For you to have stumbled on this blog post, you must have been desperately searching for some online courses in South Africa this 2023. Well, here is the good news! You have just landed on the right blog post.
However, I have comprehensively and concisely researched, and have compiled a list of some free online courses in South Africa this 2023, for you to choose from and learn at your own pace as a student.
Perhaps, as an individual, due to a lack of finance to pay your tuition, your education in a higher institution is hanging by a thread.
Worry no more, the good news is you don’t have to bother about finances again thanks to some free online courses in South Africa provided in this blog post for you to choose from and learn at your own pace.
Interestingly, with some of these free online courses in South Africa provided in this blog post, you can achieve your precious dreams of getting educated.
Suffice it to say, online learning in South Africa is simply available or accessible to those who cannot afford their tuition. However, this is possible due to several online course providers offering free programs to interested students from around the world.
Additionally, with a stable internet connection and a personal computer, anyone can learn at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home.
Most importantly, your willingness and zeal to complete any program you have signed up for is the only requirement.
In recent times, you no longer need to go to college or university to educate yourself and you don’t even have to panic about funds.
Interestingly, there are many free online courses in South Africa for students.
Online course providers or Course creators develop or create a variation of courses for different reasons such as:
- They want to spread their expertise to the world as quickly and cheaply as possible.
- The Monetary value, and getting their course to the general public is a great way to increase the sales volume.
- For the popularity of the name of their university or their own known knowledge worldwide.
So in this blog post, I will share some of the best free online courses in South Africa you can take and how you can easily access them.
Free Online Courses in South Africa 2023
Below are some of the free online courses in South Africa for students in 2023
- Theory of Change for Development Edx [Wits University]
- Academic writing for clarity and meaning at [Wits University.]
- Medicine and the Arts: Humanising Healthcare at [University of Cape Town]
- Digital Transformation and the IT Team from [Wits University]
- Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics[University of Cape Town]
- What is a Mind[University of Cape Town]
- Extinctions: Past and Present[University of Cape Town]
- Education for All: Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion[University of Cape Town]
- Becoming a Changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation[University of Cape Town]
- Juia Scientific Programming[University of Cape Town]
- Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries[University of Cape Town]
- Dementia and Diversity in Primary Care: South Asian American Populations[Stanford University]
Best Online Courses In South Africa 2023
- Democracy and Development: Perspectives from Africa[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]
- Climate Adaptation in Africa[University of Cape Town]
- Great South Land: Introducing Australian history.[University of Newcastle]
- Antimicrobial Stewardship for Africa[The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, College of Medicine
- American South: Its Stories, Art, and Music[The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]
- Gender, Family, and Social Change in Contemporary South Korea[Yonsei University]
- Conservation & Protected Areas Management in Africa[ École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]
- Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa[University of Wits]
- Policy Lessons for South Korea’s Development[Online Learning Campus- world bank Group]
- Covid-19 in Africa: Managing the Outbreak in Primary Care Settings[St. George’s University]
- Social Innovation In South Korea[Hanyang University]
- Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: [The Challenge for Africa]
- BSW-23: The Tribals of South and Central India[IGNOU]
- Antimicrobial Stewardship for Gulf, Middle East and North Africa[The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy]
- Sustainable Consumption and Production in Africa[United Nations]
- Covid-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa[Public Health England]
#1. Theory of Change for Development Edx [Wits University]
This is an interesting short online course hosted on the Edx platform, offered by Wits University Johannesburg.
Interestingly, this course is taught by 2 professionals, Caitlin Mapitsa a senior lecturer at Wits University, and Takunda Chirau a technical specialist also at Wits University.
The course is geared towards teaching you how to use a Theory of Change approach to better understand the impact of your development program and improve your results.
Do monitoring and evaluation seem too technical? Are you dealing with logical frameworks and indicators that do not adequately tell the story of your program? Then, this course is ideal for you.
Most noteworthy, this course will provide a set of ToC tools to help you assess any change processes you may be developing.
Particularly, this course was optimized for public and development administrators, monitoring and evaluation professionals, donor agencies, NGOs, academics, and other interested parties.
Also, this ToC approach helps to locate complex social and development interventions. ToC is a process and a product for explaining the various factors that contribute to change and the various levels of results that result from implementing the program.
Finally, the course will present the theory of change approaches and principles. It will provide the tools to understand existing theories of change and develop your own.
Additionally, you can also connect a theory of change to logical structures and other organizational tools for additional monitoring and evaluation.
In conclusion, the course runs for four weeks with 3 to 4 hours of lectures per week, and if you want a valid certificate, you will need to pay a little token.
Benefits of this Course
- You will learn the approaches to the theory of change
- Also, you will understand some basic principles of the theory of change
- Tools for understanding existing theories of change and developing your own
- Methods for connecting a Theory of Change to logical structures and other organizational tools for M&E
This course is entirely free, however, if you wish to add a Verified Certificate, you will have to pay $199 USD.
Course Duration: 7 weeks[3-4hrs per week]
Prerequisites: None
#2. Academic writing for clarity and meaning at [Wits University.]
This is arguably one of the best free online courses in South Africa in 2023. This interesting course is hosted on the Edx Platform but is offered by Wits University also.
Interestingly, this course is taught by 3 professionals, Peter Alkema Ph.D., School of Electrical and Information Engineering Wits University, Nomusa Mazonde Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wits Business School Wits University, and finally, Terri Carmichael Associate Professor of Management Education at the Wits Business School, Wits University.
Most noteworthy, this course is geared towards teaching you the various principles and practices to improve your academic writing.
Generally, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need to write in a complex style to express complex ideas. However, complex writing styles can obscure meaning and tire your readers.
Additionally, this short course is aimed at students from higher education institutions and collaborators of academic publications. This will help you to articulate complex ideas with clarity and meaning.
Most importantly, the first week of the course focuses on developing a structured writing process, appropriate for the intended readers. You will understand when to write, the importance of a golden thread, the fundamental principles for writing a research report, and different abstract patterns.
Finally, the second week focuses on the principles of constructing paragraphs and sentences. Also, you will learn ways to write that increase clarity and attract your readers.
Benefits of this course
- You will learn several writing practices relevant to your writing project and your intended readers
- Also, you will learn some principles of academic writing to improve your writing clarity.
The course is entirely free, however, if you wish to add a Verified Certificate, you will have to pay $49 USD.
Course Duration: 2 Weeks[2–3 hours per week]
#3. Medicine and the Arts: Humanising Healthcare at [University of Cape Town]
Here is one of the best and most interesting free online courses in South Africa today, offered by the University of Capetown South Africa.
The course instructors are Associate Professor Susan Levine- Associate Professor of Anthropology – School of African and Gender Studies, Anthropology and Linguistics, & Professor Steve Reid- Family Physician with experience in clinical practice, education, and research.
Particularly, this course is aimed at exploring the field of medical humanities – the intersection of the arts, humanities, and healthcare – with this free online course.
Firstly, this free online course will explore the intersection of medicine, medical anthropology, and creative arts.
Most noteworthy, during each of your six weeks, you will visit a new aspect of human life and consider it from the perspective of people working in the health sciences, social sciences, and the arts.
Lastly, the course will introduce you to the emerging field of medical humanities and the concept of comprehensive care for the person, through these six topics:
- The Heart of the Matter: A Matter of the Heart
- Children’s Voices and Healing
- Mind, Art, and Play
- Reproduction and Innovation
- At the Edge: Madness and Medicine
- Death and the Corpse
In addition, some of the course contributors will include a psychologist, psychiatrist, cardiac surgeon, pathologist, oncologist, sociologist, poet, and visual artist. They will ask critical questions about how we deal with health, healing, and human being.
Furthermore, each video has been filmed on location in Cape Town, including at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the Heart of Cape Town Museum, and the Pathology Learning Centre.
In conclusion, the course will encourage you to discuss your ideas with students from around the world and to reflect on the ways in which bodies, health, social life, culture, and imagination intersect in your local environment.
Benefits of the course
- Helps you identify the interdisciplinary health and humanities perspectives used to address complex health challenges.
- Also, you will learn how the arts and humanities contribute to improving health practices.
- Furthermore, you will understand the role of the arts in healthcare approaches on six health-related topics.
- lastly, you will be able to contribute to your local perspective and relate it to the perspective of others
Duration: 6 weeks!
This course is open to everyone. All that is needed is an interest in medicine, the arts, or the social sciences. The course is absolutely free, however, if you want to get a certificate, you will have to pay an extra $59.
#4. Digital Transformation and the IT Team from Wits University
Here is another wonderful Edx course offered by Wits University. This course is also one of the best free online courses in South Africa.
This is a free short online course aimed at helping you understand what digital transformation really means, how it affects organizations, and how the role of the team changes.
Also, this course will equip you with conceptual designs for understanding, and engaging with digital transformation processes.
Genuinely, digital transformation is affecting strategy and operations in business and government organizations.
However, this is a current and rapidly developing process. Although it is driven by new technologies and applications, the process is inherently disturbing and its results cannot be predicted.
Interestingly, there are models that can help us think and involve us in the process.
Most noteworthy, digital transformation is composed of multiple social, economic, and organizational components, making it difficult to describe and track the process.
The “Digital Diamond” provides a plan for grouping various components into the four main elements of any digital transformation process, allowing you to consider the overall direction of digital transformation in an organization.
Consequently, as digital technologies are incorporated into business processes, organizations strive to maintain a dynamic balance between “chaos” and “order”, agility, and stability.
The “Complex Adaptive Situational Model” (CASM) provides a way to understand the complexities of change in networked organizations.
Fully-managed digital transformation offers the promise of added value. But where and how is this value created? The “generic value chain” identifies the processes of creating and sustaining value through the IT function.
Interestingly, as digital technologies are incorporated into a variety of business functions, the IT function is changing.
The business technology concept “helps us understand this change and reconceptualize the role of the CIO team in organizations that require high levels of digital literacy across all business functions.
Benefits of this course
- You will understand the theories behind the shift from an IT paradigm to digital business technology (BT) paradigm
- Also, you will learn how an environment of simultaneous chaos and order can exist in fast-scan organizations
- Explore the various impacts of digital transformation on the role of IT and CIO teams
- Understand the ways in which this rapid digitization creates the need for IT and business professionals to reorient themselves towards a digital business approach.
Class Duration: 6 weeks![2–3 hours per week]
Also, this course is totally free, however, if you want to get certified, you will pay an extra $199 USD.
#5. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics [University of Cape Town]
Most noteworthy, here is one of the most interesting Free online short courses with certificates in South Africa hosted on Class Central, offered by the University of Cape Town via Coursera.
The course Instructor Dr. Juan H Klopper teaches you easy entry into interpreting common statistical concepts without getting into nitty-gritty mathematical formulae.
Have you ever skipped the results section of a medical article because of terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value”? Don’t worry, you’ve just landed on the right online course.
Are you a doctor who reads research articles to keep up with developments in your area or a medical student wondering how to approach his own research? Relax!
However, greater confidence in understanding statistical results and analysis can benefit you as both a working and research professional.
In contrast, if you are simply interested in properly understanding the published literature or are starting your own research? Then this course is also ideal for you.
Additionally, this course provides easy input for interpreting common statistical concepts without going into essential math formulas.
Lastly, being able to interpret and understand these concepts is the best way to start your journey into the world of clinical literature.
Moreover, That’s where this course comes in, so let’s get started!
The course is free for registration and completion. You will have the option to purchase a certificate of completion, for which you will qualify if you successfully complete the course requirements. This can be a great way to stay motivated! Financial aid is also available.
Benefits of this course
- You will understand an easy entry into interpreting common statistical concepts without getting into nitty-gritty mathematical formulae.
- Also, you will provide easy input for interpreting common statistical concepts without going into essential math formulas
- You will have greater confidence in understanding statistical results and analysis.
- The course is free for registration and completion.
Duration: 6 weeks long, 28 hours worth of material
Paid Certification Available[Optional]
#6. What is a Mind[University of Cape Town]
This course is taught by Mark Solms, and is aimed at bringing together learners and practitioners interested in how the mind works.
Also, it aims to build bridges between traditionally antagonistic approaches to understanding the mind.
However, while advances in medical understanding of how brain functions may shed light on neurological functions and disorders, the essential question that the mind speaks about is a different problem.
Frankly speaking, the question of ‘What is the Mind’ cannot be solved with a purely scientific understanding of the brain, nor with a purely philosophical or psychological approach.
Interestingly, many disciplines have attempted to address the problem, leading to multiple and sometimes antithetical responses.
However, in this course, Professor Mark Solms, Chair of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town, will adopt a multidisciplinary approach.
In that, he will use different perspectives from a variety of disciplines, to explore 4 specific aspects of the mind: Subjectivity, Intentionality, Consciousness, and Agency.
Together, they will help you to think about the fundamental questions: What is it to be a mind? why do we have a mind? and what is it like to have a mind?
Generally, this course is for anyone interested in psychology and the mind.
Lastly and conclusively, the course will also appeal to professionals, students, and researchers from a variety of disciplines, whose work looks directly or indirectly at the mind and brain. This includes but is not limited to, neuroscience, psychology, psychoanalysis, philosophy, psychiatry, and neurology.
Benefits of this course
- You will learn the practice of how the mind works
- Also, you will understand the perspectives of the definition of mind, from a range of 4 specific aspects: Subjectivity, Intentionality, Consciousness, and Agency.
- Lastly, you will understand the concepts of Neuroscience, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Psychiatry, and Neurology.
- Paid Certificates Available also.
Course Length: 6 weeks long, 3 hours a week
#7. Extinctions: Past and Present[University of Cape Town]
Here is also one of the free online courses in South Africa that explores how life on Earth was shaped by five mass extinction events in the distant past. Currently, biodiversity is in crisis, with the prospect of a sixth extinction event today.
Taught by an acclaimed paleobiologist Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan.
On a weekly basis, there will be discussions with scientists about how their research informs us about the biodiversity of our planet, including the earliest forms of life; diversification of fish and tetrapods; radiation from reptiles and dinosaurs; and the rise of mammals.
Most noteworthy, the focus of this course will be on the five previous mass extinction events that shaped our planet’s biodiversity. Also, the fossil records reveal evidence of species that became extinct during these mass extinctions and the new opportunities created for the surviving biota to diversify.
Interestingly, dating back to the present and the Anthropocene period, we will see how human behavior is beginning to impact the Earth’s ecosystems.
Also, in the course, considerations will be placed on the threat of the so-called ‘sixth extinction, discovering how our actions are reducing biodiversity and threatening the survival of many species.
Consequently, ‘Extinctions: Past and Present’ is created by the University of Cape Town, and filmed on location at South Africa’s Iziko Museum, West Coast Fossil Park, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, and the Table Mountain National Park.
Additionally, you will learn from Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, an acclaimed paleobiologist, author of a series of academic and children’s books on fossils, and former South African Woman of the Year.
In 2013, she received the Sub-Saharan Public Award from the World Academy of Sciences. Understanding and dissemination of science.
lastly, the course is suitable for anyone interested in scientific or environmental issues. No previous experience is needed.
Although, scientific names are used, for example, to identify extinct life forms, knowing them is not necessary to complete the course.
Benefits of the course
- In this course, you will explore how life on Earth has been shaped by five mass extinction events in the distant past.
- You will understand some topics like The biodiversity of our planet including the very first life forms; fish and tetrapod diversification; the radiation of reptiles and dinosaurs; and the rise of mammals.
- No previous experience is required.
- Paid Certification Available[Optional]
Length of the Course: 5 weeks long, 3 hours a week
#8. Education for All: Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion[University of Cape Town]
Here is also one of the free online courses in South Africa offered by The University of Cape Town South Africa, which exposes the practical strategies for making education inclusive.
Nonchalantly, millions of children around the world are excluded from access to education due to disability, depriving them of their potential and diminishing our society.
However, in this course, you will learn about inclusive education, understand what barriers to learning are, and how to challenge them.
Additionally, over the course of six weeks, you will learn from a variety of people with disabilities, discovering practical ways to create a more inclusive learning environment that you can apply in your own area.
join us and help create a world where learning is for all children.
Particularly, the course was created for teachers, other professionals, and parents interested in developing inclusive education.
However, if you are part of a community that wants to develop inclusive education in a school, you can form a group to support the learning of others and experiment with inclusive strategies.
Lastly, you will be provided with additional resources and ideas for those who wish to implement inclusive education practices, especially in low-resource settings.
Benefits of this course
- You will learn practical strategies for making education inclusive
- Also, you will understand the concepts of inclusive education, understanding what barriers there are to learning, and how to challenge them.
- Lastly, additional resources and ideas will be provided for those who want to implement inclusive education practices.
- Paid Certification Availble[Optional]
Length: 6 weeks long, 3 hours a week
Start Date: 29th March 2023.
#9. Becoming a Changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation[University of Cape Town]
The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship co-created this course with RLabs, a social movement ‘born-and-bred’ in Bridgetown, Cape Town that is now active in 22 countries.
In addition, the movement empowers young people through innovative and revolutionary technology, teaching them vital skills and giving them much-needed support and a sense of community.
Particularly, this free 6-week course is for anyone who wants to make a difference. Do you wish to make a difference in your society? Then join this community.
Notwithstanding, whether you are familiar with the field of social innovation or social entrepreneurship, work for an organization that wants to increase its social impact, or are just starting out, this course will take you on a journey of exploration of the complex issues that surround us and teaches you how to proffer solutions to those problems.
In the long run, you will understand the common assumptions about what resources are needed to start acting as a social innovator.
Also, you will learn from the countless examples of social innovations that occur around the world.
Additionally, you will be challenged to step out of your comfort zone and begin to engage with the various spaces that surround you.
Lastly, by the end of the course, you will have formed your own approach to social innovation and have begun to develop the concepts, mindset, skills, and relationships that will allow you to start and evolve as an agent of change.
Most noteworthy, you can purchase a verified certificate if you want to show evidence of your achievements, but this is optional and you can apply for financial aid if you cannot afford the certificate fee.
Course Duration: 6 weeks long, 24 hours worth of material
#10. Juia Scientific Programming [University of Cape Town]
This 4-module course introduces users to Julia as their first language. Julia is a high-performance, high-level dynamic programming language developed specifically for scientific computing.
Additionally, this language will be particularly useful for applications in physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, data science, bioinformatics, and more.
However, as open-source software, it will always be available to you throughout your working life.
Also, It can be used on the command line, in program files, or in a new type of interface known as the Jupyter Notebook.
Interestingly, Julia was designed to meet the requirements of high-performance numerical and scientific computing while being effective for general-purpose programming.
Furthermore, you will be able to access all available processors and memory, extract data from anywhere on the web, and have it always accessible through any device you want to use, as long as you have a browser. Let’s get started on learning Julia. Shall we? Smiles!
Benefits of this course
You will learn how to:
- Write your own simple Julia programs from scratch
- Program using Julia language, practicing through assignments.
- Understand the advantages and capabilities of Julia as a computer language.
- Work on Jupyter notebooks using Julia language
- Use various Julia packages, such as Plots, DataFrames, and Stats
- The course is delivered through video classes, screen demos, quizzes, and hands-on peer-reviewed projects designed to give you the opportunity to work with the packages.
Length of the course: 4 weeks long, 21 hours worth of material
Paid Certificate Available
#11. Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries [University of Cape Town]
This course is geared towards challenging you to consider how you can lift societies out of poverty while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Interestingly, in this course, you will explore the complexities inherent in developing country governments that want to grow their economies in a climate-friendly manner.
Additionally, you will be introduced to an approach to meet this challenge. The approach consists of a process facilitated by which academic researchers and high-level influential actors in society co-produce knowledge.
You will follow this process in four Latin American countries: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and South Africa.
You will hear from various professionals about their contexts and the different challenges and opportunities that the process includes.
Furthermore, this course will cover topics such as facilitation process techniques, energy modeling, scenario building, innovation, and policymaking. Also, you will have the opportunity to answer these questions with ideas and reflections from your own context.
However, whether you are a climate change practitioner, work in development, or just curious about how climate mitigation is understood, this course will provide insight into the complexity of how countries in the South pursue development goals while tackling climate change.
The course is free for registration. You will have the option to purchase a certificate of completion, for which you will qualify if you successfully complete the course requirements. This can be a great way to stay motivated! Financial aid is also available.
Benefits of this course
- You will understand how Facilitation process techniques, energy modeling, scenario building, innovation, and policymaking.
- Also, you will gain some insights into the complexity of how countries from the South pursue development goals while addressing climate mitigation.
- The course is free to enroll.
- Certificate after completion[Optional]
Course Length: 6 weeks long, 1-3 hours a week
#12. Dementia and Diversity in Primary Care: South Asian American Populations [Stanford University]
Internet Enduring Material Sponsored by the Stanford University School of Medicine. Presented by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Although dementia is the most common diagnosis in adulthood, it is poorly recognized in primary care. However, the gap in recognition is even greater for patients, their caregivers, and families who belong to diverse populations of ethnic and racial minorities.
More so, as residents of the United States age and become more racially and ethnically diverse, doctors and other health professionals will increasingly need to adapt their care to specific populations.
Additionally, this series of continuing education activities are designed to help healthcare professionals recognize dementia, select culturally appropriate assessment tools, and communicate effectively about the treatment of dementia in diverse racial and ethnic populations.
Interestingly, this course is aimed at doctors in specialties of primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, nurses, and social workers who work with elderly people.
The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Stanford University School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Course Duration: 1 week long, 1-2 hours a week
Start Date: Self-Paced.
#13. Democracy and Development: Perspectives from Africa [Massachusetts Institute of Technology]
In a continent that has been dominated by closed political systems, democratic political institutions have established themselves in more than a dozen African countries in the past 20 years.
Suffice it to say, in this course, you will learn about this extraordinary experience and seek to better understand the opportunities and challenges of democratic governance.
Interestingly, more than 50 African academics, politicians, leaders, and students have all been interviewed about how democracy works, and, in this course, we offer opportunities to learn from these diverse African experts.
Also, each week, MIT professor Evan Lieberman will present key themes in the study of democratic development in Africa and highlight the main perceptions and perceptions of several African colleagues.
Students will gain a solid introduction to African political development using social science analytical tools.
Lastly, the course is aimed at anyone interested in better understanding African politics; learning about the relationship between democratic policies and achieving better human development; and/or getting an introduction to political science approaches to these topics.
Benefits of this course
- You’ll learn about some remarkable experiments, and also, understand both the opportunities and the challenges of democratic governance.
- Opportunities to learn from various African experts.
- Gain a solid introduction to African political development
Duration: 9 weeks long, 3-4 hours a week
#14. Climate Adaptation in Africa [University of Cape Town]
This course explores why adaptation to climate change is important in the African context. Africa is considered one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change.
Historically, climate-related risks, such as droughts, floods, pest and disease outbreaks, coastal storms, and heat waves, have devastating effects on people and the environment in which they live.
Consequently, damages often impede progress made in social and economic development, delaying the achievement of development goals.
Genuinely, climate models suggest that many of these climate hazards will intensify with global warming.
That being said, building resilience to climate risks through adaptation is vitally important for Africa’s future development.
Furthermore, this course will examine adaptation in theory and practice, focusing on four sectors that are critically important for climate-resilient development in Africa: water security, agriculture, and food security, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and resilient cities.
Benefits of this course
- In this course, you will understand why climate change adaptation is important in the African context
- Understand Climate Adaptation in Africa
Length of Course: 6 weeks long, 2-3 hours a week
#15. Great South Land: Introducing Australian history [University of Newcastle]
In this course, you will take a journey through the history of Australia. You will examine a variety of periods and topics, including deep Aboriginal history, transportation and condemnation, and colonialism.
Also, this course will also present the skills and approaches used in the academic study of history, especially the study of Australian history, and will help you understand the issues of contemporary Australia in context.
This course is for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of Australian history or historical skills.
Benefits of this course
- Know more about the history of Australia
- Understand some topics like Aboriginal deep time history, transportation and convictism, and colonialism.
- Certificate Available
Duration: 3 weeks long, 3 hours a week
#16. Antimicrobial Stewardship for Africa [The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, College of Medicine]
Do you wish to learn how to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Africa? Then this course is ideal for you.
Communicable diseases continue to be a major cause of death in African countries according to WHO. However, this course will look at the threat of antimicrobial resistance in Africa and how best to address it.
Most noteworthy, you will explore the weight of antimicrobial resistance in Africa and the importance of microbiological research in antibiotic therapy.
Additionally, you will learn about the misuse and overuse of antibiotics as a factor in antimicrobial resistance and how to develop antibiotic guidelines.
Finally, it will assess the strategies that have been implemented in African hospitals and make more effective use of antimicrobials.
Particularly, this course is aimed at healthcare professionals and legislators involved in the prevention, treatment, and management of infectious diseases.
Benefits of this course
- Learn how to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Africa
- Understand the threat of antimicrobial resistance in Africa and how best to tackle it.
- learn about the misuse and overuse of antibiotics as a factor in antimicrobial resistance and how to develop antibiotic guidelines.
- Certificate Available
Duration: 3 weeks long, 3 hours a week
#17. American South: Its Stories, Art, and Music [The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]
Here is also one of the free online courses in South Africa offered by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
If you wish to learn the concept of Music, Art, and Stories of South America, then this course is ideal for you in 2023.
From small farms to urban neighborhoods, from the region itself to the more distant worlds of the southern diaspora, we discover the stories, music, and art of the American South.
Course Duration: 6 weeks long, 2-4 hours a week
#18. Gender, Family, and Social Change in Contemporary South Korea [Yonsei University]
This course examines the transformation of Korean society from the early 20th century to contemporary times.
Particularly, it explores how the categories of changing masculinity and, conversely, femininity have impacted and, in turn, been influenced by social, cultural, and political changes.
Additionally, using multiple disciplinary lenses, we will critically examine how gender intersects with political, social, and economic developments from the confutation of Korean society during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) to the contemporary era of globalization and neoliberal reform.
Also, the class will be based on a variety of topics such as traditional views of women, religion, race, class, education, patriarchy, sexuality, imperialism, modernity, war, globalization, and diaspora, among others.
However, special attention will be paid to historical, transnational, and transdisciplinary connections.
Benefits of the course
- You will understand how gender intersects with political, social, and economic developments starting with the Confucianization of Korean society.
- Also, you will learn several topics such as traditional views of women, religion, race, class, education, patriarchy, sexuality, imperialism, modernity, war, globalization, and more.
Duration: 5 weeks long, 20 hours worth of material
#19. Conservation & Protected Areas Management in Africa [ École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]
This MOOC is about areas dedicated to the protection of nature: “protected areas”. The coursework explores how they work and why they are so important for maintaining the health of the environment in our rapidly developing world; particularly in Africa.
Particularly, this course will help you learn about conservation challenges in Africa and how protected areas can help to address them, from the local to the international level.
Also, these topics will be explored using the best practices of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and field case studies across the African continent.
Additionally, the course consists of seven thematic modules (key concepts, planning, governance, management effectiveness, management specificities, financing, and current affairs) that include videos (introduction, five topics, a video on a PA-related convention, and a conclusion), readings, training questionnaires (optional) and exams (one per week, mandatory for the certificate range).
Benefits of the course
- You will learn about conservation challenges in Africa and how protected areas can help face them.
- Also, you will explore 7 thematic modules (key concepts, planning, governance, management effectiveness, specificities of management, financing, and topical issues).
Duration: 13 weeks long, 2-4 hours a week
Start Date: Self-Paced.
#20. Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa [University of Wits]
This free course is geared toward training activists, students, regulators, journalists, lawyers, and anyone interested in ensuring free, pluralistic, and independent African media.
However, as highlighted at the time of COVID-19, the media plays a fundamental role in democratic societies, informing citizens, facilitating and building freedom of expression, and promoting access to information.
Also, this course will help you to identify the principles and components of democratic media policy and practice and to identify strategies for effective engagement with these issues in African contexts.
Consequently, based on a network of experts and recent case studies from across the continent, you will explore what freedom of expression is and why it is important for democracy.
Additionally, you will understand the components and actors of democratic media policy and practice for print, broadcast, and online media.
Together, we will analyze media pluralism and diversity; media regulation in a democratic media environment; and Internet-related issues.
Particularly, the course is dedicated and aims to deepen the work of the late South African activist, Jeanette Minnie, who has dedicated herself to the strong involvement of civil society with African media policy.
Benefits of this course
- You will identify the principles and components of democratic media policy and practice.
- Also, you will understand what freedom of expression is and why it is important for democracy.
Course Duration: 7 weeks long, 2-3 hours a week
#21. Policy Lessons for South Korea’s Development [Online Learning Campus- world bank Group]
South Korea has a compelling history of economic growth. It is one of the few countries that has transitioned from a low-income, low-income nation to a high-income economy in just three decades.
Interestingly, this course offers a model for developing countries and, in this MOOC, leading experts will explain how South Korea achieved this result by implementing an export-based industrial strategy.
Also, this course examines South Korea’s previous development experience, as well as its current strategy and policy initiatives to overcome global and domestic challenges and sustain economic growth in the 21st century.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to consider and discuss institutional and policy lessons. policies applicable to the development challenges that their own countries face.
Particularly, the course will be of interest to all those who wish to learn how South Korea has become a high-income country, with the help of a highly qualified workforce and the development of high-quality manufacturing and service sectors.
Also of great interest is Korea’s creation of a futuristic city, Songdo, equipped with smart, green technologies. This MOOC will be of particular interest to policymakers involved in economic development.
Most noteworthy, the course was developed by the World Bank Group in collaboration with the Korean Development Institute and is taught by leading representatives of academic and research institutions in South Korea and the United States.
Benefits of the course
- Learn about South Korea’s past developmental experience as well as its current strategy and policy initiatives to overcome global and domestic challenges.
- You’ll have an opportunity to consider and discuss institutional and policy lessons applicable to the developmental challenges facing your own countries.
Course Length: 4 weeks
#22. Covid-19 in Africa: Managing the Outbreak in Primary Care Settings [St. George’s University]
Do you wish to enhance your knowledge of COVID-19 patient care and the virus’s impact? Then this course is ideal for you.
Frankly speaking, since the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in primary care has been observed in peri-urban settings in Africa.
In addition to patients’ fears of coming to a critical point of viruses, it is known that primary care providers feel unprepared to treat patients with symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.
In this primary health care course, however, you will learn about the COVID-19 outbreak in Africa.
Also, you will learn about safe patient management, including PPE, infection prevention and control, and the wider health impact of the pandemic.
Additionally, you will also learn to develop confidence in low- and middle-income countries that primary care environments can meet international COVID-19 security requirements.
Particularly, the aim of this course is to help doctors contribute to a gradual return to the volume of patients seen before the outbreak in Africa.
The course is aimed at primary care providers operating across the African continent, with a particular focus on high, low, and medium-low-income populations, where sharing information can be difficult.
This may include non-medical clinicians (NPCs) known as clinical officers (COs) in selected African countries.
The course will serve patient populations in urban and semi-urban areas that have access to primary care units that offer predominantly outpatient services (although in some cases these extend to inpatient services).
Although specific reference is made to the broader African health system, this course remains applicable, in principle, to all low and middle-income primary care practices.
Benefits of this course
- You’ll learn about the outbreak of COVID-19 in Africa.
- Also, you’ll understand the concept of safe patient management including PPE, infection prevention and control, and the wider health impact of the pandemic.
- You’ll also learn how to develop trust in low and middle-income countries that primary care settings are able to meet the international COVID-19 safety requirements.
Duration of the Course: 2 weeks long, 2 hours a week
Certificate Available Also[Optional]
#23. Social Innovation In South Korea [Hanyang University]
Have you wondered how you could explore the impact of being a changemaker in society? If you have ever thought of that, then this is your opportunity to be a change in your society.
Truly, social innovation applies effective and sustainable solutions to global social and environmental problems, such as poverty, disease, and pollution. However, an interesting way to implement social innovation is through social entrepreneurship.
Interestingly, in this course, you will explore social innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact while examining case studies making a change in South Korea.
Also, you will improve your understanding of global social issues and learn to balance financial and social values. She will also develop her own passion for making positive changes in society.
Particularly, this course was created for those who want to know more about social innovation and the social entrepreneurship movement in South Korea.
Benefits of this course
- Explore the impact of being a changemaker in society.
- Also, you will explore social innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact while examining change-making case studies in South Korea.
- learn how to balance financial and social values.
- You will develop your own passion for making a positive change in society.
Length: 6 weeks long, 3 hours a week
Certificate Available
#24. Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Africa [SDG Academy Via Edx]
According to the World Bank, Africa’s working-age population is expected to increase by almost 70% by 2035.
However, without industrialization to create jobs, sustainable development will be difficult to achieve.
Also, while manufacturing has led to rapid industrialization in East Asian countries, there are doubts that it can have the same effect in Africa.
The question is, if not through manufacturing, how can Africa promote economic growth?
Particularly, in this United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) course offered by the SDG Academy, you will hear from researcher John Page and other leading voices in development economics on the range of known activities, and also learn how the industrial policy that promotes the growth of these industries presents a win-win scenario for the economic development of Africa.
Additionally, this course is meant for:
- Policy professionals who want to understand how industrial policy can create win-win strategies for growth and development.
- Development professionals seeking information on how to address the need for industrialization in Africa.
- Advanced university students and graduate students interested in economics, development, industrialization, and other key concepts related to the development of Africa.
Benefits of this course
- You will learn from researcher John Page and other leading voices in development economics.
- Most importantly, you will learn how industrial policy that promotes the growth of these industries presents a win-win scenario for economic development in Africa.
Duration of the Course: 4 weeks long, 2-4 hours a week
The course is absolutely free, however, if you wish to get a certificate, you will pay a little token in the region of $49.
#25. BSW-23: The Tribals of South and Central India [IGNOU]
Do you crave to know more about the Tribals of South and Central India? Then, this course is ideal for you.
Particularly, in this course, you will learn about the tribal population in South and Central India, along with its unique characteristics, including culture, practices, beliefs, social organization, livelihoods, etc.
Additionally, this course will also highlight some of the emerging issues and perspectives for tribal development in the region.
Also, this course not only provides knowledge but also provides a deeper understanding of our nation’s diversity.
Benefits of this course
- You will be learning about the tribal population existing in South and Central India along with their unique features and characteristics including culture, practices, beliefs, social organization, their livelihood.
- Also, you will understand some of the emerging problems and perspectives of tribal development in the region.
Start Date: 15th September 2023.
Course Duration: 12 weeks long.
#26. Antimicrobial Stewardship for Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa [The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy]
Have you been wondering what Antimicrobial Stewardship means? And as such, wants to know more about antimicrobial stewardship in the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa? Cheers, I got you covered!
Notwithstanding, in this course, you will examine the threat of antimicrobial resistance in the Middle East, the Gulf, and North Africa and learn how to best address it.
Also, you will discover the basics of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and learn how to implement an AMS program in your practice.
Particularly, in this course, you will also evaluate AMS strategies, explore the process of developing and updating local antimicrobial prescribing policies, and use collaborative interdisciplinary approaches.
Additionally, you will get information and advice from experts in the field and learn how to make the most effective use of antimicrobials.
In contrast, this course is designed for healthcare professionals working in the Middle East.
Benefits of this course
- In this course, you will examine the threat of antimicrobial resistance in the Middle East, Gulf, and North Africa and learn how best to tackle it.
- Also, you will understand the basic principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and learn how to implement an AMS program at your practice.
- Gain insight and advice from experts in the field and learn how to make the most effective use of antimicrobials.
Duration: 3 weeks long, 3 hours a week
#27. Sustainable Consumption and Production in Africa[United Nations]
In this course, we will take a trip to Africa and discuss what are the challenges and prospects for sustainable development on the continent.
Most noteworthy, the course presents the main international approaches, policies, and structures that aim to unlock more sustainable consumption and production patterns (CPS).
However, in this course, the instructor will cover a number of aspects and various subject areas: from energy efficiency – to climate-smart agriculture, from SCP tools, policies, and international agreements – to changing people’s behavior.
Additionally, this course consists of five modules, each divided into several lessons. For more information on the course structure, methodology, learning objectives, and completion requirements download the course syllabus.
Benefits of this course
- You will understand the challenges and outlooks for the sustainable development of Africa as a continent.
- Also, you will be introduced to several topics like energy efficiency, climate-smart agriculture, some SCP tools, policies and international agreements, and lastly behavioral change of individuals.
- Certificate available.
Duration of Course: 6 hours worth of material
#28. Covid-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa [Public Health England]
This course is geared towards helping you Recognise the signs of psychological problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Particularly, this course will show front-line respondents how to recognize when people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are in danger and how to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA).
Specifically, this course was designed for rescuers in Africa and reflects the different health situations in African countries.
Wish to Learn Psychological First Aid for first responders? This course is ideal for you!
Globally, PFA recommended training to support people in emergency situations. However, in this course, you will discover PFA and how it can be used as a form of psychological care.
Also, you will receive training on how to use PFA to provide practical and emotional support to others.
Furthermore, you will explore the mental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and learn to recognize those who may be most at risk of distress.
Also, by identifying ways to care for yourself and other rescuers, you will learn how to work in an emergency and read more about providing psychosocial support in crisis situations.
Particularly, Public Health England specializes in providing health protection and emergency response. This course was written and reviewed by experts in the field and specially adapted for use by rescuers in African countries.
Most noteworthy, the course is based on guidance from the World Health Organization and the United Nations and has been adapted to the context by the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (PHE / LSHTM) with input from WHO AFRO experts, WHO EMRO, Africa CDC, West and East African Health Organization, Community Health of Central and Southern Africa (ECSA-HC).
More so, this course is aimed at the frontline or essential workers and volunteers dealing with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries.
However, no prior qualification is required. The PFA approach is suitable for low-income settings and community models of health service delivery.
The content of this course has been adapted from Public Health England’s COVID-19: Psychological First Aid course.
Please note: a French translation of this course will be available soon. The link will be available here when it’s ready.
Benefits of this course
- After taking the course, you will be able to recognize the signs of psychological problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Also, you will learn Psychological First Aid for first responders.
- Most importantly, you will be able to identify how to treat the psychological effects of COVID-19.
- Certificate Available.
Course Duration: 3 weeks long, 2 hours a week
This is arguably one of the best free online courses in South Africa in 2023.
Free accredited online courses with certificates in South Africa
Stay tuned for updates on some free accredited online courses with certificates in South Africa!
We’ll update you soon.
Final Thought
We have come to the end of this wonderful blog post on the free online courses in South Africa 2023.
Most noteworthy, all of the courses in this list of free online courses in South Africa are Free, however, if you wish to get a valid certificate, you will have to pay a little token for that.
As I said earlier, these courses were extensively and comprehensively researched to give you the very best. Relax! Our word is our bond.
Perhaps, as an individual, due to a lack of finance to pay your tuition, your education in a higher institution is hanging by a thread.
Worry no more, the good news is you don’t have to bother about finances again thanks to some free online courses in South Africa provided in this blog post for you to choose from and learn at your own pace.
Most importantly, your willingness and zeal to complete any program you have signed up for is the only requirement.
That being said, go through the plethora of free online courses in this blog post and select the one that best suits you, and learn at your own pace and convenience.
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