What free courses are available on Coursera?

You can start many Coursera courses for free by previewing the first module. This includes video lectures, readings, and graded assignments—plus Coursera Coach support where available.

Can I earn a certificate from a free Coursera course?

To earn a certificate, you’ll need to pay for the course or apply for financial aid. Free access to the first module is a great way to begin learning, but certificates are only available after unlocking the full course.

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

Click “Preview this course” to start learning for free. You’ll get access to the first module, including videos, readings, and graded assignments. If you want to continue beyond the first module or earn a certificate, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

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

Previewing gives you free access to the first module—including graded assignments and support tools, where available. To unlock the rest of the course or earn a certificate, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid. Some programs also offer a 7-day free trial for full access.

Free Programming Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Free Programming Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Programming Principles, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Jupyter, Data Structures, Data Processing, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, JSON, Computer Programming, Restful API, NumPy, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting, Application Programming Interface (API), Automation, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Software Design, Scrum (Software Development), Software Engineering, Software Design Patterns, Agile Methodology, Software Development, Programming Principles, Application Development, Cloud Development, Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Computer Programming, Integrated Development Environments, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create Your First Python Program From UST
Skills you'll gain: Python Programming, Command-Line Interface, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Development Environment
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Princeton University
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Java Programming, Java, Computational Thinking, Computer Science, Algorithms, Animations, Debugging
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
DeepLearning.AI
AI Python for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Prompt Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Jupyter, Python Programming, Data Analysis, ChatGPT, Application Development, Scripting, Programming Principles, Automation, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Structures
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
176 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Toronto
Learn to Program: The Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Debugging, Software Documentation, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Data Structures, File Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Processing, Data Store, Relational Databases, Data Visualization, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Network Protocols, Databases, Web Services, Restful API, Data Modeling, Programming Principles, Application Programming Interface (API), Database Systems, Data Cleansing, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
278K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of California San Diego
Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Biology, Data Structures
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python Basics
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Data Structures, Scripting Languages, Computer Programming, Pseudocode, Computer Graphics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Science, Web Development, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming, Application Development, Scientific Visualization, Scripting
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Preview
The University of Edinburgh
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Software Engineering, Software Development, Programming Principles, Software Design, Game Design, Event-Driven Programming, Computer Programming, Animation and Game Design, Debugging, Computational Thinking, Algorithms
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Ball State University
Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Statistical Analysis, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Natural Language Processing, Scripting, NumPy, Algorithms, Debugging, Data Structures
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
29 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months