I'd like to work towards a new qualification, what can I study?

[Icepearl]

Very specific requirements! I don't know if this course exists.

Online, cheap!

No exams on specific dates as I won't be able to get time off work for exams - so either assessed coursework, or exams with flexible times and dates.

I am interested in languages, linguistics, history, archaeology,

I already have degrees in science and a qualification in teaching

GCSE level, or A level type standard

Does anyone have any suggestions?

The context is I have several big operations coming up, and will be sitting on my settee for weeks or months, and was the same a few years ago, and would rather spend the time working towards something now.

Am open to suggestions about providers, or alternative subjects. Even something leading into a new career direction, possibly!

Thankyou in advance for any suggestions.

Is the point self-improvement or career progression? Anything cheap probably won't be worth much career-wise, though places like MIT and Harvard do good free MOOC courses that might look impressive on a CV. If it's just for you, look at Coursera / Udemy and see what tickles your fancy.

A language is an easy answer because there are huge amounts of free resources on the web. German is good because the German government encourages learning the language, so there are lots of professionally-produced high quality courses for free. There is even one where you get a free tutor. I expect other countries do similar. Exams would cost and require travel to the exam venue though.

Or "The Great Courses" provide US college-level lecture series. No coursework or exams though. The ones on Audible are cheap if you have Audible credits. The music ones by Dr Robert Greenberg are brilliant. The more recent video ones are more expensive.