9+ Best edX Courses With Certificates In 2024 (Top Picks)

Still, figuring out which are the best edX courses to choose from? Well, you have landed on the right page. 

In this post, I have handpicked seven popular edX courses that you should definitely check. 

EdX is an e- learning-based platform that comes with some brilliant courses from top-ranked universities around the world, like Harvard and Stanford. These courses are taught by university professors, industry experts, and working professionals. The platform hosts more than 3,000 courses across different disciplines. 

EdX has an enormous number of free & paid courses across different domains and industries. In terms of advanced education, edX provides several courses for Master’s Degrees, Micro degrees, Micro Bachelor, etc. 

If you are curious to know more about edX. Then check our detailed edX review here

By the end of this post, you will get to know which is the best edX course for you. 

9+ Popular Courses on edX In 2024 (Handpicked)

To adhere to the child in you. The child with curiosities whose bowl of enthusiasm for learning and exploration is never exhausted(keep that child alive).

Here are a few courses from edX handpicked for you. 

  • Fundamentals of Computer Science by Harvard University 
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence by Microsoft
  • Introduction to the Internet of Things(IoT) by Curtin University 
  • Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Excel by Microsoft
  • Project Management for Development by Banco Interamericano
  • Design Thinking Fundamentals by RIT
  • Food Risks in Nutrition and Health by Wageningen University
  • TOEFL Test Preparation by ETSx
  • Shakespeare’s Life and Work by Harvard University

1. Fundamentals of Computer Science by Harvard University

Fundamentals of Computer Science by Harvard University is a free entry-level course and a part of the professional education program.

Aim of the Course

This course aims to cover the core topics of fundamentals like abstraction, algorithm, encapsulation, resource management, web development, data structures, and software engineering.

Best edX Courses - Fundamentals of Computer Science

It sets up the foundation by introducing different languages which make the base of web development, game development, and artificial intelligence such as Html, CSS, Javascript, Python, and SQL. 

The Outcome of the course

 Course participants may start to approach the problems of programming with an algorithmic approach and become effective problem solvers. 

They can become a part of the programmer and developers community to enhance their programming and polish their problem-solving skills. 

Requirements of the Course 

No prior experience is required. All you need is a computer, a willingness to learn, and the discipline to implement and practice. 

Duration of the course

This is a 12-week course with 8-16 hours of weekly participation. It’ll make you a confident programmer to successfully implement similar projects.

Category of this Course: Computer Science 

Price of this Course: It’s free, you can sign up here. 


2. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence By Microsoft 

Introduction to artificial intelligence is an entry-level course that provides a basic understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence and how these two go hand in hand to leverage the industry-based cognitive services such as analysis and processing.

Aim of the course

This course makes you familiar with machine learning and artificial intelligence. It enables you to communicate with humans and systems using artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence

Outcome of the course 

The participant may start building intelligent bots using Microsoft Bot Framework and machine learning models with azure machine learning.

Requirements of the course

High school-level math and statistics and basic knowledge of programming. Along with a computer and willingness to learn, explore and implement.

Duration of the course 

This is a 4-week course with 3-4 hours of weekly participation. It’ll give you a solid overview of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and its applications. 

Category of the course 

 Computer Science 

Price of the Course 

 The course comes in both free & paid versions. You can sign up here.


3. Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT) by Curtin University 

Introduction to the Internet of things (IoT) is an entry-level course that provides an understanding of the basics of the internet of things. 

Aim of the course

This course makes you familiar by introducing basic knowledge of the internet of things (IoT). It focuses on the technology, components, composition, value, connectivity, and key resources to design IoT-based solutions.

Internet of Things

Outcome of the course

This course enables the participants to handle cybersecurity and privacy issues. It enables the participants to design their ideas using IoT-based technology.

Requirements of the course

No prior knowledge is required. A basic understanding of programming principles will be a bonus. All you need is a computer and a willingness to learn.

Duration of the course

This course is a 6-week course with 2-3 hours of weekly participation.

Category of the Course: Computer Science 

Price of the Course: The course has both free & paid versions. You sign up here. 


4. Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Excel By Microsoft

Analyzing and visualizing data with excel is an intermediate-level course and it is a part of the professional certification program of edX.

Aim of the course

This course can be used to enhance your information gathering skills using excel.

 Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Excel

Outcome of the course

This course enables the participants to gather information from multiple channels and sources and transform the information for analysis. It also helps in learning the exploration of data, discovering, combining data in mashups, creating data models, and visualization of data.

Requirements of the course 

No prior experience is required. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel. 

Duration of the course

This is a 6-week course with 2-4 hours of weekly participation.

Category of the Course: Business & Management 

Price of the Course: It comes in both free and paid versions. With the paid version, you can get lifetime access. You can check it out. 


5. Project Management for Development by Banco Interamericano Desarrollo

Project management for development by Banco Interamericano Desarrollo is an intermediate-level course. This course will help you to understand the practices and techniques of project management and maintaining the workflow of large projects.

Aim of the course

This course is for working professionals in the leading roles. It equips you with the practical techniques and exercises to organize a smooth workflow for large projects and identify the success factors of a project.

Project Management

Outcome of the course 

This course teaches the practices for managing larger projects with economic and social impact. It enables you to successfully communicate in projects using test tools and techniques based on international standards. It allows you to achieve expected objectives with limited resources and run projects efficiently.

Duration of the course 

This is a 10-week course with 3-4hours of weekly participation.

Category of the course 

Business & Management 

Price of the course 

It is a paid course. You can check out the details of the course here. 


6. Design Thinking Fundamentals By RIT

Design thinking fundamentals is an intermediate-level EdX that also has a Micro Master program for design thinking.

Aim of the course

This course helps you to learn essential design thinking principles. In order to develop a user center-centered, evaluate problems and create effective solution strategies.

Design Thinking Fundamentals

Outcome of the course

This course enables you to formulate problem-solving. To understand and identify the systematic processes of design thinking. In order to integrate product configuration, function, and ability, and enhance the user experience.

Duration of the course

This is a 6-week 6-week with 8-12 hours of weekly participation.

Category of the course 

Business & Management 

Price of the course 

It has both a paid & free version. You sign up here. 


7. Food Risks in Nutrition and Health By Wageningen University

Food risks in nutrition and health by Wageningen University is an entry-level course that provides knowledge of food processing in terms of bacteria, pesticides, and health hazards that today’s food has the potential to attract into our bodies. 

Aim of the course 

This course gives you the basic knowledge of microbiological and toxicological and its risk analysis. It also teaches some prevention techniques for food poisoning and food intoxication. 

Food Risks in Nutrition and Health

Outcome of the course

This course enables you to differentiate between food myths and actual food risks. Ways to reduce food hazards using a better interpretation of risk.

Duration of the course

This is an 8-week course with 6-8 hours of weekly participation.

Category of the course 

Biology & Life Sciences 

Price of the course 

The course comes in both free & paid versions. You can check it out here. 


8. TOEFL Test Preparation By ETSx

This course will help you learn everything about the TOEFL iBT® test, and you will learn from the experts who create this exam.

Aim of the Course

The major aim of the course is to help you improve your scores on the TOEFL iBT® exam. This course will improve your English writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills. The instructors of this course offer tips on the exam and how to prepare for it. 

TOEFL Test Preparation By ETSx

You will also learn how the TOEFL iBT test is scored and how it can help you get jobs, visas, scholarships, and study in another country. It also teaches you how you can manage your time during the test. You will be able to register yourself for the TOEFL iBT® test.

The Outcome of the Course

After finishing this course, your English speaking skills will improve. You will be prepared for the TOEFL iBT® test, and your scores will also improve from the previous tests.

This course will help you improve at speaking English to achieve your dream of living abroad and studying. More than 160 countries accept the TOEFL iBT® scores, so it will be easier for you to travel anywhere in the world.

Requirements of the Course

You don’t need any prior experience to enroll in this course. It is an introductory level course where you will need a device to access the course material and willingness to learn the course to give the TOEFL exam.

Duration of the Course

The duration of this course is six weeks, and you need to give 2-3 hours every week to finish the course. You can also progress in this course at your own pace.

Category of this Course

Communication Courses

Price of the Course

Enrolling in this course is free, but you won’t get any certificate. For the verified track, you will need to pay $49.


9. Shakespeare’s Life And Work

This course teaches you everything about Shakespeare’s life and work through his biography. The instructor of this course, Stephen Greenblatt, is a humanities professor at Cogan University.

Aim of the Course

Harvard University offers this course, and this course aims to help you learn the cultural significance of Shakespeare’s plays and how his work was considered back in his time and now in modern times. 

Shakespeare's Life and Work

The Outcome of the course

After finishing this course, you will be familiar with Shakespeare’s work and the different approaches to his texts. You will be able to analyze Shakespeare’s plays in text and also through performance. The course helps you know about the life of Shakespeare and how it has affected his work.

Requirements of the course

No prior requirements are needed. Anyone can get started with the course and learn everything about Shakespeare and his work.

Duration of the course

The course lasts for four weeks, and you need to give at least 5-7 hours a week to finish it.

Category of this course

Humanity Courses

Price of the Course

You can audit the course for free. You need to pay $99 to access this course as a verified track and earn a course completion certificate when you finish the course.


My Suggestion for Best edX Courses

I’ve gone through the course curriculums to bring handpicked courses for you. EdX offers both free & paid courses for self-paced learning. With a paid version you can get lifetime access to the course, and revisit the program whenever you feel like it. Whereas the free version of the course provides a limited access window to the course. 

Here’s the suggestion.

  1. Fundamentals of Computer Science by Harvard University. 
  2. Analyzing & Visualizing data with Excel by Microsoft. 
  3. Food Risks in Nutrition and Health by Wageningen University

Related Read:

Final Thoughts on Best edX Courses (2024)

I’ve found edX to be a great learning platform.  It provides free courses across different domains and industries. Participants can complete the courses at their own pace. 

Students can enroll in courses from top-ranked universities from the comfort of their homes. Working professionals can learn part-time with no effect on their day job and elevate in their careers.

The platform is technically advanced and worth a shot. The high-quality courses on edX are simply undeniable. All you need is a well-structured learning plan, motivation, basic discipline, and commitment to your goal. 

Ryan Harris

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