Eight years ago, universities like MIT and Stanford first opened up free online courses to the public. Today, close to 1000 schools around the world have created thousands of free online courses, popularly known as Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs.
I’ve compiled this list of 620+ such free online courses that you can start this month. For this, I leveraged Class Central’s database of over 15,000 online courses. I’ve also included each course’s average rating.
I’ve sorted these courses into the following categories based on their difficulty level:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Courses that are being offered for the first time are marked as [NEW].
Many of these courses are completely self-paced. The rest will start at various times throughout the year. You can find complete lists of the technology-related courses starting later in 2020 on Class Central’s Computer Science, Data Science, and Programming subject pages.
I understand this a long list and might be daunting for learners new to programming. In that case, you might find David Venturi’s recommendations for the best Data Science online courses useful — even if you’re not looking to learn Data Science. I hope to create more of these guides in the future.
And finally if you have trouble figuring out how to signup for Coursera courses for free, don’t worry — I’ve written an article on how to do that, too.
Beginner (175)
An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) from Rice University ★★★★★(3161)
Elements of AI from University of Helsinki ★★★★★(202)
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(122)
Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from University of Toronto ★★★★★(105)
CS50's Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University ★★★★★(78)
Ruby on Rails: An Introduction from Johns Hopkins University ★★★☆☆(56)
Introduction to HTML5 from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(43)
Internet History, Technology, and Security from University of Michigan ★★★★★(37)
Introduction to Linux from Linux Foundation ★★★★☆(37)
Intro to HTML and CSS
[New] The Beauty and Joy of Computing (CS Principles), Part 1 from University of California, Berkeley
[New] Introduction to Database Systems from Indian Institute of Technology Madras
[New] Coding for Designers, Managers, & Entrepreneurs I from University of Virginia
[New] Coding for Designers, Managers, & Entrepreneurs II from University of Virginia
[New] Coding for Designers, Managers, & Entrepreneurs III from University of Virginia
[New] Computational Social Science Methods from University of California, Davis
[New] Creating a Great User Experience for Mobile Apps from University of Leeds
[New] Computer Programming for Everyone from University of Leeds
[New] Learn to Code for the Web from University of Leeds
[New] Cloud Security Basics from University of Minnesota
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course) from Hebrew University of Jerusalem ★★★★★(25)
[New] C for Everyone: Structured Programming from University of California, Santa Cruz
[New] Introduction to Site Reliability Engineering and DevOps from Linux Foundation
[New] Introduction to Web Accessibility from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
[New] Introduction to Web Development from Raspberry Pi Foundation
Web Security Fundamentals from KU Leuven University ★★★★☆(22)
Introduction to Cyber Security from The Open University ★★★★☆(20)
Computer Science 101 from Stanford University ★★★★☆(17)
Fundamentos TIC para profesionales de negocios: Desarrollo de Software from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★☆(17)
Introduction to CSS3 from University of Michigan ★★★★★(14)
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(14)
Programming Basics from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay ★★☆☆☆(13)
Fundamentos TIC para profesionales de negocios: Aplicaciones empresariales from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(13)
Introduction to Computer Networking from Stanford University ★★★★★(12)
Introduction to the Internet of Things and Embedded Systems from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(12)
Creative Programming for Digital Media & Mobile Apps from University of London International Programmes ★★★★☆(11)
Introduction to Programming for the Visual Arts with p5.js from University of California, Los Angeles ★★★★★(10)
HTML5 Coding Essentials and Best Practices from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) ★★★★☆(10)
Learn to Program: Crafting Quality Code from University of Toronto ★★★★☆(9)
Usable Security from University of Maryland, College Park ★★★☆☆(9)
Introduction to Bootstrap - A Tutorial from Microsoft ★★★☆☆(9)
Intro to Relational Databases
Linux Command Line Basics
How To Create a Website in a Weekend! (Project-Centered Course) from State University of New York ★★★★☆(6)
Diagramas UML estructurales para la Ingeniería del Software from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(6)
Introduction to jQuery from Microsoft ★★★★☆(6)
Paradigms of Computer Programming – Fundamentals from Université catholique de Louvain ★★★★★(5)
Paradigms of Computer Programming – Abstraction and Concurrency from Université catholique de Louvain ★★★★☆(5)
HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) ★★★★☆(5)
CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript from Harvard University ★★★★★(4)
Technical Support Fundamentals from Google ★★☆☆☆(4)
Programming in Scratch from Harvey Mudd College ★★★★★(4)
Introduction to Computing using Python from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(3)
Web Development and Design using Wordpress from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★☆(3)
Object-Oriented Programming from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay ★★★☆☆(3)
Web Coding Fundamentals: HTML, CSS and Javascript from National University of Singapore ★★★★★(3)
Learn to Program in Java from Microsoft ★★★★★(3)
Version Control with Git from Atlassian ★★★★★(3)
The Unix Workbench from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(2)
The Beauty and Joy of Computing - AP® CS Principles Part 1 from University of California, Berkeley ★★★★★(2)
Introduction to Internet of Things from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur ★★★★★(2)
Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT) (COMING 2020) from Curtin University ★★★☆☆(2)
Linux Basics: The Command Line Interface from Dartmouth ★★★★★(2)
C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management from Dartmouth ★★★★★(2)
Think. Create. Code. from University of Adelaide ★★★★★(2)
The Computing Technology Inside Your Smartphone from Cornell University ★★★★★(2)
Introduction to NodeJS from Microsoft ★★★★★(2)
Logic and Computational Thinking from Microsoft ★★★★★(2)
Introduction to HTML and JavaScript from Microsoft ★★★★★(2)
Software Engineering Essentials from Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) ★★★★☆(2)
CS For All: Introduction to Computer Science and Python Programming from Harvey Mudd College ★★★★★(2)
Web Applications for Everybody
Version Control with Git
CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals from Harvard University ★★★★★(1)
CS50's Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University ★★★★★(1)
CS50's Mobile App Development with React Native from Harvard University ★★★★☆(1)
CS50's Introduction to Game Development from Harvard University ★★★★★(1)
CS50's Understanding Technology from Harvard University ★★★★★(1)
Networks: Friends, Money, and Bytes from Princeton University ★★★☆☆(1)
Introduction to Computer Programming from University of London International Programmes ★★★★★(1)
How Computers Work from University of London International Programmes ★★★★★(1)
Software Engineering: Introduction from The University of British Columbia ★★★★★(1)
Python Programming Essentials from Rice University ★★★★★(1)
Introduction to Web Development from University of California, Davis ★★★☆☆(1)
Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★★(1)
Cyber Security Economics from Delft University of Technology ★★☆☆☆(1)
C Programming: Language Foundations from Institut Mines-Télécom ★★★★★(1)
C Programming: Pointers and Memory Management from Dartmouth ★★★★★(1)
C Programming: Using Linux Tools and Libraries from Dartmouth ★★★★★(1)
Creative Coding from New York University (NYU) ★★★★☆(1)
Lernen objekt-orientierter Programmierung from Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) ★★★★★(1)
C for Everyone: Programming Fundamentals from University of California, Santa Cruz ★★★★☆(1)
Computing: Art, Magic, Science from ETH Zurich ★★★★☆(1)
Computing Form and Shape: Python Programming with the Rhinoscript Library from Rhode Island School of Design ★★★★★(1)
MyCS: Computer Science for Beginners from Harvey Mudd College ★★★☆☆(1)
How Computers Work: Demystifying Computation from Raspberry Pi Foundation ★★☆☆☆(1)
Blockchain in the Energy Sector from InnoEnergy ★★☆☆☆(1)
ES6 - JavaScript Improved
CS50 for Lawyers from Harvard University
Principles of Computing from Stanford University
Hacker Tools from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Computational Thinking for Problem Solving from University of Pennsylvania
The Blockchain System from University of California, Irvine
The Blockchain from University of California, Irvine
The Beauty and Joy of Computing - AP® CS Principles Part 2 from University of California, Berkeley
The Beauty and Joy of Computing (CS Principles), Part 3 from University of California, Berkeley
The Beauty and Joy of Computing (CS Principles), Part 4 from University of California, Berkeley
Foundations to Computer Systems Design from Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Programming in C++ from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Problem Solving through Programming in C from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
An Introduction to Programming through C++ from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Programming Fundamentals from Duke University
Interacting with the System and Managing Memory from Duke University
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University
Introduction to Internationalization and Localization from University of Washington
Introduction to Cybersecurity from University of Washington
Programming, Data Structures And Algorithms Using Python from Chennai Mathematical Institute
Software testing from Indian Institute of Technology Bangalore
Principles of Secure Coding from University of California, Davis
Identifying Security Vulnerabilities from University of California, Davis
Введение в базы данных from St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University
Scratch: Programmeren voor kinderen (8+) from Delft University of Technology
AP Computer Science A: Java Programming Loops and Data Structures from Purdue University
AP Computer Science A: Java Programming Polymorphism and Advanced Data Structures from Purdue University
AP Computer Science A: Java Programming Classes and Objects from Purdue University
Programmazione I from University of Naples Federico II
LaTeX for Students, Engineers, and Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Основы проектирования приложений интернета вещей from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
Тонкости верстки from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle from University of Colorado System
Proactive Computer Security from University of Colorado System
TCP/IP and Advanced Topics from University of Colorado System
Software Design as an Abstraction from University of Colorado System
Software Design Methods and Tools from University of Colorado System
Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business from University of Colorado System
Introduction to the Internet of Things from Universitat Politècnica de València
Базы данных (Databases) from Saint Petersburg State University
Cyber Security Basics: A Hands-on Approach from Universidad Carlos iii de Madrid
Deep Learning for Business from Yonsei University
Introduction to TCP/IP from Yonsei University
Video Game Design and Balance from Rochester Institute of Technology
Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games from University of Alberta
Blockchain 360: A State of the Art for Professionals from EIT Digital
Getting Started with AWS Machine Learning from Amazon Web Services
AWS Fundamentals: Addressing Security Risk from Amazon Web Services
Introduzione a LaTeX from University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
C Programming: Getting Started from Dartmouth
C Programming: Advanced Data Types from Dartmouth
Introdução à Ciência da Computação com Python Parte 1 from Universidade de São Paulo
Introdução à Ciência da Computação com Python Parte 2 from Universidade de São Paulo
Web Accessibility from Google
Programación Orientada a Objetos con Python from Universidad Austral
Diseñando páginas web con Bootstrap 4 from Universidad Austral
Introducción a la programación en C: Instrucciones de control y ficheros de texto from - -
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Introduction to Design Thinking from Microsoft
CSS Basics from Microsoft
Writing Professional Code from Microsoft
Object Oriented Programming in Java from Microsoft
How Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets can master the Blockchain Technology from University of Cape Town
Cyber Attack Countermeasures from New York University (NYU)
Introduction to Cyber Attacks from New York University (NYU)
Introducción a la programación en Python I: Aprendiendo a programar con Python from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Blockchain: Understanding Its Uses and Implications from Linux Foundation
Introduction to Open Source Networking Technologies from Linux Foundation
Internet Connection: How to Get Online? from Cisco
Home Networking Basics from Cisco
Computing: Art, Magic, Science - Part II from ETH Zurich
Mobile Computing with App Inventor – CS Principles from The University of Warwick
プログラミングしながら学ぶコンピュータサイエンス入門 : Introduction to Computer Science and Programming from Tokyo Institute of Technology
L'intelligence artificielle pour les managers et leurs équipes from CNAM
Introduction to MongoDB from MongoDB University
Programación Orientada a Objetos (POO) from MéxicoX
Computer Networks from Devi Ahilya Viswavidyalaya, Indore
Eight years ago, universities like MIT and Stanford first opened up free online courses to the public. Today, close to 1000 schools around the world have created thousands of free online courses, popularly known as Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs.
I’ve compiled this list of 620+ such free online courses that you can start this month. For this, I leveraged Class Central’s database of over 15,000 online courses. I’ve also included each course’s average rating.
I’ve sorted these courses into the following categories based on their difficulty level:
Beginner Intermediate Advanced Courses that are being offered for the first time are marked as [NEW].
Many of these courses are completely self-paced. The rest will start at various times throughout the year. You can find complete lists of the technology-related courses starting later in 2020 on Class Central’s Computer Science, Data Science, and Programming subject pages.
I understand this a long list and might be daunting for learners new to programming. In that case, you might find David Venturi’s recommendations for the best Data Science online courses useful — even if you’re not looking to learn Data Science. I hope to create more of these guides in the future.
And finally if you have trouble figuring out how to signup for Coursera courses for free, don’t worry — I’ve written an article on how to do that, too.
Beginner (175)
FREECODECAMP