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 Colorado System
Game Development with GameMaker
Skills you'll gain: Video Game Development, Game Design, Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Animations, Scripting Languages, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Unity Engine, C++ (Programming Language), User Interface (UI), C# (Programming Language), Software Installation, Event-Driven Programming, Computational Logic, Data Structures, Scripting, Development Environment
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Java Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Documentation, Java, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Computational Thinking
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Advanced Clinical Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Data Management, Clinical Research, Data Quality, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data Science, Analytics, Statistical Reporting, R Programming, SQL
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Amazon Web Services
Serverless Architectures on AWS
Skills you'll gain: AWS CloudFormation, Serverless Computing, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud API, Application Programming Interface (API), Cloud Infrastructure, Event-Driven Programming, Authentications, Amazon S3, Amazon DynamoDB, Scalability
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Corporate Finance Institute
Practical Data Science for Data Analysts
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Data Import/Export, Matplotlib, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Science, Regression Analysis, Financial Data, Data Analysis, Business Analytics, Data Cleansing, Data Literacy, Pandas (Python Package), Machine Learning Algorithms, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Predictive Modeling, Applied Machine Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Modeling, Statistical Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Exploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Statistical Visualization, R Programming, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Scatter Plots, Graphic and Visual Design, Histogram, Tidyverse (R Package), Public Administration, Trend Analysis, Policy Analysis
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Scrimba
Build AI Apps with LangChain.js
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Application Performance Management, Generative AI, Scalability, User Interface (UI), Databases, Maintainability, Data Storage
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Computer Support Specialists (IT Support)
Skills you'll gain: Desktop Support, Generative AI, Technical Support and Services, End User Training and Support, System Support, Prompt Engineering, Help Desk Support, Network Support, IT Automation, Product Support, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Automation
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Aprendizajes en Ingeniería y Agricultura con Arduino: Construcción y automatización de un invernadero
Skills you'll gain: Automation, Control Systems, Electronics, Internet Of Things, Water Resources, Embedded Systems, Architecture and Construction, Education Software and Technology, Computer Programming Tools, Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Electronic Components, Basic Electrical Systems, Programming Principles
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
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
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