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
Intermediate Object-Oriented Programming for Unreal Games
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Video Game Development, Unreal Engine, Event-Driven Programming, Unity Engine, C# (Programming Language), Software Design Patterns, UI Components, Programming Principles, Debugging, File Management, Data Structures
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Core Java
Skills you'll gain: Apache Maven, JSON, JUnit, Java Programming, Java, Restful API, Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles, Package and Software Management, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Network Protocols, Unit Testing, Style Guides
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Digital Manufacturing
Skills you'll gain: SolidWorks (CAD), Computer-Aided Design, Computer Graphics, 3D Modeling, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing Processes, Engineering Drawings, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Engineering Design Process, Prototyping, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Industrial Design, Automation, Production Process, Manufacturing and Production, Simulation and Simulation Software, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Robotic Process Automation, Systems Architecture
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Rust for DevOps
Skills you'll gain: Containerization, CI/CD, Docker (Software), DevOps, Jenkins, Rust (Programming Language), Prometheus (Software), System Monitoring, JSON, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Automation, GitHub
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
NIIT
Developing Responsive Web Pages Using HTML5 and CSS3
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Mobile Development, UI Components
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Santa Cruz
لغة البرمجة C++ لمبرمجي C، الجزء (ب)
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Graph Theory, C (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, Debugging, Data Structures, Game Design, Software Design
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
MySQL-for-Data-Engineering
Skills you'll gain: MySQL, Bash (Scripting Language), Scripting, Database Management, Relational Databases, Command-Line Interface, SQL, Databases, Data Import/Export, Database Application, Data Pipelines, Data Manipulation
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
C++ Class Development
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, C++ (Programming Language), Video Game Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Architecture, Software Design, Programming Principles, Application Development, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Data Balancing with Gen AI: Credit Card Fraud Detection
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Keras (Neural Network Library), Tensorflow, Deep Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Applied Machine Learning, Anomaly Detection, Data Processing, Data Visualization, Data Synthesis
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Structural Equation Model and its Applications | 结构方程模型及其应用 (粤语)
Skills you'll gain: SPSS, Statistical Analysis, Social Sciences, Statistical Modeling, SAS (Software), Correlation Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Regression Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Modeling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Social Network Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Graph Theory, Social Sciences, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Sociology, Trend Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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