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 Toronto
Plant Bioinformatic Methods
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Network Analysis, Research Reports, Molecular Biology, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Biology, Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Synthesis, Big Data, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis Software, Data Mining, Experimentation, Scientific Visualization, Life Sciences, Interactive Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Databases
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Atlassian
Version Control with Git
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Version Control, GitHub, Bitbucket, Software Configuration Management, Command-Line Interface, Code Review, Collaborative Software, Graphical Tools
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Natural Language Processing with Probabilistic Models
Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Markov Model, Text Mining, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Neural Networks, Machine Learning Methods, Data Processing, Algorithms, Data Cleansing, Probability & Statistics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Mathematical Thinking in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Logical Reasoning, Computational Logic, Deductive Reasoning, Computational Thinking, Theoretical Computer Science, Algorithms, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Program Development
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
2.3K 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
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta iOS UI Development
Skills you'll gain: iOS Development, Apple iOS, Apple Xcode, User Interface (UI), Mobile Development, Swift Programming, Unit Testing, User Interface (UI) Design, UI Components, Mobile Development Tools, Objective-C (Programming Language), Application Development, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Development Testing, Software Testing, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design Patterns, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Multiple educators
Machine Learning for Trading
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Machine Learning, Google Cloud Platform, Applied Machine Learning, Financial Trading, Reinforcement Learning, Supervised Learning, Data Pipelines, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Statistical Machine Learning, Technical Analysis, Deep Learning, Portfolio Management, Machine Learning Methods, Artificial Neural Networks, Market Trend, Securities Trading, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Financial Market
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 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
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
University of London
Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in C++
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Program Development, User Interface (UI), Command-Line Interface, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
159 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Alberta
Object-Oriented Design
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Unified Modeling Language, Software Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Maintainability, Software Architecture, Android Development, Technical Design, Conceptual Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Business Strategies for A Better World
Skills you'll gain: Demography, Philanthropy, Return On Investment, Market Trend, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Corporate Sustainability, Project Scoping, Trend Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Leadership, Business Transformation, Feasibility Studies, International Relations, Business Ethics, Needs Assessment, Socioeconomics, Risk Control, Compliance Management, Governance, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months