editing and proofreading online courses

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Proofreading Courses and Certifications

Learn Proofreading, earn certificates with paid and free online courses from University of Michigan, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, University of Reading and other top universities around the world. Read reviews to decide if a class is right for you.

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Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar

Proofread Writing & Translation Like a Pro | Be a Freelance Proofreader on Upwork | Grasp Punctuation & Grammar

• 2 hours 32 minutes
• Paid Course

The Complete Proofreading Course: Editing and Proofreading

Learn All Aspects of Proofreading Writing Editing Punctuation and Other Communication Strategies

• 1 hour 23 minutes

How to Find and Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide

Develop proofreading skills to catch errors in spelling, punctuation, and formatting. Learn effective techniques and best practices to polish your writing and impress readers with error-free documents.

• Free Trial Available

Upwork Freelancing: Make Money With Proofreading Skills

How Dan Makes an Excellent Monthly Income on Upwork - Learn Everything You Need to Do and Proven Proofreading Method

• 1 hour 9 minutes

Basics of Proofreading

A proofreader ensures content is free of typographical, grammatical, spelling, punctuation, syntax, & other such errors.

• 1 hour 30 minutes

Editing and Proofreading Masterclass | Dominate Writing, Punctuation & Grammar

Comprehensive guide to mastering editing and proofreading skills, covering grammar, punctuation, and techniques for various writing styles. Includes practical tips for freelancing and using professional tools.

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Certification in Editing and Proofreading

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Last updated on Jul 02, 2024

The 9 Best Proofreading Courses for Editors and Writers Online

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Linnea Gradin

The editor-in-chief of the Reedsy Freelancer blog, Linnea is a writer and marketer with a degree from the University of Cambridge. Her focus is to provide aspiring editors and book designers with the resources to further their careers.

About Isabella Peralta

A writer and editor, Isabella coordinates "Prompts," Reedsy's weekly short story competition. Originally from the Philippines, she is a graduate of the University of Cambridge.

Are you looking to assume the mantle of those unsung heroes of the publishing world that have come before you and become an eagle-eyed proofreader? Or do you see proofreading as the first step in your editing career? Whatever your reasons, it’s never a bad idea to develop your skill set further by taking a proofreading course. 

In this post, we’ve assembled a list of online courses that’ll show you how to become a proofreader. For quick reference, here’s a breakdown of the courses we’ll be looking at:

Knowing how to proofread is an important skill for almost everyone in today’s media-saturated world, but if you want to become a professional proofreader or editor (or even a writer), learning how to perform a professional final check on a piece of text to ensure there are no errors could make all the difference to your career.

From in-depth programs to short overview classes available at various price points, there’s bound to be something in this post that’s suited to your needs. 

But before we take a closer look at what these courses offer and who they might benefit, let’s briefly talk about proofreading certificates and whether you need one to get hired.

Can I become a proofreader without a certification?

While you don’t necessarily need a well-known industry qualification to become a proofreader, adding at least one widely recognized proofreading certification to your CV can definitely give you a leg up, especially since the demand for editing services is continuously on the rise.

With more and more people looking to become proofreaders — not to mention AI proofreading software becoming more advanced — a strong CV and unmatchable expertise will help you stand out among your competitors, so if you have time and money to spare, why not invest in yourself and your future?

Professional proofreading

Being a professional freelancer (as most proofreaders are) involves more than just the mastery of proofreading skills — it also means understanding and adapting to the style used by each client, knowing how to market yourself, and managing your finances. Luckily, some courses cover these topics in addition to the hard skills of the trade, taught by experienced proofreaders themselves.

If you’re serious about becoming a professional proofreader, be sure to look out for courses that offer certificates widely acknowledged in the industry. That way, you can verify your own expertise once you’ve “graduated” and set yourself up for a successful proofreading career.

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Becoming a Proofreader (Knowadays) 

🎯 Perfect for: Aspiring professionals looking for immersion

💰 Cost: $499. Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: 2 to 4 weeks

While that might seem too basic to many aspiring professionals out there, remember that keeping up to date with the latest features and software could be crucial to your success and efficiency as a freelance proofreader. And in addition to its 78 lessons – which you can complete in 2 to 4 weeks – the course also offers a CPD-accredited certificate upon completion and on-demand tutor support. So if you’re willing to invest in your career, this is a serious contender.

Essential Proofreading: Editorial Skills One (The Publishing Training Centre) 

🎯 Perfect for: Aspiring proofreaders looking for immersion

💰 Cost: £395 (around $500, possible to pay in installments). Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: 50 hours

Since The Publishing Training Centre’s (PTC) intensive proofreading course is intended as a training program for professionals, it is assumed that students already have a good grasp of the English language, grammar and spelling included.

With those basics already locked down, this 50-hour self-paced course focuses instead on navigating the collaborative and technical elements of a proofreading job; explaining standard practices in the publishing business; and providing guidance on both paper and screen markups. It notably offers 30 self-check exercises, four long module assignments, support from a personal tutor, and a Publishing Qualifications Board completion certificate, which PTC claims to be “the most widely recognised industry qualification.”

While PTC is based in the UK, anyone from around the world who’s seriously interested in becoming a proofreader can join this course as the knowledge it offers can be applied almost anywhere where (British) English is the working language.

Proofreading and Copyediting with The Chicago Manual of Style (Editorial Freelancers Association) 

💰 Cost: $190. Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: Self-paced, around 3 to 6 months

If you want to be well-versed in what’s considered the standard for U.S.-style book publishing, look no further! This course from The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) will show you all there is to know about not just proofreading, but also copyediting with The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) as a foundation.

If you’ve got “an excellent grasp of college-level grammar,” as EFA states, then this course’s focus on style, punctuation, and citation, among other things, could help you go beyond learning the fundamentals of CMOS’s notes-and-bibliography system — you’ll also learn about “the practicalities of correcting a typical author manuscript,” which will definitely help boost your CV!

The course consists of 16 lessons, and each lesson has a 10-point quiz at the end to test your knowledge. Since the course is self-paced, how long it will take to complete will depend on each student, though a representative tells us that 6 months is usually more than enough time, even with only occasional study. Students are notably given a full year to access the course site and download materials from it for later review.

High-level proofreading on a budget

If you’re on a tight budget but still want something in-depth, consider taking one of the courses below. They provide a comprehensive understanding of proofreading — without breaking the bank. 

Proofreading Power Basics (Udemy) 

🎯 Perfect for: Aspiring professionals on a budget

💰 Cost: $85.99*. Sign up here .

*Prices fluctuate according to region. We’ve also seen frequent promotions with prices as low as $11.99, so keep an eye out for potential sales!

⏰ Average time commitment: 1.5 hours

Understanding proofreading marks, choosing your approach to a document, knowing how to address capitalization and numeration — these are just some of the things you can expect from Proofreading Power Basics.

As with many of the more advanced professional classes out there, make sure you come with a world-class understanding of grammar since there’s no talk of punctuation or homonyms here — in fact, the course’s creator states that to pass with flying colors, you “must at least have intermediate grammar skills.”

For learners on a budget who want to hone their professional skills and put them into practice right away, this just might be the class for you — and given Udemy’s frequent price drops, we think it’d definitely be more worth the wait to try and catch a sale. However, note that unlike a few other online classes in this post, you will not receive a recognized industry qualification upon completion.

Proofreading and Copyediting 101 (Universal Class)

💰 Cost: $95 with no certificate, $120 with a certificate. Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: 11 hours

Proofreading and copyediting are both covered, giving you a more diverse range of skills and more bang for your buck. PIus, if you’d like to add proof of formal training to your CV, you can pay just $25 more to obtain a CEU (Continuing Education Unit) certificate. Universal Class states that CEUs “represent a crucial benchmark in professional and personal development” and serve as “the industry measurement of non-credit education.”

Kickstart Your Freelance Editor & Proofreader Career on Upwork (Udemy)

🎯 Perfect for: Those looking to get started with freelancing

💰 Cost: $94.99*. Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: 2 hours

In 25 bite-sized lessons, this class’s instructor shares his insights into becoming a freelance editor and proofreader on Upwork. Though it won’t teach you the hard skills of proofreading, consider taking this course if you want answers to plenty of complex questions and issues related to being a freelancer — from finding proofreading jobs to understanding personal finance.

In addition to obtaining a certificate of completion, you’ll also learn how to: write a strong bid proposal cover letter; fast-track your career trajectory; and improve your bidding chances, thereby winning contracts and receiving good reviews.

The instructor does touch on editing philosophies and which editing tools to master, but that should be considered additional information to the golden nuggets of wisdom you’ll hear about managing your independent work.

Similar to the previously listed Udemy course we mentioned, we think this one is worth it if you can catch a sale, but otherwise, go for one of the cheaper courses below or invest in the Knowadays or PTC course.

Top tip: Don't stop at creating a strong profile — also demonstrate your professionalism with a well-designed freelance proposal.

Beginner proofreaders, writers, and students

If you’re a student who’s looking to secure those A*s or a freelance writer who just needs to make sure all your submissions are flawless, you may wish to consider the courses below. 

While they don’t go into specific details like collaborating on a digital document or managing the nitty-gritty of formatting a manuscript, they do cover basic grammar mistakes and most major types of editing — enough to give you both a good introduction and the confidence to revise an array of texts . Plus, you can potentially save quite a bit of money by doing an initial proofread yourself before hiring a professional freelancer to check your work.

Proofreading Basics Certificate Course (New Skills Academy)  

🎯 Perfect for: Beginner proofreaders, writers, and students

💰 Cost: $25. Sign up here .

⏰ Average time commitment: 1 hour

If you need help at any point while taking this class, you can take advantage of the 24/7 student support that it offers. Additionally, you’ll be given access to an exclusive New Skills Academy study group and receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

How to Find & Correct Writing Errors (Udemy) 

💰 Cost: $64.99*. Sign up here .

*Prices fluctuate according to region. We’ve also seen frequent promotions with prices as low as $11.99, so keep an eye out for that!

This Udemy class includes 19 lectures that you can watch in your own time, covering editing techniques and technical guidance regarding styles, spelling, and document formatting. You’ll receive an hour’s worth of video content that’ll equip you with the skills needed to proofread and spot mistakes in your own work without a hitch.

The instructor notably has experience working for various newspapers and magazines. He’s also taught at the university level and created content for several popular online editing classes in addition to this Udemy course.

Grammar Fundamentals (Editorial Freelancers Association)

Since this course is self-paced, how long it will take to complete will depend on each student, though a representative tells us that 6 months is usually more than enough time, even with only occasional study.

In addition to in-depth lessons, handouts, and assessments, the course also offers real-time Q&A sessions via Zoom with the instructor. Students are notably given a full year to access the course site and download materials from it for later review.

Reedsy recommends

While we recommend all of the courses above for different reasons, it’s important to choose the course that’s right for you.

If you’re serious about becoming a professional proofreader, Universal Class’s “Proofreading and Copyediting 101” offers relatively good bang for your buck at $95 for the course itself and $120 if you want the CEU certificate to strengthen your CV. Given the class’s end-of-lessons tests and 11 hours of content, it will require you to consistently put in time and effort, helping you hone your skills as a proofreader. You’ll also get the added bonus of copy editing training. 

However, the certificate that you’ll gain from Universal Class is not as widely recognized in the industry, nor does it compare to the much more extensive and immersive training that you’ll get from courses such as Knowaday’s “Becoming a Proofreader” and PTC’s “Essential Proofreading.” And while these come at a much steeper price, these courses are more likely to be a one-time investment, as they are better equipped to turn you into a full-fledged proofreader in one go — without having to pay for additional courses and training — which may be  more worth your while if proofreading is something you see yourself doing long-term.

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On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s just looking to dip their toes into what proofreading entails, there’s no reason to pay the big bucks yet. Instead, consider taking a course like New Skills Academy’s “Proofreading Basics Certificate Course,” which is perfect for those with a tight schedule and budget who still want to become more knowledgeable about not just common mistakes, but also software with the purpose of proofreading.

In the end, any one of the nine courses that we’ve detailed in this post will leave you with a better understanding of proofreading, regardless of your level of commitment, career goals, and budget. We hope that this post will help you make an informed choice about which one is right for you, and that you find the course that will bring you one step closer to being a successful proofreader.

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Best Online Proofreading & Editing Courses

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Do you want to learn how to proofread so you don’t have to hire an editor? Or do you want to start a freelance proofreading business? The first step to achieving these goals is to upskill.

Enroll in an online proofreading and editing course to learn how to make your content free from errors. An online course will also guarantee that you deliver high-quality work to your clients.

I handpicked the best proofreading courses you can try on the internet. You can even get free training and certification with some of these courses.

The Best Proofreading Courses

These proofreading courses are all touted as the best of the best in the writing community. Check them out to determine which one fits your needs.

Our top picks:

• Breakthrough Copyediting and Proofreading Course

Proofread Anywhere

Knowadays: becoming a proofreader.

Take your grammar skills to the next level

Take Our Copyediting Course

Breakthrough Copyediting and Proofreading

Developed by Grammarist experts, the Breakthrough Copyediting and Proofreading course prepares you for a professional career in proofreading and copyediting.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate and bonuses, including invaluable professional proofreading opportunities, ensuring you’re well-equipped to meet the high demand for quality editing skills in today’s market.

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Offers one-to-one support.
• Shows you how to find high-paying, high-quality clients.
• 30-day money-back guarantee

The Breakthrough Copyediting and Proofreading course offers excellent value, priced at $497.

Knowadays provides the best proofreading tips that will kickstart your proofreading job. Gain access to the best training in grammar and spelling errors and other basics of proofreading. You’ll also receive the best proofreading techniques from the course’s expert tutors.

Learn about professional proofreading symbols and have one-on-one support from the educators. And because this course will help you produce error-free writing, it will also improve your writing skill as a freelance writer.

Knowadays’ Becoming a Proofreader is a best-in-class course that was developed in partnership with Proofed.

• Offers one-on-one support from expert tutors.
• Built with individual learners in mind.
• Offers discount codes for the paid version. 
• Offers a bundle of proofreading and editing courses.

You can try the proofreading course for free. But the paid version costs $499. 

If you want to be an online proofreader with a freelance business, Proofread Anywhere will help you achieve your goals. Become a skilled proofreader by learning proofreading topics like how to spot common spelling mistakes, examples of proofread works, and more.

The proofreading training also promises you’ll become quicker at performing a grammar assessment than other proofreaders. Find out the professional standard for proofreading jobs and how to market your skills to people.

Proofread Anywhere is a tested process that offers the best editing tools and editing process. The whole course consists of step-by-step instructions that build on your previous knowledge. In the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion for finishing the course. See our full review here.

• Has a free and paid workshop.
• Demystifies freelance consulting setup and billing.
• Teaches you how to find potential prospects.

Proofread Anywhere is available for free. There’s also a course for transcript proofreading, which you can access at zero cost. 

Udemy: Proofreading Power Basics

Next on the list of the best proofreading courses is Udemy’s Proofreading Power Basics, which will teach you the fundamentals of proofreading. Every professional proofreader starts by learning basic proofreading skills.

Students will gain confidence negotiating with any writer as they save time through easy tricks. Beginners will learn how to proofread basic spelling and grammar mistakes that online grammar checkers cannot spot. There’s a lesson on proofreading strategies and marking.

Getting a certificate from Udemy comes at a minimal cost. Imagine learning about writing style, error hotspots, and capitalization from this course at a small amount. You’ll even understand how to proofread for any type of client.

This course is best for beginners. So, I wouldn’t recommend it for advanced proofreaders who want continuous professional development.

• Beginner-friendly.
• Teaches the different proofreading marks.
• Lifetime access to the course.
• High rating from users.
• Has ten downloadable resources.

This course costs $79.99, but it usually goes on sale for as low as $12.99.

Skillshare: How to Be an Editor/Proofreader (For Translators)

Even the most experienced proofreaders don’t always know how to proofread translated writing. Make your proofreading journey different through this Skillshare course. Aside from essential proofreading skills, you’ll also learn about machine translation post-editing.

Avoid embarrassing errors in your own work through online proofreading tutorials and the proper use of style guides. The course is very short, comprising 15 lessons spread over 30 minutes. 

While it explicitly tackles the proofreading niche, the course is a mixture of revising, proofreading, and editing courses. It’s an excellent option for stepping up your proofreading profession. 

The hands-on class will help you monitor your progress. See how freelance proofreading shouldn’t be a complicated job through Robert G, the main instructor. He’s a Cornell University graduate who owns a translation agency. 

• Offers a 1-month free trial.
• Short but helpful course. 
• Will teach you how to revise your work.
• Teaches how proofreading is different for translated work. 
• Includes a lesson on Machine Translation Post Editing. 

After the 1-month free trial, the price of Skillshare’s course is $15 per month or $99 per year. 

Udemy: Kickstart a Freelance editor & proofreading Career on Upwork

Most online proofreading classes only offer an introduction to proofreading or proofreading fundamentals. But this course will give you video lessons on the entire proofreading process, major types of editing, and some editing techniques.

Get rid of boring content, grammar errors, and improper use of quotation marks once you know the right way to proofread. It’s also a copy editing course that will show you the philosophy of editing without removing your clients’ style and main idea.

You will surely start a profitable freelance proofreading business with this course. That’s because the Udemy class teaches users how to create an effective bid proposal and cover letter and win Upwork clients. Finally, you’ll also receive a proofreading certification online.

Like other Udemy courses, this online training gives you full lifetime access on different devices. It contains one resource and a long video tutorial. 

• High rating on Udemy.
• Teaches intermediate-level proofreading.
• Offers tutorials on how to win clients.
• Full lifetime access.
• Fantastic topics on content editing

Udemy’s professional masterclass costs $24.99. 

Udemy: How to Find and Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide

Many online classes focus on different aspects of the proofreader career. But if you want to provide better proofreading services by simply building your proofreading skills, this course is for you.

This handy course is made for those who want to build content writing careers. Improve your editing abilities in English grammar through its wide range of helpful resources. It will show you the correct mindset when catching errors, along with unique techniques.

The course will give you a satisfaction guarantee through its rich topics like how to remove typos and proofreading consistency. Set up your online business as you go about your career in proofreading and writing!

• Will teach you the right “mindset” for catching errors.
• Best for content writers and editors.
• Three additional resources.
• Offers a proofreading certification online training.
• Easy to access on any device.

Develop a critical skill for proofreading for only $24.99.

LinkedIn: Editing and Proofreading Made Simple

This course is an excellent investment if you’re an accomplished writer who spends tons of money on proofreaders. You can perform online editing on your own work or maybe build your own proofreading business by learning proofreading basics.

The online class is divided into three chapters that will hone your essential skills. The course breaks each topic into a step-by-step process to deconstruct your writing. For instance, you need to check your content for spelling before scanning for grammar issues.

These practical proofreading tips are taught by Erin Rickard, a famous writer, editor, and professor. Her excellent skills in teaching will help you remember and apply all information in your proofreading job.

If you have spare time, you should enroll in this course. Watch how it will help you get real money!

• Discusses tone, style, formatting, and other editing mechanisms.
• Teaches you how to boost proofreading productivity.
• Teaches the difference between editing your own writing.
• 1-month free trial.
• How to edit submitted or published work.

This LinkedIn Learning course costs $29.99 per month.

Free and Budget-Friendly Online Proofreading Courses

Skillshare: Editing and Proofreading Masterclass: Dominate Writing, Punctuation, and Grammar

If you’re trying to start a proofreading business but don’t know how, Skillshare’s course will help you gain serious skills. Instructor Nitay L understands how saturated the proofreading industry is, so he promises you will stand out on the market with his 5-year experience.

In his course, you will learn about the industry and basic proofreading lessons. Discover expert proofreading symbols, computer keyboard editing shortcuts, punctuations, and quotations. 

The course will also teach advanced lessons like editing types and sentence clarification. If you don’t know how to fix repetitive phrases, Skillshare will also help you.

Lastly, the instructor will show you how to establish yourself on Upwork. Your skills won’t mean anything to potential clients if you don’t know how to market them on the internet. The instructor shows how to stand out as a freelance proofreader in these spaces.

This course is excellent for those who want to learn how to start a proofreading career and market themselves. 

Why You Should Enroll in this Course

• It gives you a glimpse of the proofreading job market.
• Teaches proofreading symbols and editing types.
• Covers how to proofread different types of writing.
• Reputable instructor.
• Available for free.

Skillshare offers a free trial for one month, which is enough to try the online proofreading course. After that, you need to pay a small amount of $15 per month or $99 per year. 

Coursera: Grammar and Punctuation

This course about grammar and punctuation is instructed by Tammy Chapman and Helen Nam and offered by the University of California, Irvine. It features rich topics on proofreading online, along with proofreading tests to challenge you.

Expert proofreaders and the rest of proofreading society know that basic proofreading courses are not enough. You need online proofreading training that will show you the complexities of English, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

This course will teach you effective editing through its topics on learning grammar, types of sentences, variety, and conjunctions. You can enroll to get excellent writing skills if you’re not an editor.

This course is suitable for all types of learners. You can access lesson transcripts if you do not like watching the video. Or ask for feedback from your peers at an additional cost.

• Includes lessons on grammar, punctuation, and verb tenses.
• Teaches sentence variety and parallel structure.
• Free access to the entire course.
• Offered by a reputable university. 

The Grammar and Punctuation course is entirely free. Just sign up. But if you want access to proofreading exercises and peer feedback, you must pay $59.

Are Proofreading Courses Worth It?

Yes, you can gain multiple skills with proofreading classes as long as you pick a suitable course. Make sure it fits your level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and needs. 

Some proofreaders need help with inconsistencies, sentence varieties, and engaging tone. Others struggle with mechanical errors like verb tenses, punctuations, and prepositions.

There are also worthwhile proofreading courses that will teach you how to get a proofreading job. You’ll be guided through setting up an Upwork account and calculating your proofreader rates. 

If you’re uncertain about paying for expensive courses, try free ones from Coursera. Udemy also offers a free trial for first-time users.

How Do You Become a Certified Proofreader?

The definition of a certified proofreader is vague because there is no official certification in the United States. Successful proofreading usually entails continuous skill development through reliable online courses and taking tests that will evaluate your expertise.

A certified proofreader then goes beyond the understanding of proofreading basics. You need to be familiar with different editorial styles like the Associated Press Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style. 

Aspiring proofreaders should also be good communicators since the writer-editor relationship is essential. Make sure you can follow deadlines and adhere to the writer’s preferences. 

If you pay close attention to detail, you have the potential to be a great proofreader.

For example, you need to go over the text once for spelling errors, then another time for grammar errors. 

Another qualification for aspiring proofreaders is a thorough knowledge of word processors. You will use applications with change-tracking, collaborative, and other editorial programs.

Canada offers professional certificates for editors. These credentials are given to those who pass required exams like certified stylistic editor, structural editor, proofreader, and more. 

What are the Educational Requirements for Proofreaders?

Many clients do not require a related bachelor’s degree for proofreaders. All they need are skills you can get from online proofreading courses. Then, the employer will ask you to take a proofreading test demonstrating your competency.

But if you work for a large firm, they will usually require a degree in journalism, English, or communication. Other proofreaders become successful through their degrees in literature and creative writing. 

Critical jobs in proofreading often require more than a Bachelor’s degree. For example, if you handle legal documents and massive business proposals, you might need a background in law or business. Medical professionals also make great proofreaders for medical textbooks.

Every proofreading job description is different. Always read the company-specific responsibilities and qualifications to know what you will be dealing with once you get hired. 

But the most basic job of every proofreader is to catch spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Other jobs, such as plot, consistency, and sentence checking, are the job of the developmental editor and copy editor.

Is Proofreading a Good Side Hustle?

Yes, online proofreading is an excellent side hustle for students, professionals, and other individuals with good English skills. This type of job offers flexibility while giving you the chance to earn a considerable amount.

Proofreading is a creative way to make money from your home’s comfort. Make sure to accept adequate assignments, so you have enough time for your other tasks and jobs. And I definitely recommend investing in some good proofreading software to make your job easier.

How Much Do Online Proofreaders Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average money that proofreaders earn from their work is $21.48 per hour. This number depends on where you work and your qualifications. 

For instance, those in the newspaper and magazine industry often earn more than freelance proofreaders. You might also expect a lower salary if you’re a beginner-level proofreader. And that explains why you need to enroll in online proofreading courses!

Get an Online Proofreading Certification Now

I hope this list of the best proofreading courses inspires you to improve your skills and start your proofreading career. Some of these training courses are free, so there’s no excuse for you!

Make sure to pick a proofreading course that fits your level, career needs, and niche. Which online course are you trying first?

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Media, Writing, and Communications Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking

Diploma description.

Offered fully online, the Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking is designed to provide students with expert advice on what publishers look for and the skills needed to become an exemplary copy editor across all types of media–including book, magazine, newspaper, and online publishing. The contributions of copy editors and proofreaders are invaluable to the publishing process. Their roles are essential to ensuring the consistency and accuracy of text and preparing manuscripts for publication. Job opportunities are available through the robust freelance market and occasionally through full-time in-house positions, and the skills are transferable to all industries that utilize written communications. Gain familiarity with the structure of publishing and digital media organizations, and the roles of proofreaders, copy editors, and fact-checkers. Learn how to recognize media bias and the importance of broadening your news sources. Become familiar with standard copyediting and proofreading symbols and terminology, style guides, house styles, and production cycles. Develop techniques to edit text for accuracy, clarity, and flow. Through hands-on practice, learn how to proof against a manuscript, utilize appropriate reference works, and solve common grammar, punctuation, and word use issues.

 The Certificate must be completed within three years of taking the first certificate-eligible course; and is awarded to students who successfully complete the seven required courses.

UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE CERTIFICATE, STUDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO 3 CREDITS TOWARD THE MS IN PUBLISHING DEGREE. DETAILS PROVIDED UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE MS IN PUBLISHING PROGRAM.

Note: We strongly recommend that students take Mastering English Grammar/WPUB1-CE9503 and Fact-Checking for Accuracy/WPUB1-CE9502 before taking any other courses in the Certificate program. Please see the course descriptions below for more information.

For advisement, please contact the Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts at [email protected].

Join our Writing and Communications Mailing List

Must be completed within

Earn a 10% DISCOUNT* on courses by declaring your candidacy for the Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking.

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Review the eight principal parts of speech, and gain an understanding of how they work together syntactically to form sentences.

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7 Best Free Proofreading Courses + Low-Cost Options (2024)

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As a trained proofreader, I can tell you about the best free proofreading courses on the market. We’ll explore a few low-cost options too. I’ll let you know which ones give you a certificate of completion for finishing the class or passing the final assessment.

We’ll also see who would benefit from these classes and who may want to avoid them.

Table of Contents

Om Proofreading Picks for the Best Free Classes

Here are my top two choices for the best free proofreading courses.

Proofread Like a Pro is number one on my list for the following reasons:

• The class is included with Udemy’s free trial and is a bestseller on the platform.
• The teacher won Udemy’s 2019 Award for Student Success.
• The instructor has a wealth of relevant experience and expertise.
• It has one of the highest ratings for a proofreading course on Udemy.
• It’s reasonably priced if purchased alone (without a subscription).

Let’s look at the best options for free and low-cost proofreading courses.

Best Free Proofreading Courses + Low-Cost Options

Please note that prices, ratings, and other details are subject to change. I’ve included links to all the classes so you can see the most up-to-date information.

The Price for These Proofreading Classes

Whether a course can be free for you on Udemy or Skillshare depends on whether the class is available with a free trial. Only new subscribers are eligible for a free trial on either platform.

Top-Notch Tip: You can often find Udemy and Skillshare’s classes for a significant discount.

Alison’s proofreading class is free for everyone who signs up (no membership required).

Here’s a quick look at the cost of subscribing to these platforms.

Subscription Plans for Udemy, Alison, and Skillshare

Note : Udemy subscriptions are not currently available to students everywhere; however, they’re working diligently to make their subscriptions available to more learners in the future ( source ).

A subscription to one of these platforms gives you access to thousands of courses taught by working professionals and industry experts so you can learn new skills for a reasonable price.

Access to the classes ends when you terminate your subscription.

Do You Earn a Certificate of Completion?

Let’s see which providers offer certificates with their respective courses.

Before we dive into the details of each class, let’s see who these courses are best suited to, how I decided which ones to include in this list, and how I organized the list.

What to Know about Free Proofreading Courses

Before we begin, please know that free and low-cost classes aren’t suitable for providing adequate training for aspiring proofreaders.

Although you can become a proofreader in a fraction of the time required to get a college degree, you still need adequate training and practice.

Competition exists in every sector, and the proofreading industry is no exception.

It’s illogical to think that a free or inexpensive course lasting a matter of hours could be comprehensive enough to prepare you to earn the rates that professional proofreaders get paid .

If you have any doubts about this, I encourage you to ask successful proofreaders for their opinions.

So if you want to become a professional proofreader, don’t worry. I can still help you. 😊

Just go to the FAQ at the end of this article . You’ll get all the information you need to take your next step.

Who Should Take a Free (or Low-Cost) Proofreading Class?

These classes are best suited to the following:

• folks wanting to improve their proofreading skills for job-related purposes
• students wishing to boost their proofreading proficiency to earn better grades
• people who are unsure whether being a proofreader is a good fit for them
• proofreaders wishing to brush up on their skills or get additional training
• those who’d like to volunteer as proofreaders

How I Determined Which Classes Are Best

I found the top courses by researching the websites on Verywell Family’s list of best online learning platforms.

The article containing that list is no longer available; however, here are the seven platforms that made the list:

• MasterClass
• Pluralsight

Courses Taken from the Best Online Learning Platforms

Udemy and Skillshare are the only two platforms on the list that provide proofreading courses. So all the classes recommended in this article (except one) come from these two providers.

Coursera was considered the best overall learning platform, but they don’t offer proofreading courses.

However, if you want to learn about grammar, punctuation, editing, or writing, I encourage you to check out Coursera.

I was impressed with what they offer and glad to see they provide financial aid to students who need it.

A Course Taken from the First Page of Google Search Results

I also checked the first few pages of Google after searching for “free proofreading courses.” I found a proofreading class provided by Alison on the first page.

Udemy and Skillshare are relatively well-known sites, but many have never heard of Alison.

I took the Alison course to see if it deserved a spot in this article.

I liked it and included it as the second course in this listicle.

Criteria for Courses in This Article

I came up with specific criteria for evaluating the courses I researched. To make the list, classes needed to meet the following requirements:

• a high/excellent rating (4.0 or above for Udemy courses)
• ratings from a minimum of 300 students
• at least one hour of video content

How I Organized the List

Since you’d likely prefer a free course over a low-cost one, I’ve included the courses available with a free trial first.

The Udemy class is number one for the reasons I mentioned. Next comes the Alison class since you don’t need to sign up for a free trial.

Then come the Skillshare classes, which are available with a free trial. Finally, the list concludes with low-cost options offered by Udemy that aren’t part of their free trial.

Details of the Best Free Proofreading Courses

1) proofread like a pro.

Provider : Udemy

Course Level : All levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced)

Who It’s For : Aspiring proofreaders, writers, and professionals

Requirements :

• a strong understanding of grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling
• access to a printer

Cost : Free with a 7-day trial (eligible students only)

• $79.99 for nonmembers
• please see your Subscriptions page for further info about fees

Rating : 4.7 out of 5.0 (2,388 ratings)

Certificate : Yes

Duration : 1 hour 45 minutes (48 lectures)

Time to Access Course : As long as you’re subscribed OR lifetime access (if you purchase the course without a subscription)

Materials : 23 downloads, 21 articles 

Main Topics :

• finding and correcting punctuation and grammar errors
• proofreading symbols
• finding proofreading jobs
• what to look for when proofreading a text
• tactics for identifying mistakes

Course Creator: Dr. Clare Lynch / Dr. Lynch has a PhD in English Literature. She’s an expert writer with decades of experience.

Sign up for Proofread Like a Pro .

2) An Introduction to Proofreading

Provider : Alison

Course Level : All levels

Who It’s For : Writers, office assistants, paralegals, and anyone in charge of producing error-free texts

Requirements : A printer

Cost : Free

Rating : High

Certificate : Available for purchase after you pass the class with an 80% or above on the final assessment

Duration : 1.5 hours (7 topics) / 3–4 hours to complete

Time to Access Course : Lifetime

Materials : 5 downloads, 3 practice tests

• how to spot and fix mistakes
• proofreading hacks
• advanced proofreading methods
• common pitfalls for proofreaders
• special proofreading situations

Course Creator : Marcia Yudkin / Marcia is an author, marketing mentor, and writing coach who has been an editor for a small press.

Since the Alison platform isn’t as well known, I’ve included some additional info below.

Pros of the Alison Proofreading Course:

• fantastic instructor (she knows her stuff!)
• excellent course overall (lots of great takeaways)
• practice tests are helpful, and corrections are accurate
• class has earned CPD certification

Cons of the Alison Proofreading Course:

• tech support lacking* (took more than 24 hours to respond during the week)
• must pay if you don’t want ads between videos 
• outdated user interface (can’t play videos at a higher speed)
• needed to email customer support to get certificate

* The first video lesson stopped loading at one point, but fast-forwarding a few seconds took care of the glitch. It may have been a problem on my end, but no one was available to help me at the time (hence the listing as a con).

How to Receive a Certificate of Completion from the Alison Proofreading Course

To ensure that readers who want to take this class receive the certificate they’re promised, I went through the process of passing the class and purchasing the certificate. 😊

Some of Alison’s courses offer a free certificate of completion but not the proofreading class.

Although I had to email the support team to get my certificate (it wasn’t automatic), I got it within a day of writing them. The certificate costs $39, but sometimes you can get it for less if Alison is running a sale.

And here’s the certificate I received, in case you’re curious about what it looks like.

Sign up for An Introduction to Proofreading .

3) Writing Editing Masterclass—Content Editing, Copyediting and Proofreading

Provider : Skillshare

Who It’s For : Aspiring editors, editors, and anyone wanting to improve their writing by self-editing

Requirements : None listed

Cost : Free trial available for some regions; yearly subscription cost varies

Rating : High; met or exceeded the expectations of 91% of students

Certificate : No

Duration : 2 hours, 59 minutes (62 lessons)

Time to Access Course : As long as you’re a Skillshare member

Materials : Not specified, 2 projects

• how to track changes in MS Word
• how to track changes in Google Docs
• proofreading strategies
• how to fix spelling mistakes
• how to fix punctuation errors

Course Creator : Sivakumar Kannan / Sivakumar is a digital marketing consultant, trainer, and coach.

Sign up for Writing Editing Masterclass .

4) Editing and Proofreading Masterclass | Dominate Writing, Punctuation & Grammar

Course Level : Beginner

Who It’s For : Anyone wanting to get better at editing and proofreading texts

Rating : High; met or exceeded the expectations of 89% of students

Duration : 3 hours, 48 minutes (64 lessons)

• proofreading with MS Word
• proofreading tips
• how to proofread translated documents
• jobs for proofreaders

Course Creator : Nitay L. / Nitay is an English and Hebrew proofreader, translator, and transcriptionist at Upwork.

Sign up for Editing and Proofreading Masterclass .

5) Proofreading Power Basics

Course Level : Intermediate

Who It’s For : Writers, editors, teachers, and other professionals

• completion of the “Grammar Essentials” course
• intermediate grammar and writing skills

Cost : $84.99 for nonmembers

Rating : 4.4 (971 reviews)

Duration : 1.5 hours (33 lectures)

Materials : 15 downloads, 13 articles, 1 practice test

• fundamentals of proofreading
• how to correct common mistakes
• using exercises to improve proofreading skills
• how to build confidence

Course Creator : Ashan R. Hampton / Ashan is an assistant professor of English, an editor, and a writer; she recently finished coursework for doctoral candidacy.

Sign up for Proofreading Power Basics .

6) How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide

Provi der : Udemy

Who It’s For : Anyone wanting to rid their texts of errors and freelance editors wishing to improve their proofreading skills

Requirements : Good grasp of English

Cost : $64.99 for nonmembers

Rating : 4.3 (1,143 ratings)

Duration : 1 hour (19 lectures)

Materials : 3 articles

• finding and correcting typos and spelling errors
• finding mistakes in images and formatting
• using lists to correct errors with consistency

Course Creator : Dr. Duncan Koerber / Dr. Koerber has a PhD in Communication and Culture and has spent 12 years teaching writing and communications classes to students at Canadian universities.

Sign up for How to Find & Correct Writing Errors .

7) Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar

Who It’s For : Anyone who wants to get better at proofreading texts

Requirements : You just need to know English 😉

Cost : $54.99 for nonmembers

Rating : 4.3 (624 Reviews)

Duration : 2.5 hours (31 lectures)

Materials : 7 downloads, assignments

• how to identify common mistakes
• basic proofreading methods
• how to fix errors with punctuation and syntax

Sign up for Writing Proofreading Course .

Now that we’ve seen the best options, let’s get an expert opinion about free and inexpensive classes. Then we’ll figure out the answers to some common questions.

An Industry Expert’s Opinion about Free Proofreading Courses

Louise Harnby is a well-known editor, proofreader, writer, podcaster, and speaker who has worked in publishing for 30 years.

Here’s what she says about free and inexpensive proofreading courses for aspiring proofreaders:

“Any courses that promise miracles for very little to no money and time need to be viewed with caution. Use them to evaluate whether a professional editorial career is right for you. Beyond that, financial investment will be necessary.” – Louise Harnby

Louise also discusses what someone looks for when they need editorial services. She tells us that people are looking for an enthusiastic professional who cares enough to invest in top-quality training and understands how to correct a document to industry standards.

She says, “If you can’t demonstrate that you’re that person, you won’t be able to compete effectively.”

I agree with Louise.

It would be a shame to invest in an inexpensive course with the idea that it would be your sole source of training. You’d then have to fork over more money after realizing you didn’t receive sufficient preparation to work in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which proofreading course is best?

After countless hours of research, I can confidently recommend four online proofreading courses—all of which will prepare you to be a professional proofreader.

• General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ by Proofread Anywhere
• Becoming a Proofreader by Knowadays
• Essential Proofreading: Editorial Skills One by The Publishing Training Centre
• A series of three courses by The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

I authored a comprehensive article comparing these proofreading classes . The post contains two helpful tables and explains the details of each course in an organized way so you can draw comparisons.

I also include a “key takeaway” for each course to help you decide which class makes the most sense for your needs.

All these courses provide a way for you to receive a proofreading certificate—whether you earn it or it’s given to you for finishing the class.  

How do I learn to proofread?

How you learn to proofread depends on your goals. If you want to become a professional proofreader, a comprehensive course is the best way to get the knowledge and confidence you need. But a simple class or self-study can suffice if you simply want to improve your proofreading skills.

Are proofreading courses worth it?

A proofreading class is worth it if you’d like to increase your proofreading proficiency. The ability to produce polished writing is essential in many careers and in academic settings.

And if you want to be a professional proofreader, a thorough course will give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to succeed. A class will also help you compete in the industry since your clients will know you’ve received excellent training.

A comprehensive course should provide you with numerous relevant real-world documents to proofread. You’ll get feedback on your performance so you’re aware of areas that need improvement.

I penned a post about why proofreading classes are worth it if you’d like to learn more.

How do I become a certified proofreader?

To become a certified proofreader, you must pass a rigorous proofreading exam offered by Editors Canada . They recommend you have at least five years of experience as a full-time proofreader before taking the test. Currently, no organization in the United States offers this certification.

Om Proofreading has a post about getting certified as a proofreader if you’re curious about this. The article also discusses how to get a proofreading certificate, which is what most proofreaders decide to do.

Getting a professional certification in proofreading and getting a proofreading certificate are two different processes.

I hope this article has given you valuable information about the best free proofreading courses (and inexpensive ones too).

Good luck with your proofreading-related goals!

Best wishes to you!

“I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other. Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I can’t change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.” – Charles de Lint

Lindsay Babcock

Lindsay is the creator of Om Proofreading. She has a BA in psychology and earned a certificate in proofreading by passing the final exam in Proofread Anywhere’s general proofreading course. She shares what she’s learning in the field and through research to inform and inspire her readers.

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Learn How To Edit Like A Pro With 2024‘s 7+ FREE Best Online Proofreading Courses

Working as a proofreader is a great way to find some part-time freelance work. But you want to make sure that you are delivering the quality that your clients are expecting!

Below are some of the best online proofreading courses that you can take in order to establish your skills and build good proofreading techniques and habits.

If you want to start a proofreading business and become a copyeditor, you can certainly benefit by honing your proofreading skills/copyediting to increase your overall abilities.

Take a look at this list of copyediting courses and see which of these awesome courses looks like the “write” fit for you!

• #1 Top Recommended Proofreading Course
• Taught By Professional Editor & Proofreader
• Covers Proofreading, Content Structure, Punctuation & More
• Beginner Friendly Course
• 29,000+ Other Included Classes
• 1,000+ Students Enrolled
• 1-Month Free Trial
• Activate Free Trial Now

Table of Contents

Top 9+ FREE Best Online Proofreading Courses & Certifications 2024

1. skillshare: writing editing masterclass (skillshare).

Up first on my list is a great all-around editing course with many modules that focus specifically on proofreading. On top of that, this free Skillshare course also dives deeper into the larger context of the editing process for copyediting and proofreading.

In this 3-hour-long course, you’ll learn about the following proofreading topics: typos, proofreading strategies, spelling errors and homonyms, the comma, question marks and exclamation marks, colon and quotation marks, apostrophes, hyphens, and dashes, and parentheses.

Another great component of this training is that there is an optional final assignment that will test your skills and act as a great overview of what you have learned.

As this course is hosted on Skillshare, students get to take the classes at their own pace via the desktop portal or the smartphone app. Skillshare also offers a 1-month free trial , so there’s no losing! Hands down one of the best online proofreading courses!

• Can be accessed for free with the Skillshare free trial, making this a free course
• Beginner friendly and suitable for all levels of freelance proofreaders
• Good overview of fundamentals of the editing process in general for English grammar
• Low time commitment

Activate FREE Skillshare Trial

2. Editing and Proofreading Made Simple

For beginners looking to quickly improve their proofreading skills, Erin Rickard ’s LinkedIn Learning course is a great place to start. As a longtime freelance copywriter, she’s well-versed in what it takes to effectively communicate; as a professor, she’s adept in connecting with her students and helping them improve their craft.

This efficient course packs a lot into 40 minutes. You’ll learn how to develop personalized templates, tools, and tactics necessary for effective editing including checking content, spelling, and grammar as well as the proper use of formatting. You’ll practice applying these skills and spotting errors across presentations, emails, and website articles.

This course is on LinkedIn Learning, a subscription platform that gives you access to a full catalog. So for one price, you can take this course as well as other highly-rated related courses: Grammar Foundations , Business Writing Principles , Social Media Marketing Foundations , and Writing Emails People Want To Read .

There’s even a 1-month free trial. Even better, you earn a certificate for each course that appears on your LinkedIn profile and helps you rank higher in jobs searches.

• 102,406 students have taken this course
• 40 minutes of videos across 3 chapters
• Continuing Education Units available
• Certificate of completion appears on your LinkedIn profile
• 30-day free trial gets you access to full 15,000 course catalog

3. Proofreading Your Own Work

Next up is a proofreading course from Heather E. Saunders , owner of Just the Write Type Editing. She’s been called on to edit everything from medical journals to fiction novels, so her techniques are timeliness and universal.  

What I love about this course is how practical her advice is. She’ll teach you how to come back to your own writing with the fresh eyes necessary to catch even your most common and easily overlooked mistakes. And while it may seem simple to read it aloud or take a break, applying her proofreading tricks can be the difference between a great submission that gets published or an embarrassment that gets set aside. 

Once you’ve completed this class you’ll know the common proofreading mistakes, your personal writing blind spots, how to create an ideal environment for editing, and how to fact check efficiently. 

This course is available on CreativeLive, which frequently runs sales that put each course below $10. Even better, they have an all-access Creator Pass to 2000+ courses starting at $13/month. While they don’t technically have a free trial, they do have a 7-day refund window.

GET 20% OFF THE CREATOR PASS WITH CODE CREATIVELIVE20 THRU 10/31!

• 7,600 students have taken this course
• 100% of students recommend it
• 8 videos running just over 1 hour 
• Lifetime access via  desktop or mobile
• Satisfaction guarantee

4. The Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Steps to a Successful Writing Habit (Skillshare)

Hopefully, if you like proofreading, you like to read. And hopefully, if you like to read, you also like to write! Being a strong writer can help you to be a stronger proofreader. You get an eye for what good writing looks like and what makes sense on paper.

This course will help you to foster a healthy writing habit . By following the six steps laid out by award-winning author Simon Van Booy you will be able to increase the amount that you write and your level of writing ability.

He will discuss each of the steps in detail in this 38-minute-long course. The steps include making your own space, finding your medium, reading inspiring works, setting the conditions, sticking to a routine, and sketching to stay inspired.

This  Skillshare course will also give you the possibility to view other students’ projects and to submit your own project to the course webpage. Looking at what other people have done can inspire you and help to spark your creativity.

This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to be a better writer, beginners included. All you need is an open mind and a blank screen or notebook that you can fill with your own wonderful words!

• Lots of student projects to view for inspiration
• Very popular! 14,255 students
• Designed for students of all levels

5. Udemy: Proofreading Power Basics (Udemy)

Up next on my list is great course hosted on Udemy, which is all about teaching the tricks of the trade and give students a new confidence in their proofreading skills. This course is also aimed towards beginners, but knowing intermediate grammar and writing skills will be extremely beneficial.

Taught by English professor Ashan Hampton , he provides students with helpful assessments, exercises, and quizzes that will keep students learning experience productive and keep them on the right track.

While the course is brief (1 hour long), it is jam-packed with information! Over the course of 23 video lessons, students will learn about topics like proofreader expectations, proofreading tips, strategies, marking, proofing for capitalization and numbers, and proofreader error hotspots.

Overall, this is a fantastic course that caters to those of all experience levels!

• High 4.3-star rating
• Popular course – 1,271 students!
• Includes a module on proofreading marks
• Lifetime access to course materials
• 10 downloadable resources + 9 articles
• Certificate of completion

Visit Udemy.com

6. Udemy: How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: the Proofreading Guide (Udemy)

Moving on is another Udemy course taught by University professor Duncan Koerber. While the course is brief, coming in at only 50 minutes, the 19 video lessons are filled with a wealth of knowledge!

In this course, students learn about good habits for proofreading, practical proofreading tips, professional proofreading symbols, using lists and guides in the proofreading process, tips for proofreading the format, design, and graphics of a document.

Professor Koerber will also teach students about important final tasks that people forget to do when proofreading. The resources and techniques students will gain from this course truly make it one of the very best online proofreading courses.

• Popular! 1,631 students
• Suitable for all levels

7. The Publishing Training Centre: What is Proofreading? (Publishing Training Center)

Are you new to editing and looking to find out if proofreading is something you might be good at? Then this entry-level course will prepare you for what you need to do as a proofreader, and give you the chance to test your skills to see if you have what it takes.

In this class, students learn how proofreading is applied in four different sectors: book and journal publishers, other organizations that have information or messages to share, independent authors, and students.

Divided into two sections, the first section will provide students with information on proofreading. The second section involves a practical exercise that will help you gauge your proofreading abilities.

After completing this course, students should have a strong sense of their skill level and an idea of what steps you should take next in order to keep progressing as a proofreader. Or you can pair this with an online journalism course and start writing for one of the millions of online publications.

• One of the most extensive courses on this list: about 5-7 hours of course material
• 8 months of access to the course material
• Course certificate awarded upon completion of the course
• Suitable for beginners

Visit Publishingtrainingcentre.com

8. Udemy: Kickstart a Freelance Editor and Proofreader Career on Upwork (Udemy)

If you want to work as a proofreader, chances are your first paid jobs might be on a freelance basis. It’s not always easy to find good jobs and many people will try to underpay you or even avoid paying you at all.

This course walks you through how to use the Upwork platform to find work as a proofreader. And to ensure that you get paid for your effort! Using Upwork might not seem like rocket science but there is a bit more to it than meets the eye.

Professor Duncan Koerber will share some great insight into this two-hour-long course. He covers topics such as getting started on Upwork; bidding for jobs; ratings and repeat clients; macro-level tips for doing a great job; and some practical concerns for an online editor or proofreader.

Throughout 25 lessons you will gain valuable knowledge that can help you to succeed as a freelancer. This course is for all levels and all you need to get started is Microsoft Word software and a keen eye that’s ready to spot the best new job! You can also take your skills on the road and get a digital nomad job that will allow you to work from anywhere in the world!

This is easily one of the best online proofreading courses available!

• Very high 4.5-star rating
• Popular course! 1,430 students
• Lifetime access to course material

9. Skillshare: Proofreading Your Articles: Tools (Skillshare)

There are lots and lots of tools available that can help you to be a great proofreader. This Skillshare course will teach you some excellent tips and hacks that will make your proofreading process quicker and more accurate. This is a good course to take if you are just starting out as a proofreader.

In this course, you’ll cover topics such as punctuation, word tips, and proofreading hacks. But the main focus of the course is how to use online grammar checkers like Grammarly , ProWritingAid, and other free auto-proofreaders to check your work.

These grammar checkers will basically do your proofreading for you. However, some (like Grammarly) aren’t free so ideally, you can learn to proofread without relying on them. But it can be a good idea to use them to check your work while you are first starting out.

Nothing makes you lose clients faster than handing in an assignment filled with mistakes. This course will help you figure out how you can use online grammar checkers to improve your own skills. But you should never discount the effectiveness of good old fashioned paper and (red) pen!

If you want to learn more, you can read my comprehensive review of Skillshare .

• Low time commitment: 48 minutes
• Possible to access this course for free using a Skillshare free trial
• Positive student reviews – the course met or exceeded student expectations
• Links to 2 helpful articles included with course content

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this guide on the best online proofreading courses helps you to better your skills or even land that next job! For more upskilling, you can see our guide on other online classes and training here .

Or if after reading this, you’d rather just hire a proofreader for your project or website, I’ve had great success with Fiverr . Check out the profiles below for pros who can start today!

My name is Lewis Keegan and I am the writer and editor of SkillScouter.com. I'm extremely passionate about online education and what it can do for those to better their lives. I spend most of my time blogging, hiking, and drinking coffee. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Teaching.

Becoming A Proofreader

Right now, there are over 100K open jobs requiring proofreading skills. Take our online proofreading course, Becoming A Proofreader, to receive comprehensive training, earn a professional certificate, and unlock these job opportunities to start your new career!

• CPD accredited
• Beginner friendly
• Guaranteed work with Proofed
• Takes 4–6 weeks at 5 hours a week
• 100% self-paced learning with lifetime course access
• 24/7 expert tutor support
• Private alumni group

Get Certified and Dive into a Proofreading Career

Certified Becoming A Proofreader graduates have proofread for a wide variety of clients across many different industries.

Interested in our guaranteed work offer? Learn more about our bundle offer here!

Who is this online proofreading course for.

You can become a freelance proofreader if you aspire to…

Kick-start a career in something you’ve always enjoyed

• Earn more, or boost your existing income
• Leave behind an unfulfilling job
• Start a career in something that truly interests you

Gain more flexibility and work from anywhere

• Work from home or while traveling, switching on and off whenever you want to
• Work for yourself around your family’s schedule
• Organize your work around your life, not the other way around

Work on rewarding projects where your expertise is needed and appreciated

• Stay active in your retirement
• Earn extra income to put toward trips and new experiences
• Get a sense of accomplishment while helping others

Introducing Our Becoming A Proofreader Course

13 modules, 78 lessons, and dozens of practice-based exercises.

You’ll learn unique skills that are essential for a successful freelance proofreading career. Plus, you’ll have the chance to try out simulated client scenarios that will prepare you to tackle the real thing.

Comprehensive content

Learn about common mistakes, working to style guides, differences between US and UK English, useful shortcuts, tracking tools, and the nuances of proofreading different types of writing, including creative, business, and academic.

Interactive by design

It’s more than just words on a screen! With a mix of videos, quizzes, and practical try-it-yourself exercises, we’ll help you stay engaged every step of the way.

Built by proofreading experts

You’ll learn from materials carefully crafted by academics and proofreading experts, whose knowledge of grammar and punctuation served as launchpads for their own careers.

1:1 interaction with tutors

One of the best things about this course is our friendly, knowledgeable tutor team. They are always available to give one-on-one assistance and genuinely want to see you succeed. After receiving your final assignment results, you’ll have a call with a tutor who will give you detailed, tailored feedback.

Self-paced learning

There’s no pressure and no ticking clocks. With total control over your education, you can complete the course in under one month or in six months if life is busy. When you’re finished, you can come back to it anytime.

Leads to work opportunities

When you pass the Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor final assignments with scores of at least 80%, you’ll have the option to onboard with Proofed and start a 10-document paid trial, working on real client documents.

Becoming A Proofreader Course Curriculum

Here is a sneak peek of what you will learn in each module

Module 1: An Introduction To Becoming A Proofreader

Module 2: proofreading and editing, module 3: the basics of microsoft word, module 4: common spelling mistakes, module 5: common grammar mistakes, module 6: common punctuation mistakes, module 7: other common errors, module 8: proofreading in practice: style, module 9: academic proofreading, module 10: academic proofreading: referencing and citations, module 11: proofreading business writing, module 12: creative writing and the publishing industry, module 13: finding work and the final assignment, our learners’ real reviews from trustpilot.

They took a leap of faith and transformed their careers – gaining flexibility, extra income, and, often, a sense of purpose by helping others with their writing.

How Our Course Works

Here’s what you can expect after starting the course:

Complete the course and take the final assignment

Work through the lessons at your own pace, and complete the try-it-yourself exercises and interactive quizzes to test out your new knowledge and developing skills. If you have any questions, you can contact the tutor team at any time. In the last module, you’ll come to the final assignment. This is an open-book exam, and you can take as long as you need to complete it.

Get detailed feedback and receive your CPD-accredited certificate

Your final assignment will be graded by one of the tutor team, and you’ll receive your score, detailed feedback, and a course completion certificate. You’ll also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one call with a tutor to discuss your assignment and tips for honing your skills.

Explore job opportunities with our course bundle

Our work guarantee is available for graduates of both Becoming An Editor and Becoming A Proofreader . If you score 80% or more in the final assignment for each of these courses, we’ll offer you a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed.

Proofreading Course Reviews ⭐

Here’s what our graduates say:

As a working mom, it gave me the confidence to start a career later in life and the feeling that I could do it.

“Out of all the different courses out there that I took, this one gave me the fundamentals that prepared me to work in the proofreading industry.”

Now I can work around my family schedule and organize work around life, not the other way around.

“After taking the course, a pool of options opened up to me. Proofreading is a nice add-on and a security blanket that brings me the extra income and flexibility I need.”

I used to do a job anyone could do. Now I have something unique to offer which led to increased self-esteem.

“I thought I might pass the test and then receive some email explaining why I was wrong for thinking I’d get to work for Proofed. Those worries were groundless though; I’ve worked for Proofed for ten months now.”

Working with Proofed, I get to read student work and help people at the start of their careers, which feels quite satisfying.

“It’s a flexible, informative and well-thought-out course. Gives you insights into what’s expected of you in this job. I’m happy to have found a new way to make money to supplement my retirement. Now I can travel and eat out with my wife feeling like I deserve it”.

Earn Guaranteed Work with Our Proofreading & Editing Course Bundle

You’ll learn:

• The essential skills needed to be a professional proofreader
• How to fix common spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes
• The appropriate style and tone to ensure that a document suits its intended audience and purpose
• How to use the tools in Microsoft Word so that you can apply these newfound skills

Becoming An Editor

• How to take your skills to the next level and perform a more in-depth review
• The difference between comprehensive, line, and copy editing
• How to apply editing principles according to structure, content, and style
• How to edit different types of documents, including academic, business, and creative writing, plus online copy and translated texts

Meet Our Friendly Tutors

They were once where you are now, and they’re here to give you the confidence that you can do it too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Proofreading Course

Guaranteed work sounds great, but surely there’s a catch.

There are no hidden surprises with our guaranteed work offer.

If you pass Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with a distinction score (at least 80%) in each final assignment, we’ll offer you the chance to take up a 10-document work trial with our partner company, Proofed – one of the world’s leading proofreading and editing services. If you successfully pass this paid trial, you’ll gain access to the wider Proofed platform and be able to accept bigger and better-paying documents. As you build confidence and experience, you may also be invited to take on specialist work with business clients, further boosting your earning potential.

And if you don’t score 80% first time, it’s no problem. You can purchase additional attempts, and you’ll receive ample support from our friendly tutor team along the way.

How does this proofreading course work?

Becoming A Proofreader is made up of 13 comprehensive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of proofreading. You can progress through the course at your own pace and return to completed modules for a refresher whenever you like.

As well as informative written content, each module includes interactive elements such as videos, try-it-yourself exercises, and quizzes. These are designed for you to test your skills as you work your way through the course, and they help highlight any areas you might want to revisit. But don’t worry, none of these count toward your final grade!

When you reach the final module, we’ll guide you through some key revision areas and provide you with a mock assignment. This is a great opportunity for you to try out your skills and see the kinds of edits you should be making in a document. The mock test isn’t marked by a tutor, but it comes with our edited version and a set of notes so you can review your work.

When you’re ready, you can then progress to the final assignment! This consists of two proofreading tests, on which you’ll receive detailed tutor feedback. You can take as long as you need to complete the tests, and you are encouraged to refer back to the course while you work. If you score 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you’ll be offered the opportunity to undertake a 10-document paid work trial as a freelance proofreader with Proofed. And if you don’t pass the first time, don’t panic! You can purchase additional attempts.

What kinds of writing does your proofreading course cover?

In Becoming A Proofreader, we cover the main subjects professional proofreaders are likely to work in. Creative, business, and academic writing are all included. If you’re just starting out, we recommend gaining experience in all areas before you decide to focus on a particular type of writing.

Do you teach proofreading symbols or marks?

At Knowadays, our courses have always been based on the need for editing and proofreading in a digital world. We recognize that most clients work on a computer with internet access and need documents to be proofread immediately.

We don’t teach the use of proofreading symbols as most proofreaders today are unlikely to use them. There may be some customers who prefer the traditional methods of proofreading, but most work will be done digitally.

How long will it take to complete the course? Can I start my proofreading course at any time?

One of the great things about learning with Knowadays is that you get to set the pace. When you buy one of our courses, you get lifetime access. This means you can get started whenever you want, and you can take as little or as much time as you need.

Is there a UK and a US version of the proofreading course?

Yes, there are two versions of the course! You will be assigned the US version as standard, but if you would prefer the UK version instead, you can email us at [email protected] and we will make the switch for you.

How do I know proofreading is the career for me?

Before making any kind of career change, we recommend asking yourself three questions:

What do I enjoy doing? What skills do I possess or would I be willing to learn? What would make me happy career-wise?

A career in proofreading might be for you if:

• You enjoy reading, writing, and learning about the English language
• You have great attention to detail and often spot errors in written material
• You have good time management, technology, and organizational skills (or would be willing to develop them!)
• You want a career that is flexible, rewarding, varied, and always teaching you new things

With so many proofreading courses available, how do I know this is the right one?

We know there are a lot of different options out there, and weighing them up can be a daunting task.

One of the best ways to see if a course is right for you is to give it a go, which is precisely why you can take two lessons from the course for free. You can get a feel for learning with Knowadays by exploring our example modules, complete with interactive activities and quizzes.

It’s also worth asking yourself:

•  Does the course cover the fundamentals?
• Does it include practical exercises to test your skills?
• Do you get access to learning support?
• Does the course have good reviews?
• Do you get a certification?

When you learn with Knowadays, the answer to all of these questions is yes! Plus we’ve been recognized as the Editorial Training Provider Of The Year (UK) in the 2023 Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards.

What’s the difference between proofreading and copy editing?

If you think of the editing process as a timeline, copy editing happens toward the end – after developmental and line editing have been finished but before the final proofread:

Developmental editing ➜ Line/stylistic editing ➜ Copy editing ➜ Proofreading

A copy editor’s role is to ensure that words, sentences, and paragraphs work together to properly express the author’s ideas while maintaining the author’s voice.

A proofreader focuses on fixing mechanical errors, such as spelling mistakes or typos, grammatical issues, and misused or missing punctuation. You can read more about this in our blog .

Modern digital proofreading can touch upon some elements of copy writing because it’s no longer constrained by the limitations of the printing press. Some clients may not exactly know if they need a proofreader or a copy editor, but our course teaches you all about the remit of each role, plus how to establish the scope of the task before you start.

What do I need to take the course? What will I need to study for this course?

There’s no need to study anything beforehand. To complete the course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and access to a full version of Microsoft Word (2016, 2019, 2021, or 365).

Although you can view the course on smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks, they use a limited version of Microsoft Word that doesn’t include all the necessary tools. Plus, a larger screen size is preferable for study.

Other than that, all you need is the ability to set aside some study time, a little self-discipline, and the desire to learn about all things proofreading!

If English is not your first language, you can still take the course, but please note that passing the final assignment calls for a high-level understanding of written English.

Do I need any qualifications or previous experience to enroll in the course?

The simple answer is no!

Becoming A Proofreader is designed to cover everything you need to know to start work as a professional proofreader, so you don’t need any qualifications or previous experience. This course is your path from complete beginner to confident, trained professional.

That being said, lots of experienced professionals take Knowadays courses too! If you’re looking to brush up on your existing skills or find new avenues of work, our Becoming A Proofreader course can help you do just that.

Is Becoming A Proofreader a certified course? Do I get a proofreading qualification?

Becoming A Proofreader is accredited by CPD – a professional body that certifies excellence in professional development training. CPD-certified courses are rigorously tested by industry experts, which makes them a valuable addition to your resume. When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate via email. This is a great way to showcase your achievements, and it lets potential employers and clients know that your knowledge and skills are up to date.

How much does the proofreading course cost?

Our course is $499 (which is cheaper than other proofreading courses out there!). If you’re also interested in learning how to edit, we offer a bundle of two courses for $849, saving you 15% and giving you the opportunity to work with Proofed. Learn more about the bundle here .

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes! Course purchases will be refunded in full if requested within 14 days of the purchase date (see our terms and conditions ).

If you’d like to request a refund, all you need to do is email us at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

Does it matter where I live?

You can be anywhere in the world! All you’ll need is a computer (PC or Mac), an internet connection, and a full version of Microsoft Word (2016 or later).

Please note that to work with Proofed, your country of residence must have a tax treaty with the United States Internal Revenue Service and use a currency that’s compatible with Proofed’s payment platform. These countries are listed here .

If I successfully complete the Becoming A Proofreader course, am I guaranteed work with Proofed?

When you pass both our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses with distinction scores of 80% or higher, you’ll have the chance to begin a 10-document trial period with our partner company, Proofed.

Completing only Becoming A Proofreader does not guarantee work with Proofed, but you can still launch an independent career as a professional proofreader!

Is there a demand for proofreaders?

There is no shortage of demand for proofreaders!

From businesses to academic institutions, publishing houses to nonprofits, all sorts of organizations produce content that requires proofreading. Although some deal with this in-house, there is always a demand for professional freelance proofreaders who can get the job done to a high standard.

Webpages, blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, essays, novels, manuscripts, journal articles, legal documents, medical writing – there is a huge variety of proofreading work available (and that’s not even the full list!).

How much money do proofreaders make?

The rates proofreaders charge can vary significantly based on factors such as:

• How experienced you are
• How complex the job is
• Whether you are working in a specialist subject area
• The type of client

The EFA (US) suggests a minimum hourly rate of $31–$45 (depending on the nature of the project). The CIEP (UK) suggests a minimum hourly rate of £28.65.

When you start out, it is likely you will be earning less than this, as you may need to market your services competitively in order to build up a client base (as well as your confidence and experience!). But as you gain practice and develop your skills, you also gain the ability to charge higher rates.

You can read more about setting rates as a proofreader in our blog .

Can you make a living proofreading?

Definitely! There are lots of factors that influence how much a proofreader can charge, and figures on average income vary depending where you look. However, the figures all have something in common – they show it’s completely possible to make a living proofreading.

Hundreds of Knowadays graduates are doing just that, whether by working for Proofed, signing up with other agencies, or building their own freelance businesses.

As with any career, you have to be willing to put in the work to develop your skills, find clients, and gain experience. But if you do that, you’re sure to succeed!

Plus, as you gain experience, or complete additional training or accreditation, you can raise your rates accordingly.

How do I get my first proofreading job?

If you pass your final assignment with a distinction score of 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you won’t need to worry about finding your first proofreading job. As part of our guaranteed work offer, you’ll have the chance to take up a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed, soon after completing the course.

If you’d prefer to source your own clients, or you want to combine working with Proofed with working independently, there are a number of things you can do. Explore our blog to pick up freelance tips and read guidance on how to find proofreading work . And for the practical elements of setting up your own freelance business, check out our Becoming A Freelancer course.

Who can I discuss my questions and doubts with?

We’re here to help you decide whether Becoming A Proofreader is right for you, and we’ll guide you through your journey if you take the course. Our tutors have been exactly where you are now, and they will make sure you feel taken care of at all times.

Email us your questions at [email protected] , or get in touch to ask about scheduling a chat with one of the team.

• No payment info
• No hidden costs

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Certificate of Editing and Proofreading

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ENROL & START TODAY

* ts&cs apply.

• Unlimited Support
• 12 Months' Access

Whether you want to become a professional editor and proof-reader or simply want to improve your own writing, editing is an important skill in any career and an asset to your resume.

The Certificate of Editing and Proofreading is an introductory online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to edit and proofread copy for a variety of formats, across different writing styles, publishing media and audiences.

In this editing and proofreading course, you will gain a solid foundation in the principles of editing and proofreading, including types of editing, setting priorities, editing symbols, style guides, proofreading tips and tools.

You will learn about plagiarism, interpersonal skills for editors, and how to edit for a variety of mediums, including print and online content. You will also discover how to find editing work and how to sell and market your services to potential clients.

On completion of this course you will have a solid grasp on the theory and principles of professional editing and proofreading.

Course Structure

Unit 1 – Introduction to Editing

• The role and scope of editing
• Tools for editing
• Editing skills
• The production process
• An overview; who does what in publishing

Unit 2 – The Mechanics of Clear Writing

• Punctuation

Unit 3 – Assessing Manuscripts

• Readability
• Word length
• Consistencies and inaccuracies
• The reader’s report
• Substantive editing
• The author’s responsibilities
• The author/editor relationship

Unit 4 – Copy Editing I

• What the copy editor does
• The procedure
• House style
• Style sheets

Unit 5 – Copy Editing II

• Parts of a publication
• Editing non-text material
• Illustration

Unit 6 – Preparing Copy for Printing

• Type design
• Page layout
• Proof stages

Unit 7 – Proofreading

Unit 8 – The Final Stages

• Checking final proofs

Study Hours

Estimated duration 50 hours

Course Delivery and Start

Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Testimonials

I loved the mini quizes because it helped me remember information. i loved learning about more of the ins and outs of the writing industry and it has helped me better edit my own work..

A.Keeshan, NSW | Certificate of Editing and Proofreading

This was my first time studying since graduating high school in 2003. I found the course thorough and interesting. I sincerely believe it has increased my knowledge in this area and I’m excited to use what I’ve learnt to work more in this field.

E. Archer, Rockingham, WA | Certificate of Editing and Proofreading

It was a good learning experience that I was able to complete in my own time, alongside my employment.

H. Lambert, Newcastle, NSW | Certificate of Editing and Proofreading

My experience with studying the Certificate in Editing and Proofreading was overall a very positive one. The modules were logically set out, the activities and assessments were well connected to the content and now that I am working in the industry, I can clearly see the correlation between the modules and the actual work. I only needed clarification once, just to make sure I was on the right track, and the response was prompt and supportive. I would most definitely recommend this course to anyone wishing to work in the publishing industry in an editing capacity.

K. Alexander, Bullaburra, NSW | Certificate of Editing and Proofreading

Studying with Australian Online Courses gave me the flexibility to complete field studies, tasks and assignments in my own time. I did not feel pressured at any time during my course to submit work until I was completely satisfied with my work. The course material was well presented and easy to follow. I would highly recommend Australian Online Courses to anyone who is looking to undertake online study with such a helpful and professional organisation. Thanks again.

I have experienced: i) Extremely efficient online learning. ii) Quick marking ‘turn-around’ times. iii) Tutors who have been wonderfully approachable and helpful with any queries and concerns regarding course enrollment, assessments and/or subject matter. Overall, I am very satisfied with learning via Australian Online Courses. Thank you.

Fantastic experience and was able to gain lots of knowledge.

I have learnt a lot from this course. This course has helped me to manage my anger issues and look at things from a different perspective. I have learnt that my anger and the behaviour can affect others. I have learnt new ways on controlling and managing my emotions and anger. This is the first time i have attended an anger management course. I wish I had done this course earlier.

The course content was relevant, interesting and appropriately paced.

My experience was Australian Online Courses was excellent. I could complete the work at my own pace using the provided materials which were in a easy to access spot. The education has helped me formulate ideas for progressing a project I am currently trying to develop. Overall I am very satisfied with what I have experienced.

It was a very informative platform. The study material is very useful and assignments are practical based real life situations. I learned a lot and I try my best to improve myself with the help of this course.

I completed this course to develop my knowledge and skillset in policy development in hopes of progressing my career. Online study works best for me to allow me to continue working full time, and studying when it suits me. Assessments were marked quickly, and the content was engaging and beneficial. Thank you to AOC

I enjoyed studying and I’m going to enroll for another course. The tutor was great and it was easy to understand.

The best institute I have ever come through. Looking forward to enrolling in few other courses for a refresher.

I was grateful to be able to study at my own pace, so I could stop and start when I chose and be able to keep up with other commitments. I also appreciated the tutors responding to my queries in a timely manner.

I have thoroughly enjoyed completing this course. I’ve learnt many valuable new skills, which will assist me in advancing my career. Thank you!

It was amazing experience to do online course with this organisation. Everything comes very smooth and the portal is very user friendly.

loved studying Australian Online Courses. The fact that you are able to complete the course and assessment in your own time is amazing! I started this course when I was heavily pregnant with my first child and have now completed it 6 months after he was born due to the fact that it is at your own pace!

I absolutely loved it! It was easy to pick up so that I could learn and start a new career.

AOC was great. Study content was great and gave me all necessary information to complete the assessments and also gain a great understanding of the units. I also dealt with AOC support to extend my course and it was such an easy process and I was so glad to be able to do that without any issues.

I loved my experience studying with Australian Online Courses.

Amazing learning opportunity, I love that I can complete the course at my own pace. The learning and the assignments provided me with a lot of insight and knowledge for my future career.

My experience for studying with Australian Online Courses was excellent. All the information supplied to me was easy to understand. I would definitely come back to you to study another course if needed, in the future. Highly recommend.

My experience with Australian online courses has been fantastic, I would highly recommend them to everyone I know. Professional and extremely helpful staff make studying online so much easier. I definitely would chose to study with Australian Online Courses again.

A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

How to Enrol

Enrol Online:   Enrol Now

Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)

Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)

Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice

Enrolling Multiple Staff?

To enrol multiple staff, please complete the  Employer Enrolment Form.  We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!

Payment Options

Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.

Course FAQs

Why Choose Australian Online Courses?

• Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
• Improve your employment opportunities;
• Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
• High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
• All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
• Unlimited tutor support via email;
• We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
• Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?

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Learn How to Proofread: 13+ Free Proofreading Courses

Since March 2020, trends and opportunities in remote work have changed drastically. Employers weren’t ready for entire workforces to work from home, but thanks to innovative advances and technological wonders, it worked out better than anyone anticipated.

Where once work-from-home (WFH) jobs were seen as “gigs” and only suited to part-time, freelance, or low-paying positions, when everyone became a WFH worker, the attitude towards working from home and the people who did it for a living changed.

According to a survey of over 1,500 employers conducted by UpWork , by 2025 over 36 million Americans will be working full time from home in remote positions. 

One “divine” occupation, according to Stephen King, for those looking to join the work-from-home crowd is the pursuit of proofreading. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for proofreaders will increase by 5% in the next 8 to 10 years.

To write is human. To edit is divine. Stephen King

You could spend hours studying the local library’s copies of the MLA Handbook , The Associated Press Stylebook , The Chicago Manual of Style , and whatever grammar books they have to offer.

Or you could take an online course or two, possibly earn a certification upon completion of said course, and be well on your way to a lucrative work-from-home career. 

Today, we’ll be looking at some of the best online training courses for prospective proofreaders. Train from home to work from home and do it without breaking the bank. What could be better?

Here’s what’s in store for you today:

• No-cost proofreading courses
• Free-with-trial proofreading courses
• Low-cost proofreading courses

The divine world of proofreading is made easily accessible by taking any of the courses outlined below.

Completely Free Proofreading Courses

The editing academy’s free editing for beginners minicourse.

The Editing Academy offers a “Master Course” in professional proofreading that costs around $550. However, they also offer a free online minicourse, “ Editing for Beginners ”.

While this free course won’t prepare you to become a professional proofreader, it will give you a taste of what that could be like. It includes information on what you can expect as a professional proofreader, as well as a couple of grammar lessons. 

If you’re new to the idea of becoming a professional proofreader or copyeditor, this free online minicourse can be quite useful in helping you decide if proofreading is the right career for you. 

Alison’s Introduction to Proofreading

Unlike the Editing Academy’s minicourse, the free proofreading course from Alison.com teaches you how to proofread. Even better for prospective professional proofreaders is the fact that Alison’s course focuses on business writing . An Introduction to Proofreading provides you with the skills needed to tackle proofreading business communications, especially those created in Microsoft Word.

The course also includes instruction on how to “trick” your brain into catching often overlooked errors. The final module focuses on something not every proofreading course does—the dangers of working with templated documents. 

You also have the option of buying a certificate to prove you’ve completed the course. Digital as well as printed and framed certificates are available starting at around $30. 

Alison packs a lot of learning and earning potential into a free course you can complete in an afternoon or evening. 

Edit Republic’s Proofreading 101

Edit Republic is another site devoted to proofreading and editing courses. And like Editing Academy, they offer a free email course to get you started. 

Proofreading 101 isn’t just different in how you get the course—via email over 5 days—but also in that it includes a module on how to run a professional proofreading business. As one student, Casey B., put it in their testimonial :

It delved into the aspects of conducting yourself as a professional and dug into the nitty-gritty issue of money. Casey B

It’s all well and good to learn a skill that can increase your earning potential and offer you a way to work from home. It’s another to learn how to put that skill to use professionally. Proofreading 101 gives you both.

Proofreading Service’s Free Proofreading Course

This free course at Proofreading Service comes with a bit of a twist. First, they hire you as a proofreader, and then they train you to do the job.

The catch? You must have qualifications, education, or experience in at least one of the following academic fields:

• Biosciences
• Mathematics
• Engineering

PRS offers editing services to professionals and students for their journal articles, thesis papers, and dissertation presentations. Therefore, their proofreaders and editors must have a higher level of subject knowledge than your everyday professional proofreader. 

This makes a job with them, and the free course that comes with it, ideal for grad students and the new graduate, as well as professors and professionals looking for a second career or “side hustle”. 

Free-With-Trial-Membership Proofreading Courses

Many of the online learning marketplaces offer 7, 14, and even 30-day free trial memberships, during which time you can take any of their courses. 

This means that editing and proofreading courses from LinkedIn, for example, complete with their digital certificates, could be yours before you have to pay the LinkedIn Premium monthly fee.

And LinkedIn isn’t the only online learning marketplace with a similar offer. Let’s explore your other options for a free-with-trial-membership proofreading course now. 

SkillShare’s Writing and Editing Masterclass

The Writing and Editing Masterclass at SkillShare currently runs just under 3 hours. A free trial at SkillShare lasts 30 days. You could easily make time to prepare for your new career in 30 days, couldn’t you? 

A monthly membership to SkillShare costs less than $40/month currently. And you can cancel at any time, even before your free month’s trial is up. That makes the possibility of taking and completing the Writing and Editing Masterclass for free very real. It’s SkillShare’s highest-rated proofreading course and comes highly recommended by former students.

One drawback of SkillShare is that they don’t typically offer any type of certificate or other proof of course completion. They suggest posting your final project as proof you’ve completed and passed their courses.

All in all, though, a professional proofreading course you can get for nothing is still something to take advantage of. 

SkillShare’s Editing and Proofreading Masterclass

The second-highest rated SkillShare proofreading class is their “Editing and Proofreading Masterclass”. It’s about 10 minutes shy of 4 hours in length, with a final project that consists of proofreading and editing a page of text. 

The Editing and Proofreading Masterclass focuses more on grammar and punctuation than the Writing and Editing Masterclass, so it might be a good fit if you aren’t a native English speaker or if you feel the need to review and sharpen your English grammar skills. 

As Ashraf Tanvir puts it in his testimonial:

It’s a truly amazing experience to get to learn so much from a single course. Ashraf Tanvir

Since both classes could probably be completed within the 30-day free trial period, it might be a good idea to complete both. 

That way, you’ll be more confident that your skills are up-to-date, making you better prepared for your new proofreading career.

SkillShare’s Certification in Editing and Proofreading

We mentioned above that SkillShare doesn’t typically offer any type of certificates upon completion of its courses. But Prof. Krishna N. Sharma does just that in his Certification in Editing and Proofreading Course .

What Prof. Sharma offers is 84 minutes of video instruction in proofreading and editing business and technical writing, blogging, emails, copywriting, and content writing. 

And once you’ve completed your hands-on final projects, you will receive instructions on how to download your very own personalized certificate of completion.

LinkedIn’s Editing and Proofreading Made Easy

LinkedIn offers two editing and proofreading courses in their Premium LinkedIn Learning marketplace.

If you are unfamiliar with LinkedIn, here’s the process to access this course:

• Sign up for and create a LinkedIn profile. 
• Sign up for a free month’s trial of LinkedIn Premium. 
• Enroll in the Editing and Proofreading Made Easy course in the Learning section of LinkedIn Premium. 

If you aren’t already on LinkedIn as a prospective professional in need of either freelance clients or an employer, it’s a good idea to set up a profile on the platform. It is, after all, dedicated to forming networks among professionals. 

The Editing and Proofreading Made Easy course is a video course lasting about 40 minutes. Again, very easy to complete during a 30-day free trial to LinkedIn Premium. 

Here’s what one student, Merrie Lynn Eaker , has to say about the course:

Very comprehensive for such a short course. Merrie Lynn Eaker

LinkedIn Learning offers PDF certificates that can be placed on your LinkedIn profile, attached to a website, or even printed and framed. 

Another advantage of the LinkedIn courses is that they are all taught by professionals with experience in, and often still working in, the careers they are teaching. Learn from qualified professionals to become a qualified professional. 

LinkedIn’s Editing Mastery Course

Your free month’s trial at LinkedIn should give you plenty of time to also complete their Editing Mastery course. 

At just shy of 5 hours, it’s another video course offered by a professional editor and proofreader. It’s more in-depth than the Editing Made Easy course. It’s also perhaps more than a novice proofreader might need but might find useful later on. 

How in-depth? LinkedIn will award professionals 4.75 Continuing Education Units. By comparison, the Editing and Proofreading Made Easy course only awards .25 CEUs.

Again, you get a professional editor and journalist as an instructor. You will receive your certificate upon completion. And you will be better prepared and more confident in starting your new proofreading career. 

Coursera’s Writing and Editing: Revising Course

Coursera offers a 7-day free trial, and the fourth and final course in their Good With Words: Writing and Editing Specialization only takes 14 hours to complete.

So what happens if you can’t complete the Writing and Editing: Revising course in a week? Then there’s a membership fee of around $60 a month.

What makes this course different from the rest? It’s offered by the University of Michigan. That’s right. A full college-level course, complete with certificate upon completion, for less than $100. And completely free if you can get it done before the free trial expires.

There’s one more thing about this course that sets it apart. If you don’t want the certificate and only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course completely free of charge. Lots of options. Lots of learning. Not a lot of money to do so. 

Low-Cost Proofreading Courses

If you have a bit more than just time to invest in preparing for your new career in proofreading and editing, you might want to consider one of the courses in this section. We’ve selected courses from Udemy, SkillShare, and CreativeLive. None of them currently cost more than $200. Udemy often runs “sales” on their courses that can reduce the cost even more. It’s a small price to pay considering the lucrative career you could have upon completing your coursework. 

Udemy’s Proofread Like a Pro

This is Udemy’s best-selling proofreading course. It normally costs around $100 but can be found for as little as $15 on sale. 

Proofread Like a Pro is specifically designed to train you to become a professional proofreader. It contains modules on not just how to proofread documents, but also how to set yourself up in the proofreading business. 

It is a very practical course. One of the suggested requirements is that you have a printer handy to print out your exercise documents so you can get hands-on experience. 

Here’s what one very happy student, Joanna T. , had to say about Proofread Like a Pro: 

This course is amazing…The hands-on activities really help to cement what is taught in each lecture. Joanna T

Udemy’s Certification in Editing and Proofreading – Masterclass

One thing that sets the Certification in Editing and Proofreading Masterclass apart from other courses is that it doesn’t restrict itself to business documents. 

It also includes creative writing, copywriting, emails, blogging, and other content editing. This gives the student a broader education and therefore broader career opportunities than many other courses can offer. 

Another thing that sets the Certification in Editing and Proofreading Masterclass apart from its competition is that it is accredited by an organization other than Udemy. India’s Virtued Academy stands behind the course and its certificate. 

Udemy generally offers all this wonderful proofreading education for less than $90. On sale during one of their discount events, you can often find it for $10 to $15. A very small price to pay for quality career prep, don’t you think?

Udemy’s How to Become a Freelance Editor

Once you’ve got all that proofreading knowledge in your head, you’ll want to start putting it to use. 

That may be why many of Udemy’s proofreading students across their various course offerings take How to Become a Freelance Editor either concurrently with, or shortly after completing, those proofreading courses. 

While several of the courses we’ve featured have offered modules on starting your freelance proofreading career, How to Become a Freelance Editor focuses the entire course on that endeavor. 

Some of the very vital proofreading career skills included in this course are:

• How to launch your freelance proofreading and editing career
• How to effectively quote fees to prospective clients
• How to market your freelance proofreading and editing business
• Where to find employment/jobs in proofreading and editing

This course normally sells for around $80. Even when not discounted to $15 to $20, it’s still a bargain for all that you’ll learn to help launch your new proofreading business or career. 

CreativeLive’s Proofreading Your Own Work

If you’re coming to the proofreading world from the writing world, you may find Proofreading Your Own Work to be of some help in getting started.

It uses your own work as its practical examples and learning tools. A writer probably has plenty of that lying around, right? And since you’re intimately knowledgeable of it, it should make the class and its information very easy to understand and get excited about.

Another thing to get excited about is CreativeLive’s low price of less than $35. For a membership of less than $15 a month, you can access over 2,000 courses at CreativeLive, in case you want to improve or learn other skills. 

Shannon Lafreniere , a satisfied student, had this to say:

Heather did a great job at breaking down do’s and don’ts of all things proofreading . Shannon Lafreniere

One thing CreativeLive doesn’t do is offer any certificate or other proof of course completion. Proofreading Your Own Work might be a good starting point, though, for those testing the waters of the field of proofreading. 

Your Next Step

Where you go from here is up to you. Which course or courses appealed to you the most? What’s your budget? And we don’t just mean what’s in your wallet, but also how much time you have. These are all things to consider before taking that next step. Good luck in making these decisions—you’ll be on your way in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a professional proofreader earn.

According to Indeed , the average base yearly salary for a professional proofreader is $53,149. 

What kind of clients do proofreaders work with?

That depends on the proofreader. You can specialize in a particular industry niche or a particular type of writing. Many proofreaders are “generalists” working with a wide variety of clients and types of writing.

Do I need to be a grammar expert to be a proofreader?

Yes and no. You have to have a very good grasp of basic grammar rules. But no one ever knows all the rules, so knowing how to research to find the answers you need is more important than a head full of grammar do’s and don’t’s. Every good proofreader also has their favorite resource materials they can turn to when uncertain about the accuracy of something.

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Katrina McKinnon

I'm Katrina McKinnon, the author behind Small Revolution . With two decades of hands-on experience in online work, running eCommerce stores, web agency and job boards, I'm now on a mission to empower you to work from home and achieve work-life balance. My passion lies in crafting insightful, education content. I have taught thousands of students and employees how to write, do SEO, manage eCommerce stores and work as Virtual Assistants. Join our most popular course: SEO Article Masterclass