Study a short course

Whether you want to enhance your skills or are looking for an exciting new career, The Open University’s short courses can help open up a world of possibilities.

Develop new skills in just a few weeks

Whatever your starting point or background, our range of short courses and microcredentials are designed to help you to develop your skills quickly, whether that’s to get ahead in your career, fill a skills gap, or to follow a personal passion. Many courses are endorsed by leading industry partners. They’re open to everyone, delivered entirely online, and designed to fit around your life.

Discover Open University short courses

Short courses

  • Build a new skill set, discover a new hobby, or give your career a boost. 
  • Professional and personal development. 
  • Study at a pace that suits you. 
  • Most courses start anytime. 
  • Typically 10-50 hours. 
  • Bite-sized learning. 
  • Self-directed study.
  • No academic credit. 

Microcredentials

  • Quickly build in-demand career skills and knowledge.
  • 10-12 weeks, 10-13 hours a week. 
  • Typically start in March, June/July and October. 
  • Academic excellence and workplace relevance. 
  • Interact with like-minded co-learners and mentors to support learning. 
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate level.
  • Gain academic credit.

Short courses for CPD and personal development

Microcredentials to build in-demand career skills and knowledge

Some of our industry partners

 

Agile Business consortium logo

 

AWS Academy logo

 

British Film Institute

 

Cisco Networking Partner logo

 

Mental Health Foundation logo

 

Royal Photographic Society logo

Why study with The Open University?

The Open University offers high quality qualifications and courses created by world-class academics. We’ve been the experts in distance learning for over 50 years, allowing you to fit study around your life. Our world-leading teaching strategies and educational technologies mean you’ll get an immersive and interactive learning experience every step of the way.

You can find out more about all of the courses we offer on our website. Whatever your study goals, we can help you develop your knowledge and skills, and open up your future.