unlimited access to more than 150 premium-quality classes (each containing an average of 20 lessons that are at least 10 minutes in length) taught by A-list celebrities, business leaders, U.S. Presidents, bestselling authors, world-renowned chefs, professional athletes and pioneers in their respective fields.

Covering categories like food, design & style, music, writing, wellness, photography, government and sports, these are primarily personal enrichment courses that allow you learn all about the specific subjects you’re interested in—at your own pace.

You can stream and watch MasterClass programs can be streamed and watches using almost any connected device with a display. In addition to the on-demand programming, the “MasterClass Sessions” classes offer a more interactive and hands-on approach to learning that includes interaction with fellow participants and teaching assistants.

Finding a course you’re interested in is easy thanks to a menu that starts by listing subject categories. Select a category, and then browse through each relevant course that’s offered. Upon clicking on a specific course, you can read an overview of what’s covered, watch a sample lesson and determine the class length.

All of the MasterClass courses feature broadcast-quality production with crystal-clear audio and video that’s presented in a highly engaging way. Nowhere else can you learn about writing thrillers from an instructor like Dan Brown, learn how to create restaurant-quality meals at home from the likes of Gordon Ramsay or develop inclusive leadership skills with the help of President Bill Clinton.

Peruse More Than 40,000 Online Classes

Online learning: courses and classes on skillshare.

For a mere $14 per month (with no long-term commitment), SkillShare gives you unlimited access to thousands of hands-on classes related to all aspects of creativity—such as writing, illustration, design, photography, videography, cooking, baking and more. Whether you want to develop new skills, find yourself a hobby, deepen your existing passion for a creative activity or find new and interesting ways to spend your time, the classes offered by SkillShare are all produced and taught by experts and industry leaders.

Beyond personal enrichment classes, SkillShare offers a selection of entrepreneurship, business, marketing, and leadership classes that will help you round out your professional skillset and better prepare you for the fast-changing job market.

What’s great about SkillShare is that it’s accessible from any mobile device, so from your tablet, for example, you can stream or download the necessary content and then do your learning from virtually anywhere. The class descriptions are detailed, so at a glance, you’ll know exactly what will be covered, who will be teaching, what materials are needed and how long the class will take to complete.

R egulatory-Approved Certification

360Training

360Training (Regulatory-Required Career Training Courses)

If you work in an occupation or for an employer that must meet a wide range of governmental regulations related to food and beverage, real estate, insurance, Human Resources or environmental health and safety, for example, you’ll likely need to undergo rigorous training to ensure you have the knowledge needed to be compliant.

360Training.com is a one-stop shop for acquiring the regulatory-approved training you need. Your work is automatically saved in the cloud as you progress through the courses, so you can pick up where you left off at a later time, even if you’re using a different computer or mobile device.

All of the company’s more than 6,000 courses are always up to date with the latest regulations and allow you to create all of the reports needed for your employer upon completion. The courses are well-produced and highly interactive. Prices vary based on the course, but most are extremely affordable.

Classes From World-Class Universities And Companies

Coursera online courses & credentials from top educators.

Coursera allows participants to build their skills with courses, certificates and degrees using eLearning programs prepared and presented by instructors from more than 200 world-class universities and companies.

In addition to in-depth courses that cover a wide range of subjects, Coursera offers more than 4,000 programs that can be completed in just one day and that can help expand your professional skill set or focus on personal enrichment. For example, you can learn about problem solving using computational thinking from an instructor who teaches at University of Michigan, and on another day learn all about music for wellness from an instructor from the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

Coursera reports that 87% of people learning for professional development experience career benefits, like landing a promotion, earning a raise or finding a new career and job altogether, which is probably why more than 87 million people have turned to this service as their primary source for online learning.

Some courses offered by Coursera are free, while the more in-depth and longer courses have individual fees or a required subscription associated with them. For example, a professional certificate in a chosen subject will cost $39 per month, with a time requirement of between one and six months, while a MasterTrack Certificate will take between four and seven months to complete and has a starting cost of $2,000. A Coursera Plus subscription gives you access to more than 3,000 courses for a $59 flat monthly fee (or $399 per year), which you can cancel anytime.

