In today’s competitive job market, gaining new skills doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) offers a range of 100% free, fully online short courses through UJDigital that anyone can access from anywhere in South Africa.
These recognised Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) are designed for beginners and take approximately 50 hours to complete. Current free courses include:
Course What You’ll Learn
Building Blocks of Information Literacy Find, access, process, and apply data and digital content ethically
Advanced Information Literacy Enhance research and information assessment skills
Being a Responsible Digital Citizen Navigate online spaces responsibly, ethically, and safely
Word for the Workplace Create professional documents using MS Word
Excel for the Workplace Organise, analyse, and present data using MS Excel
Presentation for the Workplace Design engaging PowerPoint presentations
All courses start in January 2026, are taught in English, and require only an internet-enabled device and basic English communication skills. Upon successful completion, you receive a UJ Certified digital certificate that can be shared with employers through the UJ Digital Certificate platform.
With thousands of students already enrolled (Excel for the Workplace has over 10,000 students), these courses prove that quality education is accessible to all. Whether you’re a job seeker, content creator, or professional looking to upskill, UJDigital removes financial barriers to learning.