As a senior citizen, it can be easy to excuse yourself from going after new and unfamiliar activities. This is especially true if you feel it’s too late to head back to school or take up a new hobby. However, this is not the case at all! There are so many passions, pastimes, and skills that senior citizens can pursue no matter where they’re at in their lives. Since many seniors become less mobile or spend more time indoors, signing up for an online course for fun and leisure may be the perfect option.
Featured Programs
- University of Edinburgh Introduction to Philosophy
- The Science of Compassion: The Biology of Compassion
- UP The Path to Happiness and Good Quality of Life
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
Seniors deserve the freedom to learn and try whatever they want just as younger people do, which is why free online courses are so important. As long as you have access to a smartphone, computer, or tablet, these courses are accessible to you. There are hundreds, if not thousands of different classes and activities that senior citizens may find enjoyable, so it was hard to narrow them down to just a few. But using our exclusive methodology, we’ve settled on ten excellent free courses for seniors. If you’re at a stage in life where you want to learn something new, keep reading to check out these options.
Ranking Ten Free Online Courses for Senior Citizens
1. The Path to Happiness and Good Quality of Life
Provided by Future Learn
As you grow older, you may find that some of the things you enjoyed earlier in life are no longer accessible. Even if this isn’t the case for you, it is always important to take control of your happiness and understand your feelings. This course from Future Learn does just that and is completely free to take for members or non-members. Future Learn is an online website that offers a variety of educational resources for people of all ages, with a rotating list of courses that is ever-changing so you never know just what you will get.
This best free online course, instructed by Graciela H. Tonon from the Universidad de Palermo, goes over the concepts of happiness and quality of life for people through different stages in their life. You will discuss the quality of life for children, adults, and senior citizens, all while identifying the different characteristics of your quality of life and happiness. Considering all of the stress that has surrounded the year 2020, evaluating your personal quality of life and happiness could be cathartic.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes (with $59 fee)
Time to Complete: Approximately 4 weeks
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start anytime and go at your own pace
- Delve deep into the concepts of happiness and the quality of life
- Especially relevant for senior citizens
Cons:
- Certificate does not come free with the course
2. Art Essentials: Learn Watercolor Painting Basics
Provided by SkillShare
Watercolor painting is an incredibly easy and accessible way for senior citizens to learn a new form of art. Watercolor paints are fairly self-explanatory, plus they are cheap and easy to find at most craft stores or online. This simple watercolor class provided by SkillShare has all the tools you need to use painting to pass the time! This is one of what SkillShare considers to be their premium classes, meaning you would normally need a paid premium membership to access it. However, the site is currently offering a two-week free trial period for new users, which is plenty of time to complete this short course.
This great free course for senior citizens covers all of the basics of watercolor painting, including how to use watercolor paints on both wet and dry paper, how to mix a color using primary-colored paints, and how to create texture using different brushes and tools. For practice, the instructor uses the example of shoes, which is incredibly fun and whimsical. By the end of the course, you will learn how much water to use, how to use different brushes, and how to use a basic color chart.
Cost: Free (with SkillShare Premium free trial)
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 1 hour
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start anytime and go at your own pace
- Learn watercolor paints from the absolute basics
- Learn how to use different brushes and tools
Cons:
- Certificate does not come with the course
3. Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm
Provided by Alison
For some senior citizens, music is an interest or hobby that has followed them throughout their lives, even from the time they were very young. Learning about music theory is just another way to appreciate music more deeply, especially music that is now considered classic. This course comes from Alison, which is an educational website aimed at the more business-minded individual. Alison is free to join and while many of its courses have a more professional purpose, there are many lifestyle courses that are perfect for senior citizens.
Throughout this free online course, you will learn how to actively listen to music and identify the different instruments, sounds, and rhythms in a song. Listening is something that takes constant practice, and if you already listen to a lot of music this course can help you become a more knowledgeable listener. The course goes over basic musical rules and theory, instruments, beats, rhythm, and different sounds you might find in a song and how to identify them. The course only takes between one and a half and three hours to complete, so you can start becoming a more active listener right away!
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 1.5 to 3 hours
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start anytime and go at your own pace
- Teaches you about sounds and instruments you have likely already heard
- Shows you how to become a more active listener
Cons:
- Certificate does not come with the course
4. Introduction to Philosophy
Provided by the University of Edinburgh via Coursera
If you are a senior citizen who is looking to learn a skill that is a little more intellectual or academic, look no further than this Introduction to Philosophy class from Coursera. Nearly half a million students have already enrolled in this free course, which aims to cover a wide variety of contemporary philosophers and their thoughts. Coursera is an educational platform designed to help students and professionals get ahead or jump start their careers with free and paid courses and specializations, and it’s widely regarded as one of the premier learning websites.
More than a quarter of the students who completed this course began a new career afterward or received some kind of promotion, raise, or tangible career benefit. The course is designed to take users through some of the main areas and thought-provoking questions of modern philosophy, as well as many of the philosophers and what their areas of questioning were. The course also investigates what philosophy really is and how it is different from other similar subject areas. By the end of this top free online course for senior citizens, you will have an introductory overview of several different areas of philosophy.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: Approximately 19 hours
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Free shareable certificate
- Teaches a very complex topic in a manageable way
- Goes through many modern philosophers
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the topics covered in the course do not go very in-depth
5. Professional Diploma in Interior Design
Provided by Shaw Academy
Shaw Academy believes that your future should go the way you want it, even if you are a senior citizen! There is still so much to gain later in life and this interior design diploma could be the key to starting a new hobby or even career. Typically, access to Shaw Academy means you would have to pay nearly $70 a month. However, this interior design diploma is one of the few courses on the site that is offered at no charge. The diploma takes about 4 weeks to complete and gives you the tools you need to become an interior design pro.
During this globally-recognized course, you will learn about how to create and manage your own interior design projects, whether they are in your own home or in someone else’s. The free online course will go over what you can expect as an interior designer, as well as basic design terms and jargon. You will also learn about floor plans, sections, elevations, mock-ups, perspective drawings, individual style, and more. This course is truly a comprehensive look at interior design as a whole, one that will have you ready for any design challenge.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: Approximately 4 weeks
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Takes only 4 weeks to complete
- Teaches a variety of interior design topics
- Gets you ready for a possible career in interior design
Cons:
- No certification
6. 15-Minute Cardio Dance Workout Class
Provided by YouTube and The Studio by Jamie Kinkeade
As you age, it can become harder and more laborious to move your body in a way that promotes circulation and muscle engagement. It might feel boring, exhausting, or tedious to work out in the same ways you did when you were younger. This is where something like Zumba comes in! Zumba is a type of dance cardio workout that was invented in the 1990s and aims to make exercise fun and exciting, no matter what your age is! Zumba classes range from super easy to incredibly challenging, and exist in a variety of different paces and music types.
Jamie Kinkeade, the instructor of the cardio course, aims to transform her students from the inside-out with her exciting cardio classes. She wants her students to be able to move freely and get sweaty at home, increasing their blood flow and giving them an overall rush of endorphins. Since this class is a workout class and takes only 15 minutes to complete, you can repeat it as many times as you want and continue to use it as a resource. Jamie Kinkeade also has other courses of different lengths and styles on her YouTube channel.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 15 minutes
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Takes only 15 minutes to complete
- Can be repeated as many times as desired
- Good, quick course to get blood pumping and muscles moving
Cons:
- No certification
7. Introduction to Modern Script Calligraphy
Provided by SkillShare
Do you often write letters to friends and family? Do you enjoy reading a nicely-written card? Do you feel as though your handwriting has deteriorated over the years? No longer! This course from SkillShare is the perfect place to turn if you feel as though you want to improve your handwriting and learn a new aesthetic skill. As mentioned above, while SkillShare is technically a free platform to use, this course is one of SkillShare’s premium courses, meaning you would normally need to pay a subscription fee to use it. However, a 14-day trial for new users will allow you to access this course and many more for free.
This free online class, taught by Bryn Chernoff, is warm and inviting for those new to calligraphy and hand lettering. Bryn aims to be an encouraging teacher rather than attempting to challenge her students, emphasizing that practice makes perfect! By the end of the course, you will have completed a project that you enjoy in calligraphy, whether that’s a name, a card, or a short passage you enjoy. The course even includes seven practice pages that are exclusive to SkillShare, so you will always have more calligraphy practice to enjoy.
Cost: Free (With SkillShare premium free trial)
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 2 hours
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start whenever you want and go at your own pace
- Very welcoming and encouraging course
- Includes practice pages that are unique to the platform
Cons:
- No certification
8. The Science of Compassion: The Biology of Compassion
Provided by LinkedIn Learning
As we grow older and progress through our life, we realize more and more just how important it is to have compassion for others. You never know what someone else is going through, so the best thing you can do is make life easier for them and be as compassionate as you can. This course from LinkedIn Learning shares the complexities of compassion, breaking down the actual biology of what it means to be compassionate. LinkedIn Learning is a paid, subscription-based educational platform, meaning you typically have to pay to unlock its content. However, new users can receive a one-month free trial by logging onto the site, and many students that are enrolled in a college or university can access the platform for free.
This free online course for senior citizens breaks down the biology of compassion, allowing you to understand the bodily functions that allow you to be compassionate to others. Compassion looks different in your brain, nervous system, and heart, and this course breaks down all of those functions. Additionally, instructor Kelly McGonigal takes users through the guided practice of heart breathing for compassion.
Cost: Free Try a free trial for Linkedin Learning.