Take Classes From More Than 160 Member Universities

Since its formation in 2012, edX has been a free, not-for-profit online learning service created as a joint venture by several prestigious universities, including Harvard and MIT. With more than 160 content partners, edX now offers more than 3,500 courses, has had more than 110 million enrollments, and has issued more than 1.4 million verified course certificates.

In late-2021, edX joined forces with a for-profit company, called 2U. What you’ll discover from the edX website is the opportunity to participate in courses that cover more than 30 subjects—from architecture and art, to biology, business, and computer programming.

There are also eLearning opportunities that allow participants to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or a professional certificate, for example. If you want to learn without the ability to earn a degree or certificate, almost all of edX’s offerings are free. There are low fees associated with more advanced courses, however, and these typically offer certificates or degrees upon completion.

FutureLearn Offers Hundreds Of Free Courses

FutureLearn

FutureLearn: Online Courses and Degrees from Top Universities

FutureLearn offers a vast selection of online-based courses that are taught by professors from world class universities and industry experts. You can choose courses designed to teach new new skills or prepare you for a job or career charge, or find enrichment classes that will help you pursue a particular interest or engage more fully in a chosen hobby.

For example, the service offers a vast selection of what it calls “boredom buster” classes that’ll help you learn a new language, pursue a new hobby or somehow enhance your personal skill set.

Most of the courses offered by FutureLearn are designed to be completed within six to 10 weeks, but a selection of shorter duration classes are also available in each subject category. Some eLearning courses offered by FutureLearn are free. In some cases, you can pay by the class, or there’s a subscription program that gives you unlimited access to hundreds of short courses.

Take Personal and Professional Growth Courses

Iversity.org.

What’s unique about iversity is that the service offers online learning opportunities that are taught in more than a dozen different languages and the service attracts a global community of participants. The course catalog is extremely diverse and focuses on both personal and professional enrichment. Pricing varies based on each course and its duration.

Expand Your Mind With New Knowledge

Mindvalley: the premier personal growth learning platform.

For a monthly membership fee starting at just $42, you’ll gain access to MindValley’s vast selection of online courses and programs, many of which allow participants to discover “transformational wisdom and ideas” that are not typically covered in mainstream learning. The courses focus on body, mind, soul, relationships, career performance, money and entrepreneurship.

After registering, your learning journey begins with a 22-minute online assessment that’s designed to reveal which areas of your life require the most urgent attention. Based on the test results, you’ll be able to choose the right learning “quests” for your personal needs and goals, effectively designing your own learning curriculum.

Mindvalley works with highly skilled and experienced instructors who are experts in their subject matter. Most of the courses utilize micro-learning, which breaks up the content into lessons that take less than 20 minutes each to complete. In addition to the classes themselves, MindValley hosts a vast online community that allows students to interact with each other, ask questions and engage in discussions while pursuing their education.

While you can access MindValley using any Internet-connected computer or smart TV, the service has specialized mobile apps for smartphones and tablets available from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) and Google Play Store (Android-based devices).

An Interactive Way To Learn Another Language

Rosette Stone

Rosetta Stone: Learn Any Of 25 Languages

If you’ve always dreamed of learning to speak a foreign language but didn't want to invest the time and effort required, Rosetta Store offers a proprietary, unique and interactive learning method that takes just a few minutes per day. It relies on the interactive capabilities of your computer or mobile device to teach you the language of your choice in a manner that’s easy, efficient, fun and convenient.

Choose to learn any of 25 different languages, and then participate in virtual real-world scenarios, interactive activities, games and audio instruction that allow you to learn words and phrases that you can practice using in multiple contexts, all the while receiving instant feedback on your pronunciation and comprehension.

Choose From Thousands Of Udemy Courses

Udemy offers a vast mishmash of learning opportunities taught by independent instructors. They set their own pricing for the eLearning programs they create for the platform, although many courses are priced at just $14.

From the Udemy website, you can choose your area of interest and then browse through the dozens (or, in some cases, hundreds) of individual classes related to the selected subject.

