What free courses are available on Coursera?

Coursera offers thousands of free courses across topics like data science , business , health , computer science , personal development , and more. While you can explore lectures and course content at no cost, some features—like assessments and certificates—may require payment.

Can I earn a certificate from a free Coursera course?

Yes, but certificates are typically not included in the free version of a course. To earn a certificate, you’ll usually need to pay for the course or apply financial aid if available. You can still learn all the material for free through audit mode.

How do I enroll in a course for free on Coursera?

To start a course for free, choose the “Audit the course” or “Enroll for free” option during sign-up. This lets you access video lectures and some assignments without payment. Look for courses labeled as “Free” or those that offer a free audit option.

What’s the difference between auditing a course and paying for one on Coursera?

Auditing a course gives you free access to the learning materials, like videos and reading content. Paying for a course unlocks graded assignments, assessments, and a certificate upon completion—which may be useful for showcasing your skills or professional development.

Are free Coursera courses from top universities?

Yes, many free courses are taught by instructors from top institutions like Stanford , Yale , University of Pennsylvania , and companies like IBM . These courses offer an accessible way to learn from leading educators and professionals around the world.

Top Free Courses - Learn Free Online

Find the Best Free Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
University of California, Santa Cruz
C++ For C Programmers, Part A
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Algorithms, C (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Debugging, Data Structures, System Programming, Microarchitecture, C (Programming Language), Hardware Architecture, Computer Architecture, Integrated Development Environments, Software Design, Maintainability, System Configuration, Peripheral Devices
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
517 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Writing, Running, and Fixing Code in C
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Software Testing, Program Development, Pseudocode, Simulations, Test Case, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Development Environment, C (Programming Language), Command-Line Interface
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
804 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, C (Programming Language), Computer Hardware, Computer Programming, Computer Architecture, Computational Thinking, Data Structures, Algorithms, File Management, Operating Systems, Program Development, Debugging
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
The Arduino Platform and C Programming
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Debugging, C (Programming Language), Electronic Hardware, Integrated Development Environments, Electronic Components, Development Environment, Computer Programming Tools, Computer Hardware, Computer Programming, Digital Communications
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project
Skills you'll gain: System Programming, Linux, Embedded Systems, Debugging, Operating Systems, Peripheral Devices, Build Tools, File Systems, C (Programming Language), Development Environment, Command-Line Interface, Data Structures
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Santa Cruz
C for Everyone: Structured Programming
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Debugging, C++ (Programming Language), Data Structures, Computer Programming, Command-Line Interface, Algorithms, Integrated Development Environments, Program Development, File Systems
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
770 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Santa Cruz
C++ For C Programmers, Part B
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Software Design Patterns, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, C (Programming Language), Debugging, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Data Structures, Game Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
327 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
Embedded C Programming Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Debugging, Embedded Systems, Integrated Development Environments, C (Programming Language), Development Environment, Computer Architecture, Computer Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
54 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Arm
Cortex-M Software Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, System Programming, Software Development Tools, Embedded Systems, Software Development, Development Environment, Debugging, Program Development, Build Tools, Application Security, C (Programming Language), Application Development, Computer Architecture, C++ (Programming Language), System Configuration, Hardware Architecture
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Pointers, Arrays, and Recursion
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Data Structures, Program Development, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Debugging
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
345 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
CPS solution for Industries
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Control Systems, Programmable Logic Controllers, Cyber Engineering, Internet Of Things, C (Programming Language), Automation, Computer Engineering, Electronics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Hydraulics, Integration Testing, Cloud Computing, Integrated Development Environments, Matlab, Development Environment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks