If you've ever wished you could study electrical engineering for free from some of the top universities in the world, you're in the right place.
These online courses put the best electrical engineering education at your fingertips and allow you to learn at your own pace.
Whether you're just a curious student or a professional engineer looking to brush up on your skills, these courses will fit your needs.
Best Free Online Electrical Engineering Courses
Read on to learn which universities have the best free online courses in electrical engineering.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) offers free electrical engineering courses on the Coursera platform.
Through ASU's Material Science for Advanced Technological Applications Specialization, you can take the following courses:
- Electrical Properties and Semiconductors
- Phase Diagrams
- Hardening, Polymers, Properties
- Ceramics and Composites
All of these courses are offered 100% free if you decide to audit the course.
With auditing, you don't get a certificate or earn any credits that you could ultimately apply toward a degree, so keep that in mind.
2. Columbia University
Columbia University in New York City has the course MOS Transistors available for free on the Coursera learning platform.
The course takes approximately 18 hours to complete and features flexible deadlines so you can learn on your own terms.
In addition, you can take advantage of Coursera Labs for hands-on learning projects to help you master transistors.
However, this course is no longer actively maintained by the instructor, so some things mentioned in video lectures will be irrelevant.
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology has a free course on the Coursera platform called Linear Circuits 2: AC Analysis.
Generally, the course will teach you how to analyze circuits that have alternating current (AC) voltage.
Some practical applications are demonstrated with hands-on learning experiences through Coursera Labs.
The course is asynchronous so you can learn on your own terms. A certificate of completion is available for a fee.
4. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Get a global education from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology through the edX platform.
The university offers a free course called Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions, and Bipolar Junction Transistors.
The course is part of the Principle of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program.
The course is self-paced, but with just three to four hours of study a week you could finish the course in four months.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
If you're interested in learning from one of the best universities in the world, check out the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
MIT offers free courses on both the edX platform and on its own OpenCourseware platform.
Free courses on edX include:
- Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis
- Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay
- Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications
Free electrical engineering courses on the MIT OpenCourseware platform include:
- Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science I
- Circuits and Electronics
- Fundamentals of Photovoltaics
- Principles of Digital Communications I
- Signals and Systems
6. Stanford University
From Stanford University, you can take the course Introduction to Haptics for free on the edX platform.
Through this fascinating course, you can learn how to build, program, and control haptic devices.
Note that although the course itself is free, you will have to purchase and make the Hapkit components for hands-on experience.
If you want a certificate of completion, you can purchase an upgrade. The certificate is completely optional however.
7. State University of New York
If you're interested in solar energy, enroll in the Solar Energy Basics and Installation Specialization from the State University of New York (SUNY).
SUNY's free series is offered on the Coursera platform and includes two 100% online, asynchronous courses:
- Solar Energy Basics
- Solar Energy System Design
These courses will teach you about the basic system components and functions of a solar energy system, as well as how to install one.
While the courses are free, an optional certificate of completion is available for a small fee.
8. Technical University of Denmark
On the Coursera program, take Introduction to Solar Cells for free from the Technical University of Denmark.
This basic course teaches you how solar cells work and how you can measure their efficiency.
If you're looking for some general background information on green tech, this is a good option for you.
The course is 100% online and asynchronous. It takes approximately 23 hours to complete but you can pace yourself.
9. University of Colorado, Boulder
If you want to specialize in power electronics, try Introduction to Power Electronics, offered by the University of Colorado at Boulder.
You can audit the course for free on the Coursera program. The course is also offered for college credit if you pay tuition and fees.
Learn the basic concepts you need to convert electrical power with high efficiency, including principles of converter circuit analysis.
The course is asynchronous and offered 100% online with hands-on practical activities through Coursera Labs.
FAQs about Free Online Electrical Engineering Courses
Keep reading if you want to know the answers to some of the most common questions about free electrical engineering courses online.
Can I Teach Myself Electrical Engineering?
While it's true that most electrical engineering jobs require a degree, you can certainly teach yourself these skills.
If you're interested in going into business on your own or just playing around with circuits as a hobby, you might not care about a degree.
Can Electrical Engineering Be Learned Online?
Absolutely. In addition to free courses, there are also online degree options if you'd like to learn electrical engineering.
Keep in mind that you'll typically want hands-on experience as well, which you can get through an in-person internship.
Can I Learn Electrical Engineering for Free?
While you might not be able to earn a degree for free, you can certainly learn a lot of the fundamentals for free.
Many of the world's best engineering universities offer free courses online, many of which are taught by extremely skilled professors.
Find the Right School for Electrical Engineering Today
Jumpstart your electrical engineering education with free online courses from some of the world's top universities.
