MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) makes it easy to browse and explore thousands of MIT course materials — all available for free. This guide explains where to go, how to search, and how to filter content so learners can quickly find what they need.
Where do I start?
You can access all OCW content directly at:
No account or login is required. When you arrive on the homepage, you’ll find multiple ways to browse and search for courses.
How do I search for a course?
1. Use the search bar
At the top of the site, type keywords such as:
Course title (“Physics I”)
Topic (“machine learning,” “economics”)
MIT course number (“6.006”)
This is the fastest way to look up a specific course.
How do I browse by subject?
OCW organizes its materials into broad academic categories such as:
Engineering
Science
Mathematics
Humanities
Social Sciences
Architecture and Planning
Management
Click “Courses” or “Find Courses” to browse all subjects and explore available classes.
How do I access a course once I find it?
Simply click on the course title. You will see a course homepage containing:
A syllabus
Lecture notes or videos
Assignments and exams
Readings
Downloadable materials
You can study at your own pace — no signup required.
Is OpenCourseWare the same as taking an MIT course?
OCW provides free access to MIT course materials, but it is not an interactive course platform. OCW does not offer:
Certificates
Grades
Instructor interaction
Learners who want a structured learning experience or a certificate should enroll in courses through MIT Learn.