Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

OpenLearn

open.edu

Free plan Web
Visit open.edu
Spec score 7.6 #15 of 27 in Open Educational Resource Platforms

What it is

OpenLearn is a free web learning platform delivered by The Open University. It offers courses, articles, quizzes, interactive games, videos and audio across many subjects, with short courses described as taking 1 to 24 hours. The listed Free courses plan includes nearly 1,000 courses at free. After completion, learners can download a free Statement of Participation, and some courses award a digital badge. OpenLearn courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification. A free account enables enrolment, progress tracking and activity-record downloads; general content is available without an account, though users must be at least 13 to create one. Materials can be shared through other learning systems in IMS Common Cartridge, HTML and Moodle formats. OpenLearn says its software tools are open source and its main learning environments use Moodle and Drupal. The site reports partial WCAG 2.2 AA compliance, with issues in some legacy images and interactive activities. It was founded in 2006 and is based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes.

Spec sheet

What it does
OpenLearn is a free learning platform delivered by The Open University.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Privacy
The FAQ says OpenLearn uses Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics and states that it does not release collected information to third parties.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Support
For content problems, OpenLearn directs users to email [email protected] with details of the issue.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Headquarters
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United KingdomRead 28 Sep 2026 · open.edu
Founded
2006Read 28 Sep 2026 · open.edu
Access requirement
Anyone can access general site content, but users must be at least 13 to create an account.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Accessibility
OpenLearn reports that its website is partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA and notes accessibility issues in some legacy images and interactive activities.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Account features
A free account lets learners enrol, track progress and download activity records from their profile.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Badges and statements
After completing a course, learners can download a free Statement of Participation, and some courses also award a digital badge.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Course credit
OpenLearn courses do not carry formal credit toward a qualification.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Course length
OpenLearn describes its short courses as ranging from 1 to 24 hours of study.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Integrations and reuse
Course materials are available in formats including IMS Common Cartridge, HTML and Moodle for sharing through other learning management systems.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Learners
The site says it serves people supplementing formal study, exploring future learning, or learning for personal interest.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Learning content
The site offers courses, articles, quizzes, interactive games, videos and audio across a wide range of subjects.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu
Open source
OpenLearn says its software tools are released as open source and its main learning environments use Moodle and Drupal.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu

Plans and prices

Free courses Free Nearly 1,000 courses · free to study · no formal credit toward a qualification Read 8 Oct 2026 · open.edu

Every OpenLearn plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Nearly 1,000 free courses are listed
  • Offers varied media and interactive activities
  • Courses take 1 to 24 hours
  • Free accounts track enrolment and progress
  • Materials support Moodle and Common Cartridge

Limits

  • Courses provide no formal qualification credit
  • Website is only partially WCAG 2.2 AA compliant
  • Accounts require users to be at least 13
  • Web platform only

Who it suits

OpenLearn suits people supplementing formal study, exploring future learning or studying for personal interest. It also serves learners who want short, free online courses and downloadable participation records.

Verdict

OpenLearn provides broad, free learning content with short courses, progress tracking and participation records. It is for learning rather than formal qualification credit, and accessibility limitations remain in some materials.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to OpenLearnAll alternatives →