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

University of Michigan
Программирование для всех (начало работы с Python)
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Software Installation, Computational Thinking, Development Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
97 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidade de São Paulo
Processamento Neural de Linguagem Natural em Português I
Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Artificial Neural Networks, Tensorflow, Python Programming, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Text Mining
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
MathWorks
Predictive Modeling and Machine Learning with MATLAB
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Matlab, Regression Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Feature Engineering, Statistical Modeling, Data Processing, Sampling (Statistics)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
118 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
NIIT
RESTful Microservices Using Node.js and Express
Skills you'll gain: Node.JS, API Gateway, MySQL, Restful API, MongoDB, Microservices, API Design, NoSQL, Object-Relational Mapping, Database Design, Relational Databases, Unit Testing, SQL, Databases, Server Side, Application Deployment, Javascript, Application Programming Interface (API), Software Documentation, Data Modeling
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Spark, Hadoop, and Snowflake for Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: PySpark, Snowflake Schema, Databricks, Data Pipelines, Apache Spark, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Apache Hadoop, Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Quality, Data Integration, Data Processing, DevOps, Data Transformation, SQL
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
Universidad de los Andes
Analítica financiera
Skills you'll gain: Financial Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Statistical Analysis, Risk Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Risk Management, R Programming, Data Transformation, Machine Learning Methods, Artificial Neural Networks
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Edureka
Programming with Rust
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Restful API, System Programming, API Design, Web Frameworks, Server Side, Web Development, Development Environment, Application Programming Interface (API), Back-End Web Development, Web Servers, Web Applications, Object-Relational Mapping, Data Manipulation, Package and Software Management, Data Structures, Web Development Tools, Software Design Patterns, Performance Tuning, Secure Coding
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Embedded Interface Design
Skills you'll gain: User Research, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Verification And Validation, UI/UX Research, Persona (User Experience), Usability Testing, User Centered Design, Internet Of Things, API Design, User Interface (UI), Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing Architecture, Embedded Systems, Human Computer Interaction, Application Programming Interface (API), Prototyping, Network Protocols
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
142 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Serverless Data Processing with Dataflow: Develop Pipelines
Skills you'll gain: Dataflow, Data Pipelines, Data Processing, Real Time Data, Data Transformation, Jupyter, Google Cloud Platform, JSON, SQL
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Generative AI Essentials: A Comprehensive Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering, Interactive Learning, AI Personalization, Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Automation
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Accounting Data Analytics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Matplotlib, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, SQL, Data Visualization Software, Seaborn, Data Processing, Data Structures, NumPy, Programming Principles, Business Analysis, Databases, Accounting, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, Python Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Machine Learning, Regression Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
108 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months