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: Jupyter, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Data Collection, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Pandas (Python Package), Programming Principles, Data Structures, NumPy, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Import/Export, Computer Programming, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create Your First Python Program From UST
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Command-Line Interface, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Development Environment, Program Development, Scripting Languages, Computer Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Google
Crash Course on Python
Skills you'll gain: Python Programming, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Data Structures, Problem Management, Debugging, Automation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
40K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Status: Free
Princeton University
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Testing, Algorithms, Computer Science, Data Structures, Computational Thinking, Animations, Debugging, Simulations
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, JSON, Data Processing, SQL, Web Scraping, Relational Databases, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Databases, Database Management, Data Modeling, Data Visualization, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Data Cleansing, Web Services, Interactive Data Visualization, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Software Installation, File Management
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
278K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 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
Princeton University
Algorithms, Part I
Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Java, Java Programming, Computational Thinking, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Testing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programming in Python
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Programming Principles, Debugging, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Software Testing, Scripting, Data Structures, Program Development, Scripting Languages, Software Development Tools, Django (Web Framework), Cloud Hosting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Software Installation, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Command-Line Interface
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
232K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python Basics
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Python Programming, Computer Graphics, Debugging, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computational Thinking
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: Python Programming, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Web Development, Scripting, Computational Thinking, Scripting Languages, Application Development, Web Applications
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programming with JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Javascript, Node.JS, Unit Testing, Scripting, Programming Principles, Web Development, Computer Programming, JSON, Web Applications, Debugging, Event-Driven Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Package and Software Management, Functional Design, Front-End Web Development, Data Structures
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months