A to Z of the best free courses for civil servants
Explore this quality-assured free learning civil servants can do or book now to get the skills they need to deliver brilliant services.
If you have a Civil Service Learning account, you can do these specially selected courses now - with no sign-offs, permissions or hold-ups - to get the most important skills you need.
A
This short course introduces artificial intelligence (AI) in the Civil Service and sets the stage for further learning such as AI for all: Part 2 and Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals.
This course builds on AI for All: Part 1 and offers deeper insight into how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping public service delivery.
An introduction to the benefits of evidence-based policymaking and the variety of sources from which that evidence can come.
A basic overview of the European Union (EU) and its institutions for civil servants for whom an understanding of UK’s relationship with the EU will support their role.
An in-depth course for those wanting to understand and apply elements of AI which enables machines to interpret visual information.
A growing collection of learning modules to help civil servants to get a working understanding of AI, its associated technologies and the opportunities it offers.
This course has multiple modules of increasing depth but the first three are suitable for all civil servants with an interest in these AI technologies.
The first two modules of this multi-module course are ideal for anyone as an introduction to both natural language processing and speech recognition, with subsequent modules for a more specialist learner.
Browse this collection of learning specially selected for those with a technical interest by the Government Digital Service. More than a months-worth of learning - all of which is free.
A collection of useful learning selected for a generalist learner by the Government Digital Service.
This collection of modules - each developed by industry leaders - has been curated for all civil servants by the Central Digital and Data Office.
The first three modules of this eight module course are ideal for anyone with an interest in learning more about large language models, while the remainder have been selected for those with a more specialist interest.
This course helps you understand the Agile working approach used for digital projects across government.
B
This range of resources, including bite-sized videos, has been brought together by the Government Analysis Profession for all civil servants wanting to develop their analytical skills.
C
A highly-recommended course to support all civil servants to understand the culture and values underpinning the Civil Service - most specifically, the Civil Service Code and its inclusion and diversity approach.
Our highly rated interactive course for new arrivals to the Civil Service as well as those wanting a refresher.
Civil Service Induction - external
Our highly rated interactive Civil Service Induction is also available to those who are waiting to start a new role in the Civil Service and who can book a place via the Eventbrite link at the bottom of this page.
The standards aim to give line managers the essential skills and knowledge required for effective line management within the Civil Service.
This three-hour online course provides a broad introduction to climate change, the government’s response to it and the implications this has for working in the Civil Service.
Find out the difference between coaching and mentoring and what opportunities there are for you to find a coach.
A free online database service to match civil servants with a fellow civil servant who is also a qualified coach.
Tips, techniques and skills for developing brilliant professional collaborative relationships that can deliver real-world impacts.
Suitable for all civil servants, this multi-module online learning course provides a valuable oversight of the commercial factors that can influence projects.
A short online course to help civil servants understand how to prevent fraud and protect taxpayers’ money.
Understand how to fulfil legal accessibility requirements by making your Excel spreadsheets accessible.
Learn how to make your PowerPoint presentations accessible to meet your legal requirements.
This course will show you how to make your Microsoft Word documents accessible and meet legal requirements.
D
Aimed at those with experience of using data within their role, this practitioner level course will help you make even better data-informed decisions.
This online learning helps you to consider data quality issues and equips you to have more effective discussions with data specialists.
Developed by the Government Finance Function, this course is mainly aimed at helping finance professionals make data meaningful to non-specialists.
If you are an existing civil servant who has been promoted to the Senior Civil Service, this induction is the right one for you.
This awareness-level course introduces devolution and intergovernmental working and explains why it is important knowledge for all civil servants.
These quick-bite videos from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Digital Capability and Confidence Team will boost your IT confidence - and make everyday tasks easier and quicker to complete.
E
A short online course to help you harness your emotional intelligence to increase your capability for leadership and relationship building.
A comprehensive, multi-module course to get you on the right tracks with Excel. There are hints and resources, plus the opportunity to put what you’ve learned into action.
F
This course is highly recommended by past participants for the great tips it provides all those wanting to improve their writing skills.
G
This short course explains the essentials of business intelligence and data visualisation and how to connect and import data, transform it into actionable insights, and craft compelling reports.
