Free · self-study · no certificate
Free Course Library
29 short, structured courses — one for every Rescue Academy program. Each has modules, lessons with worked examples and exercises, and a final quiz. Use them to try a subject before you register for the full instructor-led program.
Design & Creative
- Graphic Design Starter A free introduction to how designers think: layout principles, colour and type, brand identity, and preparing files for print and screen.
- Video Editing Starter A free walk-through of the editing workflow: organising a project, cutting on a timeline, cleaning up audio, basic colour and exporting for each platform.
Programming & Development
- Web Development Starter A free first look at how websites are built: HTML structure, CSS styling, responsive layouts, JavaScript in the browser, loading data with async/await, and getting a site online.
- Python Starter A free introduction to programming with Python: variables and input, decisions and loops, functions, lists and dictionaries, and solving a small real problem.
- Java Starter A free introduction to Java: setting up, writing your first class, control flow and methods, arrays and collections, and the basics of object-oriented programming.
- C++ Starter A free introduction to C++: compiling a first program, control flow and functions, arrays and strings, pointers and references, and simple classes.
- JavaScript Starter A free introduction to JavaScript in the browser: variables and functions, arrays and objects, and making a page respond to clicks and input.
- Database and SQL Starter A free introduction to relational databases and SQL: creating tables, querying and filtering, joining related tables, summarising data and keeping a database fast and safe.
Advanced Technology
- Artificial Intelligence Starter A free introduction to what AI is and is not: how systems learn from data, what neural networks do, real tools and applications, and how to use AI responsibly.
- Machine Learning Starter A free introduction to machine learning: the main types of learning, the end-to-end workflow, a few key algorithms, evaluating models and the realities of data quality and deployment.
- Deep Learning Starter A free conceptual tour of deep learning: neural networks, convolutional networks for images, recurrent networks for sequences, transfer learning and how training is tuned.
- Data Science Starter A free introduction to data science: the project lifecycle, exploring a dataset, basic statistical reasoning, visual storytelling and handling personal data responsibly.
Security & Infrastructure
- Cybersecurity Starter A free, practical introduction to staying safe online: strong passwords and MFA, recognising phishing, securing devices, protecting privacy and what to do after an incident.
- Computer Networking Starter A free introduction to everyday networks: IP addresses, routers and switches, setting up Wi-Fi, troubleshooting a connection, basic security and documenting a small office network.
- Computer Maintenance Starter A free, hands-on introduction to looking after computers: hardware basics, managing the operating system and software, troubleshooting common faults and preventive care for local conditions.
Business & Data
- Business Analytics Starter A free introduction to using data for decisions: defining KPIs, turning questions into metrics, checking data quality and presenting insights leaders can act on.
- Excel Skills Starter A free refresher and step up in Excel: core functions for real work, lookups, PivotTables and a simple one-page dashboard.
- Microsoft Office Starter A free introduction to everyday office software: creating and formatting Word documents, a first Excel budget, a clear PowerPoint presentation and organising files safely.
Digital Business
- Digital Marketing Starter A free introduction to marketing a business online: the digital marketing mix, planning social content, how paid ads work, short-form video, consistent branding and reading your results.
- Entrepreneurship Starter A free introduction to starting a small business: validating an idea, building a simple brand, a one-page business plan, mobile-first operations and everyday digital tools.
- NGO Project Management Starter A free introduction to managing projects in NGOs: the project cycle, proposals and M&E basics, budgets and data collection, coordination and reporting, and simple digital tools.
- Financial Management Starter A free introduction to keeping a small organisation's money in order: bookkeeping, payroll and budgets, a simple income statement, tracking expenses and digital accounting tools.
- Business Data Analytics Starter A free introduction to business data work: entering and cleaning data, advanced Excel functions, building a dashboard, a first look at Power BI and simple forecasting.
- E-Commerce Starter A free introduction to selling online: choosing an approach, setting up products, taking digital payments, coordinating delivery and using catalogue tools such as WhatsApp Business.
- Freelancing Starter A free introduction to freelancing and remote work: assessing your skills, building profiles, working ethically, collaborating remotely and setting up on freelance platforms.
- Office Administration Starter A free introduction to running an efficient office: document preparation and naming, scheduling and digital filing, choosing communication channels and coordinating meetings.
- Business Communication Starter A free introduction to professional communication: writing clear emails, giving feedback, speaking in meetings, building confidence and using digital workplace tools.
- AI for Business Starter A free, practical introduction to using AI tools at work: what AI can do for a business, writing effective prompts, creating content, automating routine tasks and using AI responsibly.
Professional Development
Free courses are introductions. The full programs are taught live by an instructor with practical assignments, assessments, projects and a certificate — see all programs.