10 Free Project Management Courses for 2026

10 Best Free Project Management Courses

Looking to learn project management for free? These top 10 free project management courses offer expert-led training on tools, techniques, and frameworks to strengthen your professional profile.

1. Free Project Manager Course

The free Project Manager course introduces the core concepts of project management, covering the process groups (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing) and the ten knowledge areas that drive projects.

You will explore how tools like JIRA and Trello support project execution and collaboration. With self-paced video lessons, you’ll also gain insights into key tasks, techniques, and workflows, making them ideal for building foundational project management capabilities.

Best Suited For:

• Aspiring project managers
• Team Leads transitioning into PM roles
• Professionals seeking basic PM knowledge

2. PMP Basics – Free Online PMP Course for Beginners

The beginner-friendly PMP Basics course offers a comprehensive tour of project management through the lens of the PMP® credential. Topics include project planning, scheduling, cost and quality management, communication, risk, and stakeholder management.

Video lessons span across domains with actionable insights to help you understand the exam path and project management fundamentals.

Best Suited For:

• PMP aspirants at the entry level
• Professionals exploring project management roles
• Recent graduates seeking project management fundamentals

3. Introduction to PRINCE2®

The PRINCE2® free course introduces the structured methodology, widely used in the UK and internationally. Learners obtain an overview of its principles, themes, and processes, and how to apply them in project environments.

The course is suitable for those wanting a modular approach to projects using this formal framework.

Best Suited For:

• Professionals in the UK/EU market
• Project practitioners seeking structured methodology exposure
• PMs managing regulated or large-scale projects

4. Project Management 101

Project Management 101 offers a concise, foundational journey through the essentials of project management. It features lessons on what project management is, its scope, the difference between projects and programs, and introduces key tools and techniques.

The course is ideal for those new to the field and enables learners to build confidence before pursuing deeper specialization.

Best Suited For:

• Newcomers to project management
• Professionals shifting career paths
• Team members working under project leads

5. Introduction to JIRA

The Introduction to JIRA free module covers the basics of using JIRA for project tracking and agile team collaboration. Learners will navigate key features like issue tracking, workflows, boards, sprints, and dashboards.

With a practical orientation, it helps participants use JIRA effectively for project execution and team communication.

Best Suited For:

• Agile Scrum team members
• Project coordinators using JIRA
• Professionals working with agile workflows

6. Introduction to PMI-RMP®

The PMI-RMP® introductory course provides a primer on the PMI‑RMP® credential (Risk Management Professional). It explores core risk management concepts, including how to identify and assess project risks and plan responses.

Learners gain insight into how to enhance their project outcomes by proactively managing uncertainty and risk.

Best Suited For:

• Project & risk managers managing high-complexity tasks
• PMs interested in risk governance
• Professionals working in risk-sensitive industries

7. Project Management Fundamentals (Alison)

This free online course from Alison helps learners build foundational and advanced knowledge in project management across industries. It covers the full project lifecycle —from initiation and planning through execution, monitoring, and closure.

Learners are also introduced to essential project management tools, such as Gantt charts, PERT diagrams, and the Critical Path Method. The course is self-paced, CPD-accredited, and designed to boost your résumé by providing practical project management insights.

Best Suited For:

• Aspiring Project Coordinators
• Junior Project Managers
• Professionals transitioning into project management

8. Project management: The start of the project journey (OpenLearn / The Open University)

The OpenLearn’s free project management course provides an introductory exploration of what projects are, how they originate, and how they move from idea to execution. It examines the roles of key stakeholders, how feasibility studies are conducted across technical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions, and how decision-making tools and life-cycle concepts apply in project settings.

The content is suitable for anyone looking to understand project work from its earliest stages.

Best Suited For:

• Newcomers to project management
• Team Members wanting project awareness
• Professionals evaluating project-based work

9. Free Online Project Management Course With Certificate (Oxford Home Study Centre)

The Oxford Home Study Centre offers a comprehensive free project management course covering the fundamentals of project management. It introduces learners to project lifecycles, stakeholder engagement, planning techniques, and leadership essentials.

The course emphasizes real-world project execution principles, covering cost, scope, risk, and quality management. Learners gain practical insights into managing timelines, communication, and performance evaluation.

Best Suited For:

• Students exploring project management fundamentals
• Early-career professionals
• Team leaders or supervisors

10. Project Management Courses for Free (PMI)

PMI offers a selection of free, high-quality eLearning courses that reflect global project management standards and best practices. These modules cover essential topics such as scheduling, risk management, stakeholder communication, and agile fundamentals.

Learners benefit from PMI’s expertise and can earn digital badges or PDUs for professional development. The self-paced learning approach makes it easy for professionals to strengthen their knowledge as they prepare for advanced PMI certifications such as PMP® or CAPM®.

Best Suited For:

• PMP® or CAPM® aspirants
• Working professionals seeking PDUs
• Experienced project managers updating their skills

Conclusion

The diverse set of free project management courses with certificates in 2026 offers professionals an excellent opportunity to enhance their capabilities and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving workplace.

These courses provide structured learning in essential areas such as planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication, helping learners build a solid foundation for advanced certifications like PMP® or PRINCE2®.

FAQs

1. What are the best free project management courses online?

• Project management courses from SkillUP by Simplilearn
• PMI’s set of free eLearning courses 
• Alison’s Diploma in Project Management

2. Which free project management course offers a certificate?

All free project management courses by Simplilearn, Alison, and Oxford Home Study provide a completion certificate.

3. What are the top beginner-friendly project management courses?

• Project Management 101
• Introduction to Project Management Principles
• Beginner Project Management courses are great starting points.

4. Are PMI project management courses free for students?

PMI occasionally offers discounted or free student memberships, but most official PMI courses and certifications require payment.

5. Which free project management course is best for PMP preparation?

The PMP Basics course from Simplilearn and the Project Management Fundamentals course from Alison help build a foundation for PMP exam readiness.

6. What free Agile and Scrum project management courses can I take?

You can take Simplilearn’s Free Scrum Fundamentals and Atlassian’s Agile Coach modules courses.

7. How to get a free certificate in project management from Simplilearn?

Sign up for Simplilearn’s SkillUp platform, complete any free project management course, and download your shareable completion certificate.

8. What are the top free project management tools to learn in 2026?

Project management tools such as Trello, Asana, Jira, ClickUp, and Notion are ideal for mastering real-world project planning and collaboration.

9. Can I really get a job with a certificate from a free course?

Yes, it’s possible to secure a job with a certificate from a free course. While the certificate itself may not guarantee employment, it demonstrates your initiative, foundational knowledge, and commitment to professional development.

Combining it with hands-on experience, portfolio projects, and effective networking can significantly improve your job prospects.

10. What’s the next step after completing these courses?

After completing these courses, apply your new skills through real-world projects, internships, or volunteer opportunities to gain practical experience. 

You can also pursue advanced certifications to deepen your expertise and gain industry recognition.

11. What are the limitations of free project management courses?

Free project management courses often come with certain limitations, such as limited instructor support, fewer hands-on projects, and restricted access to premium learning materials. They may also lack formal accreditation or industry recognition compared to paid programs.