edX Online

Online finance courses and programs

Finance is more than money management. Building financial skills can unlock many roles, from financial advisor to financial analyst. Enroll in an online finance course from edX today.

Why learn finance?

Consider taking a finance course to learn how to:

  • Achieve financial freedom
  • Allocate assets for retirement
  • Kickstart a career in banking

What is finance?

Finance encompasses all the decisions that involve money for individuals, businesses, and public entities.

Personal finance refers to individual or household financial management. Skills in personal finance include:

  • Managing credit card debt and personal assets
  • Saving for retirement
  • Understanding and filing your taxes
  • Budgeting for household expenses

Corporate finance involves the management of assets, liabilities, debt, and revenue for a business.

Corporate finance professionals are experts in key areas of finance, such as risk management, budgeting, financial analysis, and decision-making. Public finance has several components, including tax revenue management, public debt issuance, and budget planning.

Browse online Finance Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Related Topics

Finance curriculum

Short- and long-term programs exist to teach fundamental or advanced finance topics. You can compare programs to identify one that fits your budget, timeline, and education goals.

Courses

Courses teach specific financial topics in 4-12 weeks. You can pursue a course to learn about a new subject or acquire a specific skill. Online finance courses may be free or offer paid upgrades that give you unlimited access to the course material and a certificate upon completion. Course upgrades cost $50-$300 and include graded assignments. Popular finance course topics include:

  • Intro to stock trading
  • Foundations of finance
  • Principles of economics
  • Financial accounting

Certificates

Certificate programs consist of a series of online finance courses that teach students a new skill. This new skill can be applied toward your current job or act as a jumping off point for a new career. These programs take 2-10 months to complete and usually cost $500-$1,500. Certificate programs can offer flexible schedules and cover important financial topics, including:

Executive education programs

Finance executive education programs teach specialized subject matter and offer networking opportunities to high-level employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders. These programs cover finance topics, leadership skills, negotiation tactics, and problem-solving methods. Executive education programs typically offer flexibility, take 6-8 weeks to complete, and cost between $2,500 and $3,500. Program topics include:

  • Algorithmic trading
  • Managerial finance
  • Investment management
  • Venture capital

Degrees

Degree programs include courses of study that lead to a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. These multi-year programs cost $10,000-$200,000. Bachelor's programs take a minimum of four years to complete, while master's programs take two. You can pursue a degree to build foundational or advanced finance knowledge, depending on the degree level. Common finance degree choices include:

How to get started in finance

Personal finance pathway

  • Study financial topics: You can study financial topics at your own pace by enrolling in online finance courses or programs. An introductory financial course can offer an entry point to a new field.
  • Identify your financial goals: You should identify your financial goals, whether that includes reducing debt, saving money, or planning for retirement.
  • Take a personal finance course: Personal finance courses can teach you how to analyze your spending and grow your assets. You may benefit from personal finance courses by setting financial goals and identifying common financial mistakes.
  • Consider hiring a financial advisor: Financial advisors help clients understand financial products, taxes, and net worth. You can work with a financial advisor to make a budget and create a retirement plan.


More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

    Frequently asked questions about finance courses

    Last updated July 2, 2025