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 Minnesota
Acupressure
Skills you'll gain: Contraindication, Personal Care, Patient Treatment, Stress Management, Patient Positioning, Clinical Experience, Patient Evaluation, Patient Education And Counseling, Cultural Sensitivity, Science and Research
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Games, Sensors and Media
Skills you'll gain: Apple iOS, iOS Development, Video Game Development, Swift Programming, Mobile Development, Geographic Information Systems, Game Design, Augmented Reality, Animation and Game Design, Interaction Design, Human Computer Interaction, User Interface (UI), Global Positioning Systems
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
The Nature of Data and Relational Database Design
Skills you'll gain: Decision Support Systems, Database Design, Relational Databases, Database Management, Database Management Systems, SQL, Descriptive Statistics, Data Literacy, Statistics, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Extract, Transform, Load, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Data Manipulation, Data Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
101 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
AI Agents in Java with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI Agents, Java, Agentic systems, Software Design, Artificial Intelligence, Software Architecture, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Software Development Tools, Application Development, Prompt Engineering, Systems Integration, Large Language Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Cisco Learning and Certifications
DevOps for Network Automation (NetDevOps)
Skills you'll gain: Development Environment, Software Development Tools, Software Development Methodologies, CI/CD, DevOps, IT Automation, Version Control, Continuous Integration, Network Engineering, Network Architecture, Docker (Software), Software Development, Virtual Environment, Git (Version Control System), Waterfall Methodology, Agile Methodology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Infosec
OWASP Top 10 - 2021
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Authentications, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Security, Vulnerability Management, Event Monitoring, Secure Coding, Data Integrity, Continuous Monitoring, Security Controls, Security Testing, Cybersecurity, Patch Management, Authorization (Computing), Cryptography, System Configuration, Encryption, Software Design, SQL
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
117 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Corporate Finance Institute
Financial Statements in Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Snowflake Schema, Power BI, Financial Statements, Business Intelligence, Financial Reporting, Cash Flows, Microsoft Excel, Financial Data, Data Modeling, Balance Sheet, Financial Analysis, Income Statement, SQL, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
JavaScript Full Stack Capstone Project
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Full-Stack Web Development, MongoDB, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, Node.JS, React.js, DevOps, NoSQL, Database Management, Kubernetes, JavaScript Frameworks, Front-End Web Development, Software Architecture, Application Development, Web Applications, Authorization (Computing), Back-End Web Development, Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
29 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Data Science Coding Challenge: Loan Default Prediction
Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Jupyter, Data Processing, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
91 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Data Manipulation in JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Ajax, Javascript and jQuery, Data Validation, JSON, Javascript, Event-Driven Programming, Web Development Tools, Application Programming Interface (API), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Maintainability, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
69 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
iOS App Store & In-App Purchases
Skills you'll gain: Apple iOS, iOS Development, Transaction Processing, Software As A Service, Mobile Development, User Interface (UI), UI Components, Payment Systems, User Experience
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Visualizing Filters of a CNN using TensorFlow
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Applied Machine Learning, Python Programming, Jupyter, Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Scientific Visualization
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
78 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours