Free · Module 1 available now · more coming soon

The Science of Happiness — Free Intro

A free 8-part introduction to what the research actually says about a flourishing life.

Watch, read, or work through it interactively. Each module is short and evidence-based, compiled by a team from Yale, George Mason and other universities.

Watch the videoRead the textbookTry it interactively

Start watching — free

Save your progress, track quizzes, and unlock the textbook view.

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Curriculum

Start with the introduction

The intro is live now — three short videos, a quick quiz, and a reading version. More modules arrive over the coming weeks.

  1. 1
    Introduction to The Science of Happiness

    A three-part introduction to the science of happiness — what it is, where the field came from, and the habits of happy people.

    🎬 Video📖 Textbook✓ Quiz

Built on the research

Compiled by a team from Yale, George Mason and other universities

Pursuit of Happiness is a nonprofit. The course material was put together by researchers and educators across several universities, including Yale and George Mason. A group of MPs also introduced an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament supporting our student well-being initiative at the University of Strathclyde.

Common questions

Is this really free?+

Yes. The intro course is free forever. You can finish it without paying anything. Paid courses go deeper, but the intro covers the foundations.

Do I have to sign up to watch?+

No — you can watch as a guest. Signing up just lets us save your progress, score your quizzes, and email you when new modules are released.

How long does it take?+

About two hours total — eight modules of roughly 10–15 minutes each. You can do one a day, or watch the whole thing in a sitting.

What if I prefer reading?+

Every module has a textbook view that mirrors the video, plus an interactive walkthrough. You can switch formats anytime.