What free courses are available on Coursera?

Coursera offers thousands of free courses across topics like data science , business , health , computer science , personal development , and more. While you can explore lectures and course content at no cost, some features—like assessments and certificates—may require payment.

Can I earn a certificate from a free Coursera course?

Yes, but certificates are typically not included in the free version of a course. To earn a certificate, you’ll usually need to pay for the course or apply financial aid if available. You can still learn all the material for free through audit mode.

How do I enroll in a course for free on Coursera?

To start a course for free, choose the “Audit the course” or “Enroll for free” option during sign-up. This lets you access video lectures and some assignments without payment. Look for courses labeled as “Free” or those that offer a free audit option.

What’s the difference between auditing a course and paying for one on Coursera?

Auditing a course gives you free access to the learning materials, like videos and reading content. Paying for a course unlocks graded assignments, assessments, and a certificate upon completion—which may be useful for showcasing your skills or professional development.

Are free Coursera courses from top universities?

Yes, many free courses are taught by instructors from top institutions like Stanford , Yale , University of Pennsylvania , and companies like IBM . These courses offer an accessible way to learn from leading educators and professionals around the world.

Top Free Courses - Learn Free Online

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology

Skills you'll gain: Physics, Calculus, Mechanics, Physical Science, Advanced Mathematics, Energy and Utilities, Mathematical Modeling

Caltech

Pricing Options with Mathematical Models

Skills you'll gain: Derivatives, Financial Market, Risk Modeling, Mathematical Modeling, Financial Modeling, Credit Risk, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Probability, Differential Equations, Applied Mathematics, Probability Distribution, Calculus

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Expressway to Data Science: Essential Math

Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Integral Calculus, Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Calculus, Graphing, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Derivatives

University of Pennsylvania

Single Variable Calculus

Skills you'll gain: Calculus, Numerical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Calculations, Integral Calculus, Engineering Analysis, Differential Equations, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Advanced Mathematics, Estimation, Derivatives

University of Michigan

The Finite Element Method for Problems in Physics

Skills you'll gain: Finite Element Methods, Differential Equations, Engineering Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Advanced Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Linear Algebra, C++ (Programming Language), Calculus, Open Source Technology

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

VLSI CAD Part II: Layout

Skills you'll gain: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Hardware Design, Computer-Aided Design, Electronic Hardware, Systems Design, Computer Architecture, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Design Process, Semiconductors, Network Routing, Computational Logic, Data Structures, Algorithms, Mathematical Modeling, Calculus

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism

Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Torque (Physics), Physics, Electrical Systems, Engineering Analysis, Electronic Components, Mechanics, Electronic Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Calculations, Calculus, Advanced Mathematics, Trigonometry, Linear Algebra

Status: Free Trial

Imperial College London

Mathematics for Machine Learning: Multivariate Calculus

Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Calculus, Advanced Mathematics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Statistical Analysis, Linear Algebra, Artificial Neural Networks, Python Programming, Derivatives

Status: Free Trial

Johns Hopkins University

Precalculus through Data and Modelling

Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Graphing, Trigonometry, Analytical Skills, R Programming, General Mathematics, Statistics, Algebra, Systems Of Measurement, Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, Calculus, Geometry

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics

Skills you'll gain: Mechanics, Physics, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling, Algebra, Calculus, Physical Science, Applied Mathematics, Trigonometry

University of Manchester

Introduction to Physical Chemistry

Skills you'll gain: Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics, Laboratory Experience, Thermal Management, Simulation and Simulation Software, Experimentation, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Mathematical Modeling, Calculus

Status: Free Trial

Imperial College London

Mathematics for Machine Learning: PCA

Skills you'll gain: Dimensionality Reduction, NumPy, Probability & Statistics, Feature Engineering, Jupyter, Data Science, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Python Programming, Advanced Mathematics, Machine Learning, Calculus

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