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

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Toma de Decisiones Basadas en Datos
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Business Analytics, Database Design, NoSQL, Statistical Reporting, SQL, Data Ethics, Digital Transformation, Query Languages, Data Mining, Databases, Data Analysis, R Programming, Big Data, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Organizational Structure, Business Transformation, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
University of Leeds
Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics)
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Methods, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Network Analysis, Planning, Statistical Modeling, Applied Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Unsupervised Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Visualization Software, Supervised Learning, Exploratory Data Analysis, Decision Tree Learning, R Programming, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Analysis, Bayesian Statistics
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
BITS Pilani
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, User Research, Probability & Statistics, Data Storytelling, Bash (Scripting Language), Graph Theory, Object Oriented Design, Android Development, Operating Systems, Database Design, Bioinformatics, Feature Engineering, User Interface (UI) Design, Threat Modeling, Algorithms, Version Control, Java Programming, Data Structures, Model View Controller, Computational Logic
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Azure Data Engineering: Cosmos DB, SQL & Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Azure, Transact-SQL, Data Storage, Data Architecture, Performance Tuning, Query Languages, SQL, NoSQL, Cloud-Native Computing, Data Processing, Business Intelligence, Analytics, Cloud Computing Architecture, Data Integration, Data Modeling, Scalability
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Modelos Analíticos para la Toma de Decisiones de Negocio
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Business Analytics, Statistical Reporting, Data Visualization, Data Mining, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Analysis, R Programming, Scientific Visualization, Statistical Modeling, Big Data, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Modeling, Predictive Analytics, Data Modeling, Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Regression Analysis, Statistical Visualization
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
Imperial College London
Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Supervised Learning, Exploratory Data Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Student Support and Services, PySpark, Data Pipelines, Linear Algebra, Ggplot2, Dimensionality Reduction, Student Services, Data Processing, Big Data, Agentic systems, Graphing, A/B Testing, Unstructured Data, Deep Learning, Bayesian Statistics, Applied Machine Learning
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Gestión y Políticas en Salud Pública
Skills you'll gain: Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Descriptive Analytics, Business Analytics, Biostatistics, Gerontology, Health Policy, Healthcare Ethics, Digital Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Health Equity, Assertiveness, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Telehealth, Health Disparities, Public Health, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Program Evaluation, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Health Systems
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months