Free online courses
Designed by York academics, our massive open online courses (MOOCs) are free and open to everyone. Engage with university-level study, explore a new subject area or to prepare for higher education more generally.
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What is a MOOC?
There are no entry requirements for our MOOCs, and you will be part of a global learning community. These free, online courses offer the perfect way to gain an insight into a wide range of subjects and are designed by our world-leading academics.
Courses last two to four weeks and are delivered through online videos, quizzes, case studies and discussions with your fellow learners. All you need is an internet connection and a passion to learn.
In addition to our MOOCs, we have also launched courses exclusively for our York offer-holders. Both are delivered in partnership with FutureLearn.
Free online short courses (MOOCs) for everyone
Next steps to university: from choosing a course to your first assessment
From making friends to independent study, get helpful tips for university life.
Starting Monday 14 June.
Mature learners
Demystify the world of higher education and university life.
Started Monday 29 March.
Digital wellbeing
Explore the impact of digital technologies on health, relationships and society.
Starting Monday 10 May.
Tackling environmental challenges for a sustainable future
Discover how environmental research can inform how we respond to and solve the major global environmental issues of today.
Started Monday 12 April.
Pictures of youth
Examine popular visual culture for children and young people.
Started Monday 22 March.
From crime to punishment
Work through a case study which follows the story of a suspect/defendant.
Available as a self-guided course.
Bugs, brains and beasts
Review and reinforce biological concepts taught at A level Biology.
Available as a self-guided course.
Accents, attitudes and identity
Discover how accents, attitudes and identity interact.
Available as a self-guided course.
Logic: The language of truth
Learn how to use logic to evaluate arguments and discover more about philosophical concepts like truth-tables and logical form.
Available as a self-guided course.
Modern sculpture: An introduction to art history
An introduction to art history, sculpture and materiality.
Available as a self-guided course.
Exploring everyday chemistry
Explore the chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport.
Available as a self-guided course.
Exploring Stone Age archaeology
Further your interest in the past and archaeology.
Available as a self-guided course.
Engineering the future
Re-imagine how you think about engineering.
Available as a self-guided course.
Poetry: How to read a poem
Dive into the wonderful world of poetry and learn how to analyse a poem.
Starting Monday 28 June.
Introduction to cognitive psychology
Develop an understanding of cognitive psychology as an experimental science.
Available as a self-guided course.
An introduction to nursing
An introduction to nursing and where a career in nursing may lead.
Available as a self-guided course.
Private online courses for York offer-holders
If you have a place to study for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with us you can access short private online courses to help you prepare to become part of our learning community.
Undergraduate offer holders
Helping you prepare for university life.
Two courses, started Monday 5 and 19 April.
Postgraduate offer holders
Supporting your transition to postgraduate study.
New run starting soon.