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
Arizona State University
Object-Oriented Programming and GUI with Python
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Event-Driven Programming, Python Programming, User Interface (UI), UI Components
3.3
Rating, 3.3 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Machine Learning Algorithms with R in Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, R Programming, Analytics, Business Analytics, Statistical Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling, Unsupervised Learning, Regression Analysis, Machine Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Predictive Analytics, Data Analysis, Supervised Learning
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
LearnQuest
Advanced Java
Skills you'll gain: Apache Maven, Spring Framework, Microservices, Spring Boot, Java, Back-End Web Development, Software Architecture, Server Side, Load Balancing, Cloud Development, Restful API, Systems Architecture, Web Applications, Scalability
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Gen AI for Software Development: Code Generation for Python
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Development Environment, Computational Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Game Design, Debugging
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Java Classes and Objects
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Object Oriented Design, Java Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Programación musical con software libre
Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, Electronic Hardware, Music, Music Theory, Digital Communications, Electronics, Hardware Design, Electronic Components, Patch Management, System Configuration, Instrumental Music, Algorithms, Embedded Systems, Performance Tuning, Programming Principles, Generative AI, Basic Electrical Systems, Multimedia, Other Programming Languages, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Politecnico di Milano
Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory
Skills you'll gain: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Cloud Infrastructure, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Cloud Applications, Performance Tuning, Computer Architecture, Development Environment, System Design and Implementation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
77 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Status: Free Trial
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Inteligência Artificial Aplicada ao CRM
Skills you'll gain: Customer Relationship Management, Customer Data Management, Big Data, Data Mining, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Data Visualization, Sales Management, Customer Engagement, Data Visualization Software, Data Modeling, R Programming, Customer Insights, Advanced Analytics, Customer experience strategy (CX), Data Science, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Artificial Intelligence, Data Structures
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Vanderbilt University
AI-assisted MATLAB Programming with ChatGPT
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Matlab, Debugging, OpenAI, Generative AI, Integrated Development Environments
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Data Analysis in R: Predictive Analysis with Regression
Skills you'll gain: Ggplot2, Data Visualization, Regression Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistics
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
More C++ Programming and Unreal
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, C++ (Programming Language), Data Structures, Video Game Development, Data Storage, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Programming Principles
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks