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
University of Michigan
Wearable Technologies and Sports Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Kinesiology, Injury Prevention, Analytics, Data Analysis, Physical Therapy, Applied Machine Learning, Vital Signs, Health Technology, Machine Learning, Stress Management, Data Collection, Data Validation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
39 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Maven Analytics
ChatGPT & Generative AI for Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Power BI, Deep Learning, Excel Formulas, Analytics, Google Sheets, Machine Learning Methods, Large Language Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Artificial Intelligence, Python Programming, SQL, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Austral
Desarrollo de páginas con Angular
Skills you'll gain: Angular, JavaScript Frameworks, Continuous Integration, TypeScript, JSON, Application Frameworks, Restful API, Test Automation, Web Services, Unit Testing, Web Applications, NoSQL, API Gateway, UI Components, Event-Driven Programming, Routing Protocols, Data Validation
3.1
Rating, 3.1 out of 5 stars
138 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Amazon
Application Development
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Software Development Methodologies, Requirements Analysis, Version Control, Application Development, Software Development Life Cycle, Systems Development, Software Development, Unified Modeling Language, Software Testing, JUnit, Agile Methodology, Spring Framework, Code Review, Maintainability, Debugging, Java, Technical Design, User Story, User Interface (UI) Design
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Python: de cero a usuario
Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, Jupyter, Software Installation, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Mac OS, Programming Principles, Microsoft Windows, Cross Platform Development, Software Documentation, Command-Line Interface
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
用 Python 做商管程式設計（三）(Programming for Business Computing in Python (3))
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Visualization, Matplotlib, Web Scraping, Business Logic, Machine Learning, Operational Analysis, Business Analytics, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Business Economics, User Interface (UI) Design, Computational Thinking, UI Components, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
161 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Software Engineering: Implementation and Testing
Skills you'll gain: Acceptance Testing, Software Development Methodologies, Configuration Management, Debugging, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Testing, Software Engineering, Unified Modeling Language, Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Unit Testing, System Implementation, Secure Coding, Test Case, Requirements Analysis, Agile Methodology
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
112 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
البرمجة للجميع - بدء استخدام بايثون
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Software Installation, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
74 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
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
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
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