Introductory C Programming
Offered by Duke University. Learn Essential Programming Fundamentals. Master programming skills to solve complex problems.
Introductory C Programming is a beginner-level online course from Coursera in C Programming. It is structured in 4 modules, over 5 months. Learners rate it 4.6/5 from 7.5K ratings on Coursera.
Part of our C Programming courses collection, where we compare it against 9 other courses.
Course highlights
| Provider | Coursera |
| Duration | 5 months |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.6★ (7.5K reviews) |
| Price | Check price |
About this course
This Introductory C Programming Specialization from Duke University teaches essential programming fundamentals using the C language. The course covers core concepts such as programming fundamentals, writing, running, and fixing code in C. Learners also explore more advanced topics like pointers, arrays, and recursion. It further delves into interacting with the system and managing memory, which are crucial for efficient C programming.
The Specialization takes a structured approach to help learners master programming skills needed to solve complex problems. It is designed to be self-paced and typically takes 5 months to complete. Each course within the Specialization is built to take about 4 weeks, requiring 6–8 hours of study per week. This flexible structure allows learners to progress at their own speed.
Upon completing this Introductory C Programming course, you will be able to approach programming problems systematically. This includes designing an algorithm, implementing it effectively in C code, and thoroughly testing your solutions. You will gain a strong foundation in programming principles and achieve fluency in C syntax. A practical final project involves writing a sophisticated program of intermediate scale, specifically a Monte Carlo simulation to calculate poker hand probabilities, demonstrating your acquired skills.
This Specialization is ideal for beginners with no prior programming experience, or for those with some experience who want to build solid fundamentals in C. If you are an intermediate programmer new to C, you can start with Course 1 to learn the basics of syntax and review algorithm design relevant to all languages. However, if your goal is to learn C++ or embedded systems programming, you might consider other options. For example, Beginning C++ Programming - From Beginner to Beyond focuses on C++, while Microcontroller Embedded C Programming: Absolute Beginners covers embedded C.
For a broader selection of courses, you can explore the main C Programming courses hub. Other free options for learning C include C Programming For Beginners - Master the C Language and C Programming - Basics to Advanced Level, both offered by Udemy.
Level and time commitment
Skills you’ll gain
What this course covers
4 modulesThe 4-part outline Coursera publishes for this course, across 5 months.
Module 1 · Programming Fundamentals
Module 2 · Writing, Running, and Fixing Code in C
Module 3 · Pointers, Arrays, and Recursion
Module 4 · Interacting with the System and Managing Memory
What learners rate it
Rated 4.6/5 by 7.5K learners on Coursera (checked 25 Aug 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 25 August 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory C Programming This |
 Coursera
|
4.6★ | Check price | 5 months | Beginner-friendly · 5 months |
| C Programming with Linux |
Coursera
|
4.6★ | Check price | 2 months | Quickest to finish (2 months) |
| Beginning C++ Programming - From Beginner to Beyond |
 Udemy
|
4.6★ | Free | Free — and still gives a certificate | |
| C Programming and Problem Solving in C. |
Udemy
|
4.5★ | Free | Free — certificate included |
Common questions
How much does Introductory C Programming 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 Introductory C Programming 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 Introductory C Programming take?
Coursera lists it at 5 months. 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 Introductory C Programming suitable for beginners?
Yes. Coursera lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Introductory C Programming cover?
It is organised into 4 modules, starting with Programming Fundamentals and going on to Writing, Running, and Fixing Code in C, Pointers, Arrays, and Recursion, Interacting with the System and Managing Memory. The full outline is on this page.