Start Up Loans has partnered with The Open University to create Learn with Start Up Loans, a range of courses designed to help entrepreneurs succeed in business.
These courses provide a rich source of vital information for anyone who’s new to being their own boss, as well as would-be business owners who are considering taking the plunge.
Covering digital skills to bookkeeping and accounting, the courses are designed to help business owners understand more about the key aspects of running a business – from the day-to-day to growing a venture.
Alongside the business essentials, you can now find courses focusing on climate and sustainability, mental health and wellbeing, as well as trauma and grief.

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The courses provide a rich source of vital information for anyone who’s new to being their own boss, as well as would-be business owners who are considering taking the plunge.
Open University courses on offer
Here's a sample selection from the catalogue of Open University courses available.
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality
Discover more about setting up and running your own business in this free course, Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality.
Explore the course Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality
First steps in innovation and entrepreneurship
This free course provides you with a short introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship, clarifying some key themes and terminology and helping you to examine your own views about these important subjects.
Explore the course First steps in innovation and entrepreneurshipDigital and Computing

Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
This free course will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.
Explore the course Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world
This free course will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life. It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital well-being, staying safe and legal, finding and using information and online tools, and dealing with information overload.
Explore the course Digital skills: succeeding in a digital worldBusiness Diversity and Sustainability

Different types of business
This free course introduces different types of business, depending on industry sector, size and type of ownership and discusses some of the ways in which businesses differ from each other.
Explore the course Different types of business
Work and mental health
In this free course, Work and mental health, you will look at some of the ways in which employment affects mental health and what can be done to support people in finding and keeping work.
Explore the course Work and mental health
Entrepreneurial impressions
In this free course you will be encouraged to unpack your own experiences of, and perceptions about, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.
Explore the course Entrepreneurial impressions – reflectionFinance and accounting

Fundamentals of accounting
This free course, Fundamentals of accounting, will introduce you to the essential concepts and skills of bookkeeping and accounting in four weeks.
Explore the course Fundamentals of accounting
Introduction to the context of accounting
This free course, Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting, explains the fundamental rules of double-entry bookkeeping and how they are used to produce the balance sheet and the profit and loss account.
Explore the course Introduction to the context of accountingMarketing and commercial awareness

Marketing Communications in the digital age
This course uses theories and models to explain marketing communications and provides examples of how to effectively manage the marketing communications process.
Explore the course Marketing Communications in the digital age
Commerical Awareness
This short course encourages you to look across your organisation, at your place within it and the value you create. It considers how getting different perspectives and widening existing ones within your organisation can enhance commercial awareness.
Explore the course Commerical Awareness
Marketing in the 21st century
This free course, Marketing in the 21st century, offers a managerial perspective on how to deliver more effective marketing in an organisation, regardless of whether it is based in the private, public or non-profit sector.
Explore the course Marketing in the 21st centuryCollaboration and Communication

Working in diverse teams
This course will help you consider your experience of working in teams and the different roles you play in them. It will increase your confidence in marketing this key skill to employers as well improve your ability to perform well in teams you are currently part of.
Explore the course Working in diverse teams
Business Communication: writing a SWOT analysis
This free course, Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis, is designed to develop your writing skills for business.
Explore the course Business Communication: writing a SWOT analysisSign up for our newsletter
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