Free Online History & Archaeology Courses – FutureLearn

The study of history is important for many reasons.

By learning about the past and the cultures, people, ideas, and events that have shaped the world, we can better understand modern times. Our portfolio of online courses covers a wide range of time periods and subjects within the discipline.

Studying history online

Historical knowledge and learning has a variety of applications, and there are several key skills associated with it. It’s a fascinating field that also helps you develop your reasoning and analytical skills.

By studying history, you’ll be casting a critical eye over sources and data from the past. This process helps your research skills, as well as developing critical thinking.

Almost anybody can find a historical subject that’s interesting – whether you prefer to learn about political intrigue, military strategy, economic structures, or social phenomena, you can find something to suit your tastes.

Studying online allows you the flexibility to choose a course that fits around your interest and your lifestyle. Many of the short courses we offer can be completed over a few weeks, requiring just 2-6 hours’ worth of study each week.

Regardless of whether you’ve more free time than usual or you have a busy day-to-day life, you can plan your study time around it. This independent learning, especially in a discipline such as history, is a valuable and sought-after skill. You’ll find it useful in many areas of your personal and professional life.

Our social learning components mean that while you will be learning at home, you can still discuss the issues and your ideas with other students.

Choosing a history course

It can be daunting to choose a course from the entirety of human history. We have broken our portfolio into topics that allow you to choose based on a history type and a time period. You’ll also find that there are courses that range from the introductory to the more specialised topics.

So, whether you’re looking for Ancient history courses, Medieval history courses, or Military history courses, you’re sure to find one you’re interested in.

At FutureLearn, we also offer online history courses related to particular cultures. If you’ve always been interested in Roman history, you can choose from several options. Those who find British history or Irish history especially fascinating are also in luck.

Finally, you’ll also find courses related to other specific niches of this subject. An archaeology course can teach you some of the fundamentals of the subject. Studying social history allows you to explore how past cultures and societies developed.