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In Germany, some platforms from well-known institutions offer free online courses with a certificate at the end. This is the case with openHPI, from the Hasso Plattner Institute, and KI-Campus, focused on artificial intelligence.
For those seeking more comprehensive professional training, the mein NOW portal, from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), helps you find courses and ways to access financial support. This guide explains each option.
How it works
Free courseson openHPI and KI-Campus
Certificateof participation or achievement
In Germanand in English
Official portalof the Employment Agency
Topics you'll find
ITand programming
Artificial intelligencefrom beginner to advanced
Design Thinkingon openHPI
Digital healthon openHPI
Responsible AI useEU AI Act
Professional trainingon mein NOW
Who can apply
Everything you need to know
openHPI
It's the online learning platform of the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam. The courses are about IT, Design Thinking, and digital health, taught by HPI professors and researchers, mainly in German and English.
According to the official FAQ, courses are free; the exception is the Executive Education channel courses, which are paid.
KI-Campus
It's the artificial intelligence learning platform of Stifterverband. It has free online courses, videos, podcasts, and tools, from beginner to advanced level.
All content use is free. There may be a cost only for exams and certificates from external courses recommended by the platform.
mein NOW
It's the national professional training portal, maintained by Bundesagentur für Arbeit. It helps you search for in-person and online courses, take online tests, and find financial support, such as Bildungsgutschein.
Not every listed course is free: the portal shows the options and support that may cover costs.
What certificate you receive
On openHPI and KI-Campus there are two levels: a participation certificate for those who accessed at least half the content, and an achievement certificate for those who reach the minimum score on graded assignments.
Both work for your resume and profiles like LinkedIn.
How to protect yourself
Always type the official address in your browser. None of these platforms ask for your bank password to give you access to a free course.
Be suspicious of ads that charge for access to free courses.