Top 10 Free Data Science Courses to Jumpstart Your Career

Every click, heartbeat, or stock trade is data. The real question is: who’s ready to turn it into decisions? The ability to analyze and interpret data is driving innovation across healthcare, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, you name it. There is a massive demand for skilled professionals who can leverage data to make decisions for businesses, aka data scientists. Analysts have predicted around 10 million job openings in data science by 2026, in India alone (Source: TOI). 

Aspiring data scientists often face barriers in the form of unclear learning pathways, rapidly evolving technologies, and costly access to the right knowledge. Free or low-cost online courses offered by top universities and institutions have made a huge change in this regard (Source: Tredence). 

This blog showcases some of the best free data science courses that offer genuine value to students and learners who want to launch their careers in data science and AI. 

Selection Criteria to Choose the Right Data Science Course:

When selecting the right free data science course, it makes sense to focus on quality and recognition. We’ve curated some of the best free courses using the following criteria:

• Reputation of the institution: Courses that are backed by top universities or government-backed platforms are widely recognized and hold weight in the market
• Free access: The course content must be free. Certification can be chargeable, but students must be able to learn without paying
• Updated content: The course content must be current, updated, and in line with industry needs and the current state of technology
• Skill-specific learning: Instead of a broad degree, the students must be able to target specific skills like Python for data analysis or AWS machine learning tools 

Featured Free Data Science Courses to Kickstart Your Career:

Let’s look at some of the top free data science courses that you can learn from on your way to success in the data science field. 

Elements of AI (University of Helsinki & MinnaLearn)

Price: Free (certificate included)

Platform: University of Helsinki website 

Why it stands out: The course is an excellent entry point for those who want to learn artificial intelligence and machine learning fundamentals. Perfect for absolute beginners, it demystifies concepts like neural networks, probability, and AI ethics. Designed in a self-paced format, the course has interactive exercises, quizzes, and real-world examples. It has over a million learners worldwide and is available in multiple languages. 

Ideal for: The course is perfect for non-technical learners and early-career professionals.

You can access the course here.

MIT OpenCourseWare – Data Science / Machine Learning:

Price: Free (without certification)

Platform: MIT OCW

Why it stands out: This program shares actual course content that is used in MIT’s classrooms. For those who prefer self-study and want the depth of an actual university curriculum, it includes lecture notes, assignments, and even video recordings from actual MIT classes. OCW courses such as Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science (Access here) or Machine Learning with Python: from Linear Models to Deep Learning (Access here) help build a theoretical and algorithmic foundation, and will be perfect for those who have a strong quantitative or engineering background.  

Ideal for: It is ideal for intermediate learners and for those supplementing formal education. 

Harvard’s “Introduction to Data Science with Python” & Companion Courses

Price: Free access (certification at a small fee)

Platform: edX (HarvardX)

Why it stands out: This edX course from Harvard, one of the world’s most prestigious universities, teaches Python for data analysis, including libraries and Scikit-learn. Their comprehensive data science course also includes R basics, statistics, modeling, and visualization. It is specifically designed for those who want to go beyond theory and learn to apply it practically. 

Ideal for: It is suitable for beginners and those who seek structure with top university credentials. 

You can access the course here.

Coursera (University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins, Google, etc.)

Price: Free to audit (payment only for certifications/specializations)

Platform: Coursera

Why it stands out: Coursera offers institutional backing with its partnership model. Its audit option allows students free access to most lectures, readings, videos, and non-graded practice quizzes for thousands of courses. 

Coursera offers a suite of entry-level data science courses, such as: 

• Introduction to Data Science in Python (University of Michigan)

• The Data Scientist’s Toolbox (Johns Hopkins)

• Data Science Math Skills (Duke)

• AI for Everyone (Andrew Ng, DeepLearning.AI)

Ideal for: It is apt for those who want curated and comprehensive learning paths to try before choosing a specialization. 

You can access the course here.

AWS Free Tech Courses

Price: Free (hands-on AWS learning modules, certificate may cost extra)

Platform: AWS Skill Builder

Why it stands out: Offers an intensive and practical learning for cloud-based data analytics and machine learning. They teach you how to use specific AWS services, such as S3, Redshift, SageMaker, and QuickSight. If you are someone who would like to work in organizations where cloud proficiency is a must-have skill, this course is perfect for you. 

Ideal for: It’s suitable for those who are interested in cloud-native data science. 

You can access the course here.

Snowflake University

Price: Free, self-paced courses (certification is paid)

Platform: Snowflake University

Why it stands out: One of the dominant cloud data platforms, its free university offers hands-on labs and courses that let you learn SQL and data engineering concepts within its interface. For those aiming to get into data engineering or analytics engineering roles, this provides a resume-relevant skill that is in high demand in the market. 

Ideal for: It is well-suited for professionals who are looking to explore cloud data platforms and big data architectures. 

You can access the course here.

NPTEL (IITs & IISc, India)

Price: Free lectures(nominal fee for certification)

Platform: NPTEL 

Why it stands out: The National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers university-grade courses from India’s top STEM institutions. They are available in English and other regional languages. The course structure includes everything from the basics of probability and statistics to advanced machine learning. 

Ideal for: For those seeking academic knowledge via data science courses at zero cost, this is the one to choose. 

You can access the course here. 

OpenLearn: “Learn to Code for Data Analysis”

Price: Free (free statement of participation available upon completion)

Platform: OpenLearn (Open University, UK)

Why it stands out: This is a stand-out course for those who learn by doing. The friendly and accessible approach teaches coding for data analysis. You will be working with real-world datasets, making the whole process highly engaging. 

Ideal for: The approach is gentle and non-intimidating as it is focused on beginners. 

You can access the course here. 

Great Learning Academy – Free Data Science Courses

Price: Free (certification included)

Platform: Great Learning Academy

Why it stands out: The programs available are for beginner to intermediate learners. The self-paced course covers essential topics like Python, machine learning basics, and data visualization. Another positive about pursuing a course from Great Learning Academy is that you get a free certificate of completion for their short courses. 

Ideal for: It is great for those who want quick wins, work with basic projects, and have an opportunity to showcase their skills on LinkedIn. 

You can access the course here.

Harvard CS50 Series (CS50x, CS50AI):

Price: Free 

Platform: Harvard Online/ edX

Why it stands out: Harvard’s CS50 series is popular for its introduction to computer science fundamentals. It helps you build strong programming fundamentals, which includes a dedicated AI module. The course also offers community support. 

Ideal for: It’s great for those looking to build basic computing skills before deep-diving into data science. 

You can access the course here. 

Tredence Academy of Learning (TAL):

While free data science courses for beginners are a great way to start your journey, the turning point happens when you apply them to real-world problems. This is where companies like Tredence come in. One of India’s fastest-growing data and AI firms, it has over 3,500 data and AI specialists, solving last-mile data and AI challenges for global firms. 

What makes it a stand-out is its earnestness in continuous learning, where every new joinee and lateral hire undergoes extensive training on the TAL platform. TAL blends coursework with real-world business challenges. Exploring their resources gives you a peek into the industry’s demands and the type of deep domain expertise that is required to excel. 

Comparison Table:

Additional Requirements for Your Journey:

Beyond the list that we have featured, you can explore platforms like Udacity, Coursera, and edX, for more audit-friendly courses. 

• Databricks Academy: They offer free courses on data engineering, Spark, and ML workflows. It’s ideal for enterprise-scale data science
• Udacity Scholarships: It sometimes offers free access to nano-degree programs
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Training: This provides introductory training on GCP services like BigQuery and AI Platform. They sometimes offer a 30-day no-cost trial for hands-on labs
• Edukatico: They aggregate free courses across platforms

There are several platforms that offer paid specializations or certifications for a fee. While these look good on your resume, they are not necessary for skill-building. 

How to Choose the Right Data Science Course for You:

1. Are you a complete newbie, and are unsure whether you will even like data science?

Start with “Elements of AI” or OpenLearn’s “Learn to Code for Data Analysis.” They are conceptual and low-pressure. The Harvard CS50X is an intensive introduction to programming. 

2. Do you already know Python/statistics?

The “Intro to Data Science with Python” from Harvard and Coursera’s Michigan/JHU courses are perfect additions to your data science knowledge arsenal if you are already familiar with Python/statistics. 

3. Are you looking for project-based learning with credentials?

You can learn from Coursera’s suite of courses for free. If you like the learning path and want an official confirmation about it, you can pay for the certificate at the end. 

4. Do you want courses that focus on the cloud or ML?

Then AWS Skill Builder, Snowflake University, and Google Cloud Skills Boost are your best bets. 

5. Do you prefer self-paced learning?

In this case, you can choose the courses from MIT OCW, OpenLearn, and Databricks Academy. 

6. Do you have basic coding knowledge and want a strong foundation?

Enroll in Harvard’s CS50x on edX. This course is the gold standard for foundational computer science. 

7. Is your focus on immediately securing a job?

AWS Skill Builder or Snowflake University will upskill you in such a way that they are directly transferable to job requirements. 

8. Do you want a university-style lecture format?

MIT OpenCourseWare and NPTEL are the best choices for academic depth. 

Conclusion:

The best thing about entering the data science field as a beginner is that the barrier to entry has never been lower. You can get access to free data science courses and prepare from the comforts of your home to get started in this field. The resources we have listed in this article can help you build a world-class skillset without incurring debt. 

The only way to jumpstart your career in data science is to start with one course that aligns with your goals (Source: Tredence) . Be consistent in consuming the content. Don’t watch the videos passively. Work on the projects, do the exercises, and engage in the forums. Once you have built a foundation, you can invest in a paid certificate or attend specialized bootcamps to accelerate your learning. 

FAQs:

1. Which beginner-friendly free data science course is best?

The right data science course (whether free or not) depends on your goals. For example, if you are a beginner, then Elements of AI or OpenLearn are great places to start. If you are looking for practical skills, Harvard’s Introduction to Data Science with Python or Coursera’s audit options are excellent choices. 

2. How to start a career in data science with no experience?

If you have no experience, a foundational course like CS50x or Great Learning Academy are good ones. Take up these courses and create a portfolio by working on projects from them (Source: Tredence). Build projects on GitHub to show to prospective employers. Also, seek internships actively. 

3. Can I use free data scientist courses to become one?

Yes, many professionals have used free data science courses to upskill themselves and have landed jobs. Work on practical projects and network with others in the same line to improve your chances of getting hired. 

4. What is the salary of a data scientist in India per month?

Entry-level roles for data scientists range from 6-8 LPA, while experienced professionals can earn 15-25 LPA based on their specialization. Experts in leadership roles can earn upwards of 35 LPA. 

AUTHOR - FOLLOW
Editorial Team
Tredence