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 Amsterdam
Basic Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Correlation Analysis, Probability, Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Sample Size Determination, Statistics, Scientific Methods
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Everyday Excel, Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Data Visualization, Data Management, Excel Macros, Excel Formulas, Data Validation, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Django for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Application Deployment, Django (Web Framework), Object-Relational Mapping, HTML and CSS, Model View Controller, jQuery, Ajax, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Application Frameworks, Databases, Application Development, Javascript, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Data Modeling, Application Security, Web Applications, Web Servers
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Business Metrics for Data-Driven Companies
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Analytics, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Tableau Software, Data Analysis, Big Data, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Spreadsheet Software, Web Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, E-Commerce, Financial Services, SQL
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Bioinformatics
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Computational Thinking, Graph Theory, Markov Model, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Statistical Analysis, Medical Science and Research, Precision Medicine, Biology, Pharmacology, Algorithms, Infectious Diseases, Data Mining
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Data Warehousing, Relational Databases, Decision Support Systems, Business Intelligence, Data Modeling, Database Management Systems, Databases, Dashboard, Business Process Management, SQL, Star Schema, Data Governance, Data Integration, Oracle Databases, Performance Measurement, Extract, Transform, Load, Business Analytics, MicroStrategy, Data Visualization Software
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Advanced · 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
Microsoft
Introduction to Microsoft Azure Cloud Services
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Azure, Cloud Services, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Virtual Machines, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Storage, Cloud Infrastructure, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Public Cloud, General Networking, Database Management Systems, Scalability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Duke University
Object-Oriented Programming in Python
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Programming Principles, Python Programming
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Functional Programming Principles in Scala
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Functional Design, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Javascript, Algorithms
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Interacting with the System and Managing Memory
Skills you'll gain: Maintainability, Program Development, C (Programming Language), Software Engineering, System Programming, Programming Principles, Software Development, Simulations, Command-Line Interface, Operating Systems, User Interface (UI), Data Structures, Debugging, Data Import/Export, File Management
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
173 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Genomic Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Science, Molecular Biology, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Statistical Analysis, Computational Thinking, Big Data, Software Engineering, Algorithms, Biology
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks