Are you or your child getting ready for university or looking toward a master’s degree in the field of nature, sustainability, and how humans interact with the planet? You don’t have to wait to enrol in a full degree to start learning. There are excellent, fully free online courses offered by globally recognised institutions that are accessible from practically anywhere. These can help you build knowledge, strengthen your applications, and jump‑start your journey. Below are 10 top, globally accessible, free online courses you can start today.
Free Courses You Can Access Globally
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The Open University – Introducing the Environment: Ecology and Ecosystems
This beginner‑friendly, self‑paced course helps you understand what ecosystems are, how everything in nature connects, and how humans are part of the system. No sign‑up fee, and you can earn a free statement of participation. -
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Nature‑based Solutions for Disaster & Climate Resilience (MOOC)
Free to audit worldwide and offered in multiple languages. This course explores how nature itself can help tackle disasters and climate change, a practical, real‑world focus ideal for students wanting to make an impact. -
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Environment & Sustainability Course Collection
Free open‑content university‑level materials covering biodiversity, energy, systems thinking, and more. Great for self‑study and for building a deeper foundation before or alongside formal study. -
Alison – Environmental Education: Climate Change – The Science
A free beginner course that focuses on climate change: causes, impacts, and what can be done. Accessible globally and flexible for learners who are exploring or preparing for further study. -
Alison – Diploma in Environmental Management
Offers a deeper dive into ecology, ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental issues. Free to study; optional paid certificate. -
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) – Global Environmental Management
An intermediate course via Coursera that covers global trends, utilities (water/waste management), and sustainable technologies. Free audit version available. -
University of Glasgow – Uniting for a Sustainable Future: An Introduction to Global Sustainability
Free access with time‑limited enrolment; a solid introduction for anyone wanting to understand sustainability from a global perspective, ahead of bachelor or master studies. -
University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign – Introduction to Sustainability
A Coursera course that explains human‑planet interactions, sustainability principles, and resource use. Free audit version exists. -
University of Vienna – “MOOC Environmental Emergencies: Navigating Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Environmental Pollution”
Free and open to all; analyzes global crises in biodiversity, pollution, and change. Good fit for master’s preparation or students wanting to think globally. -
University of Michigan – Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health Specialization
The first course “Environmental Health: The Foundation of Global Public Health” is openly accessible and part of a larger series. Explores how environmental factors affect human health globally.
If you’re gearing up for a bachelor’s degree, prepping for a master’s, or simply keen to expand your understanding of how humans, nature and global systems connect, these courses offer you a free, flexible start. They help you build knowledge, explore your interests, and show future admissions committees or employers that you’re proactive. Pick one (or more), commit a little time each week, and you’ll be ahead of the curve.
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