10 Best Free Online Courses With Certificates For Canadians in 2024

Written by Fiona Thompson

Do you want to acquire new learnings or knowledge but lack the funds to enroll in a course? There are tons of free courses online that can help you upskill and learn new things.

To help you, we have curated a list of free online courses you can take that will also give you certification upon completion.

Course Name Students Enrolled Reviews
Coursera – University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada 1,500+ 800+
Coursera – Stanford University – Introduction to Statistics 1,000+ 500+
Coursera – Yale University – Financial Markets 2,200+ 400+
EdX – University of Toronto – Leadership Skills Development for Occupational Therapists 800+ 350+
Coursera – University of Toronto – iOS App Development with Swift Specialization 550+ 200+
EdX – University of British Columbia – Introduction to Marketing 1,600+ 1,200+
EdX – University of British Columbia – Excel for Everyone: Data Management 1,800+ 1,000+
Coursera – University of Alberta – Problem-Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games 2,000+ 700+
EdX – Queen’s University – Enterprise Selling 500+ 300+
Coursera – McMaster University – Finance for Everyone Specialization 650+ 200+

Coursera – University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada

the screenshot from the course Coursera - University of Alberta - Indigenous Canada

This free course is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by the University of Albarta’s Faculty of Native Studies. The course delves into the many histories and contemporary views of Indigenous people in Canada.

The course examines the complicated realities Indigenous people endure today from a historical and critical perspective, focusing on national and local Indigenous-settler interactions.

The following topics are discussed in this free course:

  • Fur trading and other forms of exchange
  • Land claims and environmental consequences
  • Rights and legal systems
  • Political rivalries and alliances,
  • Indigenous political activism, and
  • Indigenous contemporary life, art, and manifestations

The entire course duration is 21 hours. You will get your certificate of completion after finishing the course.

Learners appreciate the information offered by this course as they learned more and gained a better perspective about the indigenous groups in Canada. Discover the course at this link.

Coursera – Stanford University – Introduction to Statistics

the screenshot from course of Coursera - Stanford University - Introduction to Statistics

Statistics can be a challenging subject for most people. If you plan to take a basic course about the topic, this free introductory course is perfect for you!

Introduction to Statistics, offered by Stanford University, covers statistical thinking ideas that are critical for learning from data and sharing insights.

After completing the course, you will learn to undertake exploratory data analysis, comprehend important sampling concepts, and select appropriate significance tests for a variety of contexts. 

You will discover the fundamental abilities required to study more advanced machine learning and statistical thinking topics.

This free course will also cover the following topics:

  • Descriptive Statistics
  • Probability
  • Sampling and Randomized Controlled Experiments
  • Regression
  • Sampling Distributions and the Central Limit Theorem
  • Common Tests of Significance
  • Resampling
  • Multiple Comparisons

The whole course runs for 13 hours which you can complete at your own pace. After finishing, you can earn a certificate of completion.

Learners of this course like how organized the presentation of the topics are. They find it informative and interesting. Explore the course by clicking here.

Coursera – Yale University – Financial Markets

the screenshot from the course of Coursera - Yale University - Financial Markets

Another free course that you can try is Yale University’s Financial Markets.

The course will provide you with an understanding of the concepts, methods, and structures that enable human society to manage risks and develop business. The training also focuses on financially-savvy leadership abilities, describes current practices, and appraises prospects.

This course will also teach you about the following topics:

  • Risk management fundamentals
  • Principles of behavioral finance
  • The actual operation of the securities, insurance, and banking industries

You can earn a certificate after completing this free course. Learners learned a variety of perspectives on how current financial economies operate. Dive into the course by heading over here.

EdX – University of Toronto – Leadership Skills Development for Occupational Therapists

the screenshot from the EdX - University of Toronto - Leadership Skills Development for Occupational Therapists

Participants in the Leadership Skills Development MOOC for Occupational Therapists will get insights into their abilities, values, and preferences as leaders. In this course, you will examine leadership through the perspective of occupational therapy, acquire leadership abilities, and create a leadership vision for the future.

This online course is divided into four modules. These four modules will be linked with other learning activities, such as field interviews, class discussions, peer feedback, and interactive activities, to enrich your learning experience.

After the course, you will gain the following knowledge:

  • Recognize and identify several leadership theories and their relevance to occupational therapy.
  • Determine recurring characteristics/themes in leadership examples.
  • Compare and contrast various leadership models, frameworks, and styles.
  • Develop self-awareness and mindset skills and comprehend how they relate to leadership.
  • Make your own personal vision statement.

Find the course details right here.

Coursera – University of Toronto – iOS App Development with Swift Specialization

the screenshot from the course Coursera - University of Toronto - iOS App Development with Swift Specialization

This University of Toronto program will help you launch Your Career in iOS. You will learn to design iOS apps in Swift in just four courses.

This free program teaches you the essentials of iOS application development in Swift. You’ll learn to use development tools like XCode, design interfaces and interactions, assess their usability, and incorporate camera, photo, and location data to improve your app.

In the final Capstone Project, you’ll use your knowledge and skills by developing a fully functional photo editing app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

You will need a Mac computer to complete this course successfully.

Learners of this course said they could apply their knowledge effectively in their chosen careers. Check out the course here.

EdX – University of British Columbia – Introduction to Marketing

the screenshot from the course EdX - University of British Columbia - Introduction to Marketing

Marketing is essential in all businesses and organizations and is increasingly vital in today’s global economy.

This free online course from the University of British Columbia is ideal for anyone who is interested in marketing. It will teach you essential principles and skills to help you gain insight into and excel in marketing, regardless of your sector background.

The following key topics are tackled in this course:

  • Market research
  • Brand strategy
  • Pricing
  • Integrated marketing communication
  • Social media strategy

This course will use a marketing lens to address complex business and organizational problems, assisting in holistic decision-making aligned with consumer and corporate goals. Get started with the course by following this link.

EdX – University of British Columbia – Excel for Everyone: Data Management

the screenshot from the course EdX - University of British Columbia - Excel for Everyone: Data Management

This free intermediate Excel course will teach you how to use data calculations and reports to make educated personal or organizational decisions.

After finishing the course, you will gain the following knowledge and skills:

  • How to manage a large number of worksheets and workbooks
  • Data analysis using datasets and tables
  • How to use Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts to manage data analysis
  • Implementing Decision-Making and What-If Analysis Tools
  • Utilizing data, logical, statistical, and financial functions

The course is intended for students with basic Excel knowledge and skills who want to use more advanced features to analyze and present data more efficiently. Access the course materials here.

Coursera – University of Alberta – Problem-Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games

the screenshot from the course of Coursera - University of Alberta - Problem-Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games

This free course offers an introduction to computer science and Python programming. The course aims to teach the following to students:

  • Solve a novel computational problem utilizing various problem-solving strategies such as abstraction and problem decomposition.
  • Adherence to a design creation process that includes descriptions, test plans, and algorithms is required.
  • Create, test, and debug a Python application based on your concept.

The Python programming language illustrates computer science ideas in a concrete and enjoyable way. Python is presented in the training films utilizing a conceptual framework that can be applied to any programming language. This framework is built on various general programming language concepts covered in the course, such as lexics, syntax, and semantics.

There is no prior programming, Python, or video gaming expertise required. The course’s interactive learning objects (ILO) work as a virtual teaching assistant, providing automatic, context-specific advice and feedback as you construct problem descriptions, functional test plans, and algorithms.

The course forums are staffed by professional University of Alberta faculty to assist you. Discover the course at this link.

EdX – Queen’s University – Enterprise Selling

the screenshot from the course of EdX - Queen's University - Enterprise Selling

Sales are the beginning point for many company careers. This free online course will discuss how to “sell” to senior business executives.

Throughout this enterprise selling course, you will understand sales principles through a range of lectures, case studies, and video role-play analyses, including the following:

  • sales cycle,
  • buying process, and
  • managing enterprise customers.

You will be able to observe the sales process in action, taking potential customers and converting them into enterprise accounts, allowing you to hone your talents as a sales leader.

After completing this course successfully, you will learn the following:

  • Understand the marketing’s role and how business unit actions affect the marketing function
  • Compare enterprise purchasing behavior with consumer buyer behavior.
  • Discover how enterprise buyer behavior and marketing strategy decisions influence the selling process.
  • Understand the notion of the sales funnel and how opportunity management creates revenue.
  • Explain the demand-generating and customer-acquisition methods.
  • Prospecting exercises should be carried out utilizing industry-proven methodology and cadences.
  • Recognize the corporate sales discussion framework.
  • Explain the keys to success in the initial few minutes of a sales conversation.
  • Know the various questioning and discovery strategies.
  • Explain the keys to presenting a value proposition successfully.
  • Describe the procedures and tactics for dealing with opposition and achieving commitment.
  • Conduct and analyze enterprise sales engagements.

Check out the course here.

Coursera – McMaster University – Finance for Everyone Specialization

the screenshot from the course of Coursera - McMaster University - Finance for Everyone Specialization

This Specialization program will teach you the language of finance and how money flows relate to the essential social concerns affecting our lives and communities.

You will discover the links between global and local finance, the flow of assets via firms, governments, and other institutions, and the commodity, bond, and equity market dynamics that produce and destroy financial value.

This free online course from McMaster University is ideal for anyone who once can learn more about finance.

When you finish this program, you’ll be able to grasp better global financial news and make your own personal financial decisions.

Once you complete the course, you can earn a career certificate from McMaster University. Discover the course at this link.

Conclusion

Distance learning is definitely helpful for everyone. Today, education is more convenient and accessible. With all the programs and courses offered online, you can easily enroll in a class you want.

Also, free online courses and programs are available for those who cannot afford a paid online program.

All the listed courses above are helpful and can help you in your future plans. You can also check Coursera and EdX to check other online courses that you might be interested in.

About the author

Fiona Thompson

Fiona Thompson is an education consultant who has dedicated her efforts to assisting international students in coming to study in Canada. However, during her work, she realized that many Canadians were unaware of the affordable online options available for studying within their own country. With her extensive research and experience in the education sector, Fiona decided to create CanadaCourses.ca, a website aimed at helping Canadians find the best online course options available across various industries.

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