The Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026 is a self-paced, fully online introductory programme by The Open University, designed to help learners develop practical leadership skills and understand the critical role of followership in team success. Running over eight weeks at approximately three hours per week, the course awards a free digital badge, a statement of participation, and 24 CPD-accredited points upon completion. No application fee applies, and the course carries no enrolment deadline — learners may start at any time.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Free Online Course with Certificate & Digital Badge |
| Organising Body | The Open University (OpenLearn) |
| Mode | Fully Online, Self-Paced |
| Duration | 8 Weeks (approximately 3 hours per week) |
| Course Level | Introductory (Level 1) |
| Deadline | No deadline — self-paced, enrol anytime |
About the Program
The Open University’s OpenLearn platform developed the Leadership and Followership Course to give learners at all career stages structured, accessible exposure to both leadership theory and the equally important dynamics of effective followership. The course actively combines reflective exercises, real-world leadership examples, and practical skill-building activities to help participants develop a personal leadership growth plan. Furthermore, its CPD accreditation and 24 awarded CPD points make it a professionally recognised addition to any learner’s development portfolio, particularly for those working toward leadership roles in their field.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- The course is open to everyone; no prior qualifications or academic background are required.
- Learners must be 13 years of age or older to create an account and track their progress on the OpenLearn platform.
Experience & Other Conditions
- No application fee applies at any stage of enrolment.
- Learners aged 13 to 15 may experience account creation issues on the Safari browser; The Open University recommends using Chrome or Firefox instead.
- The course suits beginners, existing professionals, and anyone seeking to build or strengthen leadership and teamwork capabilities regardless of current role or industry.
Course Rewards & Benefits
The Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026 provides three distinct recognition outcomes upon successful completion of the course content and quizzes.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Digital Badge | Free Open University digital badge — downloadable and shareable online |
| Statement of Participation | Free certificate issued upon course completion |
| CPD Points | 24 CPD-accredited points awarded |
| CPD Accreditation | Course carries formal CPD accreditation |
| Cost | Completely free — no enrolment fee |
What You Will Learn
- Understand different leadership styles and evaluate how they align with your own personality and professional context
- Identify key leadership competencies and honestly assess your current strengths and areas for development
- Define followership from both the leader’s perspective and the follower’s perspective, recognising its importance in high-performing teams
- Analyse how strong, principled leadership actively helps teams navigate and resolve common organisational challenges
- Reflect on personal and professional experiences and consequently develop a structured, actionable personal leadership improvement plan
How to Enrol
- Visit the official Open University OpenLearn course page for the Leadership and Followership Course 2026.
- Click Sign In at the top right of the page; if you do not already have an OpenLearn account, click Create Account — note that you must be 13 years of age or older to register.
- If you are aged 13 to 15 and encounter issues on Safari, switch to Chrome or Firefox before creating your account.
- Once logged in, click the Start This Free Course button to begin your learning journey.
- Complete the weekly content modules and associated quizzes at your own pace throughout the eight-week programme.
- After successfully completing all course content and quizzes, download your free digital badge and statement of participation directly from your OpenLearn account.
Important Dates & Links
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | No deadline — self-paced, open enrolment |
| Course Duration | 8 Weeks (approximately 3 hours per week) |
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Enrol Now | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enrol in the Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026?
Anyone aged 13 or older can enrol – the course is open to all nationalities, backgrounds, and experience levels at no cost.
What credentials does the Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026 award?
Completers receive a free digital badge, a statement of participation, and 24 CPD-accredited points upon finishing all course content and quizzes.
Is there a deadline to complete the Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026?
No. The course is fully self-paced with no enrolment or completion deadline, allowing learners to progress at their own convenience.
How long does the Free Leadership and Followership Course 2026 take to complete?
The course runs over eight weeks at approximately three hours per week, totalling around 24 hours of learning across the full programme.
Is the digital badge formally accredited by The Open University?
The digital badge is not formally accredited by the university; however, the course itself carries CPD accreditation and awards 24 CPD points, making it a credible and professionally recognised learning achievement.