Call for Applications: University of the People x IBM SkillsBuild Free Online Certificate Program 2026
Applications are open for the University of the People x IBM SkillsBuild Online Certificate Programs, giving learners the opportunity to gain practical, career-ready skills in Cybersecurity or Data Analytics at no tuition cost.
The programme is delivered online through a collaboration between University of the People (UoPeople) and IBM SkillsBuild.
Learners can earn an IBM-designed professional certificate, develop practical skills in an in-demand technology field, and earn college credits that can be applied toward a University of the People degree.
This opportunity is particularly useful for students, graduates, career switchers, and working professionals who want to build recognised technology skills without the cost of traditional training.
About University of the People
University of the People is an accredited, American, tuition-free, non-profit online university. It offers degree and certificate programmes to learners around the world through a flexible online learning model.
Through its collaboration with IBM SkillsBuild, UoPeople provides professional certificate programmes developed around skills that are relevant to today’s job market.
About IBM SkillsBuild
IBM SkillsBuild is IBM’s learning and career-development platform designed to help learners build practical skills for technology-driven careers.
The certificate programmes available through UoPeople are built around industry-relevant knowledge and are designed to help learners develop professional expertise while earning recognised credentials.
Available Certificate Programs
Learners can currently choose between two major certificate pathways:
IBM SkillsBuild Certificate in Cybersecurity
This certificate provides learners with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, terminology, security processes, and technical skills.
Participants will learn how to:
- Evaluate an organisation’s data security posture
- Identify and understand security vulnerabilities
- Perform impact analysis on identified vulnerabilities
- Understand cybersecurity risks and controls
- Design secure networks
- Work with systems and security devices
- Develop foundational knowledge for cybersecurity-related careers
The programme is suitable for individuals interested in careers such as cybersecurity analysis, security operations, network security, risk management, and related technology roles.
IBM SkillsBuild Certificate in Data Analytics
The Data Analytics certificate is designed to help learners develop the skills needed to understand data, analyse information, and communicate useful insights.
Participants will learn how to:
- Conduct the five major steps of the data analysis process
- Prepare multiple data sets for analysis
- Work with data to identify patterns and trends
- Understand essential data analytics concepts and terminology
- Use visualisations to communicate findings
- Present data insights in a clear and understandable way
- Support data-driven decision making
This pathway is suitable for learners interested in data analysis, business intelligence, reporting, analytics, and other data-focused careers.
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What Makes the Programme Valuable
One of the major advantages of this programme is that the certificates are not simply standalone short courses.
Students who successfully complete the programmes can earn college credits that may be applied toward a University of the People degree.
This means learners can begin with a professional certificate and potentially use the credits toward a larger academic qualification later.
Benefits
Participants can benefit from:
- Tuition-free online learning
- IBM-designed professional certificate
- Career-ready Cybersecurity or Data Analytics skills
- Flexible online study
- Practical, industry-relevant learning
- College credits upon successful completion
- Ability to apply earned credits toward a UoPeople degree
- Opportunity to learn directly through materials developed with IBM expertise
- A recognised credential that can strengthen a CV or professional profile
- Accessible learning for students, graduates, career switchers, and working professionals
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Who Can Apply
The programme is suitable for:
- Students
- Graduates
- Working professionals
- Career switchers
- Aspiring cybersecurity professionals
- Aspiring data analysts
- Individuals looking for recognised technology credentials
- Learners interested in eventually pursuing a UoPeople degree
- Anyone seeking flexible online professional development
The programme is online, making it accessible to learners from different countries.
Study Mode
- 100% Online
Because the programmes are delivered online, participants can study remotely without relocating.
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Certificate and College Credit
Upon completing an IBM SkillsBuild certificate programme, learners earn a professional credential and college credits.
Those credits can subsequently be applied toward an eligible University of the People degree programme, helping learners build from short-term professional training into longer-term academic study.
Programme Details
- Programme: IBM SkillsBuild Online Certificate Programs
- Partners: University of the People and IBM SkillsBuild
- Study Mode: Online
- Available Areas: Cybersecurity and Data Analytics
- Tuition: Tuition-Free
- Credential: IBM SkillsBuild Certificate
- Academic Benefit: College credits applicable toward an eligible UoPeople degree
- Target Group: Students, graduates, professionals and career switchers
- Location: Online / Global