Finding the best free online college courses for high school students can be difficult, I will help you by telling you about these courses right on this page.
Most times, high school students wish to improve their credits which is why most students register for free online courses.
Asides that, most high school graduates do not have the time to register for on-campus learning. Thanks to technological advancement, you can learn some courses from the comfort of your home or wherever you are while still doing what you love.
This article covers some free online college courses available for high school students and lots more. You should consider getting a cup of tea or coffee, whichever you prefer because I promise this will be an informative and fun article.
Table of Contents
Can I Get a Harvard Certificate for Free?
Yes, you can get a Harvard certificate for free, although you must bear in mind that not all free online courses from Harvard University come with a free certificate.
Certain courses come with free certificates, while for others you would need to pay a certain amount or fee to access your certificate after completing the course.
An example of a course that comes with a free certificate is the Harvard OCW CS50. This course is totally free and it comes with a free certificate too.
Does Oxford Offer Free Online Courses?
Yes, Oxford University offers free online courses with certificates. This is available at the Oxford Home Study Centre. This platform has a large collection of free online courses, open to all students who are willing to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Some of their exclusive free course collection includes courses such as Business Management, Computer Science, Customer Service, Risk Management, Travel and Tourism, Fashion Design, Public Relations Management, and Entrepreneurship.
If you would like to enroll in this learning platform, you can go to the course page to check out what is available. This platform is open 365 days a year for enrollment, so you can start learning at any time.
What is the Best Free Course Download Site?
Using online learning platforms to helps you to learn courses at your comfortable place in a way that will not disrupt your schedule. The programs on these sites are offered by top universities and organizations from around the globe.
You can learn courses for free and sometimes after completion, you will be awarded a verified certificate.
These learning platforms offer various audio, video, articles, and e-books to improve your knowledge. The websites give you the opportunity to enroll in free online college courses as a high school student.
Platforms that offer free online college courses include the following:
- Coursera
- Udemy
- Udacity
Coursera
Coursera is an online learning platform, it is a free learning site that provides MOOC courses from top-notch universities. All Coursera courses come with pre-recorded video lectures that would serve as a guide when learning. You can watch it when it is convenient for you.
Coursera partners with universities to create courses that allow you to get a master’s degree or specialization. You can check out several college courses without any hassle.
This platform is offering free programs from accredited colleges and universities. The courses accessible on Coursera are offered by reputable universities. Coursera hosts many free online college courses for high school students.
Udemy
This is an online learning site that helps you to create courses for categories like business, design, marketing, and lots more.
It allows you to acquire new skills and you can achieve this goal by learning from the large library of various courses. Most courses that are available on this online learning platform are taught by expert instructors.
You do not need any qualifications to enroll in any course available on Udemy.
Udacity
Udacity is another outstanding free online platform that offers college courses for high school students. It aids you in creating courses in numerous areas like development, business, design, marketing, etc.
All programs that are available in Udacity are prepared by expert instructors. Learners can also develop new skills and this can be done by utilizing the extensive library of various courses.
This learning platform provides good quality courses. It helps you to prepare for the interview. This site offers the service of an instructor or mentor.
14 Best Free Online College Courses for High School Students
For high schoolers who wish to continue learning and acquiring more knowledge, you can do so by enrolling in free online college courses for high school students. These programs come with different learning materials and equipment.
What course would you like to study just name it, it is available for you. These free online college courses not only help you pass time usefully but would even improve your academic life.
Here is a list of the 15 Best free online college courses for high school students:
- English Composition
- Essential Math for Machine Learning
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Introduction to Human Physiology
- The Science of Solar System
- AP Physics
- Web Application Technologies and Django
- Critical Thinking for the Information Age
- Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Precalculus
- College Algebra and Problem Solving
- Instruments and Rhythm
- Foreign Language
English Composition
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 33 hours.
Learning platform: Coursera.
Institution offering program: Duke University.
This is another interesting free online college course that is available for high school students on Coursera.
Approximately 395,673 students have registered for this Duke University course, which educates students based on college-level writing. If a wish to go to college for further studies, this online college course can aid in preparing you for the rigors of the coursework that lies ahead.
During this period, you will learn how to read carefully, understand the whole writing system, write convincing arguments, cite references, and write powerful and captivating prose.
The course is crafted to assist those who already have a good understanding of basic grammar and wish to know more about effective writing.
As with all courses on Coursera, students would be eligible for a certificate of completion at the end of the course for a nominal fee, but this is optional. For more information about this course, see English Composition.
Essential Math for Machine Learning
Cost: Free.
Duration Of Program: 5 Weeks.
Learning Platform: LinkedIn.
Institution Offering Program: Not specified.
Machine learning is notably one of the hottest new fields students can pursue in the 21st century, and this class delivered through Microsoft will teach students the basics of the topic.
A lot of students may write off a career in the machine learning field, thinking they are not equipped with the complex math skills needed to accomplish the task.
This course is one of the best free online college courses you can take as a high school student, you just cannot go wrong with this course.
It is not a mathematics class in the conventional sense that we know. Rather, it is meant to bring students up to date and fill in any learning voids necessary to work with data processing. It concentrates on theories and how to convey them using a hands-on, practical technique.
You can take the free online course for high school students or choose the package for the paid certification. Upon completion of this course, you might have the morale you need to pursue an even greater feat. For more information on this online course, see Essential Math for Machine Learning.
Introduction to Chemistry
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 18 hours.
Learning platform: Coursera.
Institution Offering Program: Duke University.
This is another interesting free online college course for high school students, you had best check it out today as over 105,307 students have enrolled already for this course.
This course is available in other languages if you are thinking about the language it is taught in. The course comes with a shareable certificate and it has a rating score of 94%.
It also provides a basis for further study not only in chemistry but in health, science, and public policy. For more information on this free college course for high school students, see Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios.
See also: 12 Best Online Community College Courses.
Introduction to Human Physiology
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 33 hours.
Learning Platform: Coursera.
Institution offering program: Duke University.
If you wish to pursue a career in medicine or healthcare, then this course is definitely one of the free online college courses for high school students that you must consider.
You are required to devote 33 hours of study to the coursework or class. So because it is one of the swiftest courses available, it is a top choice for the best free online college courses for high school students. The class is also quite popular amongst distance learners, with nearly 446,758 enrolled students to date.
For more information on this free college course for high school students, see Introduction to Human Physiology.
The Science of Solar System
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 30 hours.
Learning platform: Coursera.
Institution offering Program: California Institute of Technology.
This is another interesting and useful college course that is available for free online for high students. This course is rated 96% on Coursera and over 65,317 students have registered for this course so far.
You are taught about the science behind the current research on the solar system in this free online college course and to use laws from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to comprehend the latest from Mars.
You would also study the outer solar system, check out planets outside our solar system, and search for any form of life in our neighborhood and beyond.
This course is normally taught at a developed level presuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, although the majority of the theories and lectures can be understood without these requirements.
Lastly, the tests and final exams are crafted to make you think immensely about the material you have learned instead of just making you memorize facts. This course comes with a certificate union completion of the program, with a fee. It is taught in various languages so this should not pose a problem for non-English speakers.
For more information on this free college course for high school students, see The Science of Solar System.
AP Physics
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 18 weeks.
Learning Platform: edX.
Institution Offering program: Rice University.
This course contains everything you need to know and help you prepare for the AP Physics 1 Exam. It is definitely one of the best free online college courses for high students and over 64,036 have already registered for this course.
During the process of learning, you will find lecture videos taught by Rice professors, problem-solving tutorials with experienced AP Physics teachers, interactive lab sessions, and practice questions. After you have completed this course, you should be ready to take on the AP exam!
For more information on this free college course for high school students, see AP Physics 1.
Web Application Technologies and Django
Cost: Contact provider.
Duration of Program: 5 weeks.
Learning Platform: Future Learn.
Institution Offering Program: University of Michigan.
Aspiring App developers who are still in high school should consider studying this free online college course for high school students. This course is offered through the University of Michigan, this five-week course teaches students to basic app and web page development.
Participants are required to devote two hours each week to the necessary coursework. All course content is available completely online, and the class is self-paced. For more information on this free college course, see Web Application Technologies and Django.
See also: 21 3-Month and 6-Month Certificate Programs That Pay Well.
Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age
Cost: Contact provider.
Duration: 4 weeks.
Learning Platform: Future Learn.
Institution offering Program: University of Michigan.
This is a four-week-long free online college course for high students and it is made available to students through the University of Michigan.
It is more of an introductory class and it is also one of the shortest free online college courses for high students. Now if you are on a short-term break or mid-term break, you must consider taking this program.
Some of the courses that would be taught include:
- Basic Concepts of Probability and Statistics
- Avoiding false correlations
- Coat benefits analysis
- Logical and dialectical thinking
For more information on this free college course for high school students, see Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age.
Astronomy
Cost: Free.
Duration of program: 43 hours.
Learning platform: Coursera.
Institution offering program: University of Arizona.
It is one of the best free online college courses for high school students on Coursera. You can take this class entirely online. It takes roughly 43 hours to complete and it is available in different languages. This course comes with a certificate after the completion of the program.
This program is designed for students or anyone interested in learning more about contemporary astronomy. It will bring you up to date on the most recent astronomical findings while also providing help at an introductory level for those who do not have any knowledge of science.
Over 214,143 students have registered for this course and If you would love to know more about this course, see Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space.
Chemistry
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 22 hours.
Learning Platform: Coursera.
Institution offering Program: University of Kentucky.
Chemistry is one of the free online college courses for high school students and it is offered by the University of Kentucky. This course is a 22 hours course and it is available on the Coursera learning platform.
Over 154,339 students have already enrolled for this course making it one of the most popular courses for high school students. It is designed to cover topics in advanced high school chemistry courses, relating to the common topics as established by the American Chemical Society.
This program is an introduction to the Advanced Chemistry Coursera course. It is taught in various languages and it does not come with a certificate. Now if you would love to know more about this course, see Chemistry.
Precalculus
Cost: Free.
Duration of program: 15 weeks.
Learning platform: edX.
Institution offering program: Arizona State University.
One of the free online college courses for high school students on our list is Arizona State University’s Precalculus. It is a credit-eligible class delivered via edX. This course is intended to provide a basis for more advanced studies in calculus.
This course is only taught in the English language and it does not come with a certificate. Over 76,841 students have registered for this 15 weeks course. For more information about this course, see Precalculus.
College Algebra and Problem Solving
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: 15 weeks.
Learning platform: edX.
Institution offering Program: Arizona State University.
Those looking to bag early college credit courses for high school students online must consider College Algebra and Problem-Solving on edX. This free online college course for high school students runs for 15 weeks and it is made available by Arizona State University.
Over 116,696 high school students have already registered for this free online college course. This course does not come with a certificate and it is only taught in the English language.
In this college-level course, you will learn to use algebraic principles to solve problems effectively. You will acquire skills in linear and quadratic methods, general polynomial functions, rational functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Students will be taught systems of linear equations. For more information on this free college course for high school students, see College Algebra and Problem Solving.
Instruments and Rhythm
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program:
Learning Platform: Alison.
Institution Offering Program: Yale University.
This course introduces various music genres, educates students on how to differentiate between melody and rhythm, and also defines the tempo.
It includes two short modules and involves a diagnostic quiz and a final assessment. It comes with a digital certificate of participation for students who successfully complete the course.
The platform offers some of the best free online college courses for high school students and it is the only MOOC on our list that provides certification free of charge.
More than 20,000 students have enrolled for this course online. For more information on this free college course for high school students, see Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm.
Foreign Language
Cost: Free.
Duration of Program: Varies.
Learning platform: Duolingo.
Institution offering Program: Not Specified.
Foreign language courses are one of the best free online college courses you can take as a high school student.
This app is one of the easiest free learning apps for languages available. The app has over 30 languages for English speakers and a lot more for native speakers of other languages.
This free online college course for high school students is available to you via your desktop browser, tablet, or mobile.
The app also features an interesting interface that makes learning new languages fun and easy. By committing just a few minutes every day, you can have total command in nearly any language you want in very little time.
The app’s layout is highly structured, yet user-friendly, and you just need to take a series of exercises or tests to reach the next level of each course.
If you already have a little bit of experience under your belt, you should check out some of the lower levels and move on to more advanced lessons.
As you proceed through the lessons and hit your objectives, you will receive “lingots,” the platform’s digital coins that can be spent on the Duolingo store for virtual power-ups. Since this course is more like an introductory course, you would not be getting any certificates.
Is the University of London Free?
No, the University of London is not a free learning institution. The tuition fee for this university is 9,250 Euros for undergraduates, while for international students fees vary. If you would love to know more about this institution, see Free short courses.
The University offers free courses though so if you are in search of free courses, then you must check out their site today.
Can High School Students Enroll in College Courses?
Yes and yes again, high school students can enroll in college courses and if as a parent you do not have the funds to assist your child with this endeavor, there are tons of free online college courses for high school students.
Some of these courses have already been discussed in this piece, so do well to register for one today as some of the courses are already ongoing. Students can do this in a bid to increase their credit level in school.
Frequently Aksed Questions on Free Online College for High School Students
What are the Best Free Online College Courses for High School Students?
The best free online college courses for high school students are foreign language, computer science, English composition, and Chemistry.
What are the Best Online Learning Platforms in 2023?
The best learning platforms in 2023 are Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, edX, FutureLearn, and Alison.
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My name is Lezze Jibs and I love traveling. Writing for me is a way of traveling because I learn new things every time and the experience is just amazing. As a content writer with over two years of experience, I ensure I create contents that help learners all over the world.
Asides from writing, in my free time I like to watch movies and visit different hang-out spots.
As an individual, I enjoy reading as this is a way of acquiring knowledge for my line of work.