Finding new things to do and learn has never been easier. There are plenty of free online classes for seniors, making it accessible to anyone. ..

Looking to learn more about life after retirement? Check out our list of 25 free online courses for seniors! Whether you’re a seasoned online student or just starting out, these courses will help you explore different aspects of life after work. ..

Online Technology Classes

Online technology classes are a great choice for seniors looking to learn or enhance their tech skills at their own pace. Classes are available on numerous topics, such as digital security and office software. There are even curricula for coding.

1. Digital Skills: Embracing Digital Technology

This free course from FutureLearn covers essential digital skills that you can use every day. Best of all, you can complete each lesson and activity at your own pace. With FutureLearn basic access, you can access this course for a limited time (four weeks) starting today. ..

King’s College London is providing a certificate course through Futurelearn.com that offers a certificate of achievement with the FutureLearn Unlimited membership (at $23.33/month). This course was developed for people unfamiliar with the digital world — specifically, to improve the lives of migrants, refugees, or others adapting to the digital age for the first time. The course is scheduled for four weeks, with three hours of weekly study time. However, you can take the entire course at your own pace. ..

2. iPhone and iPad Tips and Tricks

This course is perfect for seniors who are new to Apple devices or mobile devices in general. This course provides ample tips for using Apple’s mobile devices, from app management to managing your data usage.

Garrick Chow, a Senior Staff Instructor at LinkedIn Learning, offers a Certificate of Completion through LinkedIn Learning. The Certificate of Completion is free for the first month and $26.99/month after. The curriculum level is Intermediate. You can also go back and rewatch each section multiple times.

3. Microsoft Office Basics

In today’s digital age, using productivity software can help with a range of tasks. This includes budgeting, correspondence, and even business. The Microsoft Office Basics course introduces several tips and lessons for Microsoft’s software suite.

The courses are self-paced and perfect for first-time users. Plus, the lessons are free with guided steps and videos. ..

The Goodwill Community Foundation’s GCF Learn Free Program offers a Certificate of Completion. The course offers a Certificate of Completion. The curriculum level is intended for beginners, though those taking the course should know basic computer operations. With each module containing upwards of 30 lessons, this self-paced course may take weeks to complete.

4. Computer Programming for Everyone

This course is designed for people who already know how to program computers and computer languages. You can take it for free for two weeks.

This course is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their computer skills or change their career.

This course provides a Certificate of Achievement with the FutureLearn Unlimited membership (at $23.33/month).

5. Security Tips

In this course, we will explore the basics of digital security, including how to create strong passwords and protect yourself from hackers. We will also learn about scams and how to stay safe online. This course is essential for all who use computers.

Scott Simpson, the certificate provider for this course, offers a Certificate of Completion with a LinkedIn Learning account. The certificate is free for the first month and $26.99/month after. The curriculum level is designed for every level of technological skill. The time to complete this course is self-paced, and it should take three hours and 43 minutes to complete.

Online Finance & Investing Classes

As you approach retirement, it’s important to understand your finances and invest options. By doing so, you can maximize your existing retirement accounts and make your money work for you. There are a number of ways to achieve this, including using a combination of traditional and Roth IRA accounts, investing in stocks or mutual funds, or taking advantage of special retirement savings opportunities like employer matching contributions. The best way to find out what works best for you is to talk to a financial advisor. ..

6. Investments at MIT

The Investments course is an in-depth class that uses mathematics, optimized financial theories, and comprehensive market expertise to teach expert portfolio decisions and advanced investment finances. The course is designed for students who want to learn about the best ways to invest their money and make smart financial choices.

MIT OpenCourseWare offers a Certificate in Advanced Coursework, which is a course that comprises 23 lectures and five group assignments. Each lesson lasts 1.5 hours, and there are two lectures each week, including exams.

7. Just Money: Banking as if Society Mattered

This course is designed to help you understand how banking and finance affect society. It emphasizes the impact of your finances on social and environmental concerns, especially how digital tools and methods can help banks improve society as a whole.

The MIT OpenCourseWare and edX Certificate offer a certificate upon completion. The course is entirely free. The curriculum level is introductory, and it takes 16 weeks to complete.

8. Finance Fundamentals: Managing the Household Budget Sheet

This guide provides essential financial knowledge for anyone who wants to better manage their finances. It covers topics such as borrowing, investments, and debts, and helps readers build a strong foundation for their future financial stability.

This course is available for anyone who wants to improve their household finances. It is a powerful tool that seniors can use to manage their finances better. The Open University Business school is the provider of this course, and it is accredited by the Online Course Certification System. This course is available for anyone who wants to complete it in four weeks.

