In this day and age of fierce competition, upskilling has become crucial like never before.

In the context of HR, to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the ever-evolving industry, you need to keep your eyes peeled to find the right “value for money” learning opportunities.

If you’re an HR professional who has embarked on the quest to find the right HR course for yourself, you’re at the right place as we’ve prepared a list of the top 20 free HR courses for the year 2023 to aid you in this endeavor.

Ready? Let’s dive right in!

The A-Listers:

1.Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization

With the aim to help individuals hone their hiring, performance management & employee reward skills, this course is for anyone looking to become a better manager.

There are 5 courses in this specialization:

1. Preparing to Manage Human Resources
2. Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees
3. Managing Employee Performance
4. Managing Employee Compensation
5. Human Resources Management Capstone: HR for People Managers

• Available on: Coursera (offered by University of Minnesota)
  
• What you’ll learn:
  Essential skills such as- 
  • Performance management, 
  • Onboarding, 
  • Interviewing, 
  • HR strategy &
  • Incentive, among others

Benefits:

• Specialization & Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Self-Paced Learning 
• Access to premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes
• Graded Assignments +Peer Feedback
• Graded Quizzes +Feedback
• Graded Programming Assignments

Beneficial for:

• Managers 
• Entrepreneurs
• Anyone interested in the basic principles of human resource management

Hear from the masses:

No review available.

•  ⌛2 months (10 hrs per week)
• ⭐4.8
• 🏆Course certification
• 📈Beginner/ Specialization
• 🆎Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Spanish 

2. Preparing to Manage Human Resources

Part of the abovementioned specialization course (Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization), this course as a standalone one provides individuals with a rudimentary understanding of employee management.

• Available on: Coursera (offered by University of Minnesota)
  
• What you’ll learn:
  Essential skills such as-
  • Resource management
  • HR strategy

Basics of how to manage employees effectively
New found understanding on the numerous ways to manage employees

Benefits:

• Specialization & Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Self-Paced Learning 
• Access to premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes
• Graded Assignments +Peer Feedback
• Graded Quizzes +Feedback
• Graded Programming Assignments
  

Beneficial For:

• Managers 
• Entrepreneurs
• Individuals interested in the basic principles of human resource management

Hear from the masses:

“Great course for new managers. Provides framework for first decisions as a new leader. Good refresher for existing managers or individuals looking to transition into HR from a leadership role.”

NP

• ⌛Approx. 17 hrs 
• ⭐4.8
• 🏆Course certification 
• 📈Beginner/ Specialization 🆎Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, English, Spanish

3. Recruitment Skills (Short Course)

Seamless & effective recruitment is essential for organizations of all sizes. It is therefore imperative for recruitment personnel to hone & develop the skills associated with it, something this course can help significantly with.

• Available on: Oxford Home Study Centre

• What you’ll learn:
  • Factors that impact recruitment 
  • Evaluate & assess the recruitment process
  • Solutions for permanent staffing
  • Structure of the industry 

Benefits

• Self-paced learning
• Graded assignments
• Boost your CV 
• Access to premium quality course materials & resources 

Beneficial For:

• Hiring managers
• Recruiters
• Anyone interested in developing their recruitment skills

Hear from the masses:

No review available.

• ⌛20 Hrs 
• ⭐4.6
• 🏆Course certification 
• 📈Beginner/ Specialization 
• 🆎English

4. Interviewing Techniques (LinkedIn)

This free LinkedIn course offers individuals an insight into the world of interviewing techniques, complete with practical strategies for planning and executing interviews.

• Available on: LinkedIn (Free of cost only if Free Trial is availed)
• What you’ll learn:
  • Practical strategies for planning & conducting interviews.
  • How to determine the purpose & objective of the interview.
  • How to manage expectations upfront.
  • How to ask effective questions.
  • How to conduct different types of interviews (screening, courtesy, panel, etc.).
  • How to improve candidate experience, among others.

Benefits:

• Specialization & Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Self-Paced Learning 
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes
• Graded Assignments +Peer Feedback
• Graded Quizzes +Feedback
• Graded Programming Assignments

Beneficial for:

• Recruiting personnel 
• Hiring managers
• Anyone interested in developing their recruitment skills

Hear from the masses

“Great explanation, very clear and concise. Instructor is great!”

EG

•  ⌛1h 17m
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Course certification
• 📈Intermediate
• 🆎English

5. Human Resources: Hiring and Managing Talent in 21st Century

Discover techniques to build, manage, develop & retain a diverse workforce with this free course on Future Learn.

• Available on: Future Learn (Free Access expires 30 Aug 2023, as on 05 July 2023)
• What you’ll learn:
  • Effective leadership for managers
  • Organizational culture & recruitment
  • Employee performance management 
  • Best hiring practices & how to retain the best
  • Importance of continued employee development 

Benefits:

• Sample Course Materials
• Interact with other learners

Beneficial for:

• Human resource managers
• Business managers

Hear from the masses:

“This course is perfect! I thank all the developers of this course and everyone who is a part of this course! I am a newcomer in HR and I am happy to gain new skills and experience. The level was right for me. Course content is precise and informative.”

T.A

• ⌛8 weeks
• ⭐4.5
• 📈Intermediate level   
• 🆎English

6. The Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work

Regardless of your level of expertise in managing people, this course functions as a complete practical guide that explores HR theories to better equip you to navigate your role as an HR professional.

• Available on:  Coursera (Offered By University of London, Birkbeck, University of London)
• What you’ll learn:
  • Develop Interview & decision making skills 
  • Conflict management & resolution
  • Performance management 
  • How to motivate & appraise your team

Benefits:

• Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Flexible deadlines
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes

Beneficial for:

• Managers
• Anyone interested in developing their managerial skills

Hear from the masses:

“Very informative course, I liked the scientific approach in it and the thorough presentation of the contents. The backgrounds explained, the researchers shared, added great value to the material.”

T.H

• ⌛Approx. 28 hrs
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Course certification
• 📈Beginner / Intermediate
• 🆎Subtitles:English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian,    Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

7. Diploma in Human Resources (HR)

Develop & polish your hiring, training, managerial & motivational skills to increase your contribution as an HR professional to your organization with this free diploma course on Alison.

• What you’ll learn:

• Importance of training & development 
• Employee motivation & retention
• How to manage poor employee performance
• Processes & procedures to terminate employment of underperforming employees
• Application of motivational theories
• Management styles

Benefits:

• CPD Accreditation
• Assessments
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Anyone switching career paths to HR

Hear from the masses:

“The course is very educational and meets industry standards. Thanks to the administrators of this program.”

J.K

• ⌛10-15 Hrs
• 🏆Course certificate 
• 📈Beginner/ Intermediate   
• 🆎English

8. Human Resources: Recruitment and Selection

Dive into this comprehensive guide for free on OpenLearn to explore recruitment & selection. It caters to everything pertaining to recruitment, from writing a job description to the final decision-making stage, equipping HR professionals with the desired skills to conduct fair selection. 

• Available on:  OpenLearn
• What you’ll learn:
  • How to conduct fair recruitment
  • How to conduct systematic recruitment 
  • Specifying job & person requirements

Benefits:

• Statement of participation on completion
• Assessments
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Progress tracking

Beneficial for:

• Hiring managers
• HR professionals 
• Anyone interested in learning about fair recruitment

Hear from the masses:

“This course was very interesting for me. I really appreciate that opportunity provides by Open University. I have discovered new things i did not know before. Human resources is a very important domain in the work universe and I think that people or manager should be more trained in order to do a better work. There is a lot i could say about this course”

D.G

• ⌛12 Hrs
• ⭐4.5
• 🏆Statement of participation on completion
• 📈Intermediate            
• 🆎English 

9. Human Resources Foundations (LinkedIn)

An exploration of the world of HR with expert insights from Wayne Cascio, highlighting the role & core responsibilities of HR professionals, taking a look at aspects of HR such as performance management & career development among others.

• Available on:  Coursera
• What you’ll learn:

• HR metrics life cycle
• Staffing & training
• Employee relations
• Building a business case

Benefits:

• Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Flexible deadlines
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Anyone interested in learning about HR analytics

Hear from the masses:

“It’s an impressive Human Resources Foundations course, I personaly recommend this course to HR Beginners.”

 M.K

•  ⌛47 minutes 
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Course certificate 
• 📈Beginner 
• 🆎English

10. Human Resources Analytics

It is now common knowledge that data-driven decisions drive organizational success. This course explores how to identify effective data sources, how to develop relevant metrics, how to formulate & develop long-term measures & the application of the results to ensure organizational success.

• Available on:  LinkedIn
• What you’ll learn:
  • Parallels between HR strategy and business strategy
  • Approaches to talent management
  • Training and career development programs
  • Review the principles of effective performance management

Benefits:

• Certificate on completion 
• Assessments
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• New HR professionals

Hear from the masses:

“This HR Analytics course gives you the general vision of business data & metrics, as well as the necessary analysis that need to be implemented in companies, with the aim of driving decision-making, aligned with business goals and creating the best employer brand possible. Totally recommendable.”

 S.K

•  ⌛Approx. 5 Hrs 
• ⭐4.6
• 🏆 Course Certification
• 📈Beginner/ Intermediate
• 🆎English

11. HR Fundamentals (future learn)

If you are looking for an introduction to the world of HR, look no further as this free course on Future Learn unpacks all the nuances of the fundamentals of HR practices. 

• Available on:  Future Learn (Free Access expires on Aug 9,2023 as on July 5, 2023) 
• What you’ll learn:
  • HR professionalism
  • Principles of workforce planning
  • Recruitment & retention
  • Performance management
  • Role of HR

Benefits:

• Sample Course Materials
• Interact with other learners

Beneficial for:

• New HR professionals 
• People responsible for people operations
• Anyone interested in learning about HR fundamentals

Hear from the masses:

No review available

• ⌛5 Weeks 
• ⭐4.8
• 📈Intermediate
• 🆎English

12. Onboarding New Hires as a Manager (LinkedIn Learning)

Being a new employee is indeed a nerve wracking situation, but not if you have a manager who is well versed with the A-Z of onboarding. This short course on LinkedIn is an ideal refresher/ introductory course to aid HR professionals to pull off a hiccup-free onboarding process.

• Available on:   LinkedIn
• What you’ll learn:
  • Fundamentals of onboarding
  • Setting up employees for success

Benefits:

• Certificate on completion 
• Assessments
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals 
• Anyone interested in learning about the process of onboarding

Hear from the masses:

“This course provided helpful insights into partnering with HR in onboarding, especially in tailoring information to the new hire’s role”

 D.E

• ⌛32 minutes
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Course certificate 
• 📈Beginner 
• 🆎English 

13. Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals

Diversity & inclusion should be an important focus for every organization in this day & age. This course shall be your stepping stone to understanding its importance and shall empower you to adhere to, implement and promote an inclusive and diverse culture at your workplace. 

• Available on: Coursera
• What you’ll learn:
  • Thought diversity & innovation
  • Thought diversity & challenges conformity 
  • How to develop a DEI plan for your organization
  • Impact of DEI

Benefits:

• Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Flexible deadlines
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals 
• Business leaders
• Anyone interested in learning about DEI

Hear from the masses:

“Very comprehensive course. I enjoyed the format and accountability as well as the breadth and depth of content.  I especially enjoyed planning the DEIB strategy for my organization. It gave me an opportunity to really reflect on what the organization needs and plan out what and how to incorporate DEIB in my organization and get feedback from colleagues. Thank you for making the content real and relevant to today’s social landscape”

 T.D

• ⌛Approx.16 hrs
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Course certification 
• 📈Beginner 
• 🆎English

14. People and Organization

This course explores people & organizations through a historical & evolutionary lens and throws light on the major challenges faced by those in management professions and how to overcome them using interactive exercises, simulations, etc.

• Available on: MITOpenCourseWare
• What you’ll learn:
  • How to lead & facilitate teams
  • How to make an organization structure analysis
  • Understanding teams & team processes 
  • How to negotiate during recruitment 
  • Corporate responsibility

Benefits:

• Access to Lecture notes
• Written assignments
• Access to topic-wise recommended reading list

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Individuals who want an undergraduate level understanding of People & Organizations 

Hear from the masses:

 No review available

• ⌛2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
• 📈Intermediate 
• 🆎 English

15. Strategic HR Management

Learn how to formulate and implement HR management strategies while also getting expert insights on general HR topics such as training & development, recruitment, retention, performance management, etc. with this comprehensive free course on MITOpenCourseWare.

• Available on: MITOpenCourseWare
• What you’ll learn:
  • Strategic importance & role of HR 
  • Training & development
  • Self managed teams
  • Performance appraisal
  • Compensation, benefits & pay for performance

Benefits:

• Access to Lecture notes
• Written assignments & exams
• Access to topic-wise recommended reading list

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Individuals who want an graduate level understanding of Strategic HR management

Hear from the masses:

 No review available

• 📈Intermediate
• 🆎 English

16. Human Resources: Managing Employee Problems

Managing employee problems is one of the core responsibilities of an HR professional & this course is ideal to learn all about how to approach the numerous problems that arise at a workplace and how to potentially anticipate them before they even occur.

• Available on: LinkedIn
• What you’ll learn:
  • Conflict management
  • How to utilize the employee handbook
  • Defining problems & addressing them
  • Strategic approaches to solving problems
  • Benefits of digital tools
  • How to manage conversational trouble spots

Benefits:

• Certificate on completion 
• Assessments
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Managers
• Anyone interested in learning about managing employee problems

Hear from the masses:

“This content was very informative, you can encounter any problems any day, very informative.”

 A.R

• ⌛Approx. 1 hr 
• ⭐4.7
• 🏆Certificate of completion
• 📈 Intermediate
• 🆎 English

17. Human-Centered Work Culture [Micro-Course]

This short yet effective course that explores the people-first culture at a workplace enlightens HR professionals on the importance of prioritizing employee well-being above everything else.

• Available on: Human Resource Webinars 
• What you’ll learn:
  • How to prioritize people’s needs
  • Importance of embracing unconventional work models
  • Importance of adopting human- centered work strategies

Benefits:

• Access to course materials
• Comprehensive & time effective 
• Concise

Beneficial for:

• New HR professionals
• Anyone interested in learning about Human centered work culture

Hear from the masses:

No review available

• 📈Beginner/ Intermediate
• 🆎 English

18. Payroll Basics for Employers (Bernie U)

This course provides a high-level understanding of everything pertaining to the basics of payroll management, complete with how to deal with the potential compliance mistakes that arise.

• Available on:  BerniePortals 
• What you’ll learn:
  • Payroll terms
  • Introduction to pay schedules
  • Payroll softwares 
  • Tips for payroll management 
  • Handling payroll taxes

Benefits:

• Access to premium course material
• Self paced 
• Quizzes

Beneficial for:

• New HR professionals 
• Anyone interested in learning about payroll systems

Hear from the masses:

No review available

•  ⌛1.25 Hrs
• 📈Beginner/ Intermediate 
• 🆎English

19. Certificate in HR Management (OHSC)

This level 3, free-of-charge certificate course offered by OHSC, covers numerous topics pertaining to HR management, suitable for seasoned as well as new HR professionals looking to expand their expertise in the field.

• Available on: Oxford Home Study Centre
• What you’ll learn:
  • Objectives of HRM
  • Scope of HRM
  • Strategic Human Resources Management 
  • How to identify the functions of HRM
  • How to identify the factors affecting recruitment
  • How to assess the recruitment process
  • Performance management techniques
  • Understanding Health and Safety Laws
  • Importance of Health and Safety in the Workplace

Benefits:

• Self-paced learning
• Graded assignments
• Boost your CV 
• Access to premium quality course materials & resources 

Beneficial for:

• New HR professionals 
• Experienced HR professionals 

Hear from the masses:

No review available

• ⌛200 Hrs
• ⭐4.8
• 🏆Course certificate 
• 📈Beginner/ Intermediate 
• 🆎English

20. Leading People and Teams Specialization

This specialization course on Coursera will help develop the leadership traits of individuals by exploring essential leadership skills such as how to motivate one’s team & influence with authority. 

There are 5 courses in this specialization:

• Inspiring and Motivating Individuals
• Managing Talent
• Influencing People
• Leading Teams
• Leading People and Teams Capstone

• Available on: Coursera (Offered by University of Michigan)
• What you’ll learn:
  • Talent management 
  • How to improve employee performance
  • How to use the Michigan Model of Leadership to define organizational goals
  • How to improve team performance 
• Essential skills such as:
  • Vision alignment
  • Goal setting
  • Leadership

Benefits:

• Course Certificates upon completion (Shareable)
• Flexible deadlines
• Access to Premium quality resources- Course Videos & Readings
• Exercise Quizzes

Beneficial for:

• HR professionals
• Anyone interested in improving their management skills

Hear from the masses:

“I rarely rate courses, but this one was really great. The instructors present the information in an easy to understand way and peer graded assignments help you solidify what you have learned.”

M.S

• ⌛Approx. 5 months to complete 
• ⭐4.8
• 🏆 Course certification 
• 📈Beginner 
• 🆎Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, Spanish, Mongolian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Korean, Urdu

In today’s ever-evolving HR landscape, complacency is not the best way forward. It is crucial to constantly strive for learning & development if you don’t wish to be left in the dust. 
Feel free to take advantage of these free learning opportunities at your disposal and outrun your competition!