Studying abroad has been a dream for Indian students. However, due to the steep costs of education and living expenses associated with it, not everyone can make this dream a reality. Fortunately, universities across the world are now offering free online courses with certificates for foreign students and especially Indian students, opening up endless possibilities to pursue international studies without having to worry about financial constraints.
These free and accessible courses come with the same quality of education guaranteed by the institution. With such incentives in place and top universities involved, studying abroad has never been easier or more affordable.
1. Harvard University
Harvard University offers over 600 free online courses that allow students to experience an Ivy League education at no cost. Some best free online courses include:
- โShakespeareโs Life and Work,โ a four-week course that teaches students how to read and understand the plays of William Shakespeare, while also covering Elizabethan and Jacobean history and modern performance.
- โJustice,โ a 12-week introduction to moral and political philosophies that critically analyze classical and contemporary theories through texts by philosophers such as Aristotle, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Jon Stuart Mill, and John Rawls.
- โThe Health Effects of Climate Change,โ a seven-week course that investigates the impact of global warming on human health and ways to reduce its effects.
2. University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine offers a wide range of courses in a variety of subjects. Some best free online courses include:
- โBetter Business Writing in English,โ which helps students develop a personal voice in their writing and practice their skills in different types of business communications.
- โIntroduction to Electronics,โ which covers the basic components of electronics such as diodes, transistors, and op-amps, is perfect for those interested in electrical engineering.
- โGames without Chance: Combinational Game Theory,โ a beginnerโs guide to combinational game theory that covers the mathematical theory and analysis of simple games without chance moves.
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Since its launch in 2012, Georgia Institute of Technologyโs online courses have been taken by 3.3 million people. Some best free online courses include:
- โData Analytics in Business,โ a course that helps students understand data and business analytics, and then apply these concepts to real-world business datasets.
- โInnovation Leadership,โ a six-week course that teaches students the essential skills needed to become an innovation leader, including how to drive growth and develop a strategic vision.
- โSupply Chain Principles,โ a 15-hour course that provides an introduction to the extended supply chain and helps students understand the various career paths available in this field.
4. รcole Polytechnique
รcole Polytechnique is a leading French institute that specializes in science and technology research, education, and innovation. It offers 29 online courses, with 10 taught in English and 19 taught in French. Some best free online courses include:
- โAn Introduction to Probability,โ a two-part course taught in French that covers the basics of probability and its real-world applications.
- โHow to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper,โ a course designed for students with prior academic research experience and taught in English, which teaches students how to accurately write and publish a scientific paper in four weeks.
- โFrom Particles to Stars,โ a ten-week course taught in French that covers the formation and evolution of the universe, as well as its components.
5. Michigan State University
Michigan State University, one of the largest universities in the United States, offers the best free online courses, including:
- โBecome a Journalist: Report the News,โ a course that covers journalismโs impact on social issues, ethical standards for newsgathering processes, and best practices for aspiring journalists. This course takes approximately six months to complete.
- โWrite a Feature-Length Screenplay for Film or Television,โ a 20-week course that teaches students how to write a complete, feature-length screenplay for film or television through a structured process.
- โArt for Games Specialization,โ a beginner-friendly course that teaches the essentials of 2D and 3D game art production for six months.
6. California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts, which ranks 20th worldwide for Art and Design in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2020, offers several creative courses, including:
- โGraphic Design Specialization,โ a six-month course that teaches fundamental skills in graphic design and includes a project that can be used for a professional portfolio.
- โSharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop,โ a ten-hour course that teaches key poetic terms and devices through the study of modern and contemporary poems, and provides an opportunity for students to write and receive feedback on their own poems.
- โThe Language of Design: Form and Meaning,โ an eight-hour course for beginners that involves critiquing the effectiveness of a work of graphic design through objective analysis.
7. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, an international research university focused on advancing teaching and research in science, technology, engineering, management, and business studies, offers several online courses, including:
- โIntroduction to Fintech,โ a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that covers the innovations, technology, and regulation driving the transformation of finance in Asia, beginning on May 15 and taught by leading experts.
- โMaking Sense of News,โ a six-week course that develops critical thinking skills to help students identify reliable information in news reports and become better informed.
- โState, Law and the Economy,โ a course that teaches essential economic concepts relevant to the study of political economy.
8. UCL ( University College London )
UCL (University College London) is a top-ranked school in the UK, coming in at eighth in the world in the most recent QS World University Ranking. They offer a wide range of courses, including:
- โAnthropology of Social Media: Why We Post,โ a five-week course that examines the consequences of social media and takes a comparative and anthropological approach to social media use around the world.
- โCitizen Science and Scientific Crowdsourcing: An Introduction,โ a course run by UCLโs Department of Geography that provides a basic understanding of citizen science and introduces students to the academic literature in this field.
- โCulture, Health, and Wellbeing: An Introduction,โ a course that helps students develop, deliver, and evaluate health and wellbeing work within a museum, arts, heritage, or cultural organization. This course is a great introduction for those looking to work in this sector.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is highly regarded as one of the worldโs most prestigious universities, ranking first in the world in the most recent QS World University Rankings. Some of their online courses include:
- โNumber theory I,โ a graduate-level course that covers a range of topics in algebraic and analytic number theory.
- โMicroeconomic Theory and Public Policy,โ a course that uses microeconomic theory to analyze public policy and provides an introduction to economics, allowing students to take the course at their own pace.
- โMaking Books: The Renaissance and Today,โ a course that explores the impact of new technology on the recording and distribution of words and images during the invention of the printing press in 1450, the adoption of electricity to communication technology in the 19th century, and digital media today.
Best Free Online Computer Science Courses
Looking to improve your computer science skills, but donโt have the budget for a full-fledged degree or certification program? No problem! Many top-rated universities offer free online computer science courses for individuals looking to learn at their own pace. Below is a list of the best free online computer science courses available:
- โCS50โs Introduction to Computer Scienceโ by Harvard University via edX
- โIntroduction to Computer Science and Programmingโ by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- โComputer Science 101โ by Stanford University via edX
- โComputer Science: Programming with a Purposeโ by Princeton University via Coursera
- โAccelerated Computer Science Fundamentals Specializationโ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
- โIntro to Theoretical Computer Scienceโ offered by Udacity
- โMathematical Thinking in Computer Scienceโ by University of California San Diego via Coursera
- โCS50โs Computer Science For Business Professionalsโ by Harvard University via Edx
- โFoundations of Computer Science: Theory and Practiceโ by SE Factory via Udemy
- โComputer Science 101: Master the Theory Behind Programmingโ offered by Skillshare
Best Cybersecurity Courses Online Free
Cybersecurity is an increasingly important field as the world becomes more reliant on technology and the internet. If youโre looking to improve your knowledge and skills in this area, but donโt have the budget for a full-fledged degree or certification program, donโt worry!
Some many top-rated universities and platforms offer free online cybersecurity courses for individuals looking to learn at their own pace. Below is a list of the best free online cybersecurity courses available:
- โIntroduction to IT and Cybersecurityโ offered by Cybrary IT
- โMobile App Securityโ offered by Cybrary IT
- โIntroduction to Cybersecurityโ by the University of Washington via edX
- โBuilding a Cybersecurity Toolkitโ by the University of Washington via edX
- โIntroduction to Cybersecurity for Businessโ by the University of Colorado via edX
- โComputer Systems Securityโ by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- โFundamentals of Cybersecurityโ offered by SANS Cyber Aces Online
- โCybersecurity for Beginnersโ offered by Heimdal Security
- โ100W Cybersecurity Practices for Industrial Control Systemsโ offered by the US Department of Homeland Security
- โCybersecurity Trainingโ offered by Open Security Training
There are many top study-abroad universities that offer free online courses for Indian students. These best free online courses cover a wide range of subjects and are formulated by experienced professors from some of the best universities in the world.
By taking advantage of these best free online courses, Indian students have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education and gain valuable knowledge and skills without the financial burden of tuition fees. Whether youโre looking to learn a new language, improve your computer skills, or gain insight into a particular subject, there is a free online course that can help you achieve your goals.