Free Online Courses in South Africa

 

As of late, the demand for online courses has increased drastically. This is due to a number of universities in South Africa introducing free courses with valid certificates, aimed at promoting distance learning within the country.

Owing to this, many students may find it easier to enroll in free online courses, aiding them in establishing a solid foundation for a successful career.

Online courses are beneficial as it allows anyone from around the world to gain knowledge in a chosen field of study, and for free! Accessing online courses is easy: all you will need is a device (computer/ laptop/ tablet), a stable internet connection, and a schedule. (Some online courses also offer their students a certificate once they have successfully completed the course.)

If an online course is something you would be interested in, but you do not know where to start, then this article will help you by covering all aspects you need to consider before starting your free course.
 

What are free online courses?

Free online courses are a unique way to increase your skill-set without spending any money. There are numerous online courses available, so chances are that you will find one tailored to your needs. As mentioned previously, some online courses also award you a certificate upon completion, which can put you in great stead when applying for a job.
 

Factors to consider when choosing an online course

1. Is the free online course accredited?
Most online education platforms will offer their students certificates (accredited by that specific institution) establishing the foundation towards continued learning. It is vital that before engaging in an online course, you do the necessary research to ascertain whether the certificates you recieve are accredited by the educational facility. (It’s important to note that these certificates are non-credit bearing.)

2. Are the designers or educators of the programme respected in their field?
When looking to do an online course, be sure to conduct research beforehand about the institution/ person giving the course. On the educational platform, you will often find write-ups/ references about the person hoisting the free course. Should you fail to find any information, be sure to search them on the internet and learn about their level of expertise. This step simply allows you to see what level of expertise the person/ institution will offer you and if it will be beneficial.

3. Does it offer value?
This point is the most important factor to consider. Before selecting a course, be sure to go through the available information about the course so that you can have an idea of what to expect. This will allow you to know what you will be doing during the course and how the possible outcome will affect you.

4. Does it have good reviews?
Looking at reviews is a great way to gain insight from past learners’ experiences. Much like a review on a restaurant, reviews on online courses will allow you to gain a general consensus of what you will learn and what you can expect to experience.
 

Benefits of doing a free online course

1. It is an excellent way to stay current with a changing environment.
With the ever-changing world, free online courses are a great way to bridge the gap between commencing your study journey and gaining full-access knowledge in your chosen field.

2. It allows you to increase your knowledge.
Whilst there are a number of ways to increase your knowledge online, not all of them offer you the same reward as free online courses. Online courses provide you with certificates that you can attach to your CV and are taught by educated professionals. Online courses also allow you to learn at your own pace and according to your own schedule.

3. You can learn a new skill.
Perhaps you are considering a free online course to increase your skill-set or explore a new career avenue? Free online courses will give you the freedom to explore your chosen topic without having to spend any money.
 

What can you expect when taking a free online course?

The advantages of taking an online course are major, however, it is important to note that these courses are not equivalent to a qualification such as a certificate or diploma.

Free Online Courses are often not too time-consuming, however, it is vital that you gain an idea of how long the course will take so that you set up an effective learning schedule, ensuring you get value for your time.

Just because an online course is free does not mean that you have to engage in it. Be sure that when selecting a free online course you choose an avenue of interest and/ or something that you will hopefully study further.
 

How do free online courses work?

To begin your free online course journey, the first thing you need to do is register your account on the course website. Next, you will be able to browse an array of courses that you can choose to engage in.

Free online courses are usually developed by universities, industry professionals and/ or collaborative arrangements between various educational institutions and individuals (i.e. course creators.)

Course creators make various courses for a number of reasons, such as:

• Wanting to share their expert knowledge at a quick and cheap rate
• Wanting to make money by expanding their course globally
• Wanting to get their university’s name out into the world

As such, course creators publish their works to an online platform, allowing individuals, such as yourself, to register for it. It’s important to note that some courses will require you to pay upfront, whilst others will allow you to engage in them for free. In some instances, should you want a certificate to aid you in applying for a job, then you will need to pay for the said certificate.
 

What are some of the best free online course providers in the country?

South Africa offers a number of free online courses, which may make it difficult for you to choose which one to pursue. Below is a list of free online courses that you can engage in. It is important to note that should you wish to obtain a certificate from the following courses, you will need to pay a small fee.

Alison
This platform has many free online courses such as Certificates and Diplomas, and is consistently adding more to their platform. Since 2007, Alison has been partnered with a number of reputable universities, foundations, and individuals across the world, providing its students with free, flexible, and fun online courses. With Alison, you can choose to engage in a longer diploma course, or do multiple short certificate courses- whatever your need, there is a course that can fit your schedule.
Sign up for Alison courses here.

Coursera
Coursera encourages learners from all types of backgrounds to enhance their skill-set and establish a solid foundation for a professional career. Coursera offers a number of premium free courses, spanning over a wide range of subjects. These courses are derived from educational content provided by the top universities and industry professionals, aimed at bridging the gap between traditional education and the evolving job sector. Coursera offers courses catered to your needs, from one’s that take only 2 hours to complete, to others that take 3 to 6 months.
Sign up for Coursera courses here.

edX
This platform offers a number of courses that can be audited free or verified by a certificate for a small fee. edX offers numerous interactive online courses and MOOCs in subjects such as history, law, engineering, science, social sciences, business, public health, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
Sign up for edX courses here.

Khan Academy
This platform is famously known for its extensive list of free educational videos and exercises, focusing mainly on basic education in various subjects. Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization with the main goal of providing free education to all. The organization is funded and supported by the aid of contributions from people.
Sign up for Khan Academy courses here.

Codecademy
Given its name, Codecademy offers courses to individuals wanting to learn code. This platform offers free and interactive coding lessons in 12 different coding languages, such as Java, Python, JavaScript and more.
Sign up for Codecademy courses here.

iQ Academy
iQ Academy has developed a series of online micro-courses offered through DO Life. These courses are designed in collaboration with a number of industry professionals, ensuring that each learner engages in content that is up-to-date with the latest techniques needed for better and faster personal growth.
Sign up for iQ Academy courses here.

Udacity
This platform has more than 200 completely free courses. It is important to note that whilst you will gain valuable education, this platform does not offer a certificate. Most of the courses offered on Udacity are created as part of a paid microcredential that is offered: this is called a Nanodegree.
Sign up for Udacity courses here.

Before you make a decision on which free course to complete, it is important to look at the pros and cons of each institutions, and the course offerings that are best suited to what you would like to learn.
 

** TIPS & ARTICLES **
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the Public vs Private Higher Education Institutions and which to choose.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
 

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