Alison

Alison: free online learning with certificates from Ireland

Alison is an online learning platform that offers free courses and diplomas with certificates. According to data from its own site, it has over 50 million learners and 15 million graduates from 193 countries. The company was founded in Ireland and operates worldwide.

Course catalog and areas of study

The catalog features more than 6,000 free courses across categories such as Information Technology (1,317 courses), Health (1,158), Language (319), Business (1,820), Management (1,130), Personal Development (1,374), Sales & Marketing (456), Engineering & Construction (863), and Teaching & Academics (1,694). The platform also groups dedicated English courses, with 55 courses available.

The offering is organized into courses and diplomas, and includes sections for popular, new, and certificate courses. Alison states that its courses are accredited by CPD UK.

Career development tools

In addition to courses, Alison provides users with employability-focused resources:

• Career Ready Plan, to plan career goals.
• Resumé Builder with professional templates.
• Career Guide with information on various professions.
• Graduate Profiles with success stories.
• Webinars and a blog with news, tips, and stories.

English and psychometric tests

The platform offers English courses aligned with the CEFR framework, created by experts, that guide learners from beginner to advanced level. It also includes psychometric assessments: Aptitude Test (Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract), Workplace Personality Test, Workplace Wellbeing Assessment, and English Proficiency Test.

Mobile app and offline learning

Alison has a mobile app that lets users download courses and learn without an internet connection. According to the site's data, the app has over 12 million downloads.

Alison for Business

The company has a dedicated division for organizations, Alison for Business, which offers accredited learning for corporate teams, government bodies, schools, and NGOs.

Founding and international presence

Alison was founded in Ireland by Mike Feerick, Founder & CEO, and operates worldwide. The platform is available in English and Spanish, and allows users to register to earn certificates and diplomas.