Online course opportunities

CIW Site Development Associate is a 100% online, beginner-friendly qualification from Career Smarter that teaches the foundations of website development. The course covers HTML5, CSS, web design principles, multimedia, publishing, accessibility, and the practical skills needed to build standards-based websites from the ground up. Learners work through seven modules and around 20-25 hours of study, with full course access for 12 months. It is designed for aspiring web developers, designers learning to build, career changers, marketing and content staff, students, and people new to coding. There are no prerequisites, and the course is positioned as a launchpad for a web development career. The course fully prepares learners for the official CIW Site Development Associate exam, which is taken separately online with CIW. Support includes a built-in AI tutor, account manager help, practice tests, and a verifiable certificate plus digital badge on completion. The course is currently priced at £195, with finance options available at checkout.

Queen Mary University of London’s Post 16 Options: Beyond GCSE Study is a short online course designed to help Year 11 students think about what comes after GCSEs. It introduces the main post-16 pathways, including A-Levels, BTECs, apprenticeships, T-Levels, and other routes, giving learners a clearer picture of what each option involves. The course is intended to support students who feel unsure about their next steps or who want to compare different study and career pathways. It encourages learners to reflect on their strengths, interests, and goals, and to use that thinking to make more confident decisions about their future. The course is self-paced and takes around 45 minutes to complete.

This self-paced course from Queen Mary University of London is designed to help students get application-ready for university. It introduces the UCAS process in a clear, manageable way and supports learners who are beginning to think seriously about their post-GCSE and post-16 options. Students will learn how to choose courses and universities, understand what admissions tutors are looking for, and plan a strong personal statement. The course also breaks the application process down step by step so that it feels less overwhelming and more achievable. It is aimed at Year 11-12 students aged 15-17 and can be completed online at your own pace. The course takes around 45-50 minutes and is a useful introduction for anyone preparing to apply to university.

Scream Theatre Schools' Acting for TV & Film course is a live online programme for young performers aged 14 to 19. It is designed to help participants turn auditions into opportunities by improving self-tape technique, on-camera confidence, and overall screen performance. Across four Tuesday sessions in August, students work on practical acting skills that are useful for TV and film casting. The course includes self-tape masterclass-style training, on-camera screen acting techniques, audition and chemistry read practice, and professional feedback from casting experts. It is aimed at both beginners and those who already have some experience and want to sharpen their skills. The course is delivered online via Zoom, so students can join from home using their own device. Sessions run on Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August 2026 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. The total course fee is £120 and bookings must be made in advance.

R Programming for Data Science: Introduction is a 10-week short online course from Oxford Lifelong Learning for anyone who wants to build a foundation in the R programming language. It is designed for complete beginners as well as those with limited or no prior programming experience, and it introduces the basics of R before moving on to more practical data tasks. Across the course, learners explore syntax, control statements, functions, variables, data structures, file handling, and basic visualisation. The course gradually develops into data processing and manipulation, including filtering, sorting, merging, joining, and working with date/time data. It also shows how R can be used for Excel-like operations on tabular data. Teaching takes place online through a blend of self-study materials and weekly live webinars on Microsoft Teams. The course is offered at FHEQ level 4 and involves around 100 study hours in total, with formative and summative assessment. Course materials are made available before the first live session so students can prepare in advance.

EduRev's Data Science Course: Complete Data Science Bootcamp is a free online learning resource designed to build a strong foundation in data science. It covers the full learning journey, from data foundations and descriptive analytics to statistics, machine learning, and modern topics such as deep learning, big data, and MLOps. The course is structured around six modules and includes 20+ videos, 30+ documents, and tests to support self-paced study. Learners can also access exam-focused study material, notes, and practice resources aligned to the 2026-2027 syllabus. The content emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with tools and technologies such as Python, SQL, Tableau, Matplotlib, Spark, and cloud platforms. It is aimed at anyone preparing for data science study or looking to strengthen their technical skills for future careers in analytics, machine learning, and AI. EduRev states that learners can join for free and receive a certificate on completion, making it a useful option for independent study and exam preparation.

Emerson Latin's Cambridge Latin (Stage I) is a live, remote course that introduces younger students to Latin through sustained reading and structured grammatical study. The programme begins with an eight-week summer intensive meeting twice weekly, followed by ten-week fall, winter, spring, and trinity terms meeting once weekly. Together the five-term sequence completes the equivalent of two full academic years of Latin. The course blends a reading-based approach (emphasis on encountering meaning in context) with grammar-translation study to develop both comprehension and analytic precision. Sessions are interactive and small-group: students read passages together, attempt guided translation, annotate texts, and receive individualized feedback. Regular preparation between sessions is expected to build fluent, cumulative progress. Cambridge Latin is designed for upper-elementary and middle-school learners (no prior Latin required) and is suitable for homeschoolers, students seeking strong school preparation, and those aiming for international competitions or advanced examination pathways. Families are invited to schedule a consultation to discuss placement and enrollment.

This online short course from Oxford Lifelong Learning introduces the craft of writing fiction aimed at young adult readers. Through guided reading, weekly writing exercises, tutor feedback and peer discussion you will develop convincing dialogue, gripping narrative and characterisation suited to YA fiction across sub-genres from realism to the supernatural. The course runs as 10 units over 10 weeks with an expected total commitment of around 100 study hours. Teaching methods include guided reading, forum discussions, non-assessed writing exercises and tutor-moderated feedback. Assessment comprises two pieces of work: a 500-word interim exercise and a 1,500-word assessed piece submitted at the end of the course (marked pass/fail). The course is offered at FHEQ level 4 and is open to all; no prior knowledge is required. It is delivered online (flexible) and fees are listed at £695. To apply, book your place via the 'Book now' button on the course page or complete the online enrolment form linked on the site.

Advanced Writing is an online, self-paced course offered by the University of California, Irvine via Coursera that focuses on developing college-level academic writing skills. The course (Course 3 of the Academic English: Writing Specialization) teaches students to plan and write more sophisticated argument essays, identify and avoid plagiarism using MLA conventions, read and synthesize multiple articles, form thesis statements, and use outside sources effectively. The syllabus includes short video lessons, readings, writing assignments, peer review elements (paid access), and quizzes. Learners can audit the course for free with access to instructional videos and handouts; peer feedback and quizzes are available in the paid version or via a Coursera Plus subscription. A shareable certificate is available upon completion. The course is remote and flexible, intended for learners preparing for college-level work or those who already have basic essay-writing experience and want to advance their academic writing.

This one-week online course from FutureLearn (developed by Packt) teaches SQL and MySQL for real-world database management. Through practical, hands-on exercises you will set up a local MySQL environment, design databases and tables, and perform data manipulation tasks including inserting, updating and deleting records. The course covers core SQL syntax and foundational concepts used in modern data architecture and business intelligence. You will progress to advanced querying and analysis techniques, learning to construct complex queries using WHERE, logical operators, sorting, grouping, aggregates and built-in relational functions. A key focus is mastering JOINs to combine data across multiple tables for comprehensive reporting. Final modules introduce performance tuning and optimisation, including indexes and query optimisation techniques to improve retrieval speed and system efficiency. The course is available now on FutureLearn as an open-level, self-paced class with an estimated 4 hours of study per week. Learners can access a free limited version, buy the course for a one-off fee, or subscribe for wider platform access; a digital certificate is available when eligibility requirements are met.

Cyber Safety For Teens is a self-paced online course created for young people ages 13-18 to build awareness, confidence, and practical skills for staying safe online. Through engaging lessons, real-life examples, and quizzes, the course covers recognizing cyberbullying and cyberstalking, avoiding online predators, managing privacy settings, understanding digital footprints, creating strong passwords, and spotting scams and phishing attempts. The course is delivered fully online and requires no prerequisites. Students who complete all lessons and reach 100% completion can download a certificate of completion as a PDF. For registration, cost, and detailed course logistics, learners should visit the course provider's page.

M2 SPED Awareness’s Year 11: Knowledge & Problem-Solving is a remote Neurodiversity Youth Advocate programme designed for Year 11 students across London, Luton, Birmingham and Leicester. The programme introduces evidence-based knowledge about dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and autism and shows participants how to critically evaluate media and research to apply learnings in real-world neurodiverse community contexts. Participants receive mentoring and teaching from university students and professionals in areas including psychology, neuroscience, education and related fields. The programme includes careers-in-focus sessions (healthcare, psychology, education), group problem-solving presentations and applied activities designed to develop public speaking, teamwork, leadership and advocacy skills. Each term features a group presentation activity with small gift-voucher prizes and a Certificate of Participation awarded for full completion. Delivery is remote. The structure comprises three term-day sessions (held in September, November and January) and a week-long remote summer school in early July, with session times and topic-focused timetables provided for each term and for the summer week.

Mathsaurus offers live UKMT Intermediate Kangaroo and Olympiad preparation courses and a self-paced online course for students aged 13-16 preparing for the Intermediate Maths Challenge, Kangaroos and the Cayley, Hamilton and Maclaurin Olympiads. Live classes are taught online via Zoom by Dr Kevin Olding and focus on problem-solving techniques, past-paper practice and targeted preparation for follow-on rounds and Olympiad papers. Courses run in specific months (page lists February for Intermediate Olympiads and March for last-minute practice) and some sessions are recorded - February classes note recordings are available for 30 days, while certain last-minute practice sessions are not recorded. Classes are interactive with Zoom polls and chat, encourage student questions and volunteers to present solutions. Mathsaurus also offers a signature self-paced course, "Go for Gold in Maths Challenges (ages 13-16)", which contains video lessons and quizzes and can be used alongside live options. Bookings are non-refundable within 24 hours of the first lesson; Zoom links are emailed on sign-up and are available in a user account if created. For further details, sign-up or contact Mathsaurus via their support page.

The APERTURE EU Project offers a free, self-paced online course designed to bridge the skills gap in PropTech and sustainable construction. The programme covers green technologies, digital innovation and practical applications in the built environment across six modules, and includes structured learning materials, slides, infographics and quizzes. Participants receive a certificate of attendance on completion. The course is open to students, graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs across Europe and beyond. It also serves as a pathway into the projects virtual business incubator and a business plan competition where three winning teams will each receive a 15,000 cash prize. Mentors and project partners from industry will support teams during the incubator. A Malta info session will be held to explain the online training and how to join the incubator and competition. Attendees can network afterwards; seats for the info session can be booked via Eventbrite and enrolment for the course is available on the project website.

Join this 11-week online course for a practical deep-dive into writing comedy for the screen across seven subgenres: horror, romantic, sci-fi/fantasy, action, satirical, location and musical comedy. The course combines self-paced study with scheduled live webinars and short 1:1 tutorials to develop genre-specific skills for screen comedy. The course runs Monday 18 May 2026 to Sunday 2 August 2026. You should allow approximately four hours of study per week in addition to live sessions. Live elements include a Week 0 1-hour drop-in meet & greet (Tuesday 12 May, 18:30-19:30) and weekly 2.5-hour webinars (Tuesdays 18:00-20:30) across Weeks 1-11, plus two 15-minute 1:1 tutorial slots scheduled in Weeks 4 and 7. Webinars are recorded for later access. This course is delivered fully online and can be completed from any location with a suitable internet connection. Falmouth recommends using a desktop or laptop with reliable internet to access the Virtual Learning Environment, course materials, videos, webinars and discussion forums.

KALIMAH Center offers live, instructor-led online Arabic classes tailored specifically for high school students aged 14-18. Courses cover all four core skills-reading, writing, speaking, and listening-mapped to CEFR levels from Beginner (A1) through Advanced (C1). Classes are delivered via video platforms (private 1-on-1 lessons or small group classes), with flexible scheduling to fit around school timetables. The curriculum includes placement testing, regular level assessments, and parent-facing progress reports. Instruction emphasizes Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the foundation, with cultural literacy and optional dialect exposure added later. Typical study expectations are 3-4 hours per week, with realistic timelines given for progression between CEFR levels. Pricing varies by format: group classes are the most affordable while private lessons offer bespoke pacing. A free trial lesson is offered to evaluate fit before committing. Prospective students or parents can book a free trial or enrol via the Kalimah Center website.

The Explore Arts Award run by Arise Home Education is a seven-session online course delivered via Zoom that fulfils the requirements for the Arts Award Discover Explore (Explore). Students take part in a range of art activities, reflect on the creative process, and explore the work of artists and arts organisations. The course emphasises skill development in project planning, communication and public speaking alongside practical art-making. Participants develop a self-planned project and a completed logbook which is submitted for assessment; successful completion results in a nationally recognised Explore Arts Award (Entry Level 3) validated by Trinity College London. The live tutoring fee covers the online sessions; an administrative/assessment fee to the tutor and the Trinity certificate fee is payable near the end of the course, and the Explore logbook must be purchased separately. This cohort-style class is designed for students aged 11 and above and includes active peer feedback and sharing. The course is only open to students who are also registered for Arise's Intro to Art: Art Studio Year 1 (co-requisite); families should be prepared to support younger learners with online submissions if needed.

Discover Bristol is a virtual outreach programme for Year 13 students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, delivered by the University of Bristol. The programme offers up to six online after-school sessions that include academic tasters, UCAS and personal statement guidance, student funding and financial literacy, study skills, careers and employability support, and information on student support services. Sessions are delivered in collaboration with current students, student societies, central student services and the Widening Participation team. Successful completers may be eligible for a guaranteed contextual offer (typically two A-Level grades below standard entry requirements) or a guaranteed interview for courses that require interviews, provided course-specific requirements and admissions test thresholds (e.g., UCAT, LNAT, SAQ) are met. Participants will also be supported to attend the University of Bristol Autumn Open Day on Saturday 1 November 2025 to explore campus and meet staff and students. Applications for the 2025-26 cohort have now closed. Applications are due to reopen in Summer 2026; interested students can complete the expression of interest form to be notified when applications open. Reasonable adjustments are available for participants who need additional support.

Apply with Bath is a free, flexible online programme from the University of Bath designed to support Year 13 students who plan to apply to Bath for entry in 2026. Available from September 2025, the self-paced programme provides a range of resources on topics such as personal statements, accommodation, scholarships, bursaries and student finance. Participants can pick the modules most relevant to them and progress at their own pace. The programme offers opportunities to chat with current undergraduates (e-mentors), access tailored guidance, and book 1:1 personal statement support for those applying to Bath. Specific support is available for students who are estranged, young carers, displaced, or care-experienced, helping them understand and access university support and funding options. To be considered for a place students must be in Year 13, meet the Universitys widening participation criteria, have at least six GCSEs at grades A* to B / 9 to 6 (including GCSE English and Maths at grade C / 4 or above), and be on track for the required entry grades for their chosen subject. The programme is delivered online and is free to eligible participants.

The Ban Ki-moon Foundation’s "Your Future in Green Jobs" is a free, self-paced online course made up of six interactive modules that help young people explore climate change, green career paths, and the skills needed to pursue them. The course includes interactive assignments, videos, reflection spaces, and a virtual Green Job Career Fair to expose learners to a range of green careers and entrepreneurial pathways. Learners who complete the course can receive a certificate signed by Ban Ki-moon. In addition to the online course, the programme runs an annual Mentorship Program in which around 20 young people (aged 14-20) from across the world are selected to receive guidance from green jobs experts and develop SDG micro-projects. Insights from the course and mentorship feed into a Policy Recommendations Paper advocating for youth access to green jobs. The programme is presented in collaboration with Dubai Cares, Plan International, and Unbounded Associates, and aims to empower youth to connect their passions, interests, and skills with meaningful careers that address climate change.