Whether you are a beginner simply prodding into anatomy or a student already in a medical program, with so many online courses on anatomy, getting into the subject has never been easier or more accessible. With our list of free and affordable online courses on anatomy, you can either start and finish an intro course during your one-hour lunch break or get access to the Harvard Medical School’s labs and operating rooms right from the comfort of your bed.

Here are our handpicked free and affordable online courses on anatomy.

Introductory Courses on General Anatomy

1. Anatomy Basics – Intro to Studying Human Anatomy

Requiring only an hour to finish, this course is perfect for those who are just beginning to look into studying anatomy. This course will cover the most basic knowledge, such as common terminology and general anatomical structures. Before the end of this course, you’ll get the gist of the subject well enough to choose to either go deeper or simply stop here.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $10.99 on sale ($19.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 1 hour
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

Note: Prices for all courses listed in this article are true on the date of publishing, but are subject to change.

2. Anatomy and Physiology I

Teaching on the human body and its systems, this course will help you understand and identify the basic anatomical structures, get comfortable with proper field-specific terminology, understand the chemical, cellular and tissue levels of organization of the body and how different body parts contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis, the state of stable internal physical and chemical conditions. Divided into eight sections, this course sweeps through a vast variety of topics, such as the skeletal and nervous system.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $11.99 on sale ($39.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 5 hours
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

3. Easy Anatomy and Physiology

Covering a vast range of topics in anatomy and physiology, this course consists of short animated video lectures and supplementary readings from their highly recommended ebook “An Easy Guide to Learning Anatomy and Physiology.” Since anatomy and physiology are very terminology-heavy subjects, hard to swallow all at once, you will very much appreciate the step-by-step approach of this course.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $11.99 on sale (19.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

4. Instant Anatomy: A Course in Human Anatomy

Taught by Robert Whitaker, a retired pediatric urological surgeon and currently a professor of applied topographical anatomy in Cambridge University, this course is a very comprehensive introduction on human anatomy with an emphasis on surgical implications. Broken down into five big topics — limbs, thorax, abdomen, head and neck and embryology — you will learn about various components of the human body.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $49.99
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 22 hours, 30 minutes
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

Introductory Courses on Studying for Anatomy

5. Improve your Anatomy grade today!

Because of its sheer number of terms and concepts to memorize, anatomy is definitely one of the most daunting subjects for many students. Unfortunately, even before getting to the actual application, many students end up giving up on the subject. However, this course is for those who are wanting to give their second try to anatomy, or even better, for first timers to make the usually overwhelming process much enjoyable. This course offers study and exam-taking tips and strategies based on brain science.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $10.99 on sale ($29.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

6. How to Remember Anatomy for a Lifetime!

Similar to the course above, but more focused on tips on memorization, this course offers the best mnemonics and techniques to help you study effectively, retaining anatomy concepts and information for longer duration. With over 200 tips and strategies and 500 illustrations and images, this course takes you step by step through seven different sections of the human body and puts you to practicing right away.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $10.99 on sale ($49.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 3 hours
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

Introductory Courses on Specific Topics in Anatomy

7. Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life

Offered by the University of Chicago, this course starts with covering the basic structure and functions of the human brain. Then, you will use the basic knowledge to understand how the human brain perceives the outside world, communicates through and within neurons, and order our bodies to move voluntarily. You will also learn about the different types of diseases and disorders of the nervous system that can affect our bodies and minds. Lastly, you will learn about abstract cognitive functions, such as emotion, attention, and memory.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: Free to enroll for the first 7 days and $49 per month after that
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: Approximately 50 hours
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Coursera

8. Brain Anatomy – Learn Biopsychology Science Quickly & Easily

Requiring only an hour to complete, this course is very beginner-friendly, starting with the very basic topics in the human brain anatomy. Before the end of the course, you will be able to identify and explain the basic structures and functions of the human brain. Although brain anatomy, like most other topics in anatomy, can be very heavy on terminology, this course breaks down complex terminology with simple terms and helpful memory tools to help students feel less overwhelmed.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: $10.99 on sale (19.99 regular price)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 1 hour
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Udemy

9. Anatomy of the Abdomen and Pelvis; a Journey from Basis to Clinic

Offered by the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, this course teaches on both the theory and practice of the human abdomen and pelvis, organs for digesting food. You will learn about the anatomical structure and functions of these organs as well as today’s advanced application in surgical procedures. You will be able to discuss both the anatomical and clinical problems with peers and experts in forum-based lessons.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: Free to enroll for the first 7 days and $49 per month after that
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: Approximately 33 hours
Languages: English with subtitles in English and Russian
Vendor: Coursera

