The Free Leadership and Followership Course at the Open University is a valuable opportunity to explore two essential sides of teamwork. While leadership often takes center stage, followership is equally vital in achieving group success. Whether you aim to guide others or support a team from within, this course helps you understand how both roles work together. It provides practical knowledge that fits every stage of your personal or professional growth.
This isn’t just any free course. It’s thoughtfully designed to help you grow, no matter your background or experience. If you’re just starting or looking to sharpen your current skills, this could be the right place to begin.
Let’s explore why this course is worth your attention.
What Is the Free Leadership and Followership Course?
This free online course is part of the Open University’s commitment to accessible learning. OpenLearn—the platform hosting the course—is known for providing high-quality, no-cost learning materials to a global audience.
The course is designed to help you understand the connection between leaders and followers. It explores different styles, behaviors, and strategies that help both roles work together. It doesn’t just teach theory—it gives practical examples and encourages reflection.
You don’t need any fancy credentials to join. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Why This Course Matters
Think of any successful team you admire—a sports club, a startup, or a social movement. You’ll find strong leaders and smart followers working side by side. This course shines a light on how both roles contribute to group success.
Here’s what makes the course stand out:
- It’s completely free
- You can start anytime
- It only takes about 24 hours to complete
- There’s a free certificate at the end
Whether you’re in college, working full-time, or managing a side project, the time investment is low and the potential benefits are high.
Key Benefits of the Free Leadership and Followership Course
Let’s break it down even more. Here are some standout advantages:
1. Understand Both Sides
Many courses focus only on leadership. This one does both. You’ll explore how leaders set direction and how followers shape that journey by offering feedback, support, or even resistance.
2. Boost Your Career Readiness
Employers love people who can both lead and follow. This course gives you a clearer picture of working in teams and communicating confidently. It can help in job interviews or group settings where teamwork is key.
3. Earn a Badge
Once you complete the course, you get a digital badge from the Open University. It’s proof that you’ve taken steps to grow. You can add it to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
4. Learn at Your Speed
Life can be busy. This course is self-paced. Whether you prefer doing it in one weekend or over a few weeks, the choice is yours.
Who Should Join?
Anyone can take the course, but it’s beneficial if you:
- Want to learn about people management
- Plan to lead teams at work, school, or in the community
- Want to improve your communication and collaboration skills
- Are curious about what makes great teams work well
You’ll find value here even if you’ve never led a team before. The language is simple, the lessons are clear, and the platform is easy to use.
What You’ll Learn
The course has five sections, each packed with valuable lessons. Here’s a quick overview:
- What is Leadership and Followership?
Understand the basic definitions and the relationship between the two. - Different Styles and Approaches
Learn about democratic, autocratic, and other types of leadership—and how followers play different roles in each. - Your Role
Reflect on your past experiences. Were you more of a leader or a follower? What worked well? What could you improve? - Group Dynamics
See how people interact in teams. Learn how roles can shift over time and what that means for group success. - Building Skills for the Future
Practice strategies to become more effective in both leadership and followership.
Each section ends with short quizzes and activities to reinforce your understanding.
What Is a University Fellowship? How Does It Relate?
While this course doesn’t directly offer an open fellowship, it can still be a great addition to your application if you plan to apply for one. But first, what is a university fellowship?
A university fellowship is often a merit-based scholarship or grant that supports advanced learning. It may come with a stipend, tuition fee waivers, or both. These competitive programs are often available to students pursuing postgraduate study or research.
When applying, showcasing your learning efforts—like this course—can demonstrate your commitment and readiness. It tells selectors that you’re ambitious and proactive.
How Long Are Fellowship Programs?
The length of a fellowship program can vary. Here’s a quick guide:
- Short-term fellowships (weeks to months) are common for research or internships.
- Graduate fellowships often match the length of the degree (1–3 years).
- Open fellowships may offer more flexible timelines, depending on the funding body.
Taking a free course like this one can give you a head start. It shows that you’ve already taken steps to understand leadership and teamwork, which are highly valued skills in fellowship programs.
How This Course Supports Scholarship and Fellowship Goals
You might wonder how this free course is linked to Open University scholarships or future fellowship goals.
Simple. Many scholarship or fellowship applications ask about leadership experience, teamwork, and personal development. Completing this course gives you something concrete to mention. It’s a way to show what you know and how you’ve applied that knowledge.
This course is a smart step for students applying to study in the UK, or even at the Open University itself. It shows motivation, learning agility, and the ability to manage self-directed study.
Where to Begin: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to start? Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the Course Page
Go to the official OpenLearn website for the “Leadership and Followership” course. - Create a Free Account
Sign up using your email. It only takes a few minutes. - Enroll and Start Learning
Begin at your own pace. The content is broken into manageable chunks. - Complete Activities and Quizzes
This helps you reflect on what you’ve learned. - Download Your Badge
Once done, download your certificate and share it where it matters.
That’s it! You’re now on your way to improving your leadership skills for free.
Certainly! Here’s how you can structure and write the Eligibility Criteria and How to Enroll sections for the Free Leadership and Followership Course at Open University in a beginner-friendly, SEO-optimized format:
Eligibility Criteria of the Free Leadership and Followership Course
One of the best things about the Free Leadership and Followership Course at Open University is that it’s open to everyone. There are no strict academic or professional requirements. Whether you’re a student, working professional, or simply curious about team dynamics, you’re welcome to join.
Here’s a quick look at what you need:
- No age limit – Learners of all ages can participate.
- No prior qualifications needed – You don’t need a degree or any leadership experience.
- Basic English skills – Since the course is in English, reading and understanding simple text will help.
- Access to the internet – A stable connection and a device like a phone, tablet, or computer are enough.
This course is designed to be inclusive and beginner-friendly. You can join from anywhere in the world at any time.
How to Enroll in the Free Leadership and Followership Course
Enrolling in the course is quick and easy. It takes just a few steps to get started:
Step 1: Visit the Course Page
Go to the OpenLearn website and find the Leadership and Followership course. You’ll see an overview, course content, and more details.
Step 2: Create a Free Account
Click on “Sign up / Sign in” at the top of the page. You’ll be asked to provide an email address, username, and password. This helps save your progress and gives you access to a free certificate at the end.
Step 3: Click ‘Enroll’
Once you’re signed in, go back to the course page and click on the ‘Enroll now’ button. The course will be added to your learning dashboard.
Step 4: Start Learning
You’re ready to begin! The course is divided into short sections, so you can learn at your own pace, whether you have 15 minutes or a few hours each day.
A Personal Thought
If you’re like me, juggling work, life, and goals, finding free and useful learning options can feel like striking gold. I remember taking a similar course while transitioning into a new role. It didn’t just boost my resume—it made me more confident in meetings and team settings.
That’s what this course offers: real growth without the pressure of grades or tuition.
Final Tips to Make the Most of It
- Take Notes: It helps to jot down thoughts as you go.
- Join Discussions: If the course has forums, join them. Other learners might offer insights that stick with you.
- Apply Lessons Immediately: Try using the techniques at work, in volunteer settings, or with friends.
You’ll be surprised how quickly these small changes can shape your confidence.
Conclusion
The Free Leadership and Followership Course at the Open University is more than just a collection of online modules. It’s a chance to learn, reflect, and build skills that carry over into all parts of your life.
Whether aiming for an open fellowship, exploring what university fellowships mean, or just growing your knowledge one step at a time, this course is a solid, innovative, and accessible place to begin. And the best part? It costs nothing but your time.
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