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

Skip to search results

Filter by

Subject
Required

Computer Science(1,754)

Data Science(886)

Information Technology(469)

Business(144)

Language
Required

The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

English(3,014)

Spanish(1,383)

Arabic(1,257)

French(1,224)

Learning Product
Required

Guided Projects(398)

Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.

Courses(2,472)

Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.

Projects(109)

Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.

Specializations(433)

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.

Professional Certificates(79)

Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.

MasterTrack® Certificates(3)

Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.

Degrees(13)

Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.

Postgraduate Diploma(1)

Complete graduate-level learning without committing to a full degree program.

Graduate Certificates(5)

Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.

Level
Required

Beginner(1,473)

Intermediate(1,639)

Advanced(147)

Mixed(232)

Duration
Required

Less Than 2 Hours(507)

1-4 Weeks(1,307)

1-3 Months(1,209)

3-6 Months(463)

6-12 Months(9)

1-4 Years(13)

Skills
Required

Python Programming(549)

Debugging(529)

Data Analysis(501)

Data Structures(499)

Subtitles
Required

English(3,211)

Spanish(1,513)

Arabic(1,373)

French(1,362)

Educator
Required

Packt(401)

Coursera Project Network(387)

Google Cloud(265)

IBM(141)

Find the Best C Programming Course for Your Goals

Coursera Project Network
Simple Linear Regression for the Absolute Beginner
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Regression Analysis, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Feature Engineering, Data Cleansing, Predictive Modeling, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Supervised Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Data Access, Database Design, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), SQL, Java, Database Management, Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
AI Workflow: Enterprise Model Deployment
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), PySpark, IBM Cloud, Jupyter, Machine Learning, Containerization, Python Programming, Performance Tuning, Scalability, Design Thinking
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
RStudio for Six Sigma - Basic Descriptive Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Pareto Chart, Histogram, Statistical Analysis, Six Sigma Methodology, Box Plots, R Programming, Probability Distribution, Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) and the Jakarta Persistence API (JPA)
Skills you'll gain: Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Object-Relational Mapping, Application Servers, Middleware, Application Deployment, Enterprise Architecture, Server Side, Transaction Processing, Business Logic
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
مجموعة أدوات عالم البيانات
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Data Transformation, Data Science, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, R Programming, Collaborative Software, Software Installation, Command-Line Interface
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
107 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Mycelium Growth with NetLogo Web
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Environment, Simulations, Agentic systems, Microbiology, Biology, Programming Principles, Mathematical Modeling, Network Analysis
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Building Resilient Streaming Analytics Systems on GCP 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Dataflow, Data Pipelines, Real Time Data, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, Data Processing, Query Languages, SQL, Serverless Computing, Scalability, Performance Tuning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Board Infinity
Ajax Basics
Skills you'll gain: Ajax, jQuery, Web Applications, Javascript and jQuery, JSON, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Javascript, Web Development Tools, Event-Driven Programming, Application Programming Interface (API), Network Protocols
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Numerical Analysis, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Engineering Calculations, Torque (Physics), Mathematical Modeling, Matlab
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Essential Testing Techniques in Software Development
Skills you'll gain: Test Case, Software Testing, Integration Testing, Software Development Life Cycle, System Testing, Acceptance Testing, Maintainability, Regression Testing, Test Planning, Software Quality Assurance, Unit Testing, Functional Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Concurrent and Parallel Programming in Python
Skills you'll gain: Performance Tuning, Python Programming, Distributed Computing, OS Process Management, Scalability, Web Scraping, Database Management
3.5
Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks