Thanks to free online courses, you can greatly improve your career prospects in a very competitive job market. Here are loads of free online courses that can help you get highly-paid jobs. Such courses can be of great help either in case you want to get into absolutely new career domains or move up the career ladder in your existing one. Here are the top 10 free online courses that can be perfect for high paid jobs in 2024:

1. Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Provider: Coursera 

Duration: 6 months, self-paced 

Certificate: Yes

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is for someone already involved or looking to get a start in IT. It is engineered with the most fundamental IT skills of troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security. This certification is recognized by major companies and can open doors to various high-paying IT roles.

Key Highlights:

a. No prior experience required

b. Hands-on labs and interactive exercises

c. Opportunity to network with potential employers

Ideal For: Students aiming to become IT professionals or people interested in joining the tech industry.

2. Data Science Specialization by Johns Hopkins University

Platform: Coursera

Duration: 11 months (self-paced)

Certification: Yes

It is made up of 10 courses that take you through a broad way of data science, teaching the principles of R programming, data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning. This is one career that has rapidly grown and is highly demanding of professionals with the right skills.

Key Highlights:

a. Deep treatment through data science concepts

b. Hands-on projects and real-life applications

c. Taught by renowned professors from Johns Hopkins University

Ideal For: People looking for a career in data science and analytics.

3. Harvard's CS50: Introduction to Computer Science

Platform: edX

Duration: 12 weeks (you can do it at your own pace)

Certification: Yes (a paid certificate is optional)

CS50 is one of the most popular introductory courses in computer science and programming. Its content ranges from algorithms, data structures, and software engineering to web development. This course will equip you with a really wide scope of knowledge in computer science, hence can help you in having a very good foundation in landing a job in the domain of technology.

Key Highlights:

a. In-depth introduction to computer science

b. Find out problem-solving skills that could be applied to real-world challenges

c. The application to engaging with beneficial online learning communities

Best For: Novice and those wanting to understand fundamental computer science concepts.

4. Python for Everybody by the University of Michigan

Platform: Coursera 

Duration: 8 months (self-paced)

Certification: Yes

This Python programming course series will focus on applying the language to data analysis and web development. This is the kind of course that any professional, with a want or need to upskill in the modern era, would have to at least complete. Tech knowledge and Python are highly demanded-courses these days.

Key Highlights:

a. Easy-to-grasp content

b. Real-world projects and hands-on experience

c. The course is led by experienced faculty at the University of Michigan

Ideal For: Anyone who aspires to become a professional coder and learn Python.

5. Digital Marketing Specialization by University of Illinois

Platform: Coursera 

Duration: 8 months (self-paced) 

Certification: Yes

Incorporates the most contemporary ways to conduct Digital Marketing, including SEO, Social Media Marketing, Data-driven Marketing, etc. With the constantly evolving digitization of almost every business sector in the world, competition is increasing at a rapid pace, and hence, demand for professionals in the area of digital marketing is soaring as well.

Key Highlights:

a. Detailed digital marketing course curriculum

b. Real-world projects/case studies

c. Instructors: Top professors/industry experts

Ideal For: Marketing professionals and entrepreneurs who want to improve their digital marketing skills.

6. Introduction to Financial Accounting by the University of Pennsylvania

Platform: Coursera

Duration: 4 weeks (self-paced)

Certification: Yes

Key Highlights:

a. The theoretical framework of financial accounting

b. Live real-world applications and case studies with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Best For: Anyone planning a career in the accountancy, financial analyst, or business profession.

7. AI for Everyone Andrew Ng

Platform: Coursera

Duration: 4 weeks (self-paced)

Certification: Yes

This is a non-technical course on leading through change, taught by AI expert Andrew Ng. In it, Andrew introduces the basics of AI, its applications, and its impacts on trade and industry. Being able to understand AI is imperative both in being competitive for jobs nowadays and also in the skills one must possess to do such jobs.

Key Highlights:

a. Intuitive, accessible way to understand AI concepts

b. Insights into business and societal disruption caused by AI

c. Hands-on examples with case studies

Perfect For: Working professionals from all streams who would like to understand AI and its applications.

8. Cyber Security Specialization by NYU

Platform: Coursera

Duration: 8 months (self-paced) 

Certification: Yes

This is a specialization course covering the basics of cybersecurity such as Network Security, Cryptography, Risk Management, Incident Response, and much more. Any discipline or area of interest akin to Information Technology is currently high on its demand curve.

Key Highlights:

a. Curriculum designed for detailed learning related to Cyber Security

b. Practical exercises with the real job environment.

c. Taught by experts from New York University

Ideal For: Individuals who wish to be cybersecurity pros and IT wizards.

9. Excel Skills for Business Specialization by Macquarie University

Platform: Coursera 

Duration: 6 months (Self-Paced) 

Certification: Yes

This course is a specialization for better Excel skills specifically meant for data analysis, visualization, and automation. Excel skills play a critical role in enabling learners to attain their highly-paying job potentials in finance, business, and data analysis.

Key Highlights:

a. Thorough Excel training

b. Very practical business application

c. The course is taught by experienced instructors from Macquarie University.

Good for Business professionals, analysts, or any person who wants to enhance his/her Excel skills.

10. Project Management Principles and Practices by the University of California, Irvine

Platform: Coursera

Duration: 6 months (Self-paced)

Certification: Yes

This sequence of courses offers the basics of project management, which includes, among other things, planning, scheduling, risk management, and leadership practices. The demand for project management skills is increased by positions that come with many appealing financial benefits.

Key Highlights:

a. Comprehensive program on project management

b. Tools and techniques that are practical

c. Taught by real project management pros complete with experience

Ideal for: Aspiring project managers and other professionals seeking to develop project management skills.