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

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Computer Science (feat. Data Science Track)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
Graduate Diploma in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Human Computer Interaction, Game Design, Full-Stack Web Development, React Native, Agile Software Development, Animations, Data Ethics, Git (Version Control System), Event-Driven Programming, Network Security, Web Applications, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Unsupervised Learning, Combinatorics, Database Design, Web Development, Generative AI, Usability Testing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Magíster en Inversiones y Finanzas Aplicadas
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Descriptive Analytics, FinTech, Business Analytics, Business Valuation, Derivatives, Portfolio Management, Strategic Decision-Making, Customer Analysis, Risk Analysis, Corporate Finance, Digital Transformation, Governance, Cloud Security, Capital Markets, Assertiveness, Credit Risk, Financial Analysis, Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Relational Database Design and Advanced Querying
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Data Warehousing, Star Schema, Microsoft SQL Servers, Relational Databases, SQL, Query Languages, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Modeling, Transact-SQL, Data Integrity, Business Intelligence, Generative AI, Data Visualization Software
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Magíster en Salud Pública Global
Skills you'll gain: Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Descriptive Analytics, Business Analytics, Gerontology, Biostatistics, Statistical Reporting, Health Policy, Health Informatics, Healthcare Ethics, Digital Transformation, Cloud Security, Sampling (Statistics), Assertiveness, Health Disparities, Public Health, Policy Analysis, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Health Systems, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
Google Cloud
Usar o BigQuery ML para inferência
Skills you'll gain: Analytics, Data Analysis, Big Data, Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Inference, Google Cloud Platform, Machine Learning Methods, SQL
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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, Gerontology, Biostatistics, Health Policy, Health Informatics, Healthcare Ethics, Digital Transformation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Descriptive Statistics, Assertiveness, Health Disparities, Health Information Management, Public Health, Policy Analysis, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Health Systems, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
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 Mining, Dimensionality Reduction, Statistical Modeling, Predictive Modeling, Predictive Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, R Programming, Big Data, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Business Intelligence, Analytics, Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization, Matplotlib
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
Status: New
Google Cloud
使用 BigQuery 机器学习推理功能
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Google Cloud Platform, Machine Learning, SQL
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks