If you’re a high schooler looking for an accessible way to engage with philosophy, consider an online course!
Exploring free online philosophy programs designed for high schoolers can help you develop skills like critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and analytical writing—all without the logistical hurdles of attending in-person courses.
Unlike in-person, research-focused opportunities that focus on mainly enhancing your college applications, these philosophy courses and programs below are fully-virtual, flexible in terms of commitment required, and allow you to regularly test your knowledge via tests/quizzes!
Here are 10 such free online philosophy programs for high school students:
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program-Philosophy Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Cost: Financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project.
At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as philosophy, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)-Philosophy Track
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Cost: Financial aid available
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as philosophy, data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! They also offer you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. In the philosophy track, you explore complex ideas, engage in critical analysis, and develop original arguments on topics ranging from ethics and metaphysics to political philosophy and epistemology.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Buddhism Through Its Scriptures @Harvard University
Subject Areas: Buddhism
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free to audit. $149 to add a verified certificate
This Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences course welcomes everyone interested in Buddhism, whether you’re new to the subject or have prior experience. It offers a comprehensive exploration of Buddhist teachings, encouraging reflection and self-discovery.
With selected readings—ranging from scripture to informational texts—and exposure to practices like art, devotion, and literature, you will gain tools to interpret and apply Buddhist principles to your life. This program is also an opportunity to understand how to apply ancient texts and wisdom to contemporary life.
4. Philosophy for Teens
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Ethics, Morality
Location: Online
Eligibility: Ages 12-18
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Philosophy for Teens offers courses for secondary school and college students to explore foundational philosophical questions through interactive discussions. You will engage with ideas from renowned philosophers, including the Ancient Greeks, and develop critical thinking skills, in a collaborative environment. The programs are six sessions long, typically an hour each, and are available online via Zoom or in person, with options for tailored courses.
For more details, visit Philosophy for Teens.
5. Uni of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy Online Classes
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Ethics, Morality
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
The University of Edinburgh offers free online philosophy courses, including “Introduction to Philosophy,” “Philosophy and the Sciences,” and “Know Thyself.” Through these programs you can explore topics like morality, science, and self-knowledge, aiming to make philosophical education accessible globally.
Designed for all backgrounds, they emphasize critical thinking and intellectual engagement. Learn more about it here: Edinburgh Philosophy MOOCs.
6. Philosophy Courses @Class Central
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Political Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Class Central offers a range of philosophy courses, many of which are free, covering topics like ethics, metaphysics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of science. These programs are hosted by universities like Harvard, MIT, and the University of Edinburgh.
You can explore introductory courses, advanced topics, or niche areas like existentialism and AI ethics. The platform is designed for self-paced learning, allowing you to develop philosophical inquiry and critical thinking skills.
Learn more: Class Central Philosophy Programs.
7. Arthur Holmes’: A History of Philosophy
Subject Areas: History of Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Arthur Holmes’ lecture series from Wheaton College is an introduction to philosophers, like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and Sartre. Designed to explore the history of thought, the course deeply explores philosophical concepts. Available for self-paced study, it takes you through a comprehensive journey through the evolution of philosophy.
8. History of Ancient Philosophy with Adam Rosenfeld
Subject Areas: History of Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
In this video series, Professor Adam Rosenfeld from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro introduces you to the foundational thinkers of Western civilization. From the early philosophers to the Stoics, the course examines the evolution of ideas that shaped the modern world and their lasting influence today. Accessible and beginner-friendly, this series could be helpful for you if you’re looking to explore philosophy.
9. Indian Philosophy Lectures
Subject Areas: Indian Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
If you’re interested in exploring non-Western philosophical traditions, you could start with this introductory course on Indian philosophy. Over 42 video lectures, you’ll be introduced to core concepts from the Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Taught by Professor Satya Sundar Sethy from the Indian Institute of Technology, this course is suitable for beginners and allows you to learn at your own pace. No prior philosophical knowledge is required.
10. Free Philosophy Courses
Subject Areas: Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: Open to all
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
This website offers a free philosophy syllabus designed for students who lack access to formal courses. It combines resources from platforms like MIT OpenCourseWare, Academic Earth, iTunes U, and YouTube to provide accessible humanities education. You should note that this is more of an aggregator of solid philosophy courses than a course itself!
Image soure – Harvard University logo