10. Anatomy: Know Your Abdomen

Offered by the University of Leeds in the UK, this course teaches specifically on the human abdomen. Instead of the surgical approaches, this course goes more in depth about the organization and functions of the human abdomen. Before the end of this course, you will be equipped with a very strong foundation that you will have less trouble applying what you learned into practice.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Achievement only
Price: Free ($39 for unlimited access to this course and a Certificate of Achievement, or $269 per year for unlimited access to all FutureLearn courses for a year and a Certificate of Achievement)
Financial aid or scholarships: NO
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 2 weeks (2 hours weekly study suggested)
Languages: English
Vendor: Future Learn

11. Going Out on a Limb: Anatomy of the Upper Limb

Offered by the University of Pennsylvania and taught by the university’s award-winning anatomy professor, Dr. James S. White, this course is focused specifically on the anatomy of the upper limb. Since this course is designed for beginners, you will start with covering the basic human anatomical terminology. Then, you will apply the basic knowledge to identify bones and muscles of the upper limb. You will also learn about the innervation and blood supply of the upper limb.

College credits: NO — Verified Certificate only
Price: FREE, but there’s a $49 fee to earn and purchase a Verified Certificate
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 6 weeks (2–3 hours per week)
Languages: English
Vendor: edX

Intermediate Courses on Specific Topics in Anatomy

12. Anatomy of the Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis

Offered by Yale University, this course teaches on the makeup of specific parts of the human body, starting with lungs, then to mediastinum, the space between both lungs inside the chest cavity, then to the heart and abdomen, and ending with both male and female pelvis and perineum. Note that this course is for intermediate level students and those who can handle videos and images of human dissection. All of the dissections depicted in the course videos are from individuals who donated their remains to be used for the advancement of medical education and research after death.

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: Free to enroll for the first 7 days and $49 per month after that
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: Approximately 17 hours
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Coursera

13. Applied Anatomy of the Locomotor System

Offering both theoretical and practical knowledge on anatomy, this course focuses on the locomotor system, consisting of the skeletal, articular and muscular systems that work together to produce body movements. Before the end of the course, you will be able to not only describe the structure and functions of the locomotor system, but also recognize common disorders, pathologies and injury patterns of the system. Note that this course is for intermediate level students.

College credits: NO — Verified Certificate only
Price: FREE, but there’s a $60 fee to earn and purchase a Verified Certificate
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 8 weeks (10–12 hours per week)
Languages: English
Vendor: edX

14. Human Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Cases

Offered by Harvard Medical School, this online course teaches specifically on both the theory and practice of musculoskeletal anatomy. Before the end of the course, you will be able to not only describe the fundamentals of musculoskeletal anatomy, but also examine hypothetical patients, go through Harvard’s histology lab, read and analyze plain films, CT films, MRI and radiology images, and be familiar with five of the most common musculoskeletal injuries seen in clinical practice. Also, you will observe the actual dissections in the Harvard Medical School anatomy labs and accompany hypothetical patients through a virtual operating room. Note that this is for intermediate level students.

College credits: NO — Verified Certificate only
Price: FREE, but there is a fee to earn and purchase a Verified Certificate
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: 7 weeks (3–6 hours per week)
Languages: English
Vendor: edX

Introductory Programs on General Anatomy

15. Anatomy Specialization

Offered by the University of Michigan, this program is designed for complete beginners, taking students step by step through a vast number of topics in anatomy. With the help of highly visual multimedia library of accurate anatomical models and materials, you will be able to master the features of different organ systems in relation to the whole human body and its function.

The 4 courses:

Course 1 — Anatomy: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems

Course 2 — Anatomy: Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Urinary Systems

Course 3 — Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy

Course 4 — Anatomy: Gastrointestinal, Reproductive and Endocrine Systems

College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
Price: Free to enroll for the first 7 days and $49 per month after that
Financial aid or scholarships: YES
Mobile learning: YES
Self-paced learning: YES
Flexible deadlines: YES
Time needed for completion: Approximately 2 months (suggested 10 hours per week)
Languages: English with subtitles in English
Vendor: Coursera

For more online courses, check TUN’s list of curated classes, or use the online classes search engine to find the best online courses in any subject.

Best Online Courses and Programs on Anatomy