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Study Skills Courses

Whether you're at school, at university or returning to education, our study skills courses will help you perform your best. Get study tips and careers advice to improve your employability, learning with the world's leading universities.
Whether you're at school, at university or returning to education - our online study skills courses can help you to succeed.

Explore 36 courses

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Introduction to Chinese: Conversation

Learn how to hold a basic conversation in Chinese Mandarin and master around 150 Chinese words with this online language course.
6 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction

Critical thinking is a vital skill for university study whatever your discipline. Prepare for university now.
2 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
The University of Sheffield

How to Succeed at: Writing Applications

This free three week course will help you produce a perfect CV, application and online profile when applying for a job or course.
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Groningen

Improving Your Study Techniques

Improve your study skills and get better results by learning to use the 'three-step study model'.
4 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People

Find out how to conduct ethical research when working with people by studying this online course for university students.
2 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
Queensland University of Technology

Kickstart Your Career: Getting Ahead at University

Building a satisfying career is a lifelong process. Use this course to take the first step and start university on the front foot.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Learning Online: Learning and Collaborating

Become an effective online learner and develop your online communication skills when working with others.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Learning Online: Managing Your Identity

Reflect on how you want to present yourself online and take positive steps towards these goals.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Learning Online: Reflecting and Sharing

Get the most out of online learning by reflecting and sharing your learning with others.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

Learning Online: Searching and Researching

Improve your online research skills and your ability to critically analyse sources of information.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leeds

The IB Extended Essay: Managing your Research Project

Get expert guidance on writing your IB Diploma Programme extended essay with this course designed for IB students and teachers.
2 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Southampton

Developing Your Research Project

Undertaking an Extended Project Qualification, IB extended essay or any other scholarly research? This guides you step-by-step.
8 weeks
1 hr per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Oslo

How to Write a PhD Research Proposal

Understand and harness the key elements of a succinct research plan while preparing your PhD proposal.
4 weeks
5 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
UEA (University of East Anglia)

Preparing for University

This course explores and develops key analytical skills that students need in order to succeed at university learning environment.
6 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
The University of Sheffield

How to Succeed at: Interviews

This free three week course provides the tools you need to succeed at interviews and land your dream job or course place.
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
The Open University

The Online Educator: People and Pedagogy

Design engaging courses, make your teaching more inclusive, navigate online research ethics and shape your digital identity.
4 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
British Council

Study UK: Prepare to Study and Live in the UK

Be prepared for university study in the UK by familiarising yourself with UK culture and higher education.
4 weeks
3 hrs per week
Free digital upgrade
The University of Auckland

Academic Integrity: Values, Skills, Action

This course will explore academic integrity and how you can demonstrate it in your work, study and research at university.
4 weeks
1 hr per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Bath

How to Succeed in Your EPQ: the Nuts and Bolts of Completing Your Project

A short course designed to help students prepare for EPQ qualifications
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Coventry University

English for Academic Study

Prepare to study at university, explore the qualities of a successful student, and learn key vocabulary in an academic context.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of York

Returning to Education as a Mature Student

Thinking of returning to education as a mature student? Make sense of higher education and reflect on your next steps.
2 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Deakin University

Why Research Matters

Explore what research is and why it’s so important to us all. Find out how to make evidence-based decisions.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
The Open University

Get Started with Online Learning

This free online course will explain how you can study online without putting the rest of your life on hold.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
The University of Sheffield

Population 10 Billion: Researching Global Issues

Learn how university researchers from different disciplines work together to solve some of the world's biggest problems.
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
St George's, University of London

Preparing for an International Health Elective: Exploring Global Health, Ethics and Safety

Prepare for undertaking an International Health Elective, in this course developed in collaboration with King's College London
3 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Griffith University

Why Ethics Matter: Ethical Research

Explore the role ethics plays in research and why it's so important.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Groningen

Becoming a Student Assistant: Teaching and Mentoring

Learn how to be professionally involved in teaching, support and governing of higher education institutions.
5 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
King's College London

Basic English 1: Elementary

Learn basic English for everyday situations and improve your listening skills with this online course.
4 weeks
4 hrs per week
Free digital upgrade
King's College London

Basic English 2: Pre-Intermediate

Develop your English for use in different everyday situations and build more confidence in your listening skills.
4 weeks
4 hrs per week
Free digital upgrade
The University of Auckland

Logical and Critical Thinking

Improve your logical and critical thinking skills in this free online course. Identify common obstacles to effective thinking.
8 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leicester

Discovering Your PhD Potential: Writing a Research Proposal

Learn how to research and write a high-quality research proposal for postgraduate applications.
5 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Griffith University

Why Experience Matters: Qualitative Research

Explore the methods and tools qualitative researchers use to understand human behaviour and solve social problems.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Leicester

People Studying People: Research Ethics in Society

Explore the value of ethical thinking for research, using an ethical appraisal framework to develop and evaluate studies.
6 weeks
2 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Coventry University

Project Initiation

Explore the techniques needed to develop project initiation documentation and examine the triple constraint of project management.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Coventry University

Systematic Literature Review: An Introduction

Explore the different types of literature review and consider the importance of systematic literature reviews.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Part of a degree

Coventry University

What Makes an Effective Presentation?

Explore the key elements of a successful presentation and how to give an effective presentation in a business environment.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Achieve more at school or work with online study skills courses

Learn flexibly online, for free

Learn how to study effectively, improve your research skills, and prepare for the world of work with short online courses. Start learning for free on desktop, tablet, or mobile.

Upgrade or buy Unlimited for extra benefits

Upgrade your course for ongoing access to the course content, tests, and the chance to gain a Certificate of Achievement. Buy Unlimited for access to hundreds of short courses in a year and the ability to keep access to courses you gain a certificate on.

Boost your career

Learn from top educators and career advisers from universities and organisations worldwide. Network with your peers and gain new ideas on how to study, conduct research, or perform well in interviews.

Meet the people who love FutureLearn

Being out of work for so long can be very frustrating and disheartening. I attended 26 interviews with no success and could not understand why. I found the Job Centre’s application and interview advice dated and it did not seem to help me. The FutureLearn courses were very impressive, well put together and from reputable universities with up to date tips and latest trends. I attended 3 interviews after completing the courses and they went a lot better than the previous ones

Rachel
Learner on How to Succeed at Writing Applications and How to Succeed at Interviews

Having completed the Learning In The Network Age course I have to say how impressed I was by the support and engagement of the course tutors and mentors who embraced the concept of a shared learning platform, and challenged and inspired students. The discussions amongst students was regularly enhanced and developed by the engagement of tutors and mentors who added insight and detail to conversations, often bringing new ideas and concepts beyond those already explored. Even if you have done a course before with FutureLearn and struggled, despite the name of the course, I am sure students will find this course a refreshing change and a highly enjoyable experience. I look forward to the next running of the course to refresh and renew my ideas and challenges around developing my personal learning networks.

Richard
Learner on Learning in the Network Age