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 1 hour
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start whenever you want and go at your own pace
- Breaks down biological functions of compassion
Cons:
- No certification
- Course material isn’t accessible after one month free trial ends
9. Poetry: How to Read a Poem
Provided by Future Learn
Poetry is everywhere, and it is one of the many forms of literature that can be incredibly calming and relaxing for people of all ages. Unfortunately, many don’t know how to properly read or interpret poetry. Taking this course could change that entirely. It’s hosted on Future Learn and is provided by the University of York, one of the preeminent universities in the United Kingdom. Future Learn offers a vast array of free courses, all with the option to pay a flat fee and receive extended benefits like a certificate of achievement upon completion.
This free online course takes about a month to complete and explains the beginnings of how humans interacted with other people and their world through poetry. Throughout the class, students will learn about the foundations of poetry and poetic form, intertextuality, how to write about poetry effectively, and more! Whether you love poetry or have never read a poem in your life, this course will certainly allow you to take something away that will have you seeing poetry through a new lens.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes (With $59 fee)
Time to Complete: Approximately one month
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start whenever you want and go at your own pace
- Takes students from the very foundations of poetry
- Teaches how to write about poetry
Cons:
- Certificate of completion does not come free with the course
10. 4 Time Tested Ways to Make Pottery Without Potter’s Wheel
Provided by SkillShare
To some, pottery may seem like an inaccessible activity, especially as you get older. Wheel throwing can be expensive, especially when you may not have the money or time for your own pottery studio. This course from SkillShare takes students through how they can create their own beautiful pottery without needing a potter’s wheel or any other expensive equipment. SkillShare is an educational platform that offers a variety of courses, some of which are locked by a premium membership. This course is one of those, so you will need the two-week free trial to access it.
This exciting class only takes about an hour and a half to complete and is sure to flex your creative muscles! The free online course for senior citizens takes you through pottery techniques that don’t require a lot of training, including making pinch pots, coil constructions, scooping techniques, slab construction, and making textured pots. If you are stuck at home for long periods of time and need a new creative outlet to keep your mind occupied, making your own, unique pottery could be the perfect pastime.
Cost: Free (With SkillShare premium free trial)
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately 1.5 hours
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
- Start whenever you want and go at your own pace
- Teaches pottery methods that don’t require potter’s wheel
- Great for those stuck indoors
Cons:
- Course material is not accessible after free trial period
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Online Courses for Senior Citizens
2020 has been an incredibly stressful year for everyone, but especially senior citizens. COVID-19 has deeply affected the way that our senior citizens live, since they are much more at risk than younger people for catching the virus. The pandemic has forced many senior citizens to abandon their everyday activities and spend most of their time in their homes, which can be so difficult if you live alone. Having to leave behind friends and family for the majority of the year could leave you feeling depressed or in need of a new hobby to satisfy your creative urges.
The virus and 2020 in general has probably left you, as a senior citizen, wondering what to do next. You likely have questions about what kind of courses you have access to and what kind of learning material would be best for you. Hopefully, some of these answers will quell your anxieties and help you feel confident about starting a new skill or hobby.
What Kind of Free Online Courses Can I Pursue as a Senior?
Really, you are only limited by your knowledge of the internet, the devices you own, and how well you can use them. If you are very tech-savvy and familiar with computers, you should have no problem accessing any of the courses found on this list. Luckily for you, the internet is quite limitless when it comes to learning material, so virtually any hobby you can think of likely has a free online course to go alongside it. While this article only listed ten different disciplines and activities, a simple Google search will show you that you can learn anything you want. Websites like YouTube and SkillShare often have courses that are freely uploaded by instructors, so you can find a lot on there.
What Can I Gain From a Free Online Course?
You can truly gain any skill that you desire by taking online classes. Many courses that you can take on the websites listed above have multiple levels for any skill, so you can try out some skills you might want to learn before committing to a full course. After you finish an introductory course, you are often encouraged to move to higher levels to improve your skills and gain more insight from your instructor. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to learning online!
If you are someone who is much more active and looking to pursue a new career path or side hustle, online classes can be the perfect way to jump start that. Online businesses and side hustles can be the perfect way to make additional income when you are in retirement, and pursuing something like pottery, painting, or calligraphy can allow you to create things for others or make exciting gifts or products.
Are Free Online Courses Difficult?
Since many of the courses listed in this article are of the more creative discipline, none of them would be considered particularly difficult. The instructors themselves are all creatives who had to learn at one point, and they are simply attempting to enrich your creative potential as opposed to challenging you.
Are Free Online Courses for Seniors Worth It?
100 percent yes! Especially for those who are frequently cooped up in the house, online courses can be your key to connecting with the outside world and engaging your creative muscles. Senior citizens have a novel opportunity to pursue new skills and activities in retirement when they have much more time to spend on themselves.
Since all of the courses on this list come at no cost to you, you have nothing to lose except for the time you spend learning a new skill. If you attempt to complete any of the courses listed in this article, we can assure you that your time certainly won’t be wasted!
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
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