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
DeepLearning.AI
Neural Networks and Deep Learning
Skills you'll gain: Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Supervised Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Performance Tuning
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
123K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Parallel programming
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Data Structures, Distributed Computing, Algorithms, Functional Design, Other Programming Languages, Java, Performance Tuning
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Python Programming Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Debugging, Git (Version Control System), Unit Testing, Data Structures, Python Programming, Software Testing, Programming Principles, Scripting, Computer Programming, Web Development, Algorithms, Program Development, Development Environment, Scripting Languages, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
208 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python Data Structures
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, Data Manipulation, Development Environment, File Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
97K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Using Linux Tools and Libraries - 7
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Linux, Embedded Systems, System Programming, Build Tools, Command-Line Interface, Operating Systems, Program Development, Software Installation, Development Environment, Application Development, File Systems
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Mining, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, Microsoft Excel
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
29K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Prepare Data for Exploration
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Data Literacy, Data Security, Google Sheets, Databases, Data Processing, Data Storage, Data Quality, Data Management, Data Collection, Relational Databases, SQL, Unstructured Data
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Package and Software Management, R Programming, Data Structures, Data Literacy, Software Installation, Data Analysis Software
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
380 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Advanced Data Types - 5
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Embedded Systems, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Linux, Computer Programming Tools, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, SQL, Descriptive Statistics, Jupyter, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Statistics, Data Visualization, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Web Scraping, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Python Programming, Data Structures, Databases, Data Science, GitHub
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
72K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Jupyter, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Machine Learning, NumPy, Predictive Modeling, Feature Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Python Programming, Regression Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Statistical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
29K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Engineering Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Database Design, SQL, MySQL, Data Transformation, Data Store, Extract, Transform, Load, IBM DB2, Relational Databases, Jupyter, Data Architecture, Data Pipelines, Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Governance, Data Manipulation, Stored Procedure, Python Programming, Data Structures, Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
56K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months