List of Free Online Communications Courses and Classes

Read on for more details on the platforms that offer some of the best free communications courses and classes available online.

1. Alison

Alison is a premier online learning platform where all of the courses are free, including dozens of communications courses.

Communications topics covered include:

• management and employee interaction
• effective communication skills
• customer service skills
• group communication and teamwork
• telephone etiquette
• soft skills for hospitality professionals

All of Alison's courses are self-paced, on-demand courses that you can start at any time.

Most of the communications courses include six hours or less of instruction, and some come with free certificates of completion.

2. Coursera

The online learning platform Coursera hosts nearly a thousand communications courses, although not all of them are free.

Free communications courses available on Coursera cover some of the following topics:

• public speaking
• English and academic preparation
• negotiation skills
• career development
• creative thinking techniques
• business English skills

Free courses are audit-only, available on demand and self-paced. Some of these courses may have a certificate available for an additional fee.

Courses offered by accredited institutions might also have an upgrade that allows you to get college credit for completion of the course.

3. edX

The online learning platform edX offers dozens of courses that help you improve your business communications skills.

Courses available on the platform cover topics including:

• business communications
• business writing techniques
• business presentations
• business negotiations
• digital branding and engagement
• management communication

Many of edX's courses are offered by global universities and offer a global perspective to business communications.

These courses are typically free to audit although you'll have to upgrade to a paid version if you want a certificate of completion.

4. Harvard University Professional and Lifelong Learning

Harvard University has its own Professional and Lifelong Learning platform that offers free online courses.

Some of the communications courses available on this platform cover topics such as:

• salary negotiation
• organizational leadership
• strategic communication and public relations
• negotiation skills
• management skills
• presentation skills

Most of Harvard's programs are focused on business communications or communications skills in a corporate environment.

None of Harvard's courses include any live interaction, certificate, or college credit. But you may have access to tests and assignments.

5. LinkedIn Learning

The LinkedIn Learning platform is not free. However, you can take advantage of the free trial to take some of the communications courses.

Topics covered by LinkedIn Learning courses include:

• effective listening
• communication foundations
• customer service skills
• negotiation skills
• interpersonal communication
• conflict resolution
• public speaking

Since most of these courses are less than an hour long, they can easily be completed during the free trial period.

None of these courses are eligible for certificates of completion or college credit.

6. Skillshare

You have to buy a membership subscription to enjoy free Skillshare courses, but the platform does have a free trial.

Communications courses offered on the platform cover some of the following topics:

• conversation skills
• essential career soft skills
• communications skills for professionals
• communications skills with remote teams
• body language
• networking strategies

While most of these courses are asynchronous and available on-demand, Skillshare offers live sessions as well.

None of the courses on Skillshare include certificates or the opportunity to earn college credit, even if you're a paying member.

7. Reed Courses

Reed Courses offers around 20 communications-related courses on its online platform.

While all of these courses are self-paced, some are lengthy, requiring seven to 10 weeks worth of study.

Topics covered by the free courses on this platform include:

• public speaking
• customer service skills
• business administration
• principles of team leading
• understanding workplace violence and harassment

Some of the free courses lead to a qualification if you live in the UK and want to take advantage of that.

8. The Open University

The Open University offers thousands of 100% free courses on its OpenLearn platform, including many related to communications.

Topics covered by these free courses include:

• creative writing and critical reading
• employee engagement
• facilitating group discussions
• management skills
• business communication skills
• managing virtual teams
• social marketing
• interpersonal communications skills

Free courses on OpenLearn sometimes generate digital badges that you can share on your LinkedIn profile or with your employer.

However, OpenLearn classes typically don't translate into college credit unless you earn your degree from The Open University.