How to learn C programming?

Whether you’re learning C programming for software development, systems programming, or academic purposes, having a clear goal can guide your learning. Consistent practice with coding and debugging is critical. Join communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit's r/C_Programming to ask questions and share knowledge. Work on real projects such as creating small programs. Introduction to C and C++ Specialization by Duke University on is a great starting resource.

What are the best C programming courses on Coursera?

Top options include C Programming for Beginners from Duke University and C Programming for Everybody from the University of Michigan . These courses cover everything from basic syntax to advanced topics like pointers, memory management, and data structures .

Can I learn C programming for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many C programming courses offer a free audit option, allowing learners to access video lessons and reading materials at no cost. To complete assignments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a C programming course?

You’ll learn how to write C code, understand control structures (like loops and conditionals), use functions, work with arrays and strings, and manage memory with pointers. Some courses also cover debugging and testing C programs.

Do I need coding experience to start learning C programming?

Not at all. Many courses are designed for beginners and introduce C concepts step by step. However, some familiarity with basic programming logic can be helpful, especially if you want to move on to more advanced topics or other programming languages.

"Can Coursera’s C programming courses help me in my career? "

Yes. C programming is fundamental in areas like embedded systems , game development , and operating systems. Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, strengthen your programming foundation, and prepare for roles that require low-level programming expertise.

Top C Programming Courses - Learn C Programming Online

Find the Best C Programming Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
SAS
Performing Network, Path, and Text Analyses in SAS Visual Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Network Analysis, Text Mining, Spatial Analysis, Data Visualization, Geospatial Mapping, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Natural Language Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
193 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
UiPath
Control Flow in RPA
Skills you'll gain: Robotic Process Automation, Business Process Automation, Automation, Programming Principles, Computational Logic
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Santa Cruz
لغة البرمجة C++ لمبرمجي اللغة C، الجزء (أ)
Skills you'll gain: C and C++, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, C (Programming Language), Algorithms, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Secure Coding
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Learning MEAN Stack by Building Real world Application
Skills you'll gain: Angular, Node.JS, Full-Stack Web Development, HTML and CSS, MongoDB, Back-End Web Development, Application Frameworks, Javascript, Maintainability, Restful API, Front-End Web Development, Server Side, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Development Tools, Application Deployment, Application Development, Middleware, Authentications, Web Design and Development, Web Applications
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Dashboard, Forecasting, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Excel, Predictive Modeling, UI Components, Visual Basic (Programming Language), Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), User Interface (UI), Automation, Debugging, Interactive Data Visualization, Productivity Software, Scenario Testing, Programming Principles
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
ARM Cortex (STM32) Fundamentals: Building Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, C (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Hardware Architecture, Computer Architecture, Debugging, Peripheral Devices
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Codio
C++: Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Data Structures, C++ (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Best Practices in Planning DE&I Interventions
Skills you'll gain: Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Diversity Programs, Diversity Training, Human Resource Strategy, Employee Retention, Human Resources, Recruitment Strategies, Workforce Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Plan Execution, Talent Acquisition, Communication Strategies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
58 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Backend Development using ASP.Net
Skills you'll gain: ASP.NET, Restful API, Model View Controller, JSON, Web Services, Middleware, Back-End Web Development, Web Applications, Server Side, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Routing Protocols
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
National Taiwan University
用 Python 做商管程式設計（三）(Programming for Business Computing in Python (3))
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Visualization, Matplotlib, Web Scraping, Business Logic, Machine Learning, Operational Analysis, Business Analytics, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Business Economics, User Interface (UI) Design, Computational Thinking, UI Components, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
161 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Austral
Desarrollo de páginas con Angular
Skills you'll gain: Angular, JavaScript Frameworks, Continuous Integration, TypeScript, JSON, Application Frameworks, Restful API, Test Automation, Web Services, Unit Testing, Web Applications, NoSQL, API Gateway, UI Components, Event-Driven Programming, Routing Protocols, Data Validation
3.1
Rating, 3.1 out of 5 stars
138 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
البرمجة للجميع - بدء استخدام بايثون
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Software Installation, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
74 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months