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Learn with Start Up Loans

Start Up Loans has partnered with The Open University to create Learn with Start Up Loans, a range of courses designed to help entrepreneurs succeed in business.

These courses provide a rich source of vital information for anyone who’s new to being their own boss, as well as would-be business owners who are considering taking the plunge.

Covering digital skills to bookkeeping and accounting, the courses are designed to help business owners understand more about the key aspects of running a business – from the day-to-day to growing a venture.

Alongside the business essentials, you can now find courses focusing on climate and sustainability, mental health and wellbeing, as well as trauma and grief.

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The courses provide a rich source of vital information for anyone who’s new to being their own boss, as well as would-be business owners who are considering taking the plunge.

 

Open University courses on offer

Here's a sample selection from the catalogue of Open University courses available.

Entrepreneurship

Digital and Computing

Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online

This free course will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.

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Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world

This free course will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life. It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital well-being, staying safe and legal, finding and using information and online tools, and dealing with information overload.

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Business Diversity and Sustainability

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Different types of business

This free course introduces different types of business, depending on industry sector, size and type of ownership and discusses some of the ways in which businesses differ from each other.

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Work and mental health

In this free course, Work and mental health, you will look at some of the ways in which employment affects mental health and what can be done to support people in finding and keeping work.

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Artificial Intelligence

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An introduction to artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents great opportunity, but also significant disruption for modern societies and cultures. This free online short course investigates the historical, ethical and social issues surrounding this technology.

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Finance and accounting

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A close up shot two people, one with a calculator in their hands and the other with a notepad and pen

Marketing and commercial awareness

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Commerical Awareness

This short course encourages you to look across your organisation, at your place within it and the value you create. It considers how getting different perspectives and widening existing ones within your organisation can enhance commercial awareness.

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Marketing in the 21st century

This free course, Marketing in the 21st century, offers a managerial perspective on how to deliver more effective marketing in an organisation, regardless of whether it is based in the private, public or non-profit sector.

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Collaboration and Communication

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Working in diverse teams

This course will help you consider your experience of working in teams and the different roles you play in them. It will increase your confidence in marketing this key skill to employers as well improve your ability to perform well in teams you are currently part of.

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