FutureLearn

The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Michigan,
The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know (FutureLearn)

Explore the science and research behind individual success and learn practical ways of reaching your goals at work and in life. Explore the science and research behind individual success and learn practical ways of reaching your goals at work and in life. What predicts success in life? And how can you achieve the success you desire? On this course, alongside experts from the University of Michigan, you’ll explore decades of scientific research on what the most successful people do differently.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

You’ll discover why your IQ isn’t necessarily a reliable predictor of success and why many commonly accepted beliefs are often limiting when it comes to achieving your goals.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand how small, achievable actions will help you exceed your goals faster and you’ll be able to create a plan of action to get there.

What topics will you cover?
Although this course is based on the science of success, you will learn many practical ideas that you can apply to your own life immediately, particularly in three main areas:

  • Getting better results at work (and school)
  • Achieving career success (however you define success)
  • Enjoying a meaningful, happy, and healthy life

You will also learn what predicts success in life. You will also create a personalized action plan which will help you succeed.

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Apply and learn four strategies for success that researchers have discovered that the most successful people do differently than others
  • Apply the lessons you learn in this course to your own life immediately, which will bring you closer to achieving your most treasured life goals

Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone who’d like to know how to plan for a more meaningful, happy, and healthy life or career.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera) Coursera
Indian School of Business - ISB

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera)

Health & Society Social Sciences

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life? This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Psychology Plato
Details
Communication in the 21st Century Workplace (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Communication in the 21st Century Workplace (Coursera)

Business

In today's fast-paced business environment, employees at all levels find themselves being asked to handle more tasks, meet more deadlines, take on more responsibilities, and adapt to more change. Added to these challenges is the constantly shifting diversity of the workplace, where coworkers cope with generational, gender, age and cultural differences. Communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is at the foundation of everything we do and say, and is especially important in the 21st century workplace. The good news is that communication is a learned skill, and can be improved upon with the right training. The focus of this course is to heighten students’ awareness of workplace communication, and add new interpersonal skills, with the end result of becoming a more competent communicator overall.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Workplace Communication Business Communication
Details
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work (edX) EdX
University of California, Berkeley,BerkeleyX

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work (edX)

Business

Learn research-based skills to strengthen empathy and trust, improve collaboration, and create more innovative, productive, and satisfying experiences at work. One of the key insights from the science of happiness is that our own personal happiness depends heavily on our relationships with others. By tuning into the needs of other people, we actually enhance our own emotional well-being.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Productivity Emotional Intelligence Happiness
Details
The Science of Happiness (edX) EdX
University of California, Berkeley,BerkeleyX

The Science of Happiness (edX)

Social Sciences Personal and Professional Development

The first MOOC to teach positive psychology. Learn science-based principles and practices for a happy, meaningful life. "A free eight-week Science of Happiness course that will offer practical, research-backed tips on living a happy and meaningful life." - Huffington Post. We all want to be happy, and there are countless ideas about what happiness is and how we can get some. But not many of those ideas are based on science. That’s where this course comes in.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Psychology Positive Psychology Happiness
Details
Roadmap to Success in Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Roadmap to Success in Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera)

CS: Information & Technology CS: Design & Product

Learners will create a roadmap to achieve their own personal goals related to the digital manufacturing and design (DM&D) profession, which will help them leverage relevant opportunities. The culminating project provides a tangible element to include in their professional portfolios that showcases their knowledge of Industry 4.0.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Self-Assessment Success Mechanical Engineering
Details
Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera)

Humanities

Do we truly think that we have lived for ourselves? Perhaps we have lived for money, love, fame, family and pride etc.? Therefore, we don’t seem to be satisfied even though we are full of those things. It is because that we don’t know ourselves. Eric Fromm talked about human nature as two modes of being: “To Have” and “To Be”. If we are “Having” the nature of possessions, we are not satisfied, and feel empty and futile. Then, how can we be “Being” the nature of our inner-selves? Sometimes, we happened to be aware of this “Being” nature and try to change ourselves, but fail. But, because of our daily routines, it’s easily forgotten. And more it is hard to escape from our unwanted minds controlling us.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Mind Happiness
Details
Career Credentials: Evidence Your Expertise in Digital Literacy (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Deakin University

Career Credentials: Evidence Your Expertise in Digital Literacy (FutureLearn)

CS: Information & Technology Business

Discover what digital literacy is and why your ability to evidence skills in this area is critical for career success. Digital literacy is more than knowing how to use a smartphone or a computer. In an increasingly digitised world, digital literacy is now just as important as traditional literacy. So, it’s no surprise that employer demand for skills in this area has surged.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Career Digital Literacy Career Success
Details
Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Leiden University

Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Personal and Professional Development

Discover the science of mindfulness, learn how it works and why, from a political, psychological, and philosophical perspective. Experience mindfulness for yourself, and learn whether it really works. Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown rapidly in recent years. These practises are increasingly being seen as scientifically and psychologically valid forms of therapy.

Jul 5th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Philosophy Psychology Ethics
Details
Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

We all negotiate on a daily basis. On a personal level, we negotiate with friends, family, landlords, car sellers and employers, among others. Negotiation is also the key to business success. No business can survive without profitable contracts. Within a company, negotiation skills can lead to your career advancement.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Strategy Success
Details
Let’s Get Happy: Happiness Drives Performance (edX) EdX
University of Maryland, College Park,University System of Maryland - USM,USMx,UMD

Let’s Get Happy: Happiness Drives Performance (edX)

Business

Great leaders, create great culture, which yields great work: G3. Leadership requires skills and is in greater demand. Are you ready to lead when the call comes? Would you like to refresh your leadership skills? If so, this course is for you. In this course you will learn about great culture – the goal of every great leader. Find out how happy you are personally and at work, be able to make the case for happiness at work as a critical strategic approach, understand how happy project and technical professionals are right how, and learn how to build you own personal happiness and happiness at work.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Business Leadership Leader
Details