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.
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AI for All: Part 1 - An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in the Civil Service
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.
AI for All: Part 2 - Building Practical AI Skills in the Civil Service
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 European Union
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.
Artificial Intelligence: Computer Vision
An in-depth course for those wanting to understand and apply elements of AI which enables machines to interpret visual information.
Artificial Intelligence: Fundamentals
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.
Artificial Intelligence: Machine learning and deep learning
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.
Artificial Intelligence: Natural Language Processing and Speech Recognition
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.
Artificial Intelligence: Technical curriculum
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.
Artificial Intelligence: the business value of AI
A collection of useful learning selected for a generalist learner by the Government Digital Service.
Artificial Intelligence: Understanding AI ethics
This collection of modules - each developed by industry leaders - has been curated for all civil servants by the Central Digital and Data Office.
Artificial Intelligence: Working with large language models
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.
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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.
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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.
Civil Service Induction - internal
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.
Civil Service Line Management Standards
The standards aim to give line managers the essential skills and knowledge required for effective line management within the Civil Service.
Climate and the environment: key things that all civil servants should know
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.
Coaching: Civil Service internal coaching service
A free online database service to match civil servants with a fellow civil servant who is also a qualified coach.
Collaboration across departments, government and beyond
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.
Counter fraud, bribery and corruption
A short online course to help civil servants understand how to prevent fraud and protect taxpayers’ money.
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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.
Devolution and Intergovernmental working (online)
This awareness-level course introduces devolution and intergovernmental working and explains why it is important knowledge for all civil servants.
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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.
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Foundations of writing in government (JASPER)
This course is highly recommended by past participants for the great tips it provides all those wanting to improve their writing skills.
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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.
How to build your career in the UK Civil Service
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.
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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.
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JASPER is the name often given to our Foundations of Writing in Government Course which gives tips for improving your writing.
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Line management induction programme
A two-hour online course which sets out what the Civil Service expects from line managers.
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Management programmes are not part of our free offering. For details see Leadership and management guidance.
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This course explores what quality looks like from a customer experience perspective.
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Security and Data Protection Fundamentals
This short online course helps you understand the biggest risks and what actions to take to protect yourself and your organisation.
Senior Civil Service Orientation
Join the waiting list for this course that will help newcomers to the Civil Service find their feet in the Senior Civil Service.
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An ideal course to help those with little experience using data to make better, more data-informed decisions in their role.
Understanding and Accessing Science and Engineering Advice
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.
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This two-hour course will give you an introduction to national security and what it could mean for you in your role.
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.
Working with Parliament: Bill Team Basics
Delivered every six months, this week-long course is designed to give new bill teams a road map for delivering primary legislation.
Working with Parliament: Desk aids
A range of easy-to-use guidance tools on key topics relating to processes and procedures that you encounter when you work with Parliament.
Working with Parliament: Effective Explanatory Memoranda
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.
Working with Parliament: introduction to working with Parliament
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.
Working with Parliament: Oral and urgent parliamentary questions
Book this course to find out how Parliament holds the government to account through oral parliamentary questions and how civil servants prepare their minister.
Working with Parliament: Primary legislation
Book this course to learn what primary legislation is, how departments prepare bills, how Parliament scrutinises bills and the role of civil servants.
Working with Parliament: Secondary legislation
Book this learning to explore what secondary legislation is, how it is prepared and the role of civil servants in the process.
Working with Parliament: Select committees
Book this course explains how Parliament uses select committees to hold the government to account. Suitable for all civil servants.
Working with Parliament: Written parliamentary questions
Book this course if you have done the Working with Parliament: Introduction to Parliament course and want to know more.
Working with Parliament: Ministerial correspondence
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.