Courses that actually move a CV.

72 courses and certifications you can realistically do alongside university — no employer required, no years of experience. Filtered by sector, free-only toggle, and our honest view on which ones are worth your time.

72
courses & credentials
27
genuinely free
10
categories
£0
cheapest option

How to prioritise — our take

1

One sector-defining credential

IMC for investment, FMVA for modelling, a big-tech AI cert or CS50 for tech, Tableau or Alteryx for analytics, CAPM or PRINCE2 for PM. Go deep on one that maps to your target.

2

One free, recognised tool cert

Alteryx Core, Google Analytics, HubSpot, ISC2 CC or CFA Investment Foundations. Fast, free, and directly relevant on application forms.

3

A named-university course (optional)

Imperial Maths for ML, Wharton Business Foundations, a Cambridge short course — only if it directly targets your sector. Depth beats a long list of unrelated badges.

A note on costs and availability. All prices are indicative as of August 2026 — provider offers, free tiers, exam fees and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm on the provider's own site before committing. Many costs shown in USD; multiply by ~0.78 for GBP. Coursera financial aid can make most £49/month certificates genuinely free — apply before starting.