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Video editing has become an integral part of content creation today. Whether you want to create YouTube videos, market products online, or make short films, having video editing skills is very useful. Fortunately, there are many free video editing courses available online to help you get started.
In this article, we will look at 15 of the best free video editing courses with certification that you can take to hone your skills. These courses use popular software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and more to teach you the fundamentals as well as advanced techniques of video editing.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere
Provider: Udemy
Duration: 25 hours 42 minutes
Certificate: Yes
This comprehensive Adobe Premiere Pro course takes you from beginner to advanced techniques of video editing using this popular software. Through 25+ hours of on-demand video, you‘ll learn video editing fundamentals like the workflow, editing tools, basic effects, audio editing and more.
Advanced topics like color grading, motion graphics, 360 VR editing are also covered. By the end of the course, you‘ll have a firm grasp on using Premiere Pro for professional video editing.
Key topics:
- Video editing basics
- Using editing tools
- Audio editing
- Color grading footage
- Creating motion graphics
- Exporting videos
Features:
- Interactive lessons
- Downloadable resources
- Certificate on completion
- Full lifetime access
2. Video Editing with Final Cut Pro X – From Beginner to YouTuber
Provider: Skillshare
Duration: 3 hours 16 minutes
Certificate: Yes
This introductory Final Cut Pro course takes you from basics to creating videos like a YouTuber. Through 8 lessons, you‘ll explore video editing concepts like storytelling, Final Cut Pro interface and tools, editing techniques, adding graphics and audio, and more.
The instructor also shares tips and best practices followed by YouTubers for creating compelling videos efficiently. This serves as a great starting point for learning FCPX.
Key topics:
- Final Cut Pro basics
- Editing workflows
- Syncing external audio
- Adding titles & transitions
- Color correction
- Sharing videos
Features:
- Interactive lessons
- Exercise files
- Certificate on completion
- Accessible on mobile
3. Introduction to Video Editing
Provider: Alison
Duration: 2 hours
Certificate: Yes
Alison‘s video editing course introduces you to the basic concepts, timeline workflows and tools used in video editing software. Through articles and videos, you‘ll learn about editing principles like continuity and pacing, three-point editing, using cutaway shots, transitions, audio mixing and more.
This serves as an excellent introductory course to video editing before you start using software like Premiere Pro or Final Cut.
Key topics:
- Video editing basics
- Editing principles
- Tools and timeline workflows
- Mixing audio
- Adding cutaways, transitions
Features:
- Interactive lessons
- Assessment quizzes
- Certificate on completion
- Free access
4. Intermediate Video Editing Techniques
Provider: Udemy
Duration: 1 hour
Certificate: Yes
Once you know the fundamentals, this short course helps take your video editing skills to the next level. Through 10 lectures, you‘ll learn techniques like color grading, using LUTs, audio effects, adding stock videos/images, using green screen footage, and more.
You‘ll also learn how to create cool title effects for your videos after taking this intermediate techniques course.
Key topics:
- Color grading clips
- Audio effects
- Adding stock media
- Green screen editing
- Creating text animations
Features:
- Easy to understand
- Exercise files
- Certificate on completion
- Lifetime access
5. Lightworks Beginner Video Editing Tutorials
Provider: YouTube
Duration: 3 hours
Lightworks is a free and open-source video editing software used by professional editors around the world. This YouTube playlist packs 3 hours of beginner video editing tutorials using Lightworks to take you from basics to an intermediate level.
You‘ll learn aspects like the interface, project setup, editing timeline, trimming clips, audio editing, color correction, outputting videos and more.
Key topics:
- Getting started with Lightworks
- Editing fundamentals
- Trimming techniques
- Audio editing
- Color grading
- Sharing edited videos
Features:
- Free access
- Step-by-step video guidance
- Hands-on learning
- Additional resources
6. DaVinci Resolve Fundamentals Course
Provider: Blackmagic Design
Duration: 5 hours
Certificate: Yes
If you want to take up color grading and post-production along with video editing, DaVinci Resolve is perfect. This official course from Blackmagic Design covers the fundamentals of editing in DaVinci Resolve 18 through 7 modules.
You‘ll learn editing concepts like trimming, adding transitions, multi-cam editing as well as color correction, visual effects, Fairlight audio tools, project delivery and more.
Key topics:
- Editing basics
- Trimming clips
- Multicam editing
- Adding vfx & titles
- Color correction
- Fairlight audio editing
Features:
- Video lessons
- Exercise files
- Glossary of terms
- Certificate on completion
7. Introduction to Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro
Provider: LinkedIn Learning
Duration: 1 hour 49 minutes
Certificate: Yes (LinkedIn Premium)
This beginner‘s course helps you get started with editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro. Through bite-sized videos, you‘ll learn importing media, audio editing, adding transitions, titles, keyboard shortcuts, exporting and more.
Additional tutorials take you through more creative techniques like animating still images, color correcting footage and round tripping to Audition.
Key topics:
- Getting started
- Basic video editing
- Animating stills
- Audio editing
- Color correction
- Keyboard shortcuts
Features:
- Concise video tutorials
- Exercise files
- Interactive quizzes
- Certificate on completion
8. Introduction to Video Post Production Workflow
Provider: Udemy
Duration: 1 hour
Certificate: Yes
While most courses teach you video editing software, understanding the post-production workflow is also very important. This course explains the typical workflow followed by video editors through 7 lectures.
You‘ll learn the technical and creative stages like ingesting footage, backing up media, rough cuts, review & feedback, color correction, audio sweetening, final output and more.
Key topics:
- Post-production basics
- Workflow stages
- Project organization
- Rough cuts vs final edits
- Sweetening audio
- Final deliverables
Features:
- Easy to understand
- Visual examples
- Certificate on completion
- Lifetime access
9. Color Grading and Color Correction with Davinci
Provider: Udemy
Duration: 3 hours
Certificate: Yes
While DaVinci Resolve offers advanced color correction tools, they have a learning curve. This course teaches easy techniques to color grade footage in Resolve 16 without needing years of experience.
Using project examples, the instructor guides you through primary and secondary corrections, matching shots, creating LUTs and looks, skin smoothing and more to creatively enhance your videos.
Key topics:
- Color correction basics
- Primary vs secondary
- Creating custom LUTs
- Skin smoothing
- Matching shots
Features:
- Practice activities
- FAQs section
- Certificate on completion
- Moneyback guarantee
10. OpenShot Video Editor for Beginners Course
Provider: YouTube
Duration: 49 minutes
OpenShot is an open source video editing tool that‘s easy for beginners to pick up. This free YouTube course takes you through the basics of OpenShot through 8 video lessons with project files.
You‘ll learn aspects like the layout, adding media, trimming clips, animating, adding titles & transitions, audio editing and exporting videos using easy drag and drop tools.
Key topics:
- Interface overview
- Cutting clips
- Adding animations
- Custom titles
- Background audio
- Final exports
Features:
- Easy to follow along
- 8 video lessons
- Practice files
- Additional resources
11. Apple Motion 5 Tutorials for Beginners
Provider: YouTube
Duration: 2 hours
Besides editing, animated motion graphics make videos engaging. This free course with 10 tutorials helps you get started with motion graphics and VFX in Apple Motion 5.
Through easy-to-follow videos, you‘ll learn working with behaviors, replicators, filters, particles, masking, tracking, adding 3D text and more to create cool motion graphic templates.
Key topics:
- Apple Motion basics
- Working with behaviors
- Replicating layers
- 3D text animation
- Video masking
- Using filters
Features:
- Step-by-step videos
- Practice activities
- Additional resources
- Flexible learning
12. Intro to Video Editing with After Effects
Provider: Skillshare
Duration: 2 hours
After Effects lets you take your video edits to the next level with amazing VFX and motion graphics. This course introduces you to using After Effects for basic video editing by an expert instructor.
Through 10 quick lessons, you‘ll learn editing concepts like trimming footage, syncing audio, nesting compositions, keyframing, adding effects, exporting videos and more.
Key topics:
- After Effects basics
- Trimming clips
- Nesting comps
- Adding keyframes
- Using effects
- Exporting videos
Features:
- Concise video lessons
- Downloadable resources
- Flexible access
- Certificate on completion
13. Video Editing with Olive Editor
Provider: YouTube
Duration: 25 minutes
Olive is a promising free open-source video editor for Linux, Mac and PC. This quick crash course gives you an overview of Olive‘s layout and using it for basic video editing.
It covers aspects like setting up projects, importing media, editing workspace, adding transitions, rendering previews, exporting video and more through 7 easy tutorial videos.
Key topics:
- Getting started
- Basic editing
- Adding transitions
- Rendering previews
- Exporting video
Features:
- 7 video tutorials
- Hands-on learning
- Additional resources
- Beginner friendly
14. Video Editing and Production Specialization
Provider: Coursera
Duration: 4 months, 10 hours per week
This Coursera Specialization course helps you become an all-round professional in video editing and production using tools like Premiere, After Effects and more. It‘s offered by instructors from reputed schools like Michigan State University, the University of London and other industry experts.
Through a series of project-based courses and peer-reviewed assessments, you‘ll gain in-demand editing & production skills spanning pre to post production.
Key topics:
- Basic video production
- Editing techniques
- Motion graphics
- Sound design
- Color correction
- Distribution
Features:
- Industry-relevant
- Peer assessments
- Certification on completion
- Flexible deadlines
15. Skillshare Online Video Editing Classes
Provider: Skillshare
Duration: Self-paced
Lastly, Skillshare has hundreds of online video editing courses on various topics beyond the basics – think editing styles, tools techniques and more. Whether you want to explore editing styles like trailer editing, Twitter/Instagram video editing or software like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro or After Effects, Skillshare likely has premium courses on them to take your skills up a notch.
Some popular courses:
- Travel Video Editing with Final Cut Pro
- Video Editing Crash Course for Beginners
- Video Editing for YouTube Creators
- The Art of Video Editing
- After Effects for Beginners
So explore Skillshare‘s massive online library and learn from top video editing teachers and peers around the world.
Features:
- Top quality courses
- Certificate on completion
- Accessible on mobile
- 1-month free trial
Summing Up
Learning video editing not only builds a valuable creative skill, but can also open up professional opportunities if you get good at it. The free courses above will set you up with a solid foundation in video editing using various tools and techniques leveraged by experts.
Take your time, learn at your own pace and keep practicing regularly. This will soon have you editing awesome videos like a pro!