9. Investments and Retirement

This course is a powerful and free lesson for seniors looking to explore the world of investments. This course delves into investments, mutual funds, life insurance, and other relevant financial topics. Seniors should take this course to help maximize their finances for upcoming retirement goals.

This course offers no certificate. The curriculum level is designed for adults of any level, but those with prior financial experience may have an easier time. The time to complete the course is approximately 14 videos of various lengths, with a total length of over 2 hours.

10. Principles of Wealth Management 

principles of wealth management is a course that focuses on advanced financial theories and mathematical formulas to delve into specialized investments, portfolio diversification, and more. This course is available for seven weeks using FutureLearn’s free basic access program.

This course offers a Certificate of Achievement with the FutureLearn Unlimited membership (at $23.33/month). The certificate will have a curriculum level of advanced topics and will be geared toward those with existing personal finance knowledge. The time to complete the course is seven weeks, and it should take that amount of time to complete.

Online Language Learning Classes

As a senior, learning a new language can be an enlightening undertaking. It can be beneficial for multiple areas of the brain, including communication and problem-solving. Additionally, online language classes can help seniors improve their understanding of other cultures and languages.

11. Introduction to Norwegian

The Introduction to Norwegian course at the University of Oslo is an excellent way for seniors to learn the Norwegian language, customs, and culture. This course is perfect for those looking to improve their understanding of the country and its people.

This course is designed to help you understand the main rules of Norwegian grammar and pronunciation. It uses a focus on everyday conversations to make it easy for you to learn. Plus, a Norwegian Chatbot allows you to communicate in your new language with a “native Norwegian AI.” FutureLearn’s basic access program lets you take this course for four weeks for free.

The University of Oslo offers this course, which offers a Certificate of Achievement with the FutureLearn Unlimited membership (at $23.33/month). This course is available for everyone, and it is self-paced. It should take four weeks to complete, assuming five hours of weekly study.

12. Spanish I

Spanish is a beautiful and beneficial language for everyone to learn. MIT offers Spanish I, a series of 26 half-hour videos that provide an authentically Spanish dive into the culture, emotions, and language.

The MIT OpenCourseWare Certificate in Spanish is not available for this course. The curriculum level for this course is for anyone without previous knowledge of Spanish. To complete the course, expect 13 hours of videos, plus additional time for activities and extra exercises.

13. Contemporary Chinese

This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of Chinese Mandarin. It will also cover traditional family trees, cultural customs, and other aspects of Chinese culture.

You can try out the ExpertTrack program for free with a seven-day trial. If you decide you don’t like it, you can upgrade to full access for only $5.

This course offers a validated, official certificate of completion with a FutureLearn Expert Track membership ($39/month). The curriculum level is developed for anyone interested in learning Chinese. No prior experience is needed. The time to complete is five weeks to complete at five hours of study per week.

14. Speak Italian With Your Mouth Full

This unique and innovative program teaches the language through cuisine. The 13 video lessons focus on teaching how to speak Italian by teaching how to cook like an Italian. This program is broken down into 13 video lessons, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Italian cooking.

This course is fun and accessible to people with no prior Italian skills. The curriculum level is easy, and the time to complete it is self-paced.

15. Irish 101: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture

This course is designed for seniors curious about the history and culture of Ireland. By focusing on the Irish people and their heritage, students learn basic Irish language skills. This class is available for free with basic access to FutureLearn’s platform for four weeks.

Dublin City University is providing a certificate of achievement through FutureLearn.com for this course, which is designed for anyone interested in the Irish language, history, and culture. No prior Irish experience is needed. The course should take four weeks to complete, but it can be self-paced. ..

Online Art & Music Classes

Art and music education can now be enjoyed by anyone with an internet connection. These courses are designed to help you find a new hobby and brush up on dormant skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these courses will give you the opportunity to learn and grow in your artistry.

This course is designed to help seniors learn how to tell stories effectively and efficiently. By exploring the various ways that popular culture, time, and media can influence storytelling, seniors will be able to create more engaging and interesting narratives for themselves and for others.

MIT OpenCourseWare offers a certificate for this course, but there is no such certificate. The curriculum level is available for all, and prior experience with art and literature might help with clarity, but it is not necessary. The time to complete this course is 25 self-paced sessions. It is recommended to complete two two-hour sessions each week. ..

17. Introduction to Art History

This book provides a deep insight into the portrayal of history as told through art and how art has influenced and has itself changed through history. It’s an excellent opportunity for seniors who love classic, Euro-American art over the past seven centuries.

The MIT OpenCourseWare Certificate in Art History is designed for everyone, and no prior knowledge of art history is needed. The course has been developed for everyone, and the average pace is two weekly sessions of 1.5 hours each.

