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Best Online Courses with Certificates in 2024 [Free + Paid]

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20th Mar, 2024
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    Best Online Courses with Certificates in 2024 [Free + Paid]

    Online courses are becoming increasingly popular to learn new skills and enhance knowledge. They offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and can be a great way to fit learning around other commitments. There is a huge range of online courses available, covering everything from cooking and gardening to languages and computer programming. Many courses are free or very low cost, and there are often scholarships or other financial assistance available to help with the cost of courses. Whether you want to learn something for fun or to further your career, there is sure to be an Online Course that is right for you. 

    What are Online Courses?

    An online course is a type of course that is offered by an online school or institution. These courses are typically self-paced and can be taken at any time, making them convenient for busy students. Online courses often include video lectures, quizzes, and other materials that can be accessed online. They may be self-paced or require deadlines for completion. Most online courses are asynchronous, meaning that students can access the course materials at any time. They are also usually self-paced. Students can work through the materials at their speed. Online courses may be offered for free or with a fee and can be on credit or no credit.

    Reasons to Learn Online Courses  in 2024

    1. Budget-Friendly: Since online courses are entirely delivered digitally, maintaining and operating a physical educational institution is not expensive. Students can continue their lessons online from the convenience of their homes, so they do not have to pay for lodging or travel.

    2. Promise Flexibility: The fact that the best free online courses can be taken at any time is one of its best features. Online courses give you the flexibility to balance your present responsibilities and objectives while completing your education, whether they be personal or professional obligations.

    3. Offer a Wide Range of Specializations: Students are free to select from a wide variety of specializations, from traditional fields (such as languages, finance, accounting, mathematics, and economics) to contemporary fields (Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, etc.)

    4. Allow You to Learn and Relearn: You have a lot of opportunities to learn and advance through online learning at your speed. To clear up your doubts, you can plan individual learning sessions with the instructors.

    reasons to learn online courses

    Top 10 Free Online Courses for 2024 [From Top Universities]

    1. Harvard University- CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

    • Overview: This course introduces computer science's intellectual activities and the art of programming. It helps to understand concepts like abstractions, algorithms, data structures, security, and web development and familiarizes learners with many languages like C, Python, SQL, CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
    • Course Length: 11 weeks
    • Learn more about the program!

    2. Stanford University- Machine learning

    • Overview: Developed in partnership between DeepLearning.AI and Stanford Online, the Machine Learning Specialization is a core online course. In this beginner-friendly class, you will study machine learning principles and how to apply these approaches to construct real-world AI applications. You will learn to create and train supervised machine learning models for prediction and binary classification tasks, such as logistic regression and regression with covariance.
    • Course Length: 11 weeks
    • Learn more about the program!

    3. Google Cloud Fundamentals- Core Infrastructure from Google

    • Overview: This course introduces the concepts of the google cloud platform concepts. You will retain use of the following Google Cloud application deployment environments: App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and Compute Engine. Select and use one of Google Cloud's storage solutions, which include Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Cloud Bigtable, and Firestore.
    • Course Length: 8 hours
    • Learn more about the program!

    4. Data Science: R Basics from Harvard University

    • Overview: This program introduces the basics of R programming. You will learn foundational R programming concepts like data types, vector arithmetic, indexing, and how to perform operations in R, including data sorting and plots.
    • Course Length: 8 weeks
    • Learn more about the program!

    5. Introduction to Project Management from the University of Adelaide

    • Overview: In this course, you learn practical strategies to examine and comprehend your goals from the start of your project and analyze all aspects that may affect its implementation. You will gradually learn how to scope, schedule, budget, and manage your project from start to finish, making you understand the complexity of today's projects.
    • Course Length: 6 weeks
    • Learn more about the program!

    6. Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools and Cyber Attacks from IBM

    • Overview: This course gives you the background needed to understand the basic of Cybersecurity. You will learn about the history of Cybersecurity, the types and motivations of cyber attacks, and current threats to organizations and individuals. It helped to identify the key cybersecurity tools like firewalls, antivirus, cryptography, etc.
    • Course Length: 18 hours
    • Learn more about the program!

    7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) from Columbia University

    • Overview: This online AI program allows business leaders across industries to be early adopters of the AI revolution reshaping our world. This course focuses on machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and security.
    • Course Length: 18 months
    • Platforms to learn: Columbian University

    8. Columbia University-Financial Engineering and Risk Management Part

    • Overview: This specialization is designed for ambitious learners and professionals who want to develop quantitative finance skills. You will learn the use of stochastic models to value options, swaps, forwards, futures, and other complicated financial derivatives. Create a systematic, data-driven strategy for calculating predicted returns and risks for major asset classes and optimal portfolios.
    • Course Length: 7 months
    • Learn more about the program!

    9. Big Data Complete Course from the University of California, San Diego

    • Overview: This course is designed for those new to data science who want to understand why the Big Data Era has emerged. It is intended for those who want to learn the vocabulary and fundamental principles behind big data problems, applications, and systems.
    • Course Length: 17 hours
    • Learn more about the program!

    10. Marketing in a Digital World from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

    • Overview: This course investigates how new digital tools, such as the Internet, cell phones, and 3D printing, transform enterprises' and consumers' roles and behaviors.
    • Course Length: 28 hours
    • Learn more about the program!

    Best Online Courses with Certificate Providers

    1. Swayam

    SWAYAM is a government-sponsored initiative that aims to uphold the three guiding principles of Indian education policy—access, equity, and excellence. This initiative aims to make the best instructional materials available to everyone; it aims to close the digital gap for students who have so far escaped the digital revolution's effects and cannot participate in the knowledge economy.

    The courses offered by SWAYAM are divided into four sections:

    • Video lecture
    • Specially created reading materials that you can download
    • Self-assessment tests
    • An online discussion forum for answering questions

    The SWAYAM courses are free for students, but if they want a SWAYAM certificate, they must sign up for the proctored final exams, which cost money, and show up in person at specific locations at certain times.

    Website Link: Swayam

    2. UpGrad

    The leading provider of online higher education in South Asia, UpGrad offers courses in data science, technology, management, and law to businesses, working people, and students. UpGrad collaborates with prestigious universities worldwide to design and deliver its programs.
    The core values of UpGrad are:

    • Accountability
    • Passion
    • Integrity
    • Excellence

    Website Link: UpGrad

    3. KnowledgeHut

    KnowledgeHut is a top training provider that aids professionals from various fields in gaining new skills and bridging their ability gaps to advance and be recognized in the global corporate environment. KnowledgeHut provides a variety of services in training, learning, and development in the areas of technology and management. It was created to give high-value training through creative and useful techniques.

    Website Link: KnowledgeHut

    4. NPTEL

    NPTEL is a reputable online learning platform in India that offers college-level students STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses. It is being developed collaboratively by the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Science. The Government of India's Ministry of Education (MoE) supports the initiative. The initiative’s primary goal is to provide publicly accessible recordings of the lectures given by the member institutions.

    Website Link: NPTEL

    5. MOOC

    Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses anybody can take. MOOCs offer a flexible and economical approach to enhancing your career, learning new skills, and delivering high-quality educational experiences at scale. Millions of individuals worldwide use MOOCs for learning for various purposes, such as career advancement, changing careers, college preparation, supplemental learning, lifelong learning, corporate eLearning & training, and more.

    6. Udemy

    On the Udemy platform, educators can create online courses on the most exciting subjects. Instructors can contribute videos, developer source code, PowerPoint slides, PDFs, audio files, ZIP files, and any other materials that students would find helpful using Udemy's course construction tools. Online discussion boards allow instructors to engage and interact with students. Classes are available in many fields, such as academics, the arts, health & fitness, language, music, and technology. Depending on the instructor, courses on Udemy might be paid or free.

    7. edx

    In the United States, Harvard and MIT founded the massive open online course (MOOC) provider edX. It provides online university-level courses in various fields to a global student base, including free courses. It also performs learning research depending on how users interact with its platform. edX is built on the open-source software platform Open edX, which is available for free. Edx has three commitments to all learners:

    • Promote universal access to high-quality education for all people everywhere.
    • Enhance classroom instruction and online learning.
    • Researching to advance instruction and learning.

    8. Codeacademy

    Codecademy is a free online interactive platform in the United States that teaches programming languages such as Python, Java, Go, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++, C#, and Swift, as well as markup languages such as HTML and CSS. The website also has a premium "Pro" option allowing users to access tailored learning programs, quizzes, and tasks.

    Browse Online Courses by Subject

    There are many online learning platforms that provide professional certification training to individuals and organizations. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, these online training platforms offer a wide range of courses in various domains, including Data Science, Project Management, DevOps, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Programming, Big Data, and Agile Methodology. 

    1. Data Science

    • Data Science Bootcamp: The Data Science Bootcamp course is a comprehensive course that covers all aspects of data science. The course is designed for people who want to enter the data science field or who want to improve their data science skills.  
    • Data Engineer BootcampThe Data Engineer Bootcamp course is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to become successful data engineers. The course covers the basics of data engineering, including data architecture, data modeling, and data management. 

    2. Project Management

    • PMP Certification Training: The PMP training is designed to help project managers acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the PMP exam and earn their certification.   

    3. DevOps

    • DevOps Foundation CertificationThe DevOps Foundation certification course is designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in a DevOps environment. This is one of the best online certificate programs courses that covers a range of topics, including the principles of DevOps.  
    • DevOps Leader Training: DevOps leader training course will help you to better understand the role of a DevOps leader and how to manage a team of DevOps professionals.  

    4. Cloud Computing

    5. Web Development

    6. Programming

    • Python Certification Training: Python is a versatile language that you can use on the backend, front end, or full stack of a web application. In this Python course, you will learn the basics of the language syntax and how to use it to build a simple web application. You will also learn how to install and manage Python packages and how to unit test your code through the best online courses websites like KnowledgeHut.  
    • Java Training: The Java training course is designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to become Java programmers. The course covers the Java programming language, object-oriented programming concepts, and the development of Java applications.  

    7. Big Data

    • Big Data Analytics Course: The Big Data Analytics Course is among the best online courses with certificates designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively store, process, and analyze large data sets.  
    • Hadoop Administration Course: The Hadoop administration course covers all the aspects of administering a Hadoop cluster. It starts with an overview of Hadoop and its components and then goes into depth on each of the major components  

    8. Agile Methodology

    • Certified Scrum Master Certification:  The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) course is a two-day course that provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the Scrum framework and how to apply it in a real-world setting. 
    • Professional Scrum Master Certification:  The Professional Scrum Master™ certification includes a 2-day course teaching the (empirical) process theory and principles, elaborating the Scrum framework, and the Scrum master’s role in it. 

    Software Engineering Interview Preparation Course

    This course is designed to help software engineering professionals prepare for interviews by providing a comprehensive overview of the interview process. 

    1. Data Analyst Bootcamp: The Data Analyst Bootcamp course is an intensive 8-week program that provides participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful data analysts.  

    2. Front-end Developer Bootcamp: The Front-end Developer Bootcamp course is a great way to learn the basics of front-end web development. The course covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and teaches you how to build web applications using these technologies.  

    3. Back-end Developer Bootcamp: The Back-end Developer Bootcamp best online course with a certificate is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to become full-stack developers.

    4. Java Full Stack Developer Bootcamp: The Java Full Stack Developer Bootcamp is a top online course and an intensive, 12-week boot camp designed to teach students the skills needed to become a full-stack Java developer. 

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    What to Consider Before Signing Up for an Online Course?

    1. Educational Goal

    Choosing the right certification course is essential, so choose the course that meets your educational goal. Check the course details like the affiliation, specifications, and skills you will develop after taking the course.

    2. Learning Style

    If you are a visual learner who quickly retains material in the form of video, photos, graphs, and diagrams, an online course is ideal for you. Similarly, if you are an aural learner, you will feel at ease because you quickly understand concepts via speech and discussion. Yet technical learners thrive in the online ecosystem, taking advantage of all the devices and improvements available, from shared files to digital notecards.

    3. Your Budget

    The cost is unimportant if you find a respected free program that provides the abilities your career requires. Yet, online learning offers high-quality, more affordable solutions for practically every budget. If you can afford better software at a marginally higher price, it might help you stand out as a candidate on the job market and possibly increase your pay. Most top-tier online education providers provide financing alternatives and discounts for group enrolment or reduced prices when you register for stackable certification courses to make it more reasonable.

    4. Tech Setup and learning environment

    A positive learning environment may be a significant factor in the success of an online course. It is not simply about providing a great classroom environment where kids can feel involved and inspired. An ideal course environment should promote the instructor-learner relationship while also providing a sense of support and communication.

    Tips to Succeed in an Online Course with Certifications

    1. Get Your Tech Squared Away

    Ensure you have all the necessary tools. While many best free online courses with certificates call for a computer capable of streaming videos, other advanced courses may want you to download software and reading materials.  

    2. Right Study Material

    Before you sign up for a top online course, review the syllabus to see whether you'll need to purchase any additional study materials. You can access downloaded exercises and PDF resources for some courses, while special textbooks might be needed for others.  

    3. Suitable Study Platform

    You probably won't be communicating with your instructor or other students through video conference because the best free online courses with certificates don't feature live sessions. Having said that, many platforms provide a discussion forum where users can post remarks, pose queries, or offer suggestions for one another's work.  

    4. Engage with Other Learners

    One of the best ways to learn is to engage with other learners. When you engage with other learners, you can share ideas, learn new perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. When you engage with other learners, you also can practice your communication and collaboration skills.  

    5. Cost of the Course

    The cost of the top online courses will vary depending on the institution offering the course and the country in which it is located. While some platforms require a subscription fee, others let you make monthly payments. It could be worthwhile to see whether your company will foot the bill as well. Certain pricing schemes are created especially for commercial and enterprise consumers.

    Conclusion

    These are some of the top free online courses you ought to think about enrolling in. The best online courses to take  in India offer a flexible schedule, current course materials, lower costs, the ability to learn at your speed, and the chance to advance your skills without having to leave your current position. There are numerous things to think about if you want to take an online course. Each of these KnowledgeHut Online Courses guarantees complete career assistance, including devoted mentor feedback, prompt doubt clarification, personalized feedback, mock interviews, peer-to-peer interactive sessions, and other beneficial activities to enhance the online learning environment.  

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1What is the most profitable online course?

    There is no definitive answer to this question as different courses will be more profitable for different people depending on their skill set and interests. However, some popular courses that tend to be profitable for many people include topics like web development, graphic design, and online marketing.  

    2Which online course is in most demand?

    Courses that are common in high demand include topics such as computer programming, web development, and graphic design. 

    3Which course is an easy and high salary?

    Some high-paying jobs that may be relatively easy to obtain include roles such as management consultants, financial analysts, and marketing managers. 

    4What are the best free online courses?

    Some of the best free online courses are communication, entrepreneurship, humanities, and management. 

    5Which course has the most job opportunities?

    Courses that may have more job opportunities than others include business, engineering, computer science, and nursing.

    Profile

    Mounika Narang

    Author

    Mounika Narang is a project manager having a specialisation in IT project management and Instructional Design. She has an experience of 10 years 
    working with Fortune 500 companies to solve their most important development challenges. She lives in Bangalore with her family.

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