Do you know there are free resources you can use to learn to program, a foreign language or improve your skills?
Undoubtedly, the Internet is the biggest and the best learning and researching tool for students.
One of the benefits of the Internet is that; it opens gateways to a wealth of information, knowledge, and education resources, increasing opportunities for learning in and beyond the class.
Whether you're a student or a graduate, with the Internet, you can learn different courses and skills without paying a dime.
So, if you are looking for free courses you can learn online, you are in the right place.
Let's dive right into it.
What Is An Online Course?
An online course is a way or method to learn a new skill or gain some new knowledge that takes place in the virtual space.
Online courses can be informal and focused on one skill or formal, leading to a certification or degree.
However, one good aspect of online courses is that you can learn them in the comfort of your home. This saves you time and money because you can access it anytime any day.
So, instead of waiting for graduation before you can learn new skills or gain new knowledge, the Internet has made it easier for you to access free online courses and learn at your own pace.
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Top 10 Free Online Courses For Students
There are various courses you can learn online, but I would like to mention the top 10 free online courses you can learn and get a job.
1. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is the promotion of brands to connect with potential customers using the Internet and other forms of digital communication.
This includes not only email, social media, and web-based advertising but also text and multimedia messages as a marketing channel.
Moreso, Digital Marketing is a wide field which includes Email Marketing, social media marketing (SMM), Content writing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), etc.
A Digital Marketer is responsible to create awareness about a brand or company, generate leads and increase sales.
However, there are many jobs available for digital marketing experts.
You can jumpstart a career in Digital Marketing by signing up for online Digital Marketing on Coursera or Udemy for free.
2. Data Science
Data science is the study of data to derive meaningful insights for businesses.
It is a multidisciplinary approach that combines principles and practices from mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, and computing to analyze large amounts of data.
A Data Scientist's job is to analyze data for actionable insights, identify the data analytics problems and determine the correct data and variables set.
Unsurprisingly, data science is a good career with vast opportunities for advancement in the future. The skill is high in demand, and the salaries are competitive.
If you are searching for an online course to learn, data science is one of the best options for you.
3. Graphic Design
It is the art of using design elements such as (images, visual hierarchy, and layout techniques) to convey information or create an effect.
Who is a Graphic Designer? A graphics designer creates visual concepts to communicate information.
Create everything from posters and billboards to packaging, logos and marketing materials.
Graphics Designers use colours, shapes, images and more to communicate ideas to an audience.
There are over 4000 jobs open for graphic designers around the world. Therefore, graphic design is among the best courses you can learn.
You can find the course on Udemy or Coursera.
4. Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence (BI) is a technology-driven process for analyzing data and delivering actionable information that helps execute and manage business decisions.
However, one goal of Business Intelligence is to drive better business decisions that help companies or organizations to increase revenue and boost how a company approaches its decision-making.
Also, it can be used by teams across an organization to track metrics and organize goals.
Just so you know, Business Intelligence is the best course you can learn if you want to work as a business analyst or manager.
5. Software Development
Software Development is another best online courses you can learn from the internet.
It refers to a set of computer science activities dedicated to the process of creating, designing, deploying, and supporting software.
However, the software itself is the set of programs or instructions that tell a computer what to do.
Meanwhile, a software developer designs and builds computer programs that power mobile devices and desktop computers.
So, to succeed in this field, you need first-hand knowledge of writing and implementing codes.
If you want to build a career in Software Development, you can start learning the foundation of programming, practice with technologies like HTML & CSS, and explore languages like python, JavaScript, and Java.
There are Computer systems analysts, IT Coordinators, Network Administrators, Systems Architects, Computer and Information Research Scientists, Junior Software Engineers, Senior Programmers, Web Developers and so on.
6. Project Management
Project Management is a discipline that deals with planning and managing a project successfully.
The project manager's role is to check the assignments assigned to the team are delivered within a given constraint.
They identify and manage risks, create smart budgets, and communicate with multiple teams and stakeholders.
This online course is the best for students that wish to study business programs or degrees.
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7. Content Writing
Content writing is the process of planning, writing, and editing web content for digital marketing purposes. It can be blog posts, podcast scripts, ebooks, etc.
You can jumpstart a career in content writing with courses on Udemy and learn how to write captivating texts and SEO strategies from professionals.
Here are some jobs in writing; Copywriter, Content writer, technical writer, Health and wellness writer, and so on.
8. Cybersecurity
Nowadays, many companies are facing cyber-attacks and data breaches. And this has increased the demand for security professionals.
So, the cybersecurity course is the most beneficial for students that want to go into it.
Some of the jobs include; Network security engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, Security Architect, Information Security Manager, etc.
9. Foreign Languages
Foreign languages improve your listening and communication skills. Learning this online course can make you more efficient and responsible in a multicultural world.
If you learn and master foreign languages, your marketing skills in the digital world will improve.
So, one of the best methods to get a job is to invest your time in learning this online course for free.
What are the jobs you can get with a foreign language?
- Travel agent
- Sales representative
- Tour guide
- Flight Steward
- Teacher
- Content Creator
- Interpreter
- Translation Project Manager
10. Web Development
Web development is the coding and programming side of website production.
Basically, a web development course might take 4-5 months to complete and teach all the skills you need to qualify for a web developer job.
Devoting your time to learning web development from online courses can help improve your knowledge about the basics of web development.
With the help of the free online courses, you can learn how to build and design your website and for others as well.
Some careers in web development are:
- Front End Developer
- Web Developer
- Back End Developer
- Lead Software Developer and more.
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Let's quickly look at 15 Sites you can get access to these free online courses.
Sites for free online courses make it possible for you to learn at your convenience.
You don't need to spend a lot of money to master a particular subject. There are a wealth of audio, video, articles, and electronic books to help you learn more.
Thanks to the platforms, you can learn from these free online courses.
(1) Coursera
(2) Udemy
(3) Udacity
(4) Edx
(5) LinkedIn Learning
6) Khan Academy
(7) Skillshare
(8) Alison
(9) Harvard Extension
(10) Open Culture
(11) TED-Ed
(12) Stanford online
(13) CodeHS
(14) Apple Developer Site
(15) MIT OpenCourseWare
Conclusion
It's so surprising that you can find almost anything on the internet, indeed, the Internet is such a huge blessing to the humanities.
With the Internet, you can learn, research, and get a job. However, this is one of the biggest opportunities you should not misuse.
You don't have to wait till graduation before you can learn another course or skill. The Internet has made it easier for you to learn at any time you want.
So, take this chance and equip yourself with free resources on the web that will make you relevant in today's world.