If you are a small business owner seeking to manage HR functions yourself or want to upskill your HR team members, free online HR courses are very beneficial. There are a host of options that cover virtually all aspects of human resources, from policies to analytics to people management.
Note, however, that finding free online HR courses with certifications—if that’s what you are interested in—can be quite challenging. Reputable platforms typically require payment for the certification exam.
This article highlights six free courses that could be a good place for you or your team members to start and directs you to the top sources for other free online HR courses.
Free Online HR Courses At-A-Glance
Course Name | Certification Available* | Offered by | Platform | Method of Delivery | Average Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diploma in Human Resources | ✓ | Advance Learning | Alison | Text-based | 15 hours |
Human Resources Policies and Organizational Study | ✓ | Rajiv Misra | Alison | Video and text | 1.5–3 hours |
Leading with Effective Communication | ✓ | Catalyst | edX | Video and text | 4–8 hours |
People Management Skills | ✓ | CIPD | Future Learn | Video and text | 15 hours |
Human Resources Analytics | ✓ | University of California, Irvine | Coursera | Video and Text | 5 hours |
The Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work | ✓ | University of London | Coursera | Video and text | 28 hours |
*Certifications are available at an extra cost
Diploma in Human Resources
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| Tackles most of the HR skills and competencies | References used are a bit old |
| CPD (Continuing Professional Development)-accredited | No videos |
| Has downloadable notes | Few hands-on/real-world examples |
| Can set your own pace | |
Why We Chose Diploma in Human Resources
Duration: 15 hours
Alison’s Diploma in Human Resources is best for new HR practitioners who want to expand their knowledge of HR skills and competencies, as well as for small businesses and startups that are trying to set up their HR teams. The course covers a range of topics, including recruitment, employee management, performance management, compensation, and benefits administration.
The course includes nine modules, with quizzes and assessments. Since the course is self-paced, learners might finish it longer than the anticipated 15 hours of completion.
The course was designed by Advance Learning, a course creator service that started delivering IT courses to its partners in 1998. Over the years, the company has expanded its content to other topics, which include HR. To date, it has more than 600 courses on Alison, with each course boasting thousands of students.
The course is purely text-based and can be accessed anytime. The start and end dates are flexible.
Human Resource Policies and Organizational Structure
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| Has video instructions | Could have provided more examples |
| Has practical real-world examples and exercises | No downloadable handouts |
| Has a guide on how to create your own HR policy | |
Why We Chose Human Resource Policies and Organizational Structure
Duration: 1.5–three hours
Although short, the course provides students with a solid understanding of the core concepts and principles of human resource management and organizational structures. It also provides guidelines on how you can identify if you have a bad HR process and steps you can take to remedy this.
The principles were explained using easy language that even those without an HR background can understand. The course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn about the role of HRM and how to develop effective HR policies and procedures.
The course was created and maintained by Rajiv Misra, a seasoned HR consultant who has been helping SMEs set up their HR processes and systems. He has created companion courses for this course for learners that want to take a deeper dive into HR systems and processes.
The course is a combination of text and video lectures. The video lessons are between five–10 minutes long with accompanying PowerPoint presentations.
Leading With Effective Communication (Inclusive Leadership Training)
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| Uses different methods of instruction | Free version has an expiration date |
| Different instructors | Free version has limited access to videos and course materials |
| Has real-world examples | Subtitles are only in English |
| Interactive | |
| Downloadable videos and handouts | |
| Videos have subtitles | |
Why We Chose Leading With Effective Communication
Duration: four–eight hours
We recommend EdX’s Leading with Effective Communication (Inclusive Leadership Training) for those who are looking to improve their communication skills. The course is divided into four sections and covers the fundamental principles of communication and leadership, accountability, active listening, nonverbal communication, effective feedback, and conflict resolution. It emphasizes the importance of communication in leadership and how it can promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
It also has practical tools and techniques for learners to apply in different organizational contexts to improve communication and build stronger relationships with team members. By the end of the course, learners will have the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate effectively and lead inclusively in any organizational context.
CatalystX is a collaboration between edX and Catalyst, a global nonprofit organization that works to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. CatalystX courses are taught by leading experts in the fields of leadership and DEI, including Dnika J. Travis, PhD, the Vice President of Research at Catalyst.
