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
Amazon
Full Stack Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Full-Stack Web Development, Restful API, Front-End Web Development, Web Services, Application Deployment, Web Development, Spring Framework, Amazon Web Services, HTML and CSS, Application Programming Interface (API), Server Side, Web Applications, Back-End Web Development, Spring Boot, Model View Controller, Responsive Web Design, Javascript
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Big Data Science with the BD2K-LINCS Data Coordination and Integration Center
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Interactive Data Visualization, Supervised Learning, Machine Learning, Big Data, Data Science, Data Integration, Unsupervised Learning, Molecular Biology, Data Processing, Data Analysis, Metadata Management, Application Programming Interface (API), Restful API
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Snowflake for Beginners: Make your First Snowsight Dashboard
Skills you'll gain: Snowflake Schema, Dashboard, Data Warehousing, Relational Databases, Database Management, Data Storage, SQL, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization Software, Cloud Platforms, Benchmarking, Market Share
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
47 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Delivery Problem
Skills you'll gain: Combinatorics, Theoretical Computer Science, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Computational Thinking, Operations Research, Data Structures, Applied Mathematics, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Program Development, Mathematical Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
374 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Amazon Web Services
Developing Applications in Python on AWS
Skills you'll gain: Software Architecture, Amazon DynamoDB, Cloud Applications, Databases, Amazon Web Services, Event-Driven Programming, API Gateway, Relational Databases, Serverless Computing, Python Programming, Service Oriented Architecture, Microservices, Application Programming Interface (API), NoSQL, Application Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Explainable AI (XAI)
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Data Ethics, Decision Tree Learning, Regression Analysis, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Python Programming, Natural Language Processing, Image Analysis, Machine Learning Methods, Deep Learning, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Predictive Analytics, Artificial Neural Networks, Algorithms
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of New Mexico
Web Application Development: Basic Concepts
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Git (Version Control System), Middleware, Software Architecture, User Interface (UI), Agile Software Development, Application Frameworks, Ajax, Model View Controller, Databases, Relational Databases, Software Engineering, Software Development, Software Design Patterns, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Javascript
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
184 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Las estaciones del año y el clima
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Science, Physics, Simulations, Experimentation, Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Visualization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
380 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Modern Regression Analysis in R
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Data Ethics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Science, R Programming, Data Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Forecasting, Linear Algebra
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi
Skills you'll gain: Remote Access Systems, Linux, Restful API, Web Applications, Security Controls, Internet Of Things, Embedded Systems, Application Programming Interface (API), Linux Commands, Command-Line Interface, Secure Coding, Electronics, Control Systems, Electronic Hardware, System Configuration, General Networking, Python Programming, Hardware Troubleshooting, Software Installation, Peripheral Devices
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Advanced SAS Programming Techniques
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Perl (Programming Language), Data Processing, Statistical Programming, Stored Procedure, Data Manipulation, Data Transformation, Data Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Build Website with HTML, JavaScript, AngularJS, and React
Skills you'll gain: Angular, Javascript and jQuery, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Responsive Web Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Javascript, React.js, UI Components, Web Design, Interactive Design, HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development, JavaScript Frameworks, User Interface (UI), Front-End Web Development, Event-Driven Programming, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Web Development Tools, Scripting
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months