Free Online Courses: Too Good to be True?

A couple of decades ago, free online courses were non-existent. The same could also be said for e-course learning in general, which was still little more than a curious niche. Distance leaning has been around for generations, but remote e-learning is a fairly new concept.

Accelerated by almost two years of COVID-19 lockdowns, the global e-learning landscape has never been more relevant. More adults than ever before are making the decision to continue their education, studying from home at their convenience.

While all this has been going on, the prevalence of free online courses has also grown significantly.

The question being – what’s the catch? Is it really possible to take beneficial courses online free of charge, or is the whole thing too good to be true?

Why eLearning is a Big Deal

The popularity of online courses in general can be attributed to the four major benefits of eLearning:

Flexibility. For many distance learners, the flexibility of online courses is their biggest point of appeal. Learners are free to manage their own study schedules, and there are typically no deadlines or time restrictions imposed.
Lower Costs. Studying online is always exponentially cheaper than taking a comparable classroom-based programme. Course fees are lower, there is no requirement to commute to take part in lessons, and learners can continue working full-time as they study.
Career Advancement. Employers and decision-makers naturally show preference to candidates who demonstrate genuine commitment to their continuous professional development. Something online learning provides formal evidence of.
Accessibility. Most online colleges welcome ambitious learners from around the world, with no geographic restrictions imposed on their programmes. Course materials, assignments, and assessments can be accessed and completed on a 24/7 basis.

Each of the above benefits applies to most types of online courses – including those offered free of charge.

Which prompts the question once again – where’s the catch with free online learning? If there’s no catch to speak of, how do free online courses work, and who can take part in them?

Free Online Course FAQs:

What is a free online certificate program?

A free online certificate program is an online course that can be taken free of charge, with the option of claiming a certificate or diploma upon completion. These certificates and diplomas usually attach a fixed fee, but are 100% optional, and do not have to be claimed.

Are free online courses genuinely free of charge?

Yes – all free courses provided by Oxford Home Study Centre are free to take from anywhere in the world. You can take as many of our courses as you like free of charge, with no hidden costs or catches. We simply ask that you complete your current course before enrolling on your next free course.

Do free online courses offer any real value?

The quality and value of free courses varies from one college and provider to the next. Here at Oxford Home Study Centre, our free courses are based on the same high-quality learning materials as our paid programmes. We offer free courses at various levels covering a broad range of topics, which could significantly enhance your knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.

What are the advantages of free online courses?

Studying online for free gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons and boost your career prospects, without paying a penny. In addition, there is nothing to lose by taking part in a free course – even if you subsequently decide it is not the course for you. No enrolment fees, all learning resources included as standard, and no mandatory costs whatsoever.

How can online colleges offer their programmes for free?

At Oxford Home Study Centre, we take pride in supporting the career development of ambitious learners from all backgrounds. Our free courses can be taken from any location worldwide, without a penny to pay at any time. Upon completion of your free course, we provide the option of claiming a paid certificate or diploma. Though there is no requirement to claim such a diploma – you can simply complete your course and move on to your next programme.

What’s the catch with free online courses?

There isn’t one – our free courses really are 100% free of charge! If in doubt, we invite you to enrol on your preferred free course with OHSC, and put us to the test. It costs nothing to sign up, so there is nothing to lose by seeing how it works.

Which free online courses are in highest demand?

Demand has a tendency to fluctuate from one period of time to the next, in accordance with shifting patterns on the job market. Right now, some of our most popular categories of free courses are as follows:

For more information on any of our free online programmes, contact a member of the team at Oxford Home Study Centre today.

How do I sign up for a free online course?

We make the enrolment process as simple as possible, for the benefit of our learners. Simply select the free online course you would like to take part in, and complete the online enrolment form. You will then receive an e-mail containing your unique login credentials, which can be used to access our dynamic online learning platform. This is where you’ll find all the study aids and materials you need to complete your course, complete with full details on assignments and assessments for submission.

Why Choose Oxford Home Study Centre?

Because when we say our online courses are free, we mean it. No hidden costs, no catch, and nothing to lose by giving us a shot – it really is that simple! Our free online courses can be taken from anywhere in the world, with no deadlines or time restrictions imposed. Enjoy the freedom to study at a time and pace to suit your lifestyle, with the option of claiming an endorsed certificate or diploma upon completion.

For more information on the benefits of our free online courses or to discuss the enrolment process in more detail, contact a member of the team at Oxford Home Study Centre today.