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

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Programming Languages Ⅱ
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Other Programming Languages, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Scripting Languages, Software Design, Extensible Languages and XML
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Las estaciones del año y el clima
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Science, Physics, Simulations, Experimentation, Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Visualization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
380 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Object-Oriented C++: Inheritance and Encapsulation
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C++ (Programming Language), Data Validation, Object Oriented Design, Computer Programming, Programming Principles
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Analítica y ciencia de datos para negocios
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Processing, Analytics, Data Cleansing, Data Transformation, Anomaly Detection, Business Analysis, Databases, Feature Engineering, R Programming, Data Analysis, Data Quality, Data Science, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Unsupervised Learning, Supervised Learning
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of New Mexico
Web Application Development: Basic Concepts
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Git (Version Control System), Middleware, Software Architecture, User Interface (UI), Agile Software Development, Application Frameworks, Ajax, Model View Controller, Databases, Relational Databases, Software Engineering, Software Development, Software Design Patterns, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Javascript
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
184 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
MLOps Platforms: Amazon SageMaker and Azure ML
Skills you'll gain: AWS SageMaker, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Microsoft Azure, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Pipelines, Amazon Web Services, Feature Engineering, Cloud Solutions, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Serverless Computing, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Containerization
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Angular 17
Skills you'll gain: Angular, JavaScript Frameworks, Model View Controller, Application Deployment, TypeScript, UI Components, Application Frameworks, Web Development Tools, HTML and CSS, Server Side, Dataflow, Front-End Web Development, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Application Programming Interface (API), Web Applications, Network Routing, Software Architecture, Maintainability, Responsive Web Design, Development Environment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Modern Regression Analysis in R
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Data Ethics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Science, R Programming, Data Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Forecasting, Linear Algebra
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Advanced SAS Programming Techniques
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Perl (Programming Language), Data Processing, Statistical Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Structures, Data Transformation, Data Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Internet of Things: Multimedia Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Computer Vision, Mobile Development, Digital Communications, Application Development, Python Programming, Internet Of Things, Embedded Software
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
304 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Escola 4.0 Educação e Cultura Maker no Contexto da Nova BNCC
Skills you'll gain: Education Software and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Innovation, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Algorithms
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
93 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
MathWorks
Image Segmentation, Filtering, and Region Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Image Analysis, Matlab, Computer Vision, Medical Imaging, Spatial Analysis, Data Import/Export
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks