Free course: An introduction to electronics (OpenLearn)

Key facts

• From The Open University's free OpenLearn site (UK). Not a Mereka course.^[1]
• Free, about 10 hours of study, Level 2 (intermediate), in four sessions.^[1]
• Covers Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, resistor colour codes, sensor circuits and sound signals.^[1]
• Start straight away with no sign-up. A free account (age 13 or over) saves your progress and gets you a statement of participation.^[1][2]
• The statement is not a qualification and carries no credit.^[2]

What you'll do

Session 1 shows how electronic systems sense, decide and act in everyday devices^[1]. Session 2 teaches the basics of circuits: voltage, current and resistance, Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws, and reading resistor colour codes^[1]. Session 3 builds up to simple circuits, ending with designing a sensor circuit^[1]. Session 4 moves to sound: recording, sine waves, noise and filtering, and showing signals in the time and frequency domains (Fourier analysis)^[1].

No Mereka Academy course covers electrical or electronic skills, which is why this one comes from another provider^[3].

What it costs and how to start

It is free, and you can open session 1 right now without signing up^[1]. Make a free OpenLearn account if you want your progress saved and a statement of participation; you must be 13 or over to have one^[2]. The course is in English. It was first published in June 2017 and last updated in December 2019^[1].

It is Level 2, a step above an introductory course^[1]. Session 4 uses Fourier analysis, which goes beyond SPM Mathematics, so it is fine to stop after session 3.

Who it suits

You, if you enjoyed the Engineering & Skilled Trades taster and are comfortable with SPM Physics and Mathematics. It fits anyone testing an electrical or electronics route: a TVET certificate, a polytechnic diploma or a degree.

What this means for you

• Sessions 1 to 3 are the same circuit basics electricians, technicians and engineers all start with. If they click, that is a real signal.
• If session 2 feels hard, that is normal for a Level 2 course. It does not mean the trade is closed to you; TVET routes teach this hands-on.
• The statement of participation shows interest, not ability. Do not list it as a qualification.

Your next step

1. Do session 1 this week: An introduction to electronics(opens in a new tab)
2. In session 2, work out the colour code on one real resistor (or a photo of one), save your working in your Future Map, and tell the programme team at your 30-day check-in whether you want more of this.

Availability and age check

Catalogue and cost observations are dated 23 October 2026. Re-check the provider page before starting, and stop if a payment or unavailable course appears. The linked Mereka Connect agreement sets a minimum age of 16^[4]. It is not an Academy-specific registration policy; check the current Academy terms and any guardian-permission step before enrolling. Use the verified direct sign-in link below if the ordinary login screen omits the Mereka option. External courses use their own accounts and terms.

Access checked 24 October 2026: sign in to Academy with your existing Mereka identity(opens in a new tab). On first use, choose your country and continue; no second password is needed. The ordinary Academy login screen may omit the Mereka button, so use this link or the course button. External course providers use separate access rules.

Availability note, 24 October 2026: some Academy pages kept loading after sign-in during our check. If this happens, keep your work here and use an open-reading alternative or contact the First Move team. Do not enter another password or pay to get past a loading page.