How to learn and study in the UK at low (or no) cost
B ooks, tutors, study tools, materials … the prices all add up. Whether you are a student at school, college or university or hoping to swot up on a topic independently, there are ways around some of the costs if you know where to look.
Many universities offer free online short courses, which often cover a range of topics. Most aren’t official qualifications but could be a beneficial addition to your CV, or an induction into a topic you are hoping to explore at a deeper level.
They usually come with a lesson plan for students to follow over a number of weeks but some also offer the option to study at your own pace.
US institutions, such as Harvard and Stanford universities, offer free courses covering social sciences, humanities, business, literature, art, education and teaching that are pre-recorded and can be accessed via their websites.
Similarly, the Open University offers free courses in history and the arts, including topics such as art and the Mexican Revolution or historical perspectives on race.
A wide range of options can be found on Coursera, a platform that consolidates online courses from universities around the globe.
For example, the University of Alberta is offering lessons on indigenous Canada, and Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, offers beginner Korean. These can be accessed remotely at no cost, although if you wish to download a certificate, you may need to pay a small fee.
For recognised certificates, platforms such as Alison offer free and low-cost courses that can gain you diplomas and other recognised qualifications.
Open Study College provides vocational courses, such as animal care, beauty therapy and fitness, with a payment plan option that means students pay about £10 to £15 a month, depending
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