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
Duke University
Data Engineering with Rust
Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Rust (Programming Language), Restful API, Amazon Web Services, Data Structures, Secure Coding, Data Processing, Cloud Applications, Data Manipulation, Encryption, Algorithms
3.5
Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology
Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Computational Logic, Applied Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Simulations, Statistical Modeling, Biochemistry, Biology, Probability, Electrical Systems
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Simplilearn
Programming with C#
Skills you'll gain: C# (Programming Language), Restful API, Unity Engine, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C and C++, .NET Framework, Video Game Development, ASP.NET, Object-Relational Mapping, Web Services, Application Development, Software Design Patterns, Database Management, Model View Controller
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Starweaver
Introduction to Automotive Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Systems, Electronic Systems, Cybersecurity, Automation, Electronics, Control Systems, Internet Of Things, Software Development, Real-Time Operating Systems, Systems Integration, Artificial Intelligence
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnKartS
Advanced Cybersecurity
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing, Cloud Computing, Mobile Security, Cloud Services, Cloud Infrastructure, Virtualization, Encryption, Cryptography, Vulnerability Assessments, SQL
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Principal Component Analysis with NumPy
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, NumPy, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Seaborn, Matplotlib, Cloud Computing, Jupyter, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Python Programming, Linear Algebra
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
295 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Javascript: The Basics
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Back-End Web Development, Server Side, Front-End Web Development, Scripting, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, Mobile Development, HTML and CSS, Web Development
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
285 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Python Basics: Selection and Iteration
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Scripting, Computational Logic, Scripting Languages, Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
259 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Advanced Data Visualization with R
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Tidyverse (R Package), Ggplot2, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Data Manipulation, Scatter Plots, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, R Programming, Data Mapping, Animations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
79 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programación con JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Javascript, JSON, Web Development Tools, Unit Testing, Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Node.JS, Computer Programming, Package and Software Management, Event-Driven Programming, Functional Design, Data Structures, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
131 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Working with BigQuery
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Reporting, Data Visualization, Big Data, SQL, Query Languages, Data Import/Export, Data Presentation, Google Cloud Platform, Data Warehousing, Data Sharing, Analytics
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
228 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Climate change and Indigenous People and local communities
Skills you'll gain: Research Methodologies, Social Sciences, Environmental Issue, Environmental Policy, Environment, Environmental Monitoring, Cultural Sensitivity, Governance, Natural Resource Management, Cultural Diversity, Data Collection, Vulnerability
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months