Freedom251 › Open Educational Resource Platforms
OpenLearn
What OpenLearn is
OpenLearn is a free learning platform delivered by The Open University, with courses and other learning materials available on the web. Its content spans courses, articles, quizzes, interactive games, videos and audio across a wide range of subjects. The Free courses plan costs nothing and includes nearly 1,000 courses. OpenLearn describes its short courses as requiring 1 to 24 hours of study. Courses are studied individually, and they do not provide formal credit toward a qualification. On completion, learners can download a free Statement of Participation; some courses also award a digital badge.
Anyone can browse general site content. A free account, available to people aged 13 or older, allows learners to enrol, track progress and download activity records from their profile. Materials can be shared through other learning management systems in formats including IMS Common Cartridge, HTML and Moodle. OpenLearn says its software tools are open source and its main learning environments use Moodle and Drupal. The site also lists offline learning and degree programs. Founded in 2006, OpenLearn is based at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
Who it suits
OpenLearn suits people supplementing formal study, exploring future learning or pursuing a subject for personal interest. It is also useful for learners who want a free course and a downloadable participation statement, while understanding that courses do not carry formal qualification credit.
What it does well
- Nearly 1,000 courses are free to study.
- Courses, articles, quizzes, games, video and audio cover varied subjects.
- Short courses range from 1 to 24 hours.
- Free accounts support enrolment and progress tracking.
- Some courses award a digital badge.
- Materials are available in formats for other learning management systems.
What to know first
- Courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification.
- Creating an account requires users to be at least 13.
- The website is partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA; some legacy images and activities have accessibility issues.
Limits
The Free courses plan costs nothing and offers nearly 1,000 courses, but courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification. A digital badge is available only on some courses.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free courses | Nearly 1,000 courses · free to study · no formal credit toward a qualification | Free |
As open.edu lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ in a web browser.
- Browse general site content or choose a course to study.
- Create a free account if you are at least 13 and want to enrol or track progress.
- Complete a course to download a Statement of Participation; some courses also offer a digital badge.
Verdict
Choose OpenLearn if you want free web-based learning for personal interest, future study or to supplement formal learning. Look elsewhere if earning formal qualification credit from a course is essential.
Questions
How much does OpenLearn cost?
The Free courses plan costs nothing. The listed courses are free to study.
Does OpenLearn offer a free plan or trial?
OpenLearn has a free plan. It does not offer a free trial.
What platforms can I use?
OpenLearn is available on the web. Offline learning is also listed.
Are OpenLearn courses accredited for formal qualification credit?
OpenLearn courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification.
Is OpenLearn open source?
OpenLearn says its software tools are released as open source, and its main learning environments use Moodle and Drupal.
Can I get a certificate or badge?
After completing a course, learners can download a free Statement of Participation. Some courses also award a digital badge.
Facts from OpenLearn's own pages
- Accessibility
- OpenLearn reports that its website is partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA and notes accessibility issues in some legacy images and interactive activities. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Access requirement
- Anyone can access general site content, but users must be at least 13 to create an account. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Account features
- A free account lets learners enrol, track progress and download activity records from their profile. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Badges and statements
- After completing a course, learners can download a free Statement of Participation, and some courses also award a digital badge. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Course credit
- OpenLearn courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Course length
- OpenLearn describes its short courses as ranging from 1 to 24 hours of study. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2006 · open.edu, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom · open.edu, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations and reuse
- Course materials are available in formats including IMS Common Cartridge, HTML and Moodle for sharing through other learning management systems. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Learners
- The site says it serves people supplementing formal study, exploring future learning, or learning for personal interest. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Learning content
- The site offers courses, articles, quizzes, interactive games, videos and audio across a wide range of subjects. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- OpenLearn says its software tools are released as open source and its main learning environments use Moodle and Drupal. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The FAQ says OpenLearn uses Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics and states that it does not release collected information to third parties. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- For content problems, OpenLearn directs users to email [email protected] with details of the issue. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- OpenLearn is a free learning platform delivered by The Open University. · open.edu, 8 Oct 2026
Where OpenLearn stands on Freedom251
- Open Educational Resource Platforms#15 of 27
- MOOC Platforms#45 of 67