Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
Offered by University of Michigan. This course aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python.
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) is a beginner-level online course from Coursera in Python. It is structured in 7 modules with 4 stated learning outcomes, over 17h 1m. Learners rate it 4.8/5 from 233.8K ratings on Coursera.
Part of our Python courses collection, where we compare it against 60 other courses. See all Python courses on Coursera.
Course highlights
| Provider | Coursera |
| Duration | 17h 1m |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.8★ (233.8K reviews) |
| Price | Check price |
About this course
This course covers the basics of programming computers using Python. You will install Python and write your first program. You will describe the basics of the Python programming language. You will use variables to store, retrieve and calculate information. You will utilise core programming tools such as functions and loops.
The course takes a practical approach. You learn recursion in week three. You apply core programming tools such as functions and loops to solve problems. You develop programs that process data and automate simple tasks. The stated outcome is that you can write basic Python scripts after completing the five chapters.
At the end you can write a simple Python program that uses variables, functions and loops. You can debug common errors in your code. You can explain what a basic program does line by line. These skills prepare you for further study in computer science or data analysis.
This course does not cover advanced topics such as data structures, web development or machine learning. Learners who already know how to install Python and write simple scripts may find the content too elementary. Those seeking a faster pace or a certificate with a formal assessment may prefer the Python for Everybody Specialization, which runs for two months and carries the same 4.8 rating.
Free options include the Introduction To Python Programming course on Udemy, which is free and has 70K+ ratings, and Python with AI on Udemy, which is also free and has 400+ ratings.
This course is offered by the University of Michigan. It is taught in English. The mode is self-paced. A certificate is available.
You can enrol through the official Coursera link. The course runs for 17 hours and 1 minute.
What you’ll learn
Level and time commitment
Skills you’ll gain
What this course covers
7 modulesThe 7-part outline Coursera publishes for this course, across 17h 1m.
Module 1 · Chapter One - Why We Program
Module 2 · Installing Python
Module 3 · Chapter One: Why We Program (continued)
Module 4 · Chapter Two: Variables and Expressions
Module 5 · Chapter Three: Conditional Code
Module 6 · Chapter Four: Functions
Module 7 · Chapter Five: Loops and Iteration
What learners rate it
Rated 4.8/5 by 233.8K learners on Coursera (checked 8 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 8 November 2026.
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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) This |
 Coursera
|
4.8★ | Check price | 17h 1m | Beginner-friendly · 17h 1m | |
| Python Data Structures |
Coursera
|
4.9★ | Check price | 19h 50m | Highest rated (4.9★ from 97.4K reviews) | View ↗ |
| Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in Python |
 Udemy
|
4.9★ | ₹469 | 13 hours | Cheapest paid option (₹469) | View ↗ |
| Python for Everybody Specialization |
Coursera
|
4.8★ | Check price | 2 months | Most popular — 2M learners | View ↗ |
Where Python leads
Roles we map to Python 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 data scientists.
Common questions
How much does Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) 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 Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) 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 Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) take?
Coursera lists it at 17h 1m. 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 Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) suitable for beginners?
Yes. Coursera lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) cover?
It is organised into 7 modules, starting with Chapter One - Why We Program and going on to Installing Python, Chapter One: Why We Program (continued), Chapter Two: Variables and Expressions, Chapter Three: Conditional Code, among others. The full outline is on this page.