Top Free Coding Courses from Google, MIT, Harvard & More You Can Start Today
In a world increasingly powered by technology, coding has become a vital skill — not just for software developers, but for professionals across fields. Whether you’re dreaming of a tech career, aiming to build your own app, or simply curious about how websites, software, or algorithms work, there’s never been a better time to get started.
And the best part? You don’t need to spend a rupee. Some of the world’s top universities and tech giants — including MIT, Harvard, Google, Microsoft, and Stanford — are offering high-quality programming courses completely free of cost. These online classes are self-paced, beginner-friendly, and accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Here’s a curated list of some of the most popular free coding courses available right now:
🔹 MIT – Introduction to Computer Science Using Python
Offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this 9-week course is ideal for beginners. It uses Python to teach foundational concepts in computer science, including problem-solving, algorithms, and computational thinking. While the course is free to audit, a paid certificate is optional.
📌 Explore the course here
🔹 Google – Python Class
Google’s free Python Class, developed by Nick Parlante, includes video lectures, written material, and exercises for learners with basic programming knowledge. Topics include strings, lists, file I/O, and regular expressions.
📌 Start learning here
🔹 University of Michigan – Programming for Everybody (Python)
This course is aimed at complete beginners and uses Python to teach core programming principles in a simple and practical way. It’s self-paced and can be completed in around 7 weeks.
📌 Enroll here
🔹 Microsoft – Python in Minecraft
Designed for educators and young learners, this beginner-friendly course uses Minecraft’s Code Builder, MakeCode, and Azure Notebooks to teach Python. It’s fun, interactive, and doesn’t require any prior experience.
📌 Learn more
🔹 Stanford – R Programming Fundamentals
Curious about data science? This course introduces R programming, covering basic syntax, data handling, and statistical tools. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enter analytics or academic research.
📌 Get started
🔹 Dartmouth & Institut Mines-Télécom – C Programming Foundations
This course offers a deep dive into the C programming language, ideal for learners wanting to understand system-level programming, memory management, and how computers really work.
📌 View course
🔹 Harvard – CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python
Part of Harvard’s renowned CS50 series, this course introduces Python with hands-on practice problems and real-world projects. It’s designed to teach core programming logic in an engaging and beginner-friendly way.
📌 Join here
🔹 Microsoft – Introduction to Java on Azure
Perfect for aspiring backend developers, this course teaches Java programming while exploring how to build and deploy applications on Microsoft Azure using modern frameworks and cloud technologies.
📌 Check it out
🔹 University of Chicago – Teaching Coding with Scratch Encore
Geared toward educators and parents, this course teaches how to introduce coding to children using Scratch Encore, a visual programming language tailored for middle schoolers (grades 5–8).
📌 Explore here
🔹 IIT Bombay – Programming Basics
IIT Bombay’s course introduces essential programming concepts in a language-neutral manner. It’s an ideal starting point for those completely new to coding, providing a smooth transition into advanced topics later.
📌 Visit course page
Whether you’re starting from scratch or brushing up on your skills, these free coding courses offer world-class instruction at zero cost. With the flexibility to learn at your own pace and guidance from leading institutions, there’s no better time than now to dive into coding.
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