Introduction to Cloud Computing
Start your cloud computing journey with this self-paced introductory course!
Introduction to Cloud Computing is a beginner-level online course from Coursera in Cloud Computing. It is structured in 6 modules with 4 stated learning outcomes, over 12h 19m. Learners rate it 4.6/5 from 7.8K ratings on Coursera.
Part of our Cloud Computing courses collection, where we compare it against 5 other courses.
Course highlights
| Provider | Coursera |
| Duration | 12h 19m |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.6★ (7.8K reviews) |
| Price | Check price |
About this course
This course introduces the fundamentals of cloud computing, covering essential concepts such as defining cloud computing, its essential characteristics, and its history. Learners explore the business case for cloud adoption and examine emerging technologies enabled by cloud platforms. The curriculum describes cloud service models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)—and cloud deployment models including Public, Private, and Hybrid. Infrastructure components are explained alongside emerging trends such as Hybrid Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, Cloud Native, DevOps, and Application Modernization.
This particular course, offered by IBM on Coursera, takes a self-paced approach designed for beginners. The module list moves from an overview of cloud computing through service and deployment models to emergent trends and practices. The final assignment ties together case studies, cloud security concepts, and an exploration of cloud-related jobs, giving learners a practical view of how the concepts apply in real-world settings.
By the end of the course, a learner can define cloud computing and its essential characteristics, describe IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, and list major cloud platform services including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. The skills gained include containerization with Docker, cloud security basics, cloud standards, and an introduction to DevOps practices.
Honest limits: the course does not provide hands-on labs for configuring cloud infrastructure or deep dives into platform-specific coding. Learners who need practical, step-by-step cloud setup may prefer a course with lab components. The IBM course on edX (Free) offers a three-week structured format with a similar beginner level, while the Udemy Fundamentals of Cloud Computing (Free) provides lifetime access and 30K+ learner reviews. Those seeking platform-specific training in AWS or Azure may look at the respective Coursera courses listed in the alternatives.
What you’ll learn
Level and time commitment
- This course does not require any previous cloud computing or programming experience.
Skills you’ll gain
What this course covers
6 modulesThe 6-part outline Coursera publishes for this course, across 12h 19m.
Module 1 · Overview of Cloud Computing
Module 2 · Cloud Computing Models
Module 3 · Components of Cloud Computing
Module 4 · Emergent Trends and Practices
Module 5 · Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, Jobs
Module 6 · Final Project and Assignment
What learners rate it
Rated 4.6/5 by 7.8K learners on Coursera (checked 6 Nov 2026).
This rating is collected by Coursera from its own enrolled learners. We reproduce it as reported and do not accept paid or incentivised reviews. See it on Coursera →
Compiled by the CoursesGlobal editorial desk. Fees, ratings, duration and certificate details for the 1 course shown are read directly from Coursera course pages — we never estimate a price or a rating. Last verified 6 November 2026.
How we compare and rank courses · Our review policy · Affiliate disclosure
Compare with alternatives
Same topic, different trade-offs — here's who runs each one and what it's best at.
| Course | Provider | Rating | Price | Duration | Why pick this one | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Cloud Computing This |
 Coursera
|
4.6★ | Check price | 12h 19m | Highest rated (4.6★ from 7.8K reviews) | |
| IBM: Introduction to Cloud Computing |
|
4.6★ | Free | 3 weeks | Free — certificate included | Start free ↗ |
| Introduction to Microsoft Azure Cloud Services |
Coursera
|
4.5★ | Check price | 9h 38m | Quickest to finish (9h 38m) | View ↗ |
| Fundamentals of Cloud Computing |
 Udemy
|
4.5★ | Free | Free — and still gives a certificate | Start free ↗ |
Where Cloud Computing leads
Roles we map to Cloud Computing on CoursesGlobal. This is our own mapping of subject to job, not a placement claim by Coursera.
Browse every course we track for one of these — courses for cloud engineers.
Common questions
How much does Introduction to Cloud Computing cost?
Coursera does not publish a price we can read on the course page, so we do not show one. Check the fee on the provider site — we would rather say nothing than quote a number we did not collect.
Does Introduction to Cloud Computing come with a certificate?
Yes — Coursera lists a certificate on completion. It is a course certificate, not a formal qualification or university credit.
How long does Introduction to Cloud Computing take?
Coursera lists it at 12h 19m. It is self-paced, so that is the volume of material rather than a deadline — how long it actually takes depends on the hours you put in each week.
Is Introduction to Cloud Computing suitable for beginners?
Yes. Coursera lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Introduction to Cloud Computing cover?
It is organised into 6 modules, starting with Overview of Cloud Computing and going on to Cloud Computing Models, Components of Cloud Computing, Emergent Trends and Practices, Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, Jobs, among others. The full outline is on this page.