18. Art Since 1940

This course at MIT is a great choice for those interested in contemporary art and culture worldwide. Focusing on art after the WWII era, this course explores the relationship between art, politics, and culture over the past century. Additionally, the course will study how the art boom of the 40s has evolved into today’s art.

This self-led course features 14 lectures covering various topics, including a more specific period of art history. A standard pace assumes two sessions a week, with each session taking 1.5 hours.

19. The Anthropology of Sound

The Anthropology of Sound is designed for students interested in the auditory arts. The course focuses on the relationship between humans, culture, and the transmission of sound. First, students will explore sounds from music to environmental noises. Then, they will study how those sounds correspond to cultural and scientific advancements.

The MIT OpenCourseWare Certificate in Computer Science is available for all, and no prior skills are necessary. The 14 three-hour weekly lectures feature a variety of interesting and challenging topics.

This report looks at popular music around the world, focusing on how it has changed due to Western recording technology and artistic influences. It also looks at what makes music popular in each country.

MIT OpenCourseWare offers a certificate for this course, which is designed for those without prior education or experience. The course takes 26 weeks to complete and each week is divided into two 1.5-hour sessions. ..

Online College Classes

Online college classes are an excellent way for seniors to learn new skills and improve their existing proficiencies. In most states, enrollment for seniors is free or costs are greatly reduced if class openings are available.

Many state universities and colleges offer free college courses. Some of the top institutions in the world offer online courses for free, including Yale and Harvard University. In addition, several non-college educational services, such as Udacity and Coursera, offer college-level courses on various subjects. ..

21. Open Yale Courses

The Open Yale Courses offer course material and recorded video lectures for free. These self-guided courses focus on liberal arts disciplines of all levels. These offerings range from humanities to biological sciences. There is no required registration, but no credit or certificate is offered either.

22. Harvard Open Courses

The Harvard Open Courses provides a variety of courses on various topics and levels. You can audit over 120 courses for free, including the accompanying lesson plans and coursework. Paid classes are available in many disciplines, from personal health and medicine to data sciences.

23. Stanford Free Online Courses

Stanford offers a variety of free online courses that can help seniors learn about a variety of topics. Some of the courses offered include Cybersecurity, the Special Theory of Relativity, and plenty more.

24. edX Open College Courses

EdX is a free online course provider that partnered with over 160 of the world’s top universities. Over 3,000 college-level courses are offered in over 30 subjects.

EdX offers a variety of free courses that each feature a verified track. Each course also features assignments, quizzes, and exams graded by instructors and then awards a verified certificate at the end of the course.

There are a variety of other degree and certification programs, although most are not free. ..

25. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) 

massive open online courses (MOOCs) provide a way for students to gain college credits and other recognized accolades. As part of edX, all course materials and instructor lessons are optimized for online learning.

How to Prepare for Online Learning

Online learning is a great option for seniors who want to expand their education. You can join all online courses, no matter where you are, meaning you can attend a class in your living room or even while traveling. ..

What Materials Do You Need?

Online courses will require a computer and an internet connection. Be sure to bring along a notebook for notes, and find a quiet area that is conducive to learning.

For specific courses, additional materials and supplies will be listed. This can range from textbooks to software, and students may have to purchase these items themselves. Be sure to check for materials requirements before signing up for any course.

Are Free Classes Really Free?

Most courses in college are free. However, the lessons themselves are otherwise unimpacted.

MIT OpenCourseWare provides access to entire curricula and course materials for free. These are essentially self-led, audited courses. However, the contents have been created by some of the leading minds in their respective fields.

When enrolling in a free course, always ensure that all resources are truly free. Never enter any payment information for a course that should be free.

How Do Online Class Schedules Work?

Many online education sites understand the busy schedules of adults. Their lessons are made to be self-led and completed on one’s own schedule. This means that you can take them at any time, as long as you have the time and energy to do so.

Some students choose to take multiple courses in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of a topic or field. Make sure you are aware of the course offerings and whether they are concurrent with on-campus courses. If so, be sure to sign up for both!

Some interactive courses may have set days and times of the week to better reach all students at once. While this is more likely for paid courses, some free courses track attendance, so be sure to free up your schedule for education. ..

Free Classes for Seniors Near Me

Many locations offer free in-person classes for seniors. These classes can be found at public libraries, community colleges, and even museums.

Google has a search bar at the top of the page that you can use to type in what you’re looking for. You can also use the “Advanced” search bar to find specific classes in your area.

Many online classes are self-led, which means students can set the pace of their education around their lives. If you’ve felt the need to improve your mental acuity, turn to online classes. In the digital age, lifelong learning is achievable by everyone.