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
DeepLearning.AI
Calculus for Machine Learning and Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Applied Mathematics, Calculus, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Regression Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Derivatives
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
848 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Building Scalable Java Microservices with Spring Boot and Spring Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Microservices, Application Deployment, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Applications, Spring Boot, Kubernetes, Java, Software Architecture, Data Migration, Cloud Services, Application Performance Management, Application Programming Interface (API), Databases
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Computer Communications
Skills you'll gain: TCP/IP, Local Area Networks, Routing Protocols, Network Routing, Digital Communications, OSI Models, Network Protocols, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Network Planning And Design, Network Security, Network Architecture, Network Performance Management, Computer Networking, Network Model, Network Infrastructure, Wireless Networks, Telecommunications, Software-Defined Networking, Algorithms, System Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Mathematics for Machine Learning: PCA
Skills you'll gain: Dimensionality Reduction, NumPy, Probability & Statistics, Feature Engineering, Jupyter, Data Science, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Python Programming, Advanced Mathematics, Machine Learning, Calculus
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Understanding and Visualizing Data with Python
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Data Visualization, Statistics, Matplotlib, Statistical Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Jupyter, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference, Data Collection, NumPy, Histogram, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
PostgreSQL for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Stored Procedure, Database Design, SQL, Relational Databases, NoSQL, PostgreSQL, Database Architecture and Administration, Database Theory, Database Management Systems, Data Modeling, JSON, Scalability, Database Management, Query Languages, Cloud Applications, Data Manipulation, Text Mining, Databases, Data Integrity, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
HTML and CSS in depth
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Debugging, Front-End Web Development, Semantic Web, Browser Compatibility, Web Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Interface (UI), Data Validation, Animations
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · 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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Data Visualization
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Data Presentation, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Tableau Software, Plot (Graphics), Scatter Plots, Data Mapping, Graphing
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Alberta
Software Processes and Agile Practices
Skills you'll gain: Agile Methodology, Kanban Principles, Agile Software Development, Software Development Methodologies, Software Development Life Cycle, Scrum (Software Development), Software Engineering, Process Driven Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Peking University
程序设计与算法
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Computational Thinking, Graph Theory, C (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Program Development, Computer Science, Data Storage, Computer Architecture, Computer Programming, Database Systems, Software Design Patterns, Performance Tuning, Computational Logic, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Inferential Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Inference, Statistical Reporting, Statistical Methods, R Programming, Statistical Software, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Literacy, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Software Installation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months