15 Platforms Offering Free Skill Training
Learning something new doesn’t always mean signing up for debt. Plenty of platforms have opened the door to education with no fees, just access. Some focus on technology, others on the arts or traditional academics. Whatever your interest, these 10 resources make it easy to gain knowledge
1. Coursera
Tons of people assume Coursera is paywalled, but that’s only true if you’re chasing a certificate. Behind that pay button is the “audit” option, which unlocks entire courses for free. Big-name schools like Stanford and Yale have material here. It’s flexible and packed with top-tier content on nearly every professional subject imaginable.
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2. EdX Audit Track
The idea of casually browsing a Berkeley course on AI or brushing up on ethics at Harvard doesn’t sound realistic until you hit edX. The audit option strips away deadlines and costs, leaving behind full lectures and reading lists. It’s like borrowing the classroom, not the tuition bill.
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3. Khan Academy
Started as a YouTube tutoring project, Khan Academy has grown into a powerhouse for learners of all ages. What’s wild is how comprehensive it’s become: math, history, science, even SAT prep, all free. It’s built with interactive tools that don’t feel childish, even when brushing up on the basics.
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4. MIT OpenCourseWare
Unlike platforms that offer limited previews, MIT OpenCourseWare gives you full access. You get entire courses—complete with lectures, exams and assignments. While engineering is a major focus, the site also offers a strong mix of humanities. It’s an open window into real college-level learning.
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5. Harvard Online Learning
CS50 is probably the most famous free coding course online and it’s just the beginning. Harvard’s online portal partners with edX to release several free classes each year. While certificates cost extra, the core lectures and assignments are wide open. Great for those who learn best from prestige-backed content.
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7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People
Do you avoid people too? In the past, there was almost no way around working with people if you wanted to earn a living, but things have changed.
Our team has compiled a list of creative ways you can fatten your bank account this month, without having to put up with people.
Enough small talk. Here are some ways to earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff.
6. Grow With Google
Many job seekers quietly lean on this one. Grow with Google covers the kind of stuff that shows up in interviews. The layout is smooth, the lessons are short and it’s all genuinely free. The optional badges and certificates make it feel useful without being pushy.
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7. LinkedIn Learning Free
Most folks overlook this because it usually needs a subscription. But LinkedIn Learning releases rotating collections of free courses, especially during career-themed events or job seeker promos. Topics span from communication and leadership to technical tools like Excel and SQL. And yes, some of them are taught by actual experts in the field.
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8. Udemy
It’s like rummaging through a massive thrift store of knowledge. Udemy’s free section changes constantly, but there’s always something worth grabbing, such as coding, photography, public speaking and even niche skills like Excel dashboards or Canva. User reviews help separate the fluff from the gems, so it rewards a bit of digging.
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9. FutureLearn
UK-based but globally useful, FutureLearn partners with institutions like the University of Leeds and King’s College London to offer short courses in business, creative arts and tech. The “join for free” option gives full access to videos and discussions for the course duration.
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10. Alison Online Learning
What makes Alison stand out is how globally recognized it’s become. It offers full course tracks in areas like project management and healthcare. Yes, it’s free (ads cover the cost), and you only need to pay if you want a digital certificate. It’s ideal for focused learners building job-ready skills fast.
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11. Codecademy Free Tier
For anyone testing the waters in programming, Codecademy’s free tier is a solid starting point. You won’t get the full roadmap without upgrading, but the basics of Python, HTML, JavaScript and SQL are included. The interactive environment keeps things hands-on, and it’s designed so you can start building fast.
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12. Udacity Free Courses
Don’t let the price tags fool you because Udacity’s free content is the real deal. There are no sample lessons or limited access. Their catalog includes full courses in Python and machine learning that feature practical, job-ready material. Even though some paid paths are built with IBM, the free versions still include real-world applications.
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13. YouTube Learning Hub
Some people like textbooks. Others want to see how things work in real time. YouTube’s Learning Hub leans into that by offering curated, easy-to-follow playlists on everything from science concepts to career tips. It keeps things informal but legit to make it easier to absorb without zoning out.
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14. OpenLearn From OU
The Open University in the UK built this for accessible learning, and they stuck to that mission. OpenLearn is packed with hundreds of free modules. Each includes quizzes and progress tracking. The tone is welcoming and subjects range from science to social care.
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15. Microsoft Learn Platform
Tech learners looking to level up without paying a dime should bookmark this. Microsoft Learn focuses on real-world skills in cloud computing and productivity tools like Excel and Power BI. It’s beginner-friendly and designed around job roles, which helps you actually know where each skill fits in.
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The 5 Dumbest Things We Keep Spending Too Much Money On
You’ve done what you can to cut back your spending.You brew coffee at home, you don’t walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast. (Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
But no matter how cognizant you are of your spending habits, you’re still stuck with those inescapable monthly bills.
You know which ones we’re talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
Ready to stop paying them? Follow these moves…