The trick to choosing the best classes is to define your learning goals in advance and then read each course description carefully. Pay extra attention to the “What You’ll Learn” section of each class description, but also focus on the credentials of the instructor and the average star-based rating the course has earned from past participants. For example, a class that’s earned a 4.5 or higher star-based rating (out of five stars) based on thousands of individual ratings from past participants is a good indication that the course is top-notch.

All classes offer a short preview, so you can see a sampling of the content and its production quality, see how the information is presented and get acquainted with the instructor before registering and paying for the course. To date, more than 45 million people have taken online courses via Udemy, which now offers more than 175,000 individual course options.

What To Consider Before Signing Up For An eLearning Experience

Before signing up to take any eLearning classes, figure out what topics or subjects you’re interested in and what you’re looking to get out of the experience. Next, consider how much of a time commitment you’re willing to make, and your budget.

Then, as you’re evaluating specific eLearning opportunities, consider the contents of the curriculum, the instructor’s qualifications, and the format of the classes or program. Take into account how you personally enjoy learning new information—whether it’s through interactive experiences, watching and listening to a lecture, seeing live or video-based demonstrations, or reading text-based material, for example.

Some opportunities virtually replicate an in-person college or graduate-level learning experience that provides interaction with the instructor, while others offer more passive instructional videos or require the student to rely heavily on reading eBook-style textbooks. With a little bit of research, you should have no trouble finding courses that cover the subjects you’re interested in and that nicely cater to your learning needs and schedule.

Understand How Pricing Works

To get you started, most of these online learning services offer a free trial period with an easy sign up process. However, not all of them are upfront about ongoing pricing once the trial period ends.

Yes, some of these services do offer unlimited free classes, or at least free introductory classes. Some, however, charge you a per-class fee, monthly subscription fee or an annual fee to participate in an entire class or to acquire unlimited access to some or all of the classes offered.

Before investing too much time in a specific class, determine the fees involved with registering and completing the desired curriculum (if any), and for higher learning, figure out whether you’ll need to pay extra to receive a certificate, degree or accreditation upon completing the class. Also determine if you'll need to pay extra to purchase course materials.

YouTube Has A Vat Of Free Educational Content

Regardless of what you’re looking to learn, consider checking out what’s available for free on YouTube. Here, you’ll find an ever-growing library of educational video content relating to any topic imaginable.

Within YouTube’s Search field, simply enter the topic or subject you’re interested in, or enter a question relating to knowledge you want to acquire. When choosing which videos to watch, pay attention to each video’s title, description, instructor, the number of views it’s received and the number of Likes it’s earned. This will help you weed out content that’s not directly of interest to you.

Access YouTube using any web browser on your computer or smart TV, or from your mobile device using the official (and free) YouTube mobile app, which is available from the Apple App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). Pro-tip: A YouTube Premium subscription gets rid of those pesky ads.

An iPad Makes Online Learning Easier And Convenient

With a starting price of $329, the Apple iPad offers a convenient way to participate in any eLearning experience from virtually anywhere—without having to lug around any heavy equipment. Using the iPad’s multitasking capabilities, for example, you can open an eLearning service’s website or proprietary mobile app and view it on half the screen, while taking notes using a note taking app on the other half of the screen, or instantly switch between apps with a finger swipe.

The iPad is also ideal for creatives looking to work on their design skills, as you can purchase an Apple Pencil separately. Whether you’re drawing, taking notes or looking for more fine-tuned control in a bevy of creative apps, it’s an invaluable tool.

iPad 10.2-inch

The 64GB iPad offers enough internal storage space to download and store plenty of online course content to watch anytime, and you can stream the content whenever a connection is handy. You may want to consider bumping up to the next storage tier if you’re going for something in the creative field, especially video creation.

The iPad weighs just 1.07 pounds, offers a beautiful 10.2-inch display, and is powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic processor. It runs iPadOS 15—the latest mobile operating system for Apple’s tablets—which comes bundled with a wide range of powerful apps. More than a million additional iPad-specific apps are available from the App Store, including proprietary apps for most of the popular eLearning services.

