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
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
University of Washington
Computational Neuroscience
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Network Model, Matlab, Machine Learning Algorithms, Artificial Neural Networks, Neurology, Computer Science, Reinforcement Learning, Computational Thinking, Mathematical Modeling, Biology, Linear Algebra, Probability & Statistics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 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
Yale University
Anatomy of the Chest, Neck, Abdomen, and Pelvis
Skills you'll gain: Cardiology, Anatomy, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Gynecology, Urology, Patient Positioning, Neurology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Medical Terminology, Pathology, Radiology, General Medical Tests and Procedures, Surgery
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Foundations of Objective-C App Development
Skills you'll gain: Objective-C (Programming Language), iOS Development, Apple iOS, Prototyping, Mobile Development, C (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Programming Principles, Data Structures, Debugging
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
557 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Agile Software Development
Skills you'll gain: User Story, Agile Software Development, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Scrum (Software Development), Sprint Planning, Software Development Methodologies, Sprint Retrospectives, Backlogs, Continuous Integration, Test Driven Development (TDD)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Applied Plotting, Charting & Data Representation in Python
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Data Presentation, Graphing, Scatter Plots, Data Manipulation, Histogram, NumPy, Pandas (Python Package)
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Peking University
C程序设计进阶
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C (Programming Language), Program Development, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Algorithms
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
827 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Python Programming, File Management, Programming Principles, Data Processing, Data Structures, Data Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Exploratory Data Analysis for Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Cleansing, Data Access, Data Analysis, Statistical Inference, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Quality, Data Science, Probability & Statistics, Jupyter, Machine Learning, Data Manipulation, Pandas (Python Package), Statistical Analysis, Data Transformation, Artificial Intelligence
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum
Skills you'll gain: Agile Software Development, Agile Methodology, Kanban Principles, Agile Project Management, User Story, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning, Workflow Management, Performance Metric, Team Oriented, Backlogs, Performance Measurement, Lean Methodologies, Continuous Improvement Process, Prioritization, Estimation
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks