Forensics, Wordsworth, business and birth all feature in our brand new courses
Five brand new free online courses are now live on FutureLearn and ready for you to join. Here’s our quick guide to them all.
The Lottery of Birth
Birth is a lottery – where, when and to whom you’re born will influence your life chances.
This four-week course from The Open University will look at both the big picture of the “lottery of birth” and the smaller, human stories.
You’ll examine the inequalities of birth – particularly being born rich or poor, or female or male – and consider how individual countries and global organisations are responding to demographic changes and predictions.
Find out more and join the course now – it starts 24 August
Professional Practices for English Language Teaching
This free online continuing professional development (CPD) course is designed for people who are teaching English as a foreign language.
Building on the British Council’s extensive experience of teacher training, it’ll be useful for teachers of English at primary, secondary or higher levels.
Over four weeks, you’ll look at lesson planning, classroom management, classroom resources and continuing professional development.
Find out more and join the course now – it starts 31 August
William Wordsworth: Poetry, People and Place
This four-week course will explore the poetry of William Wordsworth, with an emphasis on his writing process and the inspirational landscape of the Lake District, which lies on the door step of Lancaster University.
Filmed at his home – Dove Cottage in Grasmere – and with access to the magnificent collection of manuscripts held nearby, the course looks at how Wordsworth produced much of his great work.
This includes “I wandered lonely as a Cloud” (perhaps better known as “Daffodils”).
Find out more and join the course now – it starts 7 September
Identifying the Dead: Forensic Science and Human Identification
A grim discovery demands the attention of forensic experts – unidentified human remains have been found and the police need to identify the victim to move forward with their investigation.
This six-week course – based on a story by best-selling crime writer, Val McDermid – will take you on a journey through forensic anthropology, unveiling the tools that will allow you to reveal that identity.
Each week experts from the University of Dundee will unveil more evidence for you to evaluate and by the end of the course, the victim’s identity will be revealed.
Find out more and join the course now – it starts 7 September
The Importance of Money in Business
Understand the role that money plays in business success and increase your career prospects with this four-week course from the University of Leeds.
It gives you the opportunity to delve into the exciting world of business, and gain the skills that are required by employers for a successful career in accountancy, finance and business.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to: demonstrate your commercial awareness; have confidence in dealing with financial matters; and appreciate the impact of cash flow on a business.
Find out more and join the course now – it starts 28 September
Finally, a popular free online course will be returning to FutureLearn soon – Cooperation in the Contemporary World: Unlocking International Politics from the University of Birmingham starts on 10 August.