With a battery life that lasts up to 10 hours between charges, the iPad is an ideal tool to use in conjunction with any online-based learning experience, especially if you want to participate in online classes without having to sit at a desk in front of a computer.

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• Feb 2, 2024
• 16 min read

30 Best Websites for Online Courses You Must Try

Some of them are free!

Melina Theodorou

Career and Culture Writer

Reviewed by Chris Leitch

The workplace landscape is constantly reinventing itself. Indeed, with technology dominating most industries, many professionals have had to adapt rapidly to these changes by committing to  lifelong learning .

Luckily enough, online courses sites have made this process easier, giving people around the world the opportunity to  advance their careers  and secure the tools needed to succeed within their chosen professions.

Whether you’re at the  beginning of your career , looking to make a change or eyeing a  promotion , expanding your skills and knowledge is always a wise move.

Here are 30 online learning sites trusted by thousands of people around the world, to he­lp you get started.

1. Coursera

Free courses, paid courses and membership available ($59/month)

Founded by two computer science professors at Stanford University, Coursera is one of the most prominent online course websites around.

At Coursera, you can pursue a variety of specializations, professional certifications and online degrees offered by world-class academic institutions and organizations from all around the world. Be it a Configuration Management course by Google or a Financial Markets course by Yale University, there’s something for everyone.

With Coursera, you have the option to pay for individual courses or sign up for a monthly membership, while there are also quite a few free courses you can embark on, too.

Free courses, paid courses and membership available ($20/month)

As far as online courses websites go, Udemy has the largest selection of subjects out there.

With 57 million learners and over 210,000 courses on offer, Udemy is one of the most popular and reliable online learning sites available today. The site is home to a variety of online video courses, delivered by top instructors and experts across numerous industries. You can browse course options through different categories.

What’s great about Udemy is the diversity of options available at your fingertips. You’re afforded the opportunity to  develop your career  but also pursue other passions, from photography and baking to yoga , arts and crafts and beyond!

3. FutureLearn

Free courses, paid courses and membership available ($20.42/month)

At FutureLearn, you can find anything between short online courses, online degrees and microcredentials. The site partners with renowned universities and institutions to provide its online learners with an impressive course catalog to choose from.

Courses consist of pre-recorded video lectures and sections where you can join online discussions with others undertaking the same course!

Most courses are free to access for a limited time, but if you want unlimited access to the materials as well as your certification, you’ll need to pay for an upgrade.

4. MasterClass

Monthly memberships from $10

MasterClass is a unique product; where else could you take online classes from the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Annie Leibovitz, Serena Williams and Martin Scorsese?

The site gives you exclusive access to online classes by industry giants, sports legends and field experts who share their creative process, skills, industry secrets, and stories on their successes and failures.

You can pick from over 200 classes across 11 categories including arts and entertainment, business, sports, gaming and cooking, with new classes being added every month. Each course comes with a PDF workbook, and there’s also an option to download and watch your classes offline, too.

5. Domestika

Free courses, paid courses and membership available ($6.99/month)

Domestika is focused on developing creative online courses. Each course is instructed by an industry expert who will guide you through the process of learning a new skill or refining an existing one. Whether you want to learn more about calligraphy, 3D animation, sewing or Adobe software, there’s a course for all creative types .

You may choose to try a single course, or you could pick a ready-made bundle which consists of three courses that complement or build up on each other. You can also choose to assemble your own bundle.

There’s also the option of becoming a Domestika Plus member and benefiting from perks like access to thousands of courses at no additional cost, plus personalized certificates of completion. The site also has a featured projects page, where it showcases the finished work of its members.

6. SheCodes

Free and paid courses available

SheCodes has a noble mission: to decrease the gender gap in the tech industry. How? By offering online coding workshops to women.

SheCodes has so far enabled nearly 200,000 women around the world to broaden their skill set. You can enroll in different workshops, depending on how much time (and money!) you want to invest; durations range from three weeks to eight months.

All workshops, however, come with the advantage of live help and the opportunity to interact with instructors and other students in real time through Slack chats.

All courses on offer are for absolute beginners, and you have the option to upgrade to another package later.

