Best Educational YouTube Channels for College Students

In an age of technology, learning is no longer restricted to lecture halls and textbooks. Videos have now become a frequently used method of teaching, providing students with interactive content that makes learning more fun. Let’s take a look at some of the best educational YouTube channels out there that can help you to improve your knowledge and make learning fun.

Why Educational YouTube Channels are a Good Idea

Firstly, it is important to remember that you can only concentrate for a limited time.

In fact, one popular study technique is known as the 50/10 study sessions. This means you study for 50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break.

What’s great about many YouTube accounts is that they ensure that each lesson is short and sweet. This makes it easier to stay focused and concentrated without getting distracted or fatigued.

Another great thing about YouTube videos is that they are engaging, but not distracting like study groups might be. While it may be fun to study with friends, it can be easy to drift off in conversation and talk about things that have nothing to do with studying.

Most YouTube channels also have organized playlists. This means that each lesson is given in the correct order of how you should learn the subject.

Finally, some learners simply find it easier to study using visual or audio methods. YouTube videos provide both visual and audio assistance, which makes them easier and more fun to learn from than textbooks.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best YouTube learning channels out there!

25 Best YouTube Learning Channels

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

1. Ted-Ed

Since March 1, 2011, Ted-Ed has provided a wide range of classes, from visual arts to mathematics, health studies, and business. Each video features entertaining animations, with lessons taught in a fun way using interesting examples.
As of 2019, Ted-Ed has 10.2 million subscribers and the channel has been viewed around 1.6 billion times!Here is one of Ted Ed’s intriguing history lessons:You can follow Ted-Ed on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2. Crash Course

This channel launched on May 19, 2006, with the purpose of teaching a wide range of subjects such as world history, biology, and even psychology.
With 10.2 million subscribers and over 1.5 billion views, Crash Course uses a combination of historical footage, descriptive illustrations, and humor to keep viewers informed and entertained.
Here is one Crash Course on entrepreneurship:Crash Course is also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

3. C.G.P. Grey

Started on Aug 12, 2010, this channel focuses on providing classes in history, politics, philosophy, and technology.
C.G.P. Grey currently has more than 4.2 million subscribers and has been viewed over 483 million times.
Below is an interesting video about how the electoral college works.Don’t forget to check out C.G.P. Grey’s Twitter account!

4. Vsauce

This channel started uploading science lessons during the summer of 2010. Each lesson is focused on answering an intriguing rhetorical question such as “What if the Sun disappeared?”
To date, Vsauce has 15 million subscribers and more than 1.7 billion views and counting.You can catch Vsauce on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

5. Khan Academy

Since November 16, 2006, this channel has provided tutoring in subjects such as math, science, computing, and economics.
In each lesson, the teacher explains the concept and provides examples in front of you — just like in real life!
Here is one example of a math lesson:This channel has 5.24 million subscribers and 1,708,601,969 views. Khan Academy can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

6. Veritasium

Since July 21, 2010, Veritasium has provided an insider’s look at science, innovations, and places of interest. Each video includes demonstrations, interviews, and/or tours in order to give you a 3-dimensional look at the subject matter.
Here is one fascinating video about How Cod Saved the Vikings.This channel has 6.53 million subscribers and more than 700 million views. Learn more from this channel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

7. AsapSCIENCE

Launched on May 28, 2012, AsapSCIENCE teaches scientific concepts in a simple, laid-back way.
Each lesson includes illustrations to help you take in knowledge, while the narrators explain theories in an easy-to-understand manner.
How To Fall Asleep In 2 Minutes is just one of AsapSCIENCE’s many fascinating videos:AsapSCIENCE has 8.87 million subscribers and over 1.2 billion views. You can learn more about this channel from its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles.

8. Common Sense Education

This channel has provided students and teachers with tips on how to use technology in education since February 8, 2011.
Here is one example of advice provided by this channel:What’s great about this channel is that it also caters to Spanish speakers!
Common Sense Education has over 26,000 subscribers and over 7 million views. You can also check them out on Twitter and Facebook.

9. Edutopia

Launched on May 1, 2007, Edutopia informs teachers and students about the latest education techniques that are working for learners in K-12 education.
This channel will be especially helpful to you if you are an aspiring teacher studying Education who wants to provide students with some unique value.
At present, this channel has 114,000 subscribers and more than 23 million views.
Here is just one example of Edutopia’s short-and-sweet lessons.Edutopia is also on Facebook and Twitter.

10. Big Think

Since October 1, 2006, this channel has provided stimulating content from an array of experts, including famous names such as Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
To date, this channel has 2.68 million subscribers and 326,416,123 views.You can also check out Big Think on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

11. Teaching Channel

Since October 14, 2010, this channel has provided teachers with tons of special techniques to help every student grow. Today, this channel has more than 47,000 subscribers and over 76,000 views.
Teaching Channel can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

12. National Geographic

For those who are passionate about nature, the environment, science, and adventure, National Geographic has been providing engaging videos since May 7, 2006. This channel has 12.6 million subscribers and has been viewed well over 3 billion times!
Here is just one example of their captivating videos:You can find this channel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well.

13. expertvillage

Powered by eHow, this channel has provided tons of tutorials, tips, and life hacks since its launch on April 5, 2006.
Just one example of its helpful hints is the video on how to open a wine bottle with a bike pump.To date, this channel has 3.56 million subscribers and over 3.7 billion views as well as a Twitter page.

14. minutephysics

Launched on June 20, 2011, minutephysics is a channel dedicated to providing lessons in physics and other science topics.
Here is just one of its videos that uses amusing animations to capture viewers’ attention.This channel has 4.84 million subscribers and 423,186,865 views and counting. You can also check out more content on minutephysics’ Twitter and Facebook pages.

15. SmarterEveryDay

Launched on April 3, 2006, this channel uses science to inform viewers about the world around them. The slow-motion video on how Houdini died is just one of this channel’s many captivating videos.
SmarterEveryDay has 7.39 million subscribers as well as over half a billion views. You can check out more content on this channel’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

16. SciShow

This channel has been dedicated to delving into scientific mysteries since October 20, 2011. SciShow currently has 5.94 million subscribers as well as over a billion views.
From The Secret Language of Elephants to The Oldest Shipwreck in the World, this channel explores new topics every day of the week!You can find more intriguing content on SciShow’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

17. Numberphile

Started on September 15, 2011, this channel is focused on fascinating facts about numbers.
The Scientific Way to Cut a Cake is just one of these intriguing lessons.This channel has 3.1 million subscribers and 444,585,086 views. Its Facebook and Twitter pages are packed with more eye-opening content.

18. TheBadAstronomer

Focused on astronomy, space, and science, TheBadAstronomer has been around since March 25, 2006. This channel has 51.3 thousand subscribers and over 12 million views.

19. MIT OpenCourseWare

Provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this channel provides free lessons covering content from real-life MIT curriculums! Viewers can learn about a variety of subjects, such as Engineering, Science, and Statistics.
Here is one example of a real lecture that was provided on the YouTube channel:Launched on October 11, 2005, this channel now has 2.18 million subscribers and 177,018,285 views.

20. Sick Science!

Since June 14, 2007, this channel has shown students a variety of interesting science experiments. The lessons on this channel are hosted by Steve Spangler — a teacher, science toy designer, and Emmy award-winning television personality.Spangler’s channel has over 577,000 subscribers as well as more than 166 million views at present. Don’t forget to check out more content on Steve’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

21. Life Noggin

Since March 31, 2013, Life Noggin has been answering its viewers’ questions about life and the universe. This channel uses entertaining animations to keep viewers glued to their screens, and provides answers to amusing questions such as What If You Never Washed Your Hands?This channel has 2.93 million subscribers and over half a billion views. You can find more Life
Noggin content on its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

22. Computerphile

Since April 10, 2009, Computerphile has provided viewers with all sorts of interesting trivia from the world of computers, plus in-depth explanations about all things tech.Computerphile has 1.51 million subscribers and 117,022,324 views.If you enjoy this channel, you can find more content on Computerphile’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

23. Applied Science

Launched on July 23, 2006, Applied Science teaches students about how science and technology are applied in the world around them.
By following this channel, you will learn concepts such as How a film camera superimposes the date onto photos.This channel has over 588,000 subscribers and over 53 million views. If you’re looking to enjoy even more science content, be sure to check out Applied Science’s Twitter page.

24. Thomas Frank

If you ever find yourself in need of advice for being more productive while studying, be sure to check out Thomas Frank’s YouTube channel. By watching Frank’s lessons, you can pick up tips on how to get the most out of your time at school or college.
This page has 1.67 million subscribers and more than 91 million views. If you find Thomas’s advice to be helpful, be sure to also check out his Instagram and Twitter pages.

25. In A Nutshell

Since July 9, 2013, In a Nutshell has taught students about science with the use of amusing animated videos. If you’re curious to find out more about scientific concepts such as wormholes, In A Nutshell’s captivating videos are sure to keep you both entertained and engaged.This channel has 10.2 million subscribers and 788 million views. To learn more fascinating science facts, check out In A Nutshell’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts!

Honorable Mentions

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

1. Easy Languages

If you’ve always wanted to learn another language, then this is the channel for you! Since July 17, 2006, Easy Languages has conducted interviews on the streets in order to teach viewers about other people’s languages and cultures. This video about learning Portuguese is just one fascinating first-hand look at different world cultures:This page has over 770,000 subscribers and 106 million views. Be sure to check out Easy Languages’ Facebook page for more engaging content on world languages!

2. HowStuffWorks

Since November 11, 2006, this channel has kept students informed about the goings-on in the world around them. As the name suggests, this channel teaches you about how stuff works, such as How Physics Help Animals Fly:HowStuffWorks currently has over 661,000 subscribers and 121 million views. HowStuffWorks also made sure to put additional content on its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

3. THINKR

Launched on March 27, 2012, this channel uses people, insights, and stories to provide viewers with new perspectives. Videos such as the one about Miami’s Public Hives provide viewers with important takeaways about design:This channel has more than 918,000 subscribers and 164 million views. If you enjoy the unique perspectives that THINKR has to offer, be sure to also check out THINKR’s Twitter and Facebooks pages!

Conclusion

With so many educational YouTube channels out there for you to choose from, you now have a greater opportunity than ever before to learn important lessons in an engaging, enjoyable, and interactive way.