Free CPD-Accredited Beginner Certificate Course Gives Anyone a Clear, Accurate Foundation in Human Anatomy and Physiology — No Science Background Required
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited certificate course: How the Human Body Works. This free beginner-level online programme requires no prior science knowledge and covers the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology — cells, tissues, the skin, body systems, homeostasis, and the scientific methods used to study how the body functions — in plain, accessible language that anyone can follow.
The course was reviewed by Konstantinos Spanos, MD, a physician and radiology resident who holds an MSc in Clinical Anatomy. Dr. Spanos reads human anatomy on imaging every day in clinical practice and brings an active background in both medical research and health education. His expertise in translating complex anatomical and physiological concepts into language that non-medical readers can understand shaped how this course explains the human body's structures and functions without sacrificing accuracy.
The Body Everyone Has — and Most People Don't Understand
Noncommunicable diseases — cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions — now account for approximately 74 percent of all deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization. Many of these conditions are influenced by lifestyle, early recognition, and timely response. Yet most people navigate their health — and the health decisions of their families — without a foundational understanding of how their bodies actually work.
The gap is not one of motivation or intelligence. Anatomy and physiology have traditionally been the domain of medical and nursing students, taught through dense textbooks and specialist programmes pitched at healthcare professionals. For everyone else, the biology of their own bodies remains largely opaque. This matters not just at the level of individual health choices but at the level of health literacy broadly: people who lack a basic anatomical framework are less able to recognise warning signs, evaluate health information in the media, understand what a diagnosis means, or ask informed questions of healthcare providers. The result is a population that makes consequential health decisions with limited understanding of the system those decisions affect.
Medical Expertise, Everyday Language
Dr. Spanos' perspective on what this course sets out to do is direct: "Anatomy and physiology can feel intimidating. This course strips that away and gives beginners a clear, accurate map of how their own body works."
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, added: "Your body is the most complex and important system you will ever have to manage, and yet most people are never given the tools to understand it. This course changes that. Free, approachable, and built with genuine medical expertise behind it — it gives anyone the foundational knowledge to engage with their own health with more confidence."
This launch strengthens Alison's health and sciences portfolio, reinforcing its mission to make knowledge that was once accessible only to specialists freely available to everyone.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/how-the-human-body-works
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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.
