If you're interested in working in computers and information technology, you'll likely need at least a bachelor's degree.
But if you're not ready to invest in a degree yet, free online courses are the perfect option to learn more about your chosen field.
With a free online course, you build a strong foundation of knowledge that you can add to in the future.
While free courses don't typically result in any college credit, they may give you enough expertise to find an entry-level job.
Best Online Sources for Free Computer Technology Education
Keep reading for details on some of the top free computer technology education that's available online.
1. Alison
All of the courses on the Alison learning platform are free, and information technology (IT) is one of the most popular categories.
Alison offers free courses in many computing and technology areas, including:
- information systems and business processes
- cybersecurity
- computer networking
- artificial intelligence and machine learning
- data, databases, and mining
All of Alison's courses are free and some even allow you to earn a certificate or diploma.
While certificate and diploma programs might be accredited or approved by an industry association, they don't result in earning any college credit.
2. Coursera
While many of the courses on the Coursera platform aren't free, you can access free courses that teach you computing fundamentals.
Some of the most popular free courses on Coursera include:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Foundations
- Cybersecurity for Everyone
- TCP/IP
- Information Systems Audit
- Cyber Conflicts
These programs are designed to teach you the basics and give you a good background that you can build on with credit-based courses.
The courses are free to audit, but you will have to pay a variable fee to take an exam and earn a certificate of completion.
3. edX
The edX platform offers both free and paid courses in computer science and information technology from world-renowned institutions.
Some of the popular options available on this platform include:
- Hardware and Operating Systems
- Information Technology Foundations
- Software, Programming, and Database Basics
- Cyber Risk Supervision
- Information Systems
Unique to edX, some of these courses can actually be converted into college credit hours if you ultimately decide to get your degree.
For courses that are free to audit, you typically have at least one upgrade option that allows you to pay for an exam and certificate.
4. Georgia Tech
From Georgia Tech Professional Education, you can take free online courses that cover the basics of computer technology.
Courses that are free to audit include:
- Information and Communication Technology Accessibility
- Computing for Data Analysis
- Introduction to Java Programming
- Computing in Python
Georgia Tech's free open online courses are asynchronous and self-paced, so you can access at any time.
The courses don't result in any college credit or award a certificate or diploma.
5. Harvard University
Harvard University's Professional and Lifelong Learning platform includes a number of free tech courses you can take at any time.
Some of these courses are only a few hours long, while others are more comprehensive and can require several months of study.
Popular courses available from Harvard include:
- Introduction to Game Development
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Introduction to Programming with Scratch
- Computer Science for Business Professionals
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
All of Harvard's free online courses are self-paced and available to start with any time, although you won't get a certificate of completion.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers free computer technology courses through its OpenCourseware platform.
All courses on the platform also include lecture notes, exams, and videos for free.
Popular courses cover topics such as:
- Computer System Engineering
- Mathematics for Computer Science
- Introduction to Computer Science and Programming
- Networks and Computer Security
MIT's free courses are self-paced so you can learn when it's convenient for you. You won't earn a certificate or college credit for these courses.
7. Stanford University
Stanford University is a leading institution in the tech world and offers free tech courses through its Stanford Online platform.
Popular courses available on the Stanford platform include:
- Advanced Cybersecurity Program Preview
- Automata Theory
- Computer Science 101
- Mining Massive Data Sets
- Statistical Learning
All of these courses are self-paced with open enrollment so you can start learning at any time it's convenient for you.
Some courses have an enrollment option that could allow you to earn a certificate, endorsement, or even college credit with payment of a fee.
FAQs About Free Online Computer Technology Education
Read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about free online computer technology education.
Are Free Online Classes Really Free?
Yes, free online classes are almost always transparently free, but there are some limitations to the free version of these courses.
With free access, you're typically only auditing the class and won't get any feedback, certificate, or college credit.
Can You Learn Computer Science or Information Technology for Free?
Because this area is changing so rapidly, you might have more success teaching yourself with free resources.
However, keep in mind that most employers in the tech industry want employees who have at least abachelor's degree in computer science.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Basic Computer Science?
How long it takes depends on your dedication and how many hours a week you have to devote to your study.
If you're already relatively tech savvy, it shouldn't take you more than a year to build a strong foundation in computer science.
Find the Right School for Free Online Computer Technology Education Today
If you're interested in eventually working with computers, a free information technology course can provide a good overview of the field.
