Want to Level Up Your Skills in 2025? Enroll in These Free Online Courses from UP Open University!

Ever wanted to learn something new without spending a peso? The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has got you covered! They’re rolling out free online courses this year, covering a variety of topics—from business and entrepreneurship to AI and gender sensitivity—and yes, you can join from anywhere in the world.

These are what we call Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)—basically, free online classes open to everyone, with no strings attached. You can learn at your own pace, and when you complete a course, you even get an e-certificate (equivalent to 16 hours of training) that you can add to your resume. Sounds awesome, right?

What Kind of Courses Are Available?

UPOU’s 2025 lineup is pretty diverse, so whether you’re looking to upgrade your skills, explore a new career path, or just satisfy your curiosity, there’s something for you. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the courses they’re offering:

Identifying Red Flags – Spot warning signs in different situations (yes, even in business and relationships!)
Creativity and Innovation – Unlock your inner genius and think outside the box
What Makes an Entrepreneur? – Learn what it takes to start and sustain a business
Artificial Intelligence – Get to know AI and how it’s changing the world
Gender Sensitivity Training – Understand the importance of inclusivity in society

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Here’s the Full List of Courses:

January

✅ Basics of Resilience
✅ Hazard and Risk Assessment Fundamentals
✅ Overview of Policies and Strategies for Climate and Disaster Resilience

February

✅ Social Entrepreneurship
✅ Principles of Graphic Design
✅ Creativity and Innovation

March

✅ Introduction to Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Strategic Planning in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Understanding the Child Better
✅ Resilience Strategies Across the Four Pillars
✅ Introduction to Biodiversity Mainstreaming and Approaches in the ASEAN Region
✅ Strategies and Best Practices on Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture
✅ Policy Development and Governance Supporting Agrobiodiversity
✅ AI Essentials: Theory and Practice

April

✅ Maging Mapanuring Botante at Mamamayan
✅ Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
✅ Introductory Course on Contact Center Services
✅ Quality Assurance in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Learner Support in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Legal Instruments for the Protection of Children
✅ Scriptwriting for Educational Video Materials
✅ Project Management

May

✅ Technology in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
✅ Business Analytics Concepts and Frameworks
✅ Online Mother’s Class on Newborn and Infant Care

June

✅ Gender Sensitivity Training
✅ Blended Teaching and Learning Using Open Educational Resources (OERS)
✅ Institutional Mechanism Towards Child Rights Protection and Promotion
✅ Creating Educational Materials Using PowToon
✅ Identifying Red Flags
✅ AI in Education: Teaching and Learning Strategies

July

✅ Introduction to Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Strategic Planning in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
✅ Fundamentals of Marketing
✅ E-Commerce Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Online Business
✅ Introduction to Permaculture: The Ethics of Permaculture Design and Principles

August

✅ Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
✅ Planning Programs on Child Rights Protection and Promotion
✅ Developing and Producing an Interactive Educational Video Material
✅ Quality Assurance in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Learner Support in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)

September

✅ Technology in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
✅ Blended Teaching and Learning Using Open Educational Resources (OERS)
✅ Implementing and Evaluating Programs for Child Rights

October

✅ Video Editing Using an Open-Source Video Editing Software
✅ Business Concepts, Ideation, and the Business Plan
✅ What Makes an Entrepreneur?

November

✅ Understanding the Language of Business: Accounting Overview and Basic Financial Statements
✅ Basic Leadership and Management Competencies in the Workplace

December

✅ Rights of Nature

Yup, 52 courses in total! Plenty of choices, right?

How to Enroll (It’s Super Easy!)

If you’re interested, here’s how you can get started:

1. If you already have a MODeL account (UPOU’s learning platform), just head over to their website and self-enroll in the course you want.

2. If you don’t have an account yet, follow these steps:
– Fill out the registration form: Sign up here
– UPOU creates new accounts every Thursday (cut-off is Wednesday at 4 PM). If you miss the cut-off, your account will be processed the following week.
– Once you receive your login details, sign in and change your password to something secure.

And that’s it! You’re all set to start learning.

Why You Should Take Advantage of This

• It’s 100% FREE—no hidden charges, no catch.
• You learn at your own pace—no pressure, no deadlines.
• You get an e-certificate—perfect for your resume or LinkedIn profile.
• It’s a great way to upskill—whether for work, business, or personal growth.

So if you’ve been looking for a sign to invest in yourself, this is it. Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity!

Ready to start learning? Visit MODeL and enroll in a course today!