7. The Open University

The Open University is a leading distance-learning platform. Its main objective is to open higher education to all, regardless of location or circumstances.

With the OU, you can undertake any type of course, including honors degrees, foundation programs, postgraduate diplomas, open qualifications and short courses.

The OU also offers its students a lot of flexibility, with 70% of its student body being in full-time employment . You can enroll either as a part-time or full-time time student and fit your classes around your own schedule without fuss.

edX teams up with leading academic institutions from around the world to bring its users advanced educational courses from every faculty and industry. Its programs range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the specialty you choose, and you can enroll in most for free. However, if you want to receive a verified certification, you’ll need to pay a fee.

edX also offers microbachelors and micromasters programs that are specifically designed to help with your career advancement or set you on the right career path. There’s also XSeries courses that can help you attain a deeper understanding of a specific topic and executive education courses that are meant to help  corporate leaders  excel in their roles.

Free courses and monthly membership available ($7.99/month)

Alison is another great platform if you want to upskill yourself. All courses are free, and with over 4,000 courses to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Once you enroll in a program, you can take as much time as you want to complete it, and you can keep track of your progress on your very own learner dashboard.

You also have the option to go premium, meaning you can pay $7.99 a month to remove all ads from your courses and receive monthly discounts for certificates and diplomas.

10. Upskillist

Monthly subscription required ($34.99/month); free trial available

Upskillist (formerly Shaw Academy) offers a wide range of programs, all of which you can sign up for free for seven days. Afterwards, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of $34.99 to continue learning post-trial.

You’ll have the flexibility to plan your classes according to your schedule and the ability to stream lessons on your device, be it a laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. At the end, you’ll have a globally recognized certification which you can use to advance or kickstart your career.

11. Harvard University

Do you want to study at one of the  best universities in the world ? Harvard University’s online courses give people the opportunity to advance their skills and enrich their knowledge on a variety of subjects.

Course duration ranges from one week to a few months, depending on the course you select, and while some will require you to pay a fee, others are completely free to attend. There are also different levels of difficulty, so you can choose between beginner, intermediate or advanced-level programs.

12. Skillshare

Monthly membership for $32

Skillshare is the perfect place to expand your professional skill set. Online classes are taught by teachers who are experts in their domain, and you can participate in interactive projects with others and gain practical experience while honing your skills. You can also join groups that are relevant to your interests and meet other like-minded individuals through the platform.

While a monthly fee is required, Skillshare gives new users one month’s worth of free access to its courses. You can also apply for Skillshare scholarships which will give you unlimited access to all classes.

13. LinkedIn Learning

Monthly membership for $19.99

LinkedIn is not just a  powerful networking tool . Indeed, LinkedIn Learning offers expert-led courses, allowing you to earn professional certificates that will undoubtedly make a great addition to your résumé.

You can join for free for a month, after which you’ll have to pay $19.99 a month to maintain access to courses. There are over 18,000 of them to choose from, with the catalog expanding each week, currently encompassing a wealth of subjects from image editing to management and everything in between.

14. codecademy

Free and paid plans available from $14.99/month

Ever wanted to  learn how to code ? Coding is increasingly becoming a key skill in the workplace, and something which could give you a certain edge over other candidates.

With codecademy, you can access step-by-step computer programming tutorials for free. Indeed, you can choose from various  programming languages , such as Python, Java, HTML and JavaScript, and receive instruction on subjects like front-end development, web design and machine learning. There are even free courses on generative AI and ChatGPT.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can take codecademy’s quiz, which will test your level of knowledge and come up with recommended coding courses for you.

15. Pluralsight

Paid plans available from $29/month

Pluralsight specializes in helping professionals develop the  skills of tomorrow  through their courses. You can pick between two paid membership plans: Standard and Premium. The former gives you access to a library of 5,000 courses, while the latter lets you view their full selection of 7,000 courses as well as exam preparation material for industry-leading certifications.

Through their technology skills platform, you can assess your current skills and gain the latest in software development, IT, AI, ops, machine learning and security. You’ll even be able to take practice exams and assess your knowledge gaps through skill assessments.

16. iversity

iversity’s courses are placed under four categories: MOOCs (massive open online courses), PRO, Espresso and Sets. The site has a quite diverse range of subjects, too, ranging from architecture to biotechnology and management to data analysis.

Bundle courses are a combination package of a course along with an accompanying eBook on the relevant topic. Meanwhile, the platform offers some courses in different languages , too, mainly German but also French, Italian, Portuguese, Serbian, Russian, Bengali and Spanish.

17. CareerFoundry

CareerFoundry’s courses have been designed to transform complete beginners into job-ready professionals. Their platform enables the development of in-demand tech skills, including how to use AI effectively and ethically, and it’s all available online at a flexible pace.

Their course selection includes digital marketing, UI/UX design, data analytics, web development, product management and product design.

What’s great about this platform is that it also lets recruiters and hiring managers browse CareerFoundry graduates when searching to fill vacancies. Once you complete your course, you can join a network of 7,000 graduates connected to employers!

18. Open Yale Courses

Free courses available

Though learning a new skill on Open Yale Courses doesn’t lead to certification, the online platform still provides access to introductory lessons taught by Ivy League scholars on campus. The courses comprise video, audio and text transcript files, and require no registration for viewing.

Depending on what interests you and what industry you’re hoping to work in , you could choose from courses in engineering, philosophy, political science, psychology, and more. Each course comes with suggested readings, past exams, as well as problem sets.

19. Udacity

Free courses, paid courses and memberships available

Udacity focuses on 10 main areas: programming and development, artificial intelligence , cloud computing, data science, business, executive leadership, product management, cybersecurity, career resources, and autonomous systems.

You can find numerous programs within these categories and enroll in nanodegree programs that take four weeks to five months to complete and earn certification for.

You may also find courses that are completely free, but the drawback here is that you won’t receive a certificate upon completing them. That said, Udacity does offer financial help and discounts for their programs, so keep an eye out for them!

20. Academic Earth

Created with the premise that everyone should have access to world-class education, Academic Earth allows you to join free online  courses from top universities  around the world.

You can filter your search by school, field of study and degree type, and watch recorded lectures delivered by renowned academics. You can also gain insight when selecting a degree through the site’s degree program directory, which offers essential information about different fields including job prospects, career growth and available degree options.

21. Reed Courses

Reed Courses lets you access thousands of courses online (around 100,000 to be exact), which can quickly be sorted and displayed by price, instruction level and the type of certification you may receive at the end. As far as subjects go, there is a truly wide range of courses to choose from on this platform, from math and sciences to humanities, languages, marketing, and more.

Some of the most popular courses on Reed include Microsoft Office skills , Python programming and data science tutorials.

22. Stanford Online

You’ve heard of Stanford, but what about Stanford Online? The private research university, which ranks third in the US News’ Best National University Rankings , has a dedicated online platform that teaches various subjects, including courses in artificial intelligence, energy and sustainability, engineering, business, and more.

The materials come directly from the university’s departments, such as the Stanford School of Engineering and the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. Depending on the course’s focus, you may start learning on a self-paced schedule or be required to stick to a specific plan for the instructor-led programs.

23. Grow with Google

As of 2024, Google offers dozens of products and services that are used by more than a billion people around the world. It’s not surprising, then, to see that the tech giant has also created its own virtual classroom.

Google’s flexible online programs allow you to gain in-demand professional skills. Upon completion, you are awarded a Google career certificate which can be a great addition to your résumé . According to the platform, 75% of Google certificate graduates see a positive outcome within six months, be that landing a new job or getting a raise .

Subjects include project management, UX design and data analytics.

24. HubSpot Academy

HubSpot began as a developer and marketer of software products in 2006. Its Academy, which has so far attracted more than 165,000 professionals from around the world, has been described by TechRadar as “an industry-leading learning center for all things CRM” — though it certainly expands beyond that.

Today, you can find courses and certifications in a wide variety of subjects, like AI for marketers, social media marketing, email marketing, SEO and business analytics.

25. Drawspace

Drawspace is a website offering online courses specifically for individuals that want to build their artistic skills. So, if you’re tired of your 9 to 5 and dream of working as an illustrator or artist instead, this can be a great way to take your first steps towards that much-needed career change .

