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Free online courses

Designed by York academics, our Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free and open to everyone. Engage with uni-level study, explore a new subject area, or prepare for higher education.

Completing certain MOOCs might make you eligible for an alternative offer to study with us.

Eligibility for alternative offers

Find more about our online and distance learning degrees.

Free online short courses (MOOCs) for everyone

Mathematics of Cryptography

Learn about some of the strongest codes ever known.
Available as a self-guided course.

Pubs: History, Consumers, Management and Protection.

Learn about pubs from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Available as a self-guided course.

Business History of the FIFA World Cup

Study the development of the FIFA World Cup.
Tutor facilitation starts 29 January 2024

Pathways to success: making the most of your time at university

Prepare yourself for your higher education journey
Tutor facilitation starts 27 November 2023.

STEM Teaching

Discover the importance of interdisciplinary science teaching.
Tutor facilitation starts 12 February.

Diverse routes into higher education

Make the most of your educational background to find a way into university.
Available as a self-guided course.

Supporting you with your university interview

Support, tips and general guidance on how to navigate university interviews.
Available as a self-guided course.

Enterprise: everyone's business

Expand your ability to grow career opportunities.
Available as a self-guided course.

Mature learners

Helping you demystify the steps back into studying.
Available as a self-guided course.

Next steps to university

Explore higher education and learn tips for making the most of university.
New dates to be available in the future.

Exploring Stone Age archaeology

Further your interest in the past through a deep dive into a single case study.
Available as a self-guided course.

The language of truth

Jump into philosophical concepts and use logic to evaluate arguments.
Available as a self-guided course.

An introduction to nursing

Find out where a career in nursing has the potential to lead you.
Available as a self-guided course.

Tackling environmental challenges

How environmental research can inform our response to global sustainability issues.
Available as a self-guided course.

Intelligent systems

Understand our codependency with machines to tackle digital challenges.
Available as a self-guided course.

Introduction to cognitive psychology

Develop an understanding of cognitive psychology as an experimental science.
Available as a self-guided course.

Accents, attitudes and identity

Discover how our visions of ourselves and others interact.
Available as a self-guided course.

Bugs, brains and beasts

Learn to reinforce basic biological concepts through cutting-edge research.
Available as a self-guided course.

Behavioural activation for depression

Boost your awareness of depressive states, and one of the techniques to tackle them.
Available as a self-guided course.

Lights, camera, computer - action!

Discover the emerging technologies shaping the future of storytelling.
Available as a self-guided course.

Frontier physics, future technologies

Grapple with the building blocks of the universe.
Available as a self-guided course.

Bioeconomy

Join the fight for a sustainable world that protects future generations.
Available as a self-guided course.

How to read a poem

Dive into the wonderful world of analysing poetry
Available as a self-guided course.

Poverty and inequality

Learn of the ways in which we can tackle social injustice.
Available as a self-guided course.

Exploring everyday chemistry

The organic chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport.
Available as a self-guided course.

From crime to punishment

Work through a case study which follows the story of a defendant.
Available as a self-guided course.

Engineering the future

Reimagine your perception of engineering by exploring real-world applications.
Available as a self-guided course.

Discover the Hidden History of York

Explore the history of York from a range of new perspectives.
Available as a self-guided course.

Pictures of youth

Examine popular visual culture for children and young people.
Available as a self-guided course.

An introduction to art history

Broaden your understanding of sculpture and materiality.
Available as a self-guided course.

Digital wellbeing

Consider the impact of digital technologies on health, relationships and society.
Available as a self-guided course.

Inclusive learning for students

Develop understandings of others and your unique place within education communities.
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.

Incoming undergraduates

Helping you prepare for the whole university experience.
Available as a self-guided course.

Incoming postgraduates

Supporting your transition to postgraduate study.
Available as a self-guided course.

Figuring out your degree

How the supported learning of maths can be integral to your studies and beyond.
Available as a self-guided course.

How MOOCs work

By trying a MOOC, you'll be joining our global learning community. They're designed by our world-leading academics, and give the perfect insight into a wide range of subjects. We also run courses exclusive to York offer holders to help prepare them for life with us.

You can study alongside York tutors and other learners on 'facilitated' courses at set dates through the year, or take them at your own pace at any time. They last between two and four weeks, and are delivered through videos, quizzes, case studies and group discussions.

There aren't any entry requirements; all you need is an internet connection and a passion to learn. Jump in.

The course was full to the brim with info to make the transition to uni much smoother and less daunting. I absolutely love the interactivity and videos throughout, which definitely gave it a community feel. I can’t recommend it enough!

Amy, Next Steps to University course