Class Central: Thousands of Free Online
Class Central has compiled a list of thousands of free online certificates and badges from universities and companies.
Class Central has published what it calls the single largest collection of free certificate courses available online. The list, read by over 10 million people, compiles thousands of free credentials from universities and major tech companies.
While platforms like Coursera and edX largely moved to paid certificates by 2015, some institutions continue to offer them for free. The report states that Harvard and Stanford universities, alongside platforms like OpenLearn and LinkedIn Learning, provide complimentary certificates. Companies such as Google and MATLAB also offer free certificates to promote their products.
Class Central notes it tested each platform and earned certificates itself during the compilation. The publication warns that course availability can change, recommending learners verify a course's free certificate status before starting. Class Central is not involved in running the courses or issuing the credentials.
Google Free Certificates and Badges
Google offers over 450 courses with free certificates or badges, according to the Class Central investigation. These cover topics including digital marketing, Google Analytics, and Google Cloud. A dedicated article lists all 450+ offerings.
Examples of available Google certifications include Google Ads Search Certification, Google Analytics Certification, and Introduction to Generative AI. Courses also cover technical skills like building apps with Flutter, Introduction to SQL, and Kotlin fundamentals. You can explore more detailed stats on course popularity.
University Free Certificate Programs
Harvard University provides free certificates for its famous CS50 computer science course lineup through its OpenCourseWare (OCW) platform. The core CS50 course has over 6 million enrollments on edX. The available courses are listed in the table below.
| Course Title | University |
|---|---|
| CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Computer Science for Lawyers | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Scratch | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Databases with SQL | Harvard University |
| CS50’s Introduction to Programming with R | Harvard University |
Stanford Medicine offers free certificates and continuing medical education (CME) credit through various online resources. These include the Stanford Medcast podcast, on-demand webinars, and full courses like Health Across the Gender Spectrum. Learners can access a formal transcript from Stanford listing completed training.
The Open University, via its OpenLearn platform, provides over 900 free courses with certificates or badges. Subjects range from arts and language to science and technology. Example courses include Everyday English 1, Information security, The business of football, and A brief introduction to nursing.
LinkedIn Learning and Other Platforms
A search of LinkedIn Learning's catalog identified 115 learning paths and 400 individual courses offering free certificates, totaling over 470 hours of content. To earn a certificate for a learning path, a learner must complete all individual courses within it.
Notable LinkedIn Learning pathways include Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn and Professional Soft Skills Learning Pathway. Individual course examples are Communication Foundations, Project Management Foundations, and Critical Thinking for Better Judgment and Decision-Making. For a broader view of available learning, check our fixtures for upcoming course schedules.
Other sources listed include OpenLearn and MATLAB. The report is dynamic, with Class Central stating it will continue to update the list. Readers are invited to share knowledge of any free certificates not included.
