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

University of Washington
Programming Languages, Part B
Skills you'll gain: Other Programming Languages, Software Design, Ruby (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Data Structures, Software Architecture, Computer Programming, Functional Design, Debugging
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
784 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Programming Principles, Visual Basic (Programming Language), Data Structures, Program Development, Computer Programming, Spreadsheet Software, Automation, Algorithms, Debugging, Data Management, Data Cleansing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Data Science with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Dashboard, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Data Analysis, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Presentation, SQL, Plot (Graphics), Leaflet (Software), Data Transformation, Database Management, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, R Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Alberta
Introduction to Software Product Management
Skills you'll gain: Agile Software Development, Software Development, Product Requirements, Requirements Management, Product Management, Software Engineering, Project Planning, Process Development, Project Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Object-Oriented Data Structures in C++
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Development Environment, Engineering Software, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Data Structures, Debugging, Program Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control
Skills you'll gain: Machine Controls, Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Automation Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Engineering, Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Torque (Physics), Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Analysis, Automation, Computational Logic, Virtual Environment, Robotic Process Automation, Graph Theory, Matlab, Numerical Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, SQL, MySQL, Relational Databases, Databases, Data Modeling, Development Environment, PHP (Scripting Language), Software Installation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.5K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Toronto
Introduction to Self-Driving Cars
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Embedded Software, Automation, Simulation and Simulation Software, Software Architecture, Safety Assurance, Systems Architecture, Verification And Validation, Mathematical Modeling, Computer Hardware
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Software Testing and Automation
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cucumber (Software), Software Testing, Selenium (Software), Gherkin (Scripting Language), JUnit, Verification And Validation, Test Automation, Unit Testing, Security Testing, Regression Testing, Test Case, Testability, Behavior-Driven Development, Code Coverage, Performance Testing, Development Testing, Test Planning, Acceptance Testing, Test Tools
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
949 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Statistical Analysis with R for Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills, Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Literacy, Data Analysis, R Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Software, Biostatistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Programming, Statistics, Statistical Methods, Public Health, Probability & Statistics, Epidemiology, Statistical Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Web Development for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Color Theory, Version Control, Typography, HTML and CSS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Web Design, Web Design and Development, Web Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Front-End Web Development, Application Deployment, Web Applications, Design Elements And Principles, Animations, Web Content, Mobile Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Introduction to Scripting in Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Plot (Graphics), Package and Software Management, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Data Processing, Data Mapping, Data Manipulation, Software Installation, Development Environment, Data Structures, File Management, Scripting, Data Storage, Data Import/Export, Program Development, Data Integration, Data Analysis, Computer Programming, Integrated Development Environments
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months