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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.

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.

Courses 35 Courses

Learn new skills, pursue your interests or advance your career with our short online courses.

University of Reading

A-level Study Boost: Unseen Poetry and the Creative Process

Discover effective techniques to analyse unseen poetry and learn about the creative writing process.
2 weeks
3 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

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
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
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
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
British Council

Study UK: Preparing for Work

Get ready to search for and start a new job by identifying and building the employability skills needed to find your career path.
2 weeks
3 hrs per week
Free digital upgrade

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
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
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
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

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
University of Reading

Live Smart: Your Essential Guide to Living at University

Prepare for the transition to higher education and think about the life skills for living at university and beyond.
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
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 Reading

A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study

Learn how to use English for study at university or college and develop your writing skills, vocabulary and grammar.
5 weeks
3 hrs 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
University of Reading

University Smart: A parent and supporter’s guide to university entry

Learn about the UK's university application process and how to prepare your young person for university and the student journey.
3 weeks
3 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited
University of Bath

How to Succeed in Your Welsh Bacc: the Individual Project Essentials

A short course designed to help students prepare for the Welsh Bacc Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate – Individual Project.
2 weeks
3 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

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
University of Leeds

Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines

Thinking of doing an interdisciplinary degree? Learn how to study and work in an interdisciplinary environment.
2 weeks
4 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
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
University of Reading

An Intermediate Guide to Writing in English for University Study

Improve your academic English skills further, learning about critical analysis, using sources, avoiding plagiarism and more.
5 weeks
3 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
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
Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Introduction to Chinese: Grammar

Improve your confidence reading and writing the Chinese language by learning how to use basic grammar in your sentences.
4 weeks
4 hrs per week
Included in Unlimited

Microcredentials 1 Microcredential

Our online microcredentials are designed to upskill you for work in rapidly-growing industries, without the time and cost commitment of a full degree. You can earn academic credit to use towards a degree or they can be used as an independent certification. Each microcredential includes a formal online assessment and meets the standards set by the Common Microcredential Framework (CMF).

The Open University

Global Development in Practice: Designing an Intervention

Use development management tools and frameworks to plan, implement and evaluate development interventions in practice.
1 course
12 weeks
Postgraduate
Find out more

Programs with academic accreditation 1 Program

These online programs are designed for you to deepen your understanding of a specialist subject and pursue further academic study, with the opportunity to earn an academic credential from a top international university.

Deakin University & Griffith University

Why Research Matters: Evidence at Work

Explore research methods and techniques to help develop your own research project.
5 courses + 1 assessment
12 weeks
Find out more