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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

Explore higher education and learn tips for making the most of university.
Available from 9 June 2025.
Enhancing knowledge and skills in non-mental health practitioners.
Available from 12 May 2025.
Investigate how society works and the impact difference has on culture, values and practices.
Available from 23 June 2025.
The organic chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport.
Available from 23 June 2025
Jump into philosophical concepts and use logic to evaluate arguments.
Available 23 June 2025.
Develop an understanding of cognitive psychology as an experimental science.
Available from 7 July 2025.
Learn about some of the strongest codes ever known.
Available from 7 July 2025.
Discover how our visions of ourselves and others interact.
Available from 14 July 2025.
Further your interest in the past through a deep dive into a single case study.
Available from 23 June 2025.
How environmental research can inform our response to global sustainability issues.
Available from 7 July 2025.
Explore the history of York from a range of new perspectives.
Available as a self-guided course.
Explore the contemporary political crises of climate change, migration and terrorism.
Available as a self-guided course.
This course will help you to think about the history of Joyce’s writing and more.
Available as a self-guided course.
Dive into the wonderful world of analysing poetry.
Available as a self-guided course.
Support, tips and general guidance on how to navigate university interviews.
Available as a self-guided course.
Prepare yourself for your higher education journey
Available as a self-guided course.
Study the development of the FIFA World Cup.
Available as a self-guided course.
Find out where a career in nursing has the potential to lead you.
Available as a self-guided course.
Make the most of your educational background to find a way into university.
Available as a self-guided course.
Understand our codependency with machines to tackle digital challenges.
Available as a self-guided course.
Broaden your understanding of sculpture and materiality.
Available as a self-guided tour.
Learn about pubs from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Available as a self-guided course.
Learn to reinforce basic biological concepts through cutting-edge research.
Available as a self-guided course.
Boost your awareness of depressive states, and one of the techniques to tackle them.
Available as a self-guided course.
Discover the emerging technologies shaping the future of storytelling.
Available as a self-guided course.
Grapple with the building blocks of the universe.
Available as a self-guided course.
Join the fight for a sustainable world that protects future generations.
Available as a self-guided course.
Expand your ability to grow career opportunities.
Available as a self-guided course.
Learn of the ways in which we can tackle social injustice.
Available as a self-guided course.
Helping you demystify the steps back into studying.
Available as a self-guided course.
Work through a case study which follows the story of a defendant.
Available as a self-guided course.
Reimagine your perception of engineering by exploring real-world applications.
Available as a self-guided course.
Discover the importance of interdisciplinary science teaching.
Available as a self-guided course.
Examine popular visual culture for children and young people.
Available as a self-guided course.
Consider the impact of digital technologies on health, relationships and society.
Available as a self-guided course.
Develop understandings of others and your unique place within education communities.
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