Here are some online ancient and medieval history courses offered free by three top universities: Utah State University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Open University.
Online Medieval History Courses
Utah State University (USU)
USU offers a course exploring the development of civilization in the West, and touches on other continents as well. The course is designed to scratch the surface of ancient world history for beginning/amateur historians.
- History and Civilization
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s Open Courseware contains a number of course materials from history classes previously taught at the institution. The Making of a Roman Emperor course focuses on the culture and politics surrounding Rome’s God-Ruler. Another course, The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300, explores the political, cultural and social development of Western Europe.
- The Ancient World: Rome
- The Renaissance, 1300-1600
- The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300
- The Making of Russia in the Worlds of Byzantium, Mongolia, and Europe
- History of Western Thought, 500-1300
- The Ancient World: Greece
- The Ancient City
- The Making of a Roman Emperor
The Open University
The Open University offers a free introduction course for exploring world history during the Classical Era.
- Introducing the Classical World
Free Online Ancient and Medieval History Courses at a Glance
Course & School | Program Level | Format | Assignments | Quizzes & Exams | Downloadable |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
History and Civilization course from USU | Undergraduate | Audio Lectures | No | No | No |
The Ancient World: Rome course from MIT | Undergraduate | Textbook | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Renaissance, 1300-1600 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Making of Russia in the Worlds of Bysantium, Mongolia, and Europe course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
History of Western Thought, 500-1300 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
The Ancient World: Greece course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
The Ancient City course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
The Making of a Roman Emperor course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
Introducing the Classical World course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
certificate in medieval studies online
Go back in time to learn about the dramatic rule of the Tudor monarchs and the religious change of the sixteenth-century reformation.
Uncover the turbulent history of Tudor England and its lasting impact
From magnificence and martyrs to weddings and war, the Tudor period was one of the most eventful in British history. The reigns of the five (or was it six?) monarchs during the late fifteenth to a seventeenth century have enthralled historians, students and television and film producers alike.
In this course, you will compare the rule of the Tudor monarchs and examine the significant political, religious and cultural changes of the period. You will be taught by renowned scholars on Tudor England from the University of Roehampton who will reveal how this era has shaped modern-day British politics.
When would you like to start?
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts.
- Available now
Who will you learn with?
Suzannah LipscombDr Suzannah Lipscomb is Reader in Early Modern History at the University of Roehampton, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. | Gillian McIverGillian McIver has a BA and MA in History and has completed a PhD in The Historical Film at the University of Roehampton. She’s the author of “Art History for Filmmakers” (2016) | Michael CullinaneI am a Professor of US History at the University of Roehampton. I research the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, and the American presidency. |
Who developed the course?
University of Roehampton
Set on London’s most beautiful campus, the University of Roehampton offers a high-quality student experience with outstanding staff and facilities
Ideal Students
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone with a general interest in the British monarchy, heritage and history. This includes students studying the Tudors in English, drama or history courses.
Accreditations
Curriculum
What topics will you cover?
- Overview of British history from 1485 and 1603.
- Introduction to the Tudor monarchy.
- Overview of political dynasties in Tudor England.
- Explore aspects of social history from 1485 and 1603.
- Introduction to the legacy of the Tudor dynasty.
Program Outcome
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to:
- Explain the legitimacy and legacy of the Tudor dynasty in British history.
- Engage with the social and political history of the Tudor era.
- Evaluate the significance of the Tudor dynasty in British history.
- Interpret the cultural artefacts, artwork, literature, and heritage sites of the Tudor era.
Program Tuition Fees
Join this course
Free $0 | Upgrade $74 | Unlimited $279.99 for one year |
Join free and you will get:Access to this course for 8 weeks | Upgrade this course and you will get:Access to this course for as long as it’s on FutureLearnA print and digital Certificate of Achievement once you’re eligible | Buy Unlimited and you will get:Access to this course, and hundreds of other FutureLearn short courses and tests for a yearA printable digital Certificate of Achievement on all short courses once you’re eligibleThe freedom to keep access to any course you’ve achieved a digital Certificate of Achievement on, for as long as the course exists on FutureLearnThe flexibility to complete your choice of short courses in your own time within the year |