Free Online Leadership and Followership Course with Certificate

Applications are now open for the free online Leadership and Followership course offered by The Open University through its OpenLearn platform. This introductory course focuses on developing leadership and followership skills — essential for personal growth, team dynamics, career advancement, and professional roles in any field.t’s a fully funded (100% free) opportunity with no application fee whatsoever.

IThe course is open to everyone worldwide (no restrictions on nationality, background, or prior experience), and it’s completely self-paced with no fixed deadline — you can start and complete it anytime, including throughout 2025 and beyond. Participants gain valuable insights into leadership styles, personal strengths, effective followership, and practical strategies for overcoming challenges, all while earning a free digital badge and Statement of Participation (plus 24 CPD points for professional development). You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host Institute: The Open University (via OpenLearn platform)
• Duration: 8 weeks (flexible structure)
• Level: Introductory / Beginner-friendly
• Mode: 100% online, self-paced – learn at your own convenience
• Application Fee: None
• Deadline: No deadline – enroll and start anytime

What This Course Offers:

• In-depth knowledge of various leadership styles and how they align with your own personality and preferences
• Tools to assess and strengthen your personal leadership skills and capabilities
• A clear understanding of followership — its definition, importance, and role in supporting leaders and achieving team success
• Practical strategies for addressing common leadership challenges and building productive leader-follower relationships
• The opportunity to reflect on your own experiences, start a leadership journal, and develop a personalized action plan for ongoing skill improvement
• Recognition of your achievement through a free digital badge from The Open University (shareable on LinkedIn, CVs, etc.) and a downloadable Statement of Participation

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Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to everyone worldwide — no restrictions based on age, nationality, education, or profession
• No prior academic, professional, or leadership experience required
• To create an OpenLearn account, track progress, and earn the badge/certificate: Must be 13 years or older

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How to Apply / Enroll (Simple Steps):

1. Visit the official Website (check the link Below)
2. Click “Sign in” (top right). If new, select “Create account” (requires being 13+)
3. Once logged in, click “Start this free course” or “Enrol” to begin
4. Progress through the modules, activities, and quizzes at your own pace
5. Upon full completion and passing required elements, access and download your free digital badge and Statement of Participation from your OpenLearn profile

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