The courses are highly interactive and feature a range of learning activities, including case studies, discussions, and assessments, that enable learners to apply the concepts and skills they learn in real-world situations.
People Management Skills
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| Designed and presented by CIPD | Free version has an expiration date |
| Mixed instruction | Certification in the free and lower-priced versions depends on your eligibility |
| Has video transcripts | |
| Provides practical strategies | |
Why We Chose People Management Skills
Duration: 15 hours
The CIPD People Management Skills course on FutureLearn is a comprehensive training program designed to equip learners with essential people management skills. The course covers a range of topics, including effective communication, leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution. This highly interactive course features a range of learning activities that enable the learners to apply the concepts and skills they have learned in real-world situations.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is a leading professional body for HR and people development in the UK. It has a membership of over 150,000 professionals that work in HR, learning and development, and people management.
CIPD instructors are experts in their field and have extensive experience in HR and people management. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including academia, consulting, and industry. They are committed to promoting best practices in HR and people development and to helping learners develop the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their careers.
The courses are a mixture of readings, video classes, and quizzes. You can also discuss the lessons with other course-takers through the comments section.
Take this course on FutureLearn
Human Resources Analytics
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| In-depth instruction of different HR metrics | Lacks practical exercises |
| Teaches learners how to use data analysis using the HR metrics | More text-based |
| Paid version offers financial aid | Lack of case studies |
| Not for beginners | |
Why We Chose Human Resources Analytics
Duration: five hours
The specialized training program focuses on equipping HR professionals with the skills and knowledge to effectively leverage data and analytics in their HR practices. It is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of HR analytics, including its concepts, methods, tools, and applications, and enable HR professionals to make data-driven decisions and contribute strategically to the overall success of their organizations.
With its focus on data analytics and HR metrics, we don’t recommend the course for freshers—those with no prior HR experience—because the principles and practices discussed in the course might be difficult.
The course is delivered by Amber Gould, a seasoned HR practitioner for 20 years who serves as the Executive Director of Human Resources at a tech company. She has helped different organizations in HR strategic planning as well as growth and goal alignment.
Although there are video instructions, the course is 95% text base and 5% videos. There are also quizzes and practice exercises after each module.
The Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
| What We Liked | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|
| Lessons are applicable for all types of learners | Reading materials have bothersome typos |
| Lessons also touch conflict management and resolution | Reading materials and lectures can be a bit boring per user feedback |
| Video instructions | |
Why We Chose The Manager’s Toolkit A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
Duration: 28 hours
This HR course focuses on providing practical skills and tools for effectively managing people in the workplace. It aims to equip managers with the essential knowledge and techniques to effectively lead, motivate, and engage their teams, while also addressing common challenges and issues that arise in people management.
As a “toolkit” for managing people, the course also tackles performance and conflict management in the workplace. Learners who left some comments about the course said it helped them learn more about how to become effective managers. However, there are also learners who said that the content is boring and has lots of typographical errors.
The course was designed by Dr. Chris Dewberry of the University of London. He and his team have extensive experience in distance learning and have been teaching students from all over the world.
The course is presented in video format with some readings per module. There are also quizzes and practice exercises.
Where to Find Other Free Online HR Courses
There is a constant need for HR professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and regulations in the field. Fortunately, there are several free online HR courses available that can help HR professionals develop their skills and knowledge.
Here are some places where you can find a free course:
Open educational resources (OER) are freely accessible educational materials that can be used for learning, self-study, or teaching. These resources can include a wide range of educational content, such as free online courses, interactive modules, videos, and lecture notes.
Here is a list of some reputable OERs that offer free online courses in HR:
- MIT OpenCourseWare: It is a free online resource that provides access to course materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It has HR-related courses which cover topics like organizational behavior, innovation, and more.
- OpenLearn: It is an online learning platform provided by Open University, a renowned UK-based institution. It has free HR-related courses on recruitment, selection, change management, and more.
