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Free data analyst courses (UK)

Can you learn data analysis for free in the UK? Yes. These 9 courses are free to learn and cover Excel, SQL, Power BI (with PL-300 exam preparation), Python and machine learning on engineering and manufacturing data, about 137 hours in all. A certificate of completion is optional (£19 including VAT) and is not accredited. Start with Excel, then SQL, then Power BI, then Python.

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9 free Data analytics courses

Showing 9 of 9 courses

Practise as you learn

Watching is a start. Do it in the Lab, free.

The EDWartens Lab runs in your browser, with nothing to install. It is a practice environment, not the vendors' own software.

  • Train a model and test it without leaking data
  • Move the decision threshold and watch precision and recall change
  • Weigh the cost of errors before you trust a result
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Data analytics in the UK

Which course first

The order is also a free learning path for engineers, with the hours added up.

How people become data analysts in the UK

Checked 28 October 2026

The National Careers Service profile for a data analyst-statistician lists a university course, a college course (including the T Level in Digital Data Analytics), an apprenticeship or a graduate training scheme as routes in. Many employers also look for SQL, Excel or Power BI skills and examples of your work, so a portfolio helps. We cannot say what any one employer will require.

What this is not

  • It is not a university, Microsoft or Google qualification, and the certificate is not accredited.
  • The Power BI course prepares you for Microsoft's PL-300 exam. It is independent preparation: the exam is paid and set by Microsoft.
  • It is not government funded, and it does not promise a job. Some funded courses and Skills Bootcamps include data skills, so look at the National Careers Service course finder and our funded routes table for what you may qualify for.

Practise on real-looking data

After the courses, try the Data Analyst job simulation: clean messy data, answer a business question and present it. Days 1 to 5 are free, and it is practice, not employment. See what is advertised in data and analytics jobs.

Questions

Data analytics: common questions

Last reviewed 28 October 2026.

Can I learn data analysis for free in the UK?
Yes. These courses are free to learn. The certificate of completion is optional, £19 including VAT, and is not accredited.
Do I need a degree to be a data analyst?
Not always. The National Careers Service lists a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship or a graduate scheme as routes in (checked 28 October 2026), and many employers ask for SQL, Excel or Power BI skills and a portfolio. Requirements vary by employer.
Is there a government-funded data analyst course?
Skills Bootcamps and other funded courses sometimes include data skills for eligible adults in England. Check the National Careers Service course finder and gov.uk for what is open to you; our funded routes table explains who qualifies.
Which course should I start with?
Excel for Engineers, then SQL for PLC and SCADA Engineers, then Power BI, then Python.
Is the PL-300 course Microsoft's own?
No. It is independent exam preparation. Microsoft sets and charges for the PL-300 exam, and our certificate is not a Microsoft certification.

Next steps

Practise, then apply

Job simulations (practice, not employment)

UK jobs

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