Have you ever wanted to learn how to code? Sing? Design an app or learn a new language? What if you could learn these things for free and from your comfy couch? 

Well, you can. Whether you’re a new student, settled in your career or are looking for a new challenge, online courses are a great place to start. 

We’ve put together a list of free and paid online courses with certificates of completion in Canada. We’ll give you some great places to look for learning opportunities, whether you’re interested in design, tech, marketing and more. The opportunities are out there, so let’s get into it!

 

Online courses with certificates of completion

 

1. Robertson Online

At Robertson Online, we are currently offering two micro-courses to help you build your skills and gain the essential knowledge you need to jumpstart your career.

You can choose Medical Terminology to become proficient in medical language and terminology. By the time you’ve finished the course, you’ll be able to interpret abbreviations and symbols that describe medical treatments and procedures. This course is 120 hours completed at your own pace. 

If you’re interested in PR, try our 60-hour Project Management micro-course to learn the principles, tools and techniques of project management, including how to take a project through the project life cycle. Students who wish to challenge the CAPM exam will be more prepared after taking this micro-course.

2. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is a gold mine for free online courses. You can choose from over 15,000 courses, with new ones added weekly. You can browse courses in Business, Technology and Creative categories and get a one-month free trial.

While there are too many to list, here are some of the trending courses in each of LinkedIn’s course categories.

 

Business

• Strategic Thinking
• Time Management: Working from Home
• Excel 2016 Essential Training

 

Technology

• Learning Python
• Programming Foundations: Fundamentals
• Learning Data Analytics

Creative

• Figure Drawing: Tonal Rendering
• Creative Thinking
• InDesign Secrets

 

3. edX

edX offers over 3,000 free online courses from some of the world’s top-leading universities and institutions. Whether you’re interested in business, design, computer science, engineering, communication, marketing, humanities or language, there will be a course for you!

You can search courses by subject and find one with a time commitment that fits your schedule. 

 

4.Udemy

Udemy is an online hub with over 13,000 courses. The top course categories are as follows: design, development, marketing, IT & software, personal development, business, photography and music. 

While these courses come at a cost, many are available for under $20. Students can learn at their own pace through the Udemy site or app and they’ll learn from industry experts around the world. 

Take Udemy’s course quiz to get matched with courses suited for you!

 

5. Digital Marketing Academy of Canada

With the Digital Marketing Academy of Canada, you can get certification to work in digital marketing through fully online courses. Students can choose from three courses at varying price points. 

• Digital & Social Media Marketing Fundamentals: $1,999
• Certified Digital Marketing Professional: $2,499
• Facebook & Instagram Marketing Crash Course: FREE

Courses are taught by industry professionals and their goal is to prepare students for a career in digital marketing, regardless of their skill level or budget. Read their blog for more information.

 

6. Alison

Alison has over 2,000 free courses to choose from in a wide range of subject areas:

• IT
• Language
• Science
• Health
• Humanities
• Lifestyle
• Marketing
• Life Science
• Business
• Math
• Operations
• Software Development
• Software Engineering
• Skilled Trades
• Finance
• Health Care

Alison offers a mix of certificates, diplomas and learning paths which have different durations and content areas. Certificate courses average 2-3 hours, diploma courses average 8-10 hours and learning paths average 18-20 hours. You can learn more about the course streams and see if any interest you. 

 

7. Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Learn is a great resource for people in Microsoft-related jobs, or who want to pursue a job that deals with Microsoft products. 

You can search courses by role (including but not limited to AI Engineer, App Maker, Business Analyst, Data Scientist and more) and choose the level that best suits your skill ability. Filter these certifications and exams and choose something that’ll propel your career in the tech field. 

 

8. HubSpot Academy

HubSpot Academy has a plethora of free online courses to help you advance your career, show off your skills or grow your business. HubSpot’s courses are tailored to creatives, offering certifications in marketing, sales, service, web design and development as well as data privacy. Courses can take as little as 30 minutes with the more extensive content lasting well over three hours. 

If you want to hone in on your social media, advertising, design or programming skills, HubSpot is a great place to start. 

 

9. Skillshare

Skillshare is a great place to learn something new, even if it’s just for fun. Skillshare offers courses in animation, creative writing, film & video, photography, UX design, marketing, lifestyle and more. You can get started for free but this membership does have a cost, though Skillshare does offer thousands of free online classes. 

 

10. CreativeLive

CreativeLive offers all sorts of courses for creatives. Browse their music & audio, craft & maker, art & design, money & life, photography & video classes including their under $30 classes. During the pandemic, CreativeLive is also offering free live and on air events to bring the creative community together. If you’re hoping to expand your creative thinking and learn something new, this is a budget-friendly option.

 

How to succeed at online courses

For anyone new to online learning, it may take a bit of an adjustment to stay motivated and keep yourself on track. Here are some tips for succeeding at your online courses! 

• Create a dedicated study space. The beauty of online courses is they allow you to study wherever you want. Choose a space where you feel comfortable and focused so you can get the most out of your study time. 
• Avoid distractions. When you sit down to study, sit down to study. Minimize your distractions by turning your phone off or moving it to another part of the room. You could even set a timer so you have a dedicated time to study before taking a break. 
• Create a study plan. If you’re taking a course with a specified time frame, plan when you’re going to study. Ensure you have enough time each week to get your coursework done so you stay on track without feeling stressed.
• Take notes. Even if you’re working on a laptop, taking notes in your own words may help you remember the course material better. Instead of copying things down word for word, adding your own spin will help jog your memory and give you a chance to eliminate information that isn’t valuable to your learning. 
• Take breaks. Yes, breaks are just as important as studying! Giving yourself time away from your screen will help refresh your mind so you feel more focused the next time you sit down. 
• Take care of yourself. The better you take care of yourself, the better you’ll be able to study. Eat healthy, move your body and don’t forget to take time for yourself. These things all help you recharge and rest when you’re not hitting the books. 

Learn more about the strengths of online learning and how to transition to online learning.