The University of Johannesburg has launched 12 free online courses that offer students a certificate of completion, which can be used in the job market in South Africa and internationally. These free courses do not require you to have matric in order to study. As part of UJDigital’s commitment to open up access to higher learning, these free certificates will cover a much wider gap in skills development, workplace readiness, and digital learning.
These free certificates are ideally suited for first-time job seekers, retrenched workers, students without funding, and anyone who wants to upskill without having to pay. Why? Well, they are fully online, self-paced, and require nothing more than an internet-connected device and basic English reading skills. That is all.
Every single year, South African students face major setbacks when they cannot afford further education after matric. This is because the competition for bursaries, internships, and jobs is very tough. These free UJ certificates will significantly improve your chances of standing out, especially in interviews where practical knowledge matters more than just having a degree.
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List of All Free Online Courses to Study at UJ in 2026
In this section, you will find all the free UJ online courses which are open for 2026 applications. You will see the course names, a quick summary of what the course teaches, who teaches it, the minimum requirements to apply, and the annual start and end dates. Some of the courses even include workplace tools like MS Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Here is a brief overview of the 12 free courses offered at UJ:
Building Blocks of Information Literacy Free Online Course
Instructor: Elize du Toit
Covers: Finding and evaluating information, academic ethics, and digital content skills.
Requirements: Must be 18+, have internet access, and communicate in English.
Enrolment: Opens 20 Jan 2025 | Closes 15 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 03 Feb – 08 Dec 2025
Advanced Information Literacy Free Online Course
Instructor: Elize du Toit
Covers: Research skills, referencing systems, academic writing and citations.
Requirements: Must be 18+, no prior knowledge required.
Enrolment: Opens 20 Jan 2025 | Closes 15 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 03 Feb – 08 Dec 2025
Being a Responsible Digital Citizen Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Digital safety, cyberbullying, social media risks, and online behaviour.
Requirements: Must be 18+, understand English, have an internet-enabled device.
Enrolment: Opens 20 Jan 2025 | Closes 01 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 03 Feb – 08 Dec 2025
Word for the Workplace Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Microsoft Word basics, formatting, tables, graphics, and document design.
Requirements: Must be 18+, no prior experience needed.
Enrolment: Opens 20 Jan 2025 | Closes 30 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 10 Mar – 08 Dec 2025
Excel for the Workplace Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Basic to advanced Excel functions, data analysis, charts, and pivot tables.
Requirements: Must be 18+, internet-enabled device.
Enrolment: Opens 03 Feb 2025 | Closes 25 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 10 Mar – 08 Dec 2025
Presentation for the Workplace Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: PowerPoint design, delivery, public speaking, and feedback strategies.
Enrolment: Opens 03 Feb 2025 | Closes 25 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 10 Mar – 08 Dec 2025
MS Teams for the Workplace Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Online meetings, document sharing, collaboration, Office 365 integration.
Enrolment: Opens 03 Feb 2025 | Closes 25 Nov 2025
Course Dates: 10 Mar – 08 Dec 2025
Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Understanding all 17 SDGs, global policy frameworks, Agenda 2063 and NDP links.
Requirements: Open to all.
African Insights Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: African history, knowledge systems, critical African thinkers and texts.
Requirements: Open to all.
Financial Literacy: Be Money Wise Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Budgeting, financial decision making, daily money management.
Requirements: Open to all.
Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR Free Online Course
Instructor: CAT SLP Team
Covers: Basic concepts of AI, workplace applications, and your role in the 4IR world.
Requirements: Open to all.
Note: This is part of UJ’s public education offering.
Requirements for UJ’s Free Online Courses
Although each of these UJ free courses have their own set of requirements, the following are the general requirements for all the courses:
- You must be 18 or older.
If you are still in high school, these are not for you. These courses are meant for adults. - You need a phone, tablet, or laptop that can connect to the internet.
If you cannot watch videos or open documents on your device, you will not be able to complete the course. - You must be able to read and follow instructions in English.
The course content is in English. If you cannot read basic instructions in English, you will not manage. - No matric needed.
You do not need any school results or previous qualifications. You just need to be willing to learn.
Apply for All these Courses Here
FAQs
Can I study UJ free online courses without matric?
Yes, you can study UJ free online courses without matric. You do not need any school results or previous qualifications. As long as you are 18 or older, can read English, and have a phone or laptop with internet, you qualify. That is all.
Can I study the Artificial Intelligence UJ course for free?
Yes, you can study the Artificial Intelligence course at UJ for free. It is open to the public and does not need any tech skills. You will learn what AI is, how it is used in real jobs, and what it means for the future. It is one of the most practical free courses you can take right now.
Why does UJ offer free courses?
UJ offers free courses so that more people can learn skills without paying. It is part of their UJDigital platform, which started in 2025. These free certificates are meant to help adults who cannot study full-time, who need to upskill, or who are trying to find work. This can be seen as UJ’s way of offering real alternatives that actually matter.
Is the UJ certificate recognised?
Yes, once you finish the course, you get a certificate of completion from UJ. It is not a diploma or degree, but it is official and recognised by UJ. You can add it to your CV or use it when applying for jobs, internships, or upskilling at work.
Can I study more than one course at the same time?
Yes, you can register for more than one course if the dates overlap and you can manage the time. But do not take too many if you know you will not finish. Remember, you need to complete the course to get your certificate.
Do I need to write exams?
Most of the courses do not have formal exams, but they do have assignments, quizzes, or online tasks you need to complete. You will not get your certificate unless you finish all the required work.
How long are the courses?
All the UJ free courses run between February and December, but you can do them in your own time. You do not have to attend live classes. You log in, study, and submit at your own pace before the course closes.
How do I register for UJ free online courses?
You register through the UJDigital storefront. Once you choose your course, it will redirect you to UJ’s student system to complete your application. There is no registration fee and no paperwork. Just follow the steps online.
Will I get access to UJ’s student platform?
Yes, once your application is processed, you will get access to the UJ online learning platform, where you can access course content, submit tasks, and download your certificate at the end.
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