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

Johns Hopkins University
Data Science: Foundations using R
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Exploratory Data Analysis, Version Control, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Science, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Programming, Ggplot2, Big Data, Git (Version Control System), Data Integration, Knitr, Data Analysis, Data Sharing, Statistical Reporting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of London
Object Oriented Programming
Skills you'll gain: Pseudocode, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Programming Principles, Debugging, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Program Development, Algorithms, Interactive Design, Test Data, Data Validation, Unit Testing, Data Import/Export, Data Management, Command-Line Interface, Statistical Programming
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
218 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Parallel programming
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Data Structures, Distributed Computing, Algorithms, Functional Design, Other Programming Languages, Java, Performance Tuning
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Simplilearn
Programming with C ++
Skills you'll gain: C and C++, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Algorithms, Development Environment
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Using Linux Tools and Libraries - 7
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Linux, Embedded Systems, System Programming, Build Tools, Command-Line Interface, Operating Systems, Program Development, Software Installation, Development Environment, Application Development, File Systems
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Object Oriented Programming in Java
Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Interactive Data Visualization, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), User Interface (UI), Computer Programming, Algorithms, Software Engineering, Data Structures, Software Documentation, Debugging
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Python Data Structures
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, Data Manipulation, Development Environment, File Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
97K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Advanced R Programming
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), R Programming, Debugging, Functional Design, Programming Principles, Data Manipulation, Data Structures, Software Design Patterns, Performance Tuning
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
574 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Programming with Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Animation and Game Design, Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Storytelling, Scripting, Solution Design, Creativity, Event-Driven Programming, Data Storage
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
95 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Package and Software Management, R Programming, Data Structures, Data Literacy, Software Installation, Data Analysis Software
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
380 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management - 3
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Computer Architecture, Embedded Software, Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Program Development, Data Structures, Linux, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Python Programming
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Scripting, Software Development Tools, Integrated Development Environments, Data Import/Export, Jupyter, File Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks