What Are Alison Courses and How Do They Work?

Updated

Alison is a free online learning platform offering over 6,000 courses across categories like IT, health, business, and language. You can study at your own pace, on desktop or through the Alison app, and earn a certificate or diploma after completing assessments. The courses are free to take; Alison also offers paid options such as Premium and certificate purchases. This guide explains how the courses are structured, how to pick one, and what to expect when you finish.

Types of Alison Courses

Alison's catalog is organized around a few main formats:

  • Certificate courses – shorter courses that end with a certificate on completion.
  • Diplomas – longer, multi-module programs that go deeper into a subject and also lead to a certificate or diploma credential.
  • Learning paths and career tracks – grouped courses aimed at a role or skill area, such as the categories listed under "Learn About Careers."
  • English & psychometric tests – standalone assessments including an English Proficiency Test, Aptitude Test, Workplace Personality Assessment, and Mental Health Assessment.

Course categories on the site include 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). Career areas range from Health Science and Finance to IT, Education and Training, and Marketing.

How to Choose a Course

Match the course to your goal rather than browsing randomly:

  1. Start from a goal – If you want a specific job skill, open the "Learn About Careers" section and pick the career area closest to your target (for example, Finance or Information Technology).
  2. Or start from a subject – If you're exploring, browse "Explore Course Categories" and open the category that interests you.
  3. Check the format – Decide whether a short certificate course or a longer diploma fits your time and depth needs.
  4. Use search and popular searches – The site surfaces popular searches like Information Systems, Human Resources, and Business Management, which can point you to in-demand topics.

A practical rule: if you need a quick, resume-friendly credential, a certificate course is usually enough. If you want broader grounding in a field, a diploma or a learning path is a better fit.

How Free Access and Paid Options Work

Alison describes its courses as free online courses with certificates, and the site states that you can "Train Your Entire Team. Start for Free." At the same time, the site references paid elements:

  • Alison Premium – listed under "More Alison Products" as "Get Alison Premium," which removes ads.
  • Certificate purchase – "Gift Cards" are described as a way to "Purchase a certificate for others," indicating certificates can involve payment.
  • Alison for Business – a separate product for upskilling teams.

So the accurate picture is: learning access is free, while certain conveniences and certificate-related options may be paid. Check the specific course page for what's included before you commit, since pricing details aren't listed on the homepage.

Completing a Course and Earning a Certificate

The general flow is consistent across courses:

  1. Sign up or log in – Create an account so your progress and certificates are saved.
  2. Work through the lessons – Courses are self-paced, so you set your own schedule.
  3. Take the assessments – Each course ends with an assessment; passing it is what unlocks the certificate or diploma.
  4. Study on the go – The Alison App is promoted for learning on the move, so you can continue lessons on mobile.
  5. Receive your credential – After passing, you earn a certificate or diploma you can use for career or resume purposes.

If you want to learn offline, the site offers a "Download Courses" option through the Alison App.

Using Your Certificate

Alison positions its credentials around career advancement and in-demand skills. After finishing:

  • Add the certificate or diploma to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
  • Use the Resumé Builder tool to create a professional resume.
  • Read Alison Graduate Profiles for examples of how others used their credentials.
  • If you're job-hunting, the Career Ready Plan helps you map out career goals.

Common Questions

Is Alison really free? The courses are free to take. Premium (ad removal) and certificate purchases are paid options.

How long does a course take? It varies by course type — certificate courses are shorter, diplomas are longer. Alison is self-paced, so you control the timeline.

Can I learn on my phone? Yes, through the Alison App, which also supports downloading courses for offline study.

Do employers recognize Alison certificates? Alison reports 15 million graduates and partners with "world leading experts," but recognition depends on the employer and field. Treat the certificate as one part of your skill story, alongside a portfolio or further study.