10 years since free short online courses hit the internet
Ten years ago, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), arrived online and since then more than 220 million global learners have enrolled on a course, 4 million on a course run by the University of Edinburgh. Which new courses are we launching in 2022?
Essential Self Care and Wellbeing skills
The timing of our newest course, which starts on 31 January, could not be more pertinent as healthcare staff around the world continue to work in stressful environments during the pandemic. Self Care and Wellbeing: A Practical Guide for Health and Social Care, introduces a range of self care and mindfulness practices designed to improve stress management and overall wellbeing. Created by the University's Mindfulness Chaplain, Dr Kitty Wheater, alongside clinical experts from Edinburgh Medical School and the School of Nursing, we hope this course will give learners a range of compassion and mindfulness skills that they can apply practically in their daily life.
Read more books!
Aiming to read more novels in 2022? If you missed it last year then there's still time to sign up for our popular, long-running course, How to Read a Novel. Join our global reading group where we'll analyse the components of 4 brilliant novels shortlisted for the James Tait Black prize last year.
Courses in other languages
We're also adding to our portfolio of non-English courses, with a Hindi version of Climate Solutions: India (currently available in English) coming soon, and a Portuguese language version of Nitrogen: A Global Challenge.
What is a short online course?
The University of Edinburgh is firmly committed to using digital outreach to enable global participation in education. Our free short online courses enable learners with an internet connection, based anywhere in world, to access learning materials and take part in knowledge exchange.
Short online courses are typically self-directed, meaning you follow the course materials, complete the readings and assessments, watch videos or listen to podcasts and get help from a large community of fellow learners through online forums. Many courses are available to start on any date, to be completed at your own pace, and only require a few hours a week of effort. Learners can choose to evidence their learning with a certificate.
Access our catalogue of 70+ short online courses
Explore your hobbies and interests or pursue deeper learning that may help open the door to further study or advancing your career.
Find your next free course now
Wide ranging new information, easily understood. Videos good quality. Thought provoking and motivational.