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: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Building Intelligent Troubleshooting Agents
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI Agents, Prompt Engineering, Test Case, Agentic systems, Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Debugging, Artificial Intelligence, Performance Tuning, Python Programming, Machine Learning
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Importing Data in the Tidyverse
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Web Scraping, Tidyverse (R Package), Data Integration, Data Manipulation, Data Transformation, Relational Databases, Google Sheets, Unstructured Data, R Programming, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Spreadsheet Software, Databases, SQL, Data Storage, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Learning Management Systems, Education Software and Technology, Instructional Strategies, Pedagogy, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Interactive Design, Collaborative Software, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Cloud Applications
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Amazon Web Services
Amazon Bedrock - Getting Started with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Amazon Web Services, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Cloud API, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
119 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Intro to Operating Systems 4: Persistence
Skills you'll gain: File Systems, Operating Systems, Data Integrity, Debugging, Systems Design, Distributed Computing, Data Storage, C (Programming Language), System Programming, Computer Systems, Command-Line Interface, Computer Hardware, Scalability, Version Control
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Cisco Learning and Certifications
Ansible for Network Automation
Skills you'll gain: Ansible, YAML, Network Architecture, Network Administration, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Network Infrastructure, General Networking, Automation, System Configuration, Software Documentation, Configuration Management, Python Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Tsinghua University
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Database Design, Query Languages, Spatial Analysis, System Design and Implementation, Computational Logic, Computer Programming
2.8
Rating, 2.8 out of 5 stars
39 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Università di Napoli Federico II
Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Vision, Laboratory Experience, Simulations, Equipment Design, Matlab, Electronic Systems, Technical Design, Vibrations, Hydraulics, Automation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Michigan State University
Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio
Skills you'll gain: Interviewing Skills, Journalism, Report Writing, Investigation, Research, Peer Review, Content Creation, Storytelling, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Data Collection, Writing, Multimedia
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
91 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
GenAI and LLMs on AWS
Skills you'll gain: AWS SageMaker, Large Language Modeling, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Amazon Web Services, Personally Identifiable Information, Amazon CloudWatch, Continuous Monitoring, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Ethics, Secure Coding, Prompt Engineering, Rust (Programming Language), Generative AI, Software Development Tools, Cloud Computing, Serverless Computing, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Build a Website using an API with HTML, JavaScript, and JSON
Skills you'll gain: JSON, Restful API, HTML and CSS, Web Design, Cloud API, Web Development, Application Programming Interface (API), Web Applications, Responsive Web Design, Real Time Data, Javascript
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Python para Ciencia de Datos
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Analytics, Business Analytics, Database Management, Data Science, Relational Databases, Data Processing, Trend Analysis, Forecasting, Data Manipulation, Python Programming
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
67 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks