edX Review

edX was founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has served over 70 million students. 

The online learning platform features courses on more than 2,400 subjects from 140 leading higher education institutions, including Boston College, Brown, Caltech, Columbia, Davidson College, Oxford and Stanford. Classes are self-paced, accessible and free of charge. Some courses give you the option to upgrade your enrollment for a fee, which includes a verified certificate. 

edX also offers professional certificate programs and master’s degrees on a host of subjects — architecture, computer science, engineering, humanities, language, math philosophy and more. 

Who’s edX for?

edX’s offerings are academic-focused but they’re not just for students who want clarity on complex subjects fresh from the classroom.

You can also prepare for the workplace if you’re a recent graduate entering the job market. Technical classes can add to your skillset, and business, management and communication courses can also help you excel in the workplace and position you for career advancement opportunities.

You can also use edX’s courses to climb to the next level in your career if you’re a working professional. Consider a medley of technical and business courses to acquire both the hard and soft skills that will serve you well in your next role. 

edX classes are also a good fit if you’re a freelancer. You can expand your skillset without spending a dime. All you need to do is invest your time and work through the course content. 

Verified certificates are also available so you can demonstrate your proficiency in the subject on your resume or present it to your employer. 

edX Courses topics

You shouldn’t have trouble finding the perfect course form edX. They offer courses on the following topics: 

• Architecture
• Art and culture
• Biology and life sciences
• Business and management 
• Chemistry 
• Communication 
• Computer science
• Data analysis and statistics
• Design
• Economics and finance
• Education and teacher training
• Electronics
• Energy and earth sciences
• Engineering
• Environmental studies 
• Ethics
• Food and nutrition
• Health and safety
• History
• Humanities
• Language
• Law
• Literature
• Math
• Medicine
• Music 
• Philanthropy
• Philosophy and ethics
• Physics
• Science 
• Social sciences

Top-Rated edX Courses

It’s easy to learn more about the subjects you love most with edX’s fee-free course options. Here’s a list of the top-rated edX classes to help you get started.

1. Ethics in AI and Big Data by The Linux Foundation

Ethics in AI and Big Data

• Who it's for: New business and data professionals 
• Price: Free

Offered by the Linux Foundation, this introductory course delves into the significance of artificial and big data ethics. You’ll also learn how to develop and implement legal and ethical frameworks in the data and analytics profession to solve problems and accomplish objectives. 

It’s comprised of 5 chapters:

• Chapter 1: Drivers for Data Science
• Chapter 2: Overview of AI and Data Science Ethics
• Chapter 3: Building Your Ethical AI Framework
• Chapter 4: Open Source and AI
• Chapter 5: Going Forward with AI

The class is co-instructed by Jennifer Cloer, co-founder and CEO of reTHINKit Media and Gary Schillinger, chief creative officer of reTHINKit Media. 

You can enroll for free or add a verified certificate for $199.

Get this course.

2. Academic and Business Writing by the University of California, Berkeley 

Academic and Business Writing

• Who it's for: Individuals who want to hone their academic and business writing skills 
• Price: Free

This beginner course teaches the fundamentals of academic and business writing. It’s led by Maggie Sokolik, director of college writing programs at the University of California, Berkeley, and focuses on both writing and communication skills. 

You’ll learn about different writing styles, enhance your vocabulary, become a better proofreader and sharpen your persuasive writing skills. You’ll also complete writing assignments and longer essays on a medley of topics and ideas. Test your comprehension of the material throughout the course with weekly quizzes. 

Expect to complete the course in 6 weeks, working at a pace of 3 to 5 hours per week.

A verified certificate is available for only $49. 

Get this course.

3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving by the Rochester Institute of Technology

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Who it's for: Business professionals who want to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Price: Free

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving teaches professionals how to overcome obstacles and win in the workplace. It’s a component of the Soft Skills Professional Certificate Program from the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Instructor Mike Johansson, principal communication lecturer, shares best practices for problem-solving on the job. He also teaches you how to identify critical needs and design tailored solutions, employ adaptive problem-solving, work with others to solve problems, assess failures to improve future outcomes and so much more. You’ll analyze case studies to learn more about the implementation of these strategies in the field. 

A verified certificate is available for $49. 

Get this course.

4. Effective Decision Making: Dealing with Business Complexity by the Delft University of Technology 

Effective Decision Making: Dealing with Business Complexity

• Who it's for: Engineers who currently hold or seek a leadership role 
• Price: Free

Effective Decision Making: Dealing with Business Complexity focuses on tactics to facilitate progress within professional organizations. The course is a component of the Leadership Essentials for Engineers Professional Certificate Program from the Delft University of Technology. It’s ideal for aspiring and current engineers in leadership roles. 

You’ll learn how to build an analytical toolkit and apply your skills to assess complicated situations and make smart decisions. You’ll also learn how to create stakeholder goal trees and write managerial summaries of business situations to communicate decision-making strategies.

There’s no cost to enroll. You can upgrade your enrollment and receive a verified certificate for only $125.

It’s helpful to have some experience in an organizational setting before you sign up. 

Get this course.

5. Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work by the University of California Berkeley

Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work

• Who it's for: Business professionals who want to alleviate work-related stressors 
• Price: Free

Offered by the University of California, Berkeley, this course is a part of the Science of Happiness at Work professional certificate program. It spans 4 weeks and covers research-based techniques employees can use to minimize burnout and manage work-related stress. 

Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work also takes a look at the biological and psychological effects of stress, distress (negative stress), eustress (positive stress) and tips to handle both in the workplace without compromising your health. There are also lessons on mindfulness and how it can be leveraged in professional settings to minimize stress. 

The class is led by Dacher Keltner, director of the Greater Good Science Center, and Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director of the Greater Good Science Center. 

You can add a verified certificate for $149.

Complete GG101x: The Science of Happiness and GG201x: Foundations of Happiness at Work before you enroll. 

Get this course.

6. Computer Science 101 for Stanford Online

Computer Science 101

• Who it's for: Individuals seeking beginner-level computer science knowledge
• Price: Free

Stanford Online presents this introductory course to help beginners learn the basics and grasp pertinent computer science concepts. It’s facilitated by Nick Parlante, senior lecturer in the computer science department at Stanford University. 

The class includes lessons on several technical elements, including the functionality of computers, computer hardware and software, loops and logic code, structured data, related jargon and so much more. Parlante also covers structured data, analog and digital technologies, internet functions and digital media.

Enroll for free or upgrade your enrollment and receive a verified certificate for only $149. 

You can complete the course in weeks if you allocate 4 to 6 hours each week to work through the material. 

Get this course.

Get Started with edX

Enroll in an edX course today and begin your online learning journey. Visit edX’s homepage,  browse class options by category and select an option that piques your interest.