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

Coursera Project Network
Customer Service with Python: Build a Chatbot using ChatGPT
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Service, Application Programming Interface (API), User Flows, Python Programming, Test Case, Development Environment, E-Commerce, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
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: Free Trial
Microsoft
Introduction to Web Development
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), Microsoft Copilot, Web Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Responsive Web Design, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, JSON, Semantic Web
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Beginner · Course · 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
Codio
Angular for Front End Engineers
Skills you'll gain: Angular, Test Driven Development (TDD), Unit Testing, HTML and CSS, Web Development, Software Testing, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, Integration Testing, Development Environment, UI Components, Javascript, Event-Driven Programming, Data Management, Command-Line Interface, Data Storage Technologies
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Basic Cryptography and Programming with Crypto API
Skills you'll gain: Cryptography, Data Encryption Standard, Encryption, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Application Security, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Secure Coding, Data Security, Web Development, Email Security, PHP (Scripting Language), Algorithms, User Provisioning
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
98 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Selenium
Skills you'll gain: Selenium (Software), Test Automation, Debugging, Scripting, Automation, Web Scraping, Software Testing, Test Case, Browser Compatibility, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp EdTech
Practice Exam for Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification
Skills you'll gain: Agile Methodology, Sprint Retrospectives, Agile Project Management, Sprint Planning, Agile Software Development, User Story, Knowledge Transfer
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Introdução ao Desenvolvimento de Aplicativos Android
Skills you'll gain: Android Studio, Android Development, Mobile Development, Event-Driven Programming, UI Components, User Interface (UI), Application Development, Java, Program Development, Development Environment, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Peking University
高级数据结构与算法
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems, Performance Tuning, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
106 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Introducción al desarrollo de back-end
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), User Interface (UI), HTML and CSS, Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Web Applications, React.js, Back-End Web Development, Javascript
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
287 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks