Online learning

Open Online Courses

The University offers open online courses across a range of subject areas. Courses are free to study, however students have the option of purchasing a certificate to verify their participation.

Open courses are a great way to sample a range of study and research areas from across the university. Browse the courses below to find out more and enrol.

Starting soon

Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration

Open online short course Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration

Learn how to see and draw nature like an illustrator. Build observational and visual interpretation skills in an interactive and enjoyable way.

FREE - Certificate for US$139

Learn more Starts 6 October, 2021
The Science of Weight Loss: Dispelling Diet Myths

Open online short course The Science of Weight Loss: Dispelling Diet Myths

Arm yourself with the knowledge and tools to make healthy eating decisions as you learn the science behind weight loss and dispel diet and nutrition myths.

FREE - Certificate for US$139

Learn more Starts 6 October, 2021
High Conflict in Law: An Introduction

Open online short course High Conflict in Law: An Introduction

Develop your toolkit of techniques for dealing with high-conflict behaviours. Explore how to address high-conflict scenarios in legal disputes and business settings.

FREE - Certificate for US$169

Learn more Starts 13 October, 2021
High Conflict in Law: Personality Disorders and Disputes

Open online short course High Conflict in Law: Personality Disorders and Disputes

Learn about the relationship between some personality disorders and high-conflict behaviour. Discover how to deal with high-conflict behaviours and manage conflicts in legal and business disputes.

FREE - Certificate for US$169

Learn more Starts 3 November, 2021

Archived

International Climate Change Law and Policy

Open online short course International Climate Change Law and Policy

Learn about the evolution and architecture of international law and policy to combat climate change. Take a close look at the 2015 Paris Agreement (UNFCCC) from both a legal and economic perspective.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Leadership and Management in Education

Professional Certificate in Leadership and Management in Education

Develop your capacity in educational leadership and management to improve the lives and learning of all students.

FREE - Certificate for US$402.30

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Developing Your Educational Leadership and Management Vision

Course one of three in Professional Certificate Developing Your Educational Leadership and Management Vision

Develop your leadership and management skills to establish a school vision, support your staff and make meaningful change in your school or organisation.

FREE - Certificate for US$149

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Applying Strategic Leadership in Education

Course two of three in Professional Certificate Applying Strategic Leadership in Education

Learn strategic leadership perspectives and practices and how to apply them in your workplace. Investigate the transformative behaviours and beliefs of leaders aligned with your current educational organisation.

FREE - Certificate for US$149

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Leading Transformative Change in Education

Course three of three in Professional Certificate Leading Transformative Change in Education

Develop a comprehensive plan for increasing your personal leadership capacity to effect meaningful change now and into the future.

FREE - Certificate for US$149

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A History of Violence: From Middle Ages to Modern Times

Open online short course A History of Violence: From Middle Ages to Modern Times

Examine the origins, changing nature, uses, and attitudes towards human violence in western history.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Mao to Now: On Chinese Marxism

Open online short course Mao to Now: On Chinese Marxism

An insightful study of Chinese Marxism, socialism and capitalism - critical for anyone who wishes to engage with China today.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Human Reproduction: Sex, Science and Society

Open online short course Human Reproduction: Sex, Science and Society

An interdisciplinary look at the biological, technological, and social factors that influence human reproduction.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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When I Grow Up: Supporting Children’s Aspirations

Open online short course When I Grow Up: Supporting Children’s Aspirations

What did you aspire to be when you were young? What do kids in your family or community want to be when they grow up? In this course you’ll find out how children and young people answer this question, and what you can do to help support their aspirations.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Food for Kids: Discovering Healthy Eating

Open online short course Food for Kids: Discovering Healthy Eating

What is healthy eating? Where does our food come from? What is sustainable eating? Food for Kids: Discovering Healthy Eating will help answer these questions and more.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Food for Kids: A Parents' Guide

Open online short course Food for Kids: A Parents' Guide

It can be hard for parents to work out how much and what type of food to feed their children. Which parenting strategies can help kids to enjoy vegetables, healthy snacks and new foods?

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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A History of European Empires: 1400–1522

Open online short course A History of European Empires: 1400–1522

Gain new insights into European history and discover the major events that shaped Europe.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals

Open online short course Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals

Build your skills in literary analysis and creative writing by exploring the meaning of fairy tales.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Nutrition Communication for Health <br> Professionals: Key concepts

NUTx1 • Food & Nutrition Nutrition Communication for Health
Professionals: Key concepts

If you are a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional looking to improve your knowledge of the role of nutrition communication in chronic disease prevention and management, this course is for you.

FREE: Certificate for US$49

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Casing the Joint: Introducing Histories of Australian Crime

Open online short course Casing the Joint: Introducing Histories of Australian Crime

Learn about historical approaches to the study of crime and punishment, particularly in Australia

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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What is Poetry? An Introduction to Literary Analysis

Open online short course What is Poetry? An Introduction to Literary Analysis

Understand the basics of poetry analysis and learn key skills for studying English literature by exploring a variety of texts.

FREE - Certificate for US$49

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Nutrition Communication for Health <br> Professionals: Applying skills

NUTx2 • Food & Nutrition Nutrition Communication for Health
Professionals: Applying skills

Develop effective communication skills to support your patients who may be trying to improve their diet to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

FREE:Certificate for US$49

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Modern Monetary Theory: Economics for the 21st Century

Economics & Finance Modern Monetary Theory: Economics for the 21st Century

Demystify macroeconomic principles and terminology and discover how Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) provides explanations for some of the world's most troubling financial concerns.

FREE - Verified Certificate $US49

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Anthropology: Understanding Societies and Cultures

Open online short course Anthropology: Understanding Societies and Cultures

Gain an introduction to anthropology: the study of societies and cultures. Learn how the discipline has changed over time

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Casing the Joint: Introducing Histories of Crime

Open online short course Casing the Joint: Introducing Histories of Crime

Learn about historical approaches to the study of crime and punishment, particularly in Australia

FREE - Certificate for £42

Learn more

European Empires: An Introduction

Open online short course European Empires: An Introduction

Gain new insights into European history and discover the major events that shaped Europe.

FREE - Certificate for £42

Learn more

What Does It Mean to Be Human? An Introduction to the Humanities

Open online short course What Does It Mean to Be Human? An Introduction to the Humanities

Explore what it means to be human and how we make sense of the world.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals

Open online short course Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals

Build your skills in literary analysis and creative writing by exploring the meaning of fairy tales.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Indigeneity as a Global Concept

Open online short course Indigeneity as a Global Concept

Learn about the contemporary social, cultural, economic and political situations of indigenous peoples.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Introduction to American History: From Reconstruction to World War, 1865-1919

Open online short course Introduction to American History: From Reconstruction to World War, 1865-1919

Explore American history since 1865. Learn about the Civil War, Reconstruction, segregation and US foreign policy.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Great South Land: Introducing Australian history

Open online short course Great South Land: Introducing Australian history

Get an introduction to Australian history starting with Aboriginal deep time. Explore convictism, colonialism and more.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Understanding Media: Introduction to Media Literacy and Representation

Open online short course Understanding Media: Introduction to Media Literacy and Representation

How does the media affect us? Find out and improve your media literacy by learning how to analyse media, film and culture.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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Playing with Poetry: Creative Writing and Poetics

Open online short course Playing with Poetry: Creative Writing and Poetics

Have fun writing poetry as you explore and create various forms of poetry and experiment with different poetic ideas.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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What Is Poetry? An Introduction to Literary Analysis

Open online short course What Is Poetry? An Introduction to Literary Analysis

Understand the basics of poetry analysis and learn key skills for studying English literature by exploring a variety of texts.

FREE - Certificate for £42

Learn more

What Is Sociology? An Introduction

Open online short course What Is Sociology? An Introduction

Examine perspectives on society, and the cultural issues facing society. Apply sociological theory to researching social groups.

FREE - Certificate for £42

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You may also be interested in…

Many of our existing programs and courses are also available online.

Studying an undergraduate or postgraduate program online

UON offers a selection of programs online in addition to those available on-campus. Check out the UON degree finder for further information on all UON undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Degree finder

Taking a course online as part of your current program

Depending on your program, you may be able to study some of your courses online. Check out the UON course finder for further information on which courses are available for online study.

Course finder

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.