Master Google Workspace with this comprehensive training hub. Access guides to help you up-skill in apps like Gmail and Gemini.
Learn how to master complex data modelling, advanced data analysis expressions (DAX), and sophisticated visualisation techniques.
H
This short online course is mandatory for civil servants in some departments because it sets out your role and responsibilities when it comes to health and safety issues.
Where do you want to be a year from now? If this question strikes fear into your heart, this course will help you learn about how to start your professional development journey.
This short animation is ideal for anyone who want to develop their skills and learning and does not know where to start.
I
Learn best practice for every stage of the information management process.
Learn the why of accessibility with DHSC shared resources. Explore moral and legal drivers for inclusive, equitable services.
This online course gives you inspiration from world-class experts and industry-proven techniques you can apply in your work.
This course is for any civil servant who would like to explore training to become a qualified coach.
J
is the name often given to our Foundations of Writing in Government Course which gives tips for improving your writing.
L
A course from the University of Leeds to help you master the skills needed to learn and communicate effectively in an online environment.
A two-hour online course which sets out what the Civil Service expects from line managers.
M
Management programmes are not part of our free offering. For details see Leadership and management guidance.
Manage Outlook, OneDrive and SharePoint. Streamline your digital workspace, enhance collaboration, and store files in the Microsoft 365 suite.
A collection of learning options designed to help you master the basics of Microsoft Excel
Learn to automate calculations, audit for accuracy, and create narrative-driven visuals to support effective decision-making across the Civil Service.
Learn to create and customise pivot tables and dashboards as well as about Power Pivot and data analysis
Master M365 tools with this training hub curated for civil servants. Access quick videos and guides to help you up-skill in apps like Excel and Copilot.
Q
This course explores what quality looks like from a customer experience perspective.
S
This short online course helps you understand the biggest risks and what actions to take to protect yourself and your organisation.
Learning to keep you up to date with your responsibilities regarding information use.
Join the waiting list for this course that will help newcomers to the Civil Service find their feet in the Senior Civil Service.
T
Some quick-bite videos from Department for Work and Pensions’ Digital Capability and Confidence Team - designed to boost your IT confidence - and make everyday tasks easier and quicker to complete.
U
An ideal course to help those with little experience using data to make better, more data-informed decisions in their role.
This course is for those in non-technical roles who would benefit from the first of two courses aimed at linking policy makers with engineers and scientists.
W
This two-hour course will give you an introduction to national security and what it could mean for you in your role.
Master MS Teams and Outlook for professional collaboration. Learn to manage chats, calls, meetings, shared fies and your digital presence effectively.
Protect your digital identity and data. Learn to verify Wi-Fi and websites, spot phishing, create strong passwords and use shortcuts to lock your device.
If you already have some knowledge of using data within your role, this course will help you to develop your data literacy skills using a seven-step data-informed decision-making framework.
Delivered every six months, this week-long course is designed to give new bill teams a road map for delivering primary legislation.
A range of easy-to-use guidance tools on key topics relating to processes and procedures that you encounter when you work with Parliament.
For anyone who might work on secondary legislation, this course explains what explanatory memoranda are, how they are prepared and scrutinised and what a good one looks like.
Book now to learn about Parliament’s role in holding the government to account. An ideal course for those new to the Civil Service or in roles involving parliamentary scrutiny.
Book this course to find out how Parliament holds the government to account through oral parliamentary questions and how civil servants prepare their minister.
Book this course to learn what primary legislation is, how departments prepare bills, how Parliament scrutinises bills and the role of civil servants.
Book this learning to explore what secondary legislation is, how it is prepared and the role of civil servants in the process.
Book this course explains how Parliament uses select committees to hold the government to account. Suitable for all civil servants.
Book this course if you have done the Working with Parliament: Introduction to Parliament course and want to know more.
Book this course to understand how Parliament can hold the government to account through correspondence and why this affects civil servants.
This course from the Government Communication Service gives tips on how to communicate with colleagues and external stakeholders using short and clear emails.
Learning to support you to cope with the stresses and pressures that work can and to build personal resilience that can improve effectiveness at work.
A collection of the Civil Service’s very best writing courses including the highly-rated Foundations of writing for government (JASPER) course.
Updates to this page
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Updated with Digital, Data, Innovation and AI learning
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First published.