Learn with Start Up Loans

A partnership designed to help UK businesses get off the ground and stay there
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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.

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.

 

 

Here’s a sample selection from the catalogue of Open University courses:

Introduction to the context of accounting

Introduction to the context of accounting

This free introductory course will help you to understand the very basics of accounting

Take course

MSE's Academy of Money

Money Saving Expert’s Academy of Money

Advice from Money Saving Expert to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances

Take course

Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality

Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality

Using case studies, this course will take you through the decisions you will need to make when building a business

Take course

Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting

Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting

Learn about the essential numerical skills that are required for accounting and bookkeeping

Take course

Financial accounting and reporting

Financial accounting and reporting

Using case studies, this course will take you through the decisions you will need to make when building a business

Take course

Entrepreneurial behaviour

Entrepreneurial behaviour

Learn about the personal aspects involved in transforming an innovative idea into an entrepreneurial product

Take course

Entrepreneurial impressions – reflection

Entrepreneurial impressions – reflection

This course encourages you to unpack your own perceptions about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship

Take course

Entrepreneurial impressions – reflection

Marketing in the 21st Century

This course offers a managerial perspective on how to deliver more effective marketing in an organisation

Take course

What is Strategy?

What is strategy?

The course provides definitions of the concept of strategy and strategy-related vocabulary and examines Mintzberg’s five Ps framework

Take course

Making decisions

Making decisions

Do you hate making decisions? This free course will help you understand some of the processes involved in decision making

Take course

Rural entrepreneurship in Wales

Rural entrepreneurship in Wales

Understand the importance of how living rurally influences your business or social enterprise objectives

Take course

First steps in innovation and entrepreneurship

First steps in innovation and entrepreneurship

A short introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship, clarifying some key themes and terminology

Take course

You can view our entire course collection at the Open University website:

 

View course catalogue

Frequently asked questions

What is OpenLearn?

OpenLearn is a free learning platform, delivered by The Open University as part of its Royal Charter commitment to support the wellbeing of the community. We’re proud to say that it reaches over 13.5m learners a year.

You will find almost 1,000 free courses, topical and interactive content, videos and online games on OpenLearn.

What is the minimum age for using OpenLearn?
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What are free OpenLearn courses?

There are nearly 1000 courses on OpenLearn, all of which are currently free to study.

OpenLearn courses cover a wide range of subjects taught across the OU curriculum. Many are based on Open University course materials while others are written specifically for OpenLearn.

All courses enable you to earn a Statement of participation and some also allow you to earn a free digital badge. You can use your badge or statement of participation to share your achievement with others although they do not carry any formal credit towards a qualification.

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Who are Start Up Loans?

Start Up Loans was established in September 2012, with a mission to help new and early stage UK businesses access affordable finance and mentoring support to start and grow. We’re a subsidiary of the British Business Bank and deliver the Government’s Start Up Loans programme providing finance and support for businesses who struggle to access other forms of finance.

For more information, visit Start Up Loans Frequently Asked Questions.