Of course, building a solid understanding of lighting, color use and textures in images can come in handy when looking to break into graphic design, too.

The learning platform has both free and paid courses, including realistic drawing techniques and portrait drawing.

26. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization created by MIT and HBS alumnus Sal Khan. It began in 2004, when Khan would tutor his cousin in mathematics over the internet. Soon, he started recording videos which he uploaded on YouTube for the rest of his family and friends to see… And seen they were by millions around the world within a few years!

Today, Khan Academy offers courses in multiple areas of study, from math and science to economics, computing, humanities, and even life skills.

27. MOOC.org

MOOC.org is an extension of edX that allows you to browse exclusively massive open online courses. These are open access courses, meaning they are entirely free and can be taken by anyone, anywhere. Some of these courses are even academic credit eligible, despite being accessible at no cost.

So, if you’ve been searching for an online learning platform offering free courses that can help you advance your career and broaden your skill set, MOOC.org can be the ideal place for you to look.

28. MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT’s OpenCourseWare was created to “unlock knowledge and empower minds”. It certainly does so by giving learners access to lecture notes, past exams and videos from MIT — for free.

The online learning library has materials that both aspiring and established tech professionals can occupy themselves with, including courses in machine learning, computer science and data science, just to name a few.

Bear in mind that MIT OpenCourseWare doesn’t offer certificates of completion. If that’s what you’re after, it’s best to check out the university’s online courses on edX.

29. SkillUp

Paid courses available

SkillUp’s mission is to “close the tech skills gap”, enabling professionals and businesses to utilize emerging technologies to grow and thrive. The courses cater to career starters, career switchers and career returners, as SkillUp names them, the latter referring to people who need to upskill following a career break .

The subjects you can study on SkillUp include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data science, to give you an indication of what you can expect to learn.

30. Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative

Regarded as one of the top universities in the US for subjects like engineering, computer science and business, Carnegie Mellon University has been around since 1900. Its Open Learning Initiative gives access to free and low-cost courses to both CMU students as well as independent learners.

Its online course catalog comprises language, sciences, mathematics, arts and humanities, programming courses, and more — truly something for everyone, regardless of what industry they work for and what change they’re looking to make professionally.

Final thoughts

Lifelong learning is a crucial factor for professional and personal growth. So, if you’re determined to advance your career and learn something along the way, these trusted online course websites will help you sharpen your existing skills as well as attain new ones.

Have you used any of these learning sites? Leave us your review in the comments section below!

Originally published on June 7, 2017. Updated by Electra Michaelidou.

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Top 5 Hybrid and Online PhD in English

• Updated on  
• Aug 27, 2024

Choosing the right and appropriate Online PhD program in English is essential because these courses can be difficult and time-consuming. As a result, it’s critical to pick a program that offers enough assistance and is aligned with your long-term objectives. It can be difficult to choose the best online PhD program in English because there are so many possibilities. Here we have come up with our research part and listed the best programs. These programs have been chosen because they are excellent in terms of academic quality, student support, program outcomes, and affordability, even though we are still working on producing our full rankings list.

This Blog Includes:

Phd in creative writing and english literature, english (online) phd, online english phd program , 100% online english literacy phd programs, hybrid online english phd program, advantages of pursuing online and hybrid phd in english , list of best hybrid and online phd in english.

There are various hybrid and online PhDs in English available for you. Here is a list of some of the of the best online degrees we mentioned in the below table: 

Learn about the PhD in Creative Writing and English Literature course below:

Manchester Metropolitan University’s Creative Writing and English Literature program is research-based. You will study a subject of your choosing or one we promote on your own. Throughout your studies, your supervisory team will provide knowledgeable direction and evaluate your work in progress. You will participate in an annual training and development program to improve your professional abilities, subject-matter knowledge, and research methodologies.

Website: https://www.phdportal.com/studies/376907/creative-writing-and-english-literature.html?ref=search_card#content:key_facts

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Learn about the English (Online) PhD course offered by the University of Nottingham below:

The majority of a PhD in English consists of independent study, with supervision meetings spaced out across the year and conducted virtually (using Microsoft Teams, for example).  A PhD has no teaching credits associated with it; instead, full-time students are required to participate in the online Arts Faculty Researcher Skills training program. During the duration of their registration, part-time students must participate in all mandatory research training, attend one postgraduate researcher (PGR) symposium, and postgraduate seminars when feasible.

Website: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/research/english-online-phd

Learn about the English PhD Program Online offered by the Texas A&M University below:

Online or mixed classroom for English PhD programs. In order to gain practical classroom experience, eligible students can also take part in tutoring or teaching assistantship programs offered by Texas A&M University that allow admittance in the fall, spring, and summer, which sets it apart from many other programs and allows you to begin your studies whenever it’s most convenient for you. Specialization options will not be desired by English majors enrolled in Texas A&M’s program. The school offers three focuses that are specific to literature in addition to two specialities in written discourse. 

Website: https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/english-phd-applied-linguistics/

Learn about the 100% online English literacy PhD programs offered by the  St. John’s University  below:

If you are interested in learning literacy. Enrol in St. John’s University’s PhD program in Literacy to equip yourself to assist students from all backgrounds in overcoming obstacles to reading competency and excelling throughout their academic journey. This program is one of the few online doctoral programs in literacy in the country. In as little as three years, you can graduate prepared to work with students, teachers, and administrators to improve learning in every subject area.

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Learn about the Hybrid Online English PhD Program offered by Old Dominion University’s below:

This Hybrid Program is offered by ODU Global which helps you to learn about Writing, rhetoric, discourse, technology, and textual studies. The program offers a flexible approach to advanced English studies, combining the convenience of online learning with in-person interactions. Students primarily take courses online but also participate in on-campus residencies, workshops, or seminars. This format caters to working professionals or those with geographic constraints. Programs typically focus on areas like literature, writing, rhetoric, or English education.

Website: https://online.odu.edu/academics/programs/english-phd

Online PhD programs are made to provide flexibility and convenience to support your academic goals, regardless of your circumstances, such as working full-time, raising a family, or living far from school. Just two of the many advantages of earning an online and hybrid PhD in English are as follows: 

• There are many different formats available for online doctorate programs in English, so you can choose the one that best suits your requirements. Certain programs, for instance, don’t require students to log in at a certain time in order to attend class because they are entirely online. 
• Real-time instruction combined with online learning is used in schools to keep pupils motivated and on task. Others host doctorate candidates on campus for specific courses or summer institutes. With so many alternatives at your disposal, you’re sure to find a top-notch program that fits your lifestyle. 
• You can choose a program that fits your academic interests and professional aspirations when pursuing an online and hybrid PhD in English. If you’re fortunate enough to reside close to a college town, your local institution might not offer a PhD program in English or its offerings might be restricted.
• Although a lot of students relocate to pursue graduate school, not everyone has that opportunity. This implies that you don’t have to leave your home to enrol in a specialized school in order to pursue a PhD in medieval rhetoric or post-colonial theory and critique. 

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Is Online PhD Acceptable in India? Indian universities do not provide online PhD programs since the University Grants Commission (UGC) has not sanctioned them. In addition, there are additional options that are appropriate everywhere in the world and are specially made for working professionals.

The UGC has not approved the PhD program, so it is not offered remotely in India. Candidates may enrol in this course normally.

Two Indian accrediting authorities, UGC and AICTE, do not recognise these kinds of online courses. It is therefore best to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of any course you wish to take. Particularly when it’s an online PhD, the greatest degree you will ever pursue.

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Hope this blog provides you with all the important details about Hybrid and Online PhD in English, for more information about such courses, visit our online courses page .

Aditya Saini

Aditya Saini is a content writer with over a year and a half of experience helping national and international students navigate their journey to work abroad. His expertise lies in “jobs abroad”, all things practical, from writing articles on different topics such as part-time and full-time jobs to understanding salaries for different and highest-paying professions and securing internship programs in different countries. Aditya's passion is ensuring students have all the information they need to make the right decision about their career journeys overseas.

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