GALWAY, IRELAND - 2026-10-19
Alison has achieved a new milestone on its web platform, with 22,336 people making a purchase in September 2026, the highest number recorded in a single month.
The record represents more than 22,000 individual decisions to invest further in an Alison learning journey, whether by purchasing a Certificate or Diploma to recognise their achievement.
Importantly, learning on Alison remains free. Anyone can access, study, and complete thousands of courses without paying, with purchases available as an optional next step for those who want to recognise or build further on what they have achieved.
Turning Completed Learning Into Something Graduates Can Show
Completing a course builds knowledge, but there are also times when Learners need a way to show what they have achieved.
Alison Certificates and Diplomas provide a record of completed learning that Graduates can add to their CVs, include in job applications, share with employers, or use as evidence of continued professional development. For others, purchasing a credential is a personal way of marking the completion of a learning goal they have worked towards.
That gives certification a different role from the learning itself. The course develops the knowledge or skills, while the Certificate or Diploma gives the Graduate something tangible to take away from that achievement.
Recognising Skills Gained Outside Traditional Education
People increasingly build skills throughout their careers, often outside formal degree programmes. They may be learning to use a new workplace tool, developing management skills before taking on greater responsibility, gaining knowledge for a career change, or studying independently to keep their skills current.
In that environment, being able to document completed learning can help make independently developed skills more visible.
Alison’s Certificates and Diplomas give Graduates a way to create that record after completing a course, while leaving the decision to purchase entirely with them.
A Record That Helps Keep Learning Free
Every optional purchase also plays a role in sustaining a platform that provides free learning to people around the world.
Rather than placing course content behind tuition fees, Alison’s model allows those who choose to purchase Certificates, Diplomas, and other products and services to support a platform where learning itself remains freely accessible.
September’s milestone is therefore an achievement on both sides of that model. A record 22,336 people chose to invest further in their own learning, while helping Alison continue to make education freely available to millions worldwide.
Ends
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
