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 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
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Visualization, Predictive Modeling, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Pandas (Python Package), Seaborn, Data Presentation, Data Import/Export, Web Scraping, Automation, Data Science, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Engineering Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Database Design, SQL, MySQL, Data Transformation, Data Store, Extract, Transform, Load, IBM DB2, Relational Databases, Data Architecture, Jupyter, Data Pipelines, Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Governance, Data Manipulation, Stored Procedure, Databases, Automation, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
56K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Unit Testing, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Software Design, Version Control, File Management, Jupyter, Scrum (Software Development), Application Deployment, Collaborative Software, Automation, Flask (Web Framework), Web Scraping, Python Programming, Software Testing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
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
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
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Jupyter, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Machine Learning, NumPy, Predictive Modeling, Feature Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Python Programming, Regression Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Statistical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
28K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments
Skills you'll gain: Software Configuration Management, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Git (Version Control System), Version Control, System Programming, Build Tools, Software Development Tools, C (Programming Language), Development Environment, Software Design, Hardware Architecture, Debugging, Command-Line Interface
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
639 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
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
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS
Skills you'll gain: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), HTML and CSS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Development, Programming Principles, Javascript, Web Design, Computer Programming, Image Analysis, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Debugging
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Advanced Data Types - 5
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Embedded Systems, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Linux, Computer Programming Tools, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
AI Foundations for Everyone
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), OpenAI, Workflow Management, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Governance, Automation, Application Deployment, Business Transformation, IBM Cloud, Applied Machine Learning, Program Development, Computer Vision
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months