Are you looking for free Coursera courses in 2026?
You’re not alone. Many learners search for “Coursera free courses” expecting full access. But Coursera has changed how free learning works.
In 2026, most Coursera courses no longer offer full audit access. Instead, they provide Preview Mode, which allows you to explore part of a course before deciding to pay.
In this article, I’ve listed 250 Coursera courses across Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Python, and related fields that you can preview for free.
This list is useful if you want to:
→ Understand course structure
→ Check instructor quality
→ Decide whether a course is worth paying for
I’ve kept this guide practical and updated, based on how Coursera works today.
Now, without any further ado, let’s get started-
Coursera FREE Courses 2026
- How Free Access Works on Coursera in 2026
- What “Free” Really Means on Coursera
- Coursera FREE Courses for Data Science
- Coursera FREE Courses for Machine Learning
- FREE Artificial Intelligence Courses
- Coursera FREE Courses for Python
- Coursera FREE Courses in Mathematics
- FREE Information Technology Courses
- Coursera FREE Courses Computer Science
- Coursera FREE Courses Business
- How I Personally Use Coursera Free Previews
- FAQ
- Conclusion
How Free Access Works on Coursera in 2026
NOTE- Coursera has updated its free access model. Most courses now offer Preview Mode instead of full audit access.
To preview a course for free:
- Click on the “Enroll for FREE” button on the course page.

- Log in with your Coursera account. You will see a Preview option (availability depends on the course)

- With Preview Mode, you can access part of the course, usually the first module. This helps you understand the content and teaching style.
Preview Mode does not include:
→ Full course access
→ Most graded assignments
→ Certificates
To complete a course and earn a certificate, you must either pay or apply for financial aid.
What “Free” Really Means on Coursera
When Coursera says a course is free, it usually means free to preview, not free to complete.
Preview Mode is designed to help learners:
→ Explore a subject
→ Judge course depth
→ Decide if the paid version is worth itIf your goal is structured learning, assignments, and certificates, free preview access alone is not enough.
Now, let’s move to the course.
For your convenience, I have created a separate Free Coursera Courses Section for each subject. So, let’s start with Coursera FREE Courses for Data Science-
Coursera FREE Courses for Data Science
These Data Science courses focus on core topics like Python, statistics, SQL, and data analysis.
Most of them are suitable for beginners and early-stage learners who want to understand how data science is taught before committing to a paid course.
Now, let’s move to the Coursera FREE Courses for Machine Learning-
Coursera FREE Courses for Machine Learning
These Machine Learning courses focus on core ML concepts, model building, and real-world applications.
They are suitable for:
→ Beginners learning how machine learning works
→ Learners transitioning from data analysis to ML
→ Professionals exploring production-level ML concepts
Preview Mode helps you understand:
→ How algorithms are explained
→ The balance between theory and practice
→ Whether the course matches your math and coding background
Preview access is useful for evaluating course quality. To complete projects, graded assignments, and certificates, full enrollment or financial aid is required.
Now, let’s move to the Coursera FREE Courses for Artificial Intelligence-
FREE Artificial Intelligence Courses
These Artificial Intelligence courses focus on AI concepts, applications, and ethical considerations, rather than heavy coding.
Most of these courses are suitable for:
→ Beginners exploring AI
→ Professionals wanting AI literacy
→ Learners from non-technical backgrounds
Preview Mode is useful here to understand how AI ideas are explained, especially in areas like ethics, healthcare, and law.
| S/N | Course Name | Rating | Time to Complete | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61. | AI For Everyone | 4.8/5 | 12 hours | Beginner |
| 62. | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 4.7/5 | 11 hours | Beginner |
| 63. | Artificial Intelligence: An Overview | 4.8/5 | 8 hours | Beginner |
| 64. | AI, Empathy & Ethics | NA | 4 hours | Beginner |
| 65. | Machine Teaching for Autonomous AI | NA | 12 hours | Beginner |
| 66. | Building AI-Powered Chatbots Without Programming | 4.8/5 | 11 hours | Beginner |
| 67. | Developing AI Applications on Azure | 4.4/5 | 18 hours | Advanced |
| 68. | AI Fundamentals for Non-Data Scientists | 4.7/5 | 7 hours | Beginner |
| 69. | AI for Medical Diagnosis | 4.7/5 | 20 hours | Intermediate |
| 70. | AI & Law | 4.8/5 | 22 hours | Beginner |
Now, let’s move to the Coursera FREE Courses for Python-
Coursera FREE Courses for Python
These Python courses cover programming fundamentals, data handling, and basic analysis.
They are helpful if you:
→ Are new to programming
→ Want to understand Python syntax and logic
→ Plan to use Python for data science or automation
Preview access allows you to evaluate:
→ Teaching pace
→ Code examples
→ Course structure
For hands-on projects and full exercises, paid access or financial aid is required.
Now, let’s move to the Coursera FREE Courses Mathematics-
Coursera FREE Courses in Mathematics
Mathematics courses in this section support data science, machine learning, and analytical thinking.
Topics include:
→ Calculus
→ Linear algebra
→ Probability
→ Discrete mathematics
These previews are best used to:
→ Refresh fundamentals
→ Identify gaps in math knowledge
→ Decide which topics need deeper study
Completing problem sets usually requires full enrollment.
| S/N | Course Name | Rating | Time to Complete | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91. | Introduction to Calculus | 4.8/5 | 58 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 92. | Introduction to Mathematical Thinking | 4.8/5 | 38 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 93. | Data Science Math Skills | 4.5/5 | 13 hours | Beginner Level |
| 94. | Introduction to Logic | 4.4/5 | 47 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 95. | Math Prep: College & Work Ready | 4.2/5 | 34 hours | Beginner Level |
| 96. | Logic for Economists | 4.4/5 | 7 hours | Advanced Level |
| 97. | Traitement d’images : introduction au filtrage | NA | 17 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 98. | Single Variable Calculus | 4.6/5 | 14 hours | Beginner Level |
| 99. | Differential Equations Part I Basic Theory | 4.7/5 | 14 hours | Beginner Level |
| 100. | Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio | 4.8/5 | 9 hours | Beginner Level |
| 111. | Introduction to Complex Analysis | 4.8/5 | 27 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 112. | Calculus: Single Variable Part 1 – Functions | 4.7/5 | 13 hours | Beginner Level |
| 113. | Image and Video Processing | 4.7/5 | 21 hours | Beginner Level |
| 114. | Discrete Mathematics | 3.3/5 | 41 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 115. | Information Theory | 4.7/5 | 33 hours | Beginner Level |
| 116. | Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 – Differentiation | 4.8/5 | 10 hours | Beginner Level |
| 117. | Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 – Integration | 4.8/5 | 17 hours | Beginner Level |
| 118. | Éléments de Géomatique | 4.7/5 | 23 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 119. | Matrix Methods | 4.1/5 | 6 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 120. | Analytic Combinatorics | 4.6/5 | 16 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 121. | Analyse numérique pour ingénieurs | 4.5/5 | 36 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 122. | Games without Chance: Combinatorial Game Theory | 4.3/5 | 13 hours | Beginner Level |
| 123. | Calculus: Single Variable Part 4 – Applications | 4.9/5 | 20 hours | Beginner Level |
| 124. | Game-Theoretic Solution Concept with Spreadsheets | 4.6/5 | 2 hours | Intermediate Level |
| 125. | The Calculation – Cubic Model | 4.8/5 | 15 hours | Beginner Level |
FREE Information Technology Courses
These Information Technology courses focus on cloud platforms, cybersecurity, networking, and infrastructure.
They are useful for:
→ IT beginners
→ Developers entering cloud or security roles
→ Professionals exploring new tools
Preview Mode helps you assess:
→ Tool coverage
→ Platform depth (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
→ Course difficulty
Most labs and practical configurations are locked in the paid version.
Coursera FREE Courses Computer Science
Computer Science courses here cover core CS concepts, including:
→ Algorithms
→ Programming languages
→ Systems and security
These previews are valuable if you want to:
→ Understand academic CS explanations
→ Check mathematical and theoretical depth
→ Decide if the course fits your background
Preview Mode is ideal for theory, but not sufficient for full problem-solving practice.
Coursera FREE Courses Business
These Business courses focus on strategy, management, finance, and leadership.
They are suitable for:
→ Students exploring business fundamentals
→ Professionals upgrading management skills
→ Tech learners adding business context
Preview access helps you evaluate:
→ Case-study style teaching
→ Practical relevance
→ Instructor approach
Certificates and graded assessments require full enrollment or financial aid.
How I Personally Use Coursera Free Previews
I use Coursera previews to understand course structure and teaching quality before enrolling. For theory-heavy subjects, preview access is often enough to decide whether the content matches my learning style.
For project-based learning, assignments, and certificates, I either enroll in the paid version or apply for financial aid. Preview Mode is best used as a decision-making step, not a complete learning path.
And here the list ends. So, these are the 250 Best Coursera FREE Courses on Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Python. I will keep adding more free courses to this list.
FAQ
Conclusion
Coursera has changed how free learning works. In 2026, free access usually means Preview Mode, not full course completion.
This list helps you explore courses, understand their structure, and make informed decisions before investing time or money.
Use previews to test subjects, evaluate instructors, and choose the right learning path for your goals. I’ll keep updating this list as Coursera policies evolve.
All the Best!
Enjoy Learning!
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Written By Aqsa Zafar
Aqsa Zafar is a Ph.D. scholar in Machine Learning at Dayananda Sagar University, specializing in Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning. She has published research in AI applications for mental health and actively shares insights on data science, machine learning, and generative AI through MLTUT. With a strong background in computer science (B.Tech and M.Tech), Aqsa combines academic expertise with practical experience to help learners and professionals understand and apply AI in real-world scenarios.

