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.
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.
Start date: 29 June 2020
Postgraduate offer holders
Supporting your transition to postgraduate study.
Start date: 13 July 2020
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.
Start date: 6 July 2020
Modern sculpture: An introduction to art history
An introduction to art history, sculpture and materiality.
Start date: 29 June 2020
From crime to punishment
Work through a case study which follows the story of a suspect/defendant.
Start date: 13 July 2020
Exploring Stone Age archaeology
Further your interest in the past and archaeology.
Start date: 29 June 2020
Engineering the future
Re-imagine how you think about engineering.
Start date: 29 June 2020
Introduction to cognitive psychology
Develop an understanding of cognitive psychology as an experimental science.
Start dates: 29 June and 21 September 2020
Pictures of youth
Examine popular visual culture for children and young people.
Start date: 6 July 2020
Mature learners
Demystify the world of higher education and university life.
Start date: 15 June 2020
Exploring everyday chemistry
Explore the chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport.
Start date: 29 June 2020
An introduction to nursing
An introduction to nursing and where a career in nursing may lead.
Start dates: 29 June and 21 September 2020
Bugs, brains and beasts
Review and reinforce biological concepts taught at A level Biology.
Start date: 13 July 2020
Accents, attitudes and identity
Discover how accents, attitudes and identity interact.
Start date: 13 July 2020
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.
Start date: 24 August 2020
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.
Start date: 24 September 2020
Digital wellbeing
Explore the impact of digital technologies on health, relationships and society.
Start date: 11 May 2020
Poetry: How to read a poem
Dive into the wonderful world of poetry and learn how to analyse a poem.
Start date: 17 August 2020