STEM online learning resources

Online learning has taken off in recent years with courses popping up on every subject imaginable. If you want a taster of what you might learn at university, here’s our guide to what’s available…

FUTURELEARN.COM

FutureLearn says 10 million people have studied the courses on its online platform since it launched almost eight years ago. When it began, in December 2012, it was partnered with 21 UK and two international universities; now FutureLearn is affiliated with over 175 institutions all around the world.

There are over 600 free short courses available on the site, 105 of which cover science, engineering and mathsrelated topics. You can try your hand at understanding the weather, data science in the games industry, and medicinal chemistry.

The courses are led by academics and aimed at school or college students looking for a taste of undergraduate study, but anyone can sign up to participate. Most of the courses are two to four weeks long and require less than five hours of study a week. There are videos, audio recordings, written articles and interactive quizzes to help you along the way. There are no grades or qualifications at the end of it but FutureLearn also offers ‘microcredential’ courses and some vocational degrees if you’re prepared to pay.

KHANACADEMY.ORG

There are plenty of maths, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and computing courses on the Khan Academy and they’re all free (although you’re encouraged to make a donation). The courses are geared towards kids of all ages in the US school system, whether they’re just starting kindergarten (five years old)