The Great Courses on Hoopla 

Looking for a way to learn something new without paying for another subscription? The Great Courses are available to stream for free on Hoopla, giving you access to college-level lectures taught by top professors. You don’t have to go anywhere or pay anything! It’s all available with your library card and Hoopla. Brush up on world history, explore astronomy, or dive into philosophy. What interests you? The Great Courses on Hoopla are your personal classroom. 

What Are The Great Courses? 

The Great Courses are professionally produced video and audio lecture series taught by award-winning professors from universities around the world. Each series covers a single subject in depth, from ancient civilizations to modern science, in a format similar to a college course, but designed for lifelong learners rather than degree-seeking students. Topics span history, science, literature, philosophy, health, and the arts, with each lecture built around clear learning objectives, visual aids, and expert instruction. 

Can You Watch The Great Courses on Hoopla for Free? 

The Great Courses BingePass cover art

Yes! The Great Courses are available to stream free on Hoopla. Hoopla’s The Great Courses Video BingePass contains hundreds of lectures on myriad topics. If you want to brush up on a topic or dive into something that interests you, browse this collection and find a course or two that speaks to you. 

BingePasses give you instant access to entire collections and premium streaming services for a single borrow through your local public library. With a BingePass you get free, unlimited seven-day access to binge movies, magazines, books, and more with your library card. 

We’ve also got a Great Courses collection of more than 200 individual lecture series so you can target the exact topic you want right away.  

Best Great Courses to Watch on Hoopla 

New to the collection? These titles are a great place to start: 

cover of Exoplanets

Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know 

You may know My Very Educated Mother to recall the planets in our solar system, but did you know there are many, many more? This course traces the wild hunt for planets beyond our solar system, packed into 24 episodes. You’ll follow the false starts, big breakthroughs, and jaw-dropping discoveries along the way. It’s a fascinating ride for casual stargazers and serious space nerds alike.  

cover of Robotics

Robotics 

Robots are all around us, often (not to make you nervous or anything) without us even noticing. These episodes break down the world of robots in a fun, easy way, giving you a clear, comprehensive look at how these intelligent machines actually work (and what they can look like). It’s a great starting point for curious minds. 

cover of Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History

Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History 

Want to speak with more confidence and impact? These 12 lectures break down time-tested techniques used by legendary orators like Lincoln and MLK. Historian and professor John R. Hale shares practical insights for any audience. It’s an engaging way to sharpen your public-speaking skills. 

cover of Heroes & Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature

Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature 

Heroes have always captured our imagination, from Odysseus and Beowulf to Dracula, Lisbeth Salander, and Harry Potter. Dive into some of the most memorable characters ever created. You’ll gain fresh insight into what makes a hero—and what makes a story stick.  

cover of Learning Spanish: How to Understand and Speak a New Language

Learning Spanish: How to Understand and Speak a New Language 

Ready to pick up Spanish from scratch? (Or brush up on what you learned in school?) This course covers a full first-semester college curriculum, with real communication skills you can actually use. Your instructor, Bill Worden, is a University of Alabama professor with 20+ years of experience. He’s built a step-by-step method that really works. 

Because The Great Courses are organized by subject, it’s easy to binge a full series the way you would a TV show…except each episode builds your knowledge instead of just moving the plot forward. 

Why The Great Courses Are Different from Regular TV Shows 

The Great Courses experience is built differently: 

  • Structured learning: Each series follows a logical progression, building on previous lectures rather than standalone episodes. 
  • Expert instruction: Courses are taught by professors and subject-matter experts, not commentators or narrators. 
  • Depth over entertainment: Where most TV shows aim to entertain, the Great Courses aim to teach, with the pacing and rigor of an actual classroom. 

That structure is what makes the Great Courses a genuine alternative to paid learning platforms, rather than just another category of streaming video. 

How to Build a Learning Plan Using Hoopla 

Because the Great Courses are organized by subject and available on demand, you can treat Hoopla like a self-paced learning platform (that’s free): 

  1. Pick a subject area you want to explore (history, science, philosophy, etc.). 
  2. Start with an overview course before moving into more specialized topics. 
  3. Set a weekly lecture goal. Even one or two lectures a week adds up to a full course over a few months. 
  4. Pair it with related content. For example, follow a history course with a Ken Burns documentary or a History Channel series on Hoopla to reinforce what you’ve learned. 
  5. Track your progress using Hoopla’s borrowing history to see which courses you’ve completed. 
  6. Have fun learning! 

This approach turns casual streaming time into a genuine, self-directed learning habit. It’s free online learning that fits around your schedule. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are The Great Courses?  

The Great Courses are in-depth video and audio lecture series taught by expert professors, covering subjects like history, science, and philosophy in a structured, college-style format. 

Where can I watch The Great Courses?  

You can watch The Great Courses for free on Hoopla. All you need is a library card! 

Does Hoopla have The Great Courses?  

Yes, Hoopla offers The Great Courses. We’ve got The Great Courses Video BingePass and a wide collection of individual course titles, all available to stream on demand with a library card. 

Can you watch college courses for free?  

Yes! With Hoopla, you can stream The Great Courses’ college-level lecture series at no cost. 

Related Reading 

Titles may vary by library*