- OpenSesame: It is a platform that offers various online learning courses, including HR courses. While not all courses are free, it has a collection of free HR courses on topics like leadership development, performance management, workplace safety, and more.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are similar to OERs—with the main difference that MOOCs have full or mini-courses with instructor participation. Here is a list of some popular MOOC platforms that offer free HR courses:
- FutureLearn: It is an online learning platform that offers free HR courses from various universities and institutions around the world.
- LinkedIn Learning: While it is a subscription-based platform, it offers a 30-day free trial that allows access to its extensive library of HR courses on topics such as HR strategy, recruitment, performance management, and more.
- Coursera: It is a well-known MOOC platform that partners with top universities and institutions to offer a wide range of HR-related courses, such as “Human Resources Analytics,” “Employee Benefits and Compensation,” and more.
- edX: This popular MOOC platform offers free HR courses from renowned universities and institutions worldwide.
- Udemy: It is a popular online learning platform that offers both paid and free HR courses. While not all courses on Udemy are free, it does have a collection of free HR courses on topics such as talent management, leadership development, employee relations, and more.
- Alison: This platform offers a variety of free HR courses that cover topics, such as HR management, recruitment, employee training and development, and performance appraisal. The courses have a certificate of completion. However, it’s important to note that the level and type of certification may vary depending on the course and the institution offering it.
Many HR blogs and websites offer free online courses in the form of webinars, video tutorials, e-learning modules, or downloadable resources like whitepapers and e-books. They may be self-paced, allowing learners to complete the course at their own convenience, or they may have a specific timeframe for completion. These free courses are typically designed to provide practical insights, best practices, and actionable tips that HR professionals can apply in their work.
Here are some of these blogs and websites:
- Society for Human Resources and Management (SHRM): It is one of the largest professional associations in the world. It offers a variety of free resources, including HR toolkits, webcasts, and e-learning modules, which cover various HR topics and competencies.
- HR Exchange Network: It is an online community and resource hub for professionals that offers free webinars, articles, and e-books on various HR topics, such as recruitment and hiring, employee development, performance management, and more.
- Human Resources Today: It is a popular HR blog that offers a wide range of HR content, including articles, webinars, and ebooks. It often features free resources and courses on topics, such as employee management, leadership development, and the latest HR trends.
- HR Bartender: It is a popular blog where HR experts and thought leaders give practical tips to HR professionals. It occasionally offers free webinars and resources on various topics. It also has a regular podcast where one of the main topics is the importance of HR technology, such as using employee management software to automate repetitive HR tasks and processes.
- HRZone: It is an online HR community that offers a range of free resources, including articles and webinars that cover various HR topics, such as HR strategy, talent management, diversity and inclusion, and more.
Note: The courses offered on HR blogs or websites might have premium or paid versions that provide more in-depth or specialized content. Also, take note that the free HR courses they offer may not have certificates of completion.
How to Maximize Your Free HR Course
These practical tips can help you maximize your learning experience and get the most out of your chosen course.
- Set Clear Goals: Before you start the course, set clear learning goals for yourself. Identify what you hope to gain from the course, and what skills or knowledge you want to acquire.
- Create a Schedule: Treat the online HR course like a regular class. Set aside dedicated time each week, and create a schedule that works for you. Stick to your schedule as much as possible to ensure you cover all the course materials.
- Engage with the Course Content: Don’t just passively watch videos or read articles. Engage with the course content by taking notes, summarizing key concepts, and answering the practice questions or quizzes. This will help you remember the material better.
- Participate in Discussions: If the course includes discussion forums or live sessions, make sure to participate. Engaging with other students and the instructor will give you new perspectives and insights.
- Supplement With Additional Resources: While these courses can provide valuable knowledge, it’s also important to supplement them with additional resources, such as articles and podcasts, to gain a comprehensive understanding of HR practices and stay updated with current trends.
Pro Tip: Not all free courses may be accredited or provide formal certifications. If you want formal recognition or credentials, verify if the course is accredited and offers a certificate upon completion.
Bottom Line
Free online HR courses can be found through various channels, such as OERs, MOOCs, and reputable HR blogs and websites. These courses provide valuable opportunities for HR professionals and aspiring HR practitioners to enhance their knowledge and skills in various HR areas like recruitment, employee relations, and more. It also helps you also stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in HR, which can contribute to your professional growth and success.
