470 Free Online Programming & Computer Science Courses You Can Start

If you‘ve ever wanted to learn how to code, program, or dive into computer science, now is a great time to get started. Whether you‘re a complete beginner looking to pick up basic coding skills, or an experienced programmer seeking to take your abilities to the next level, there are a wealth of free online courses available to help you achieve your goals.

This month, you can choose from a staggering 470 free programming and computer science courses starting in April alone. These courses are offered by some of the top universities in the world including Stanford, MIT, University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, and more. They provide the opportunity to learn from expert instructors without paying a cent in tuition.

The available courses cover a wide range of topics including web development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and much more. If you‘re interested in learning Python, one of the most beginner-friendly and versatile programming languages, you can select from over 35 Python-focused courses this month. Other popular topics include machine learning (28 courses), Java (19 courses), algorithms (16 courses), data structures (12 courses), and beyond.

According to the 2021 Open Source Jobs Report by the Linux Foundation, 97% of hiring managers are looking to hire open source professionals, with particularly high demand for skills in areas like cloud and container technology, Linux, and DevOps. The report also found that 50% of employers are willing to pay for employees to obtain certifications, showing the value companies place on these skills.

These courses are made available through online learning platforms including Coursera, edX, Udacity, and independent websites. They harness the power of the internet to bring high-quality education to a worldwide audience. Rather than being tied to a physical classroom, you can access course materials anytime from anywhere. Most follow a self-paced format allowing you to fit learning around your schedule and progress at your own speed.

The pandemic accelerated an already growing trend toward online learning. Research from Class Central shows that the number of new registered learners for massive open online courses (MOOCs) in 2021 was 40 million, up from 20 million pre-pandemic. They also report over 220 million total MOOC learners worldwide. This demonstrates the enthusiasm for online learning and suggests continued growth ahead.

Of the 470 courses starting in April, 110 are for complete beginners with no prerequisites or prior experience required. These introductory courses are perfect for dipping your toes into coding and discovering if it‘s something you enjoy before fully diving in.

On the other end, 88 courses are advanced level designed for more experienced students and programmers looking to expand their knowledge into new specialities. One example is the Deep Learning course from Google, which teaches students how to build neural networks and harness them for artificial intelligence applications. It has a 4.6/5 star rating over 44 reviews.

Enrolled students rate these courses highly and report positive learning outcomes. For example, the Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners course offered by Stanford University has an impressive 4.7/5 star rating across 5374 reviews. One student raved:

"Outstanding Course! This is a very good and concise introductory course to Machine Learning. A lot of machine learning courses are very math heavy but this course provides a practical approach to getting started with machine learning."

Another highly-rated course is Algorithms, Part I from Princeton University. It boasts a 4.9/5 rating across 58 reviews. A student review states:

"This course is amazing. The lectures are engaging, entertaining, and concise. The assignments are implemented in Java and provide a great opportunity to practice what you‘ve learned. I highly recommend this course to any programmer looking to learn more about data structures and algorithms."

So what are some of the most valuable programming skills you can learn from these courses? I consulted Jared Nielsen, Founder of Animus Rex Web Design & Development. He explains:

"As a full-stack developer, three indispensable skills are basic front-end web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, backend API and database architecture, and working with version control through Git and GitHub. These form the essential foundations necessary to build and deploy complete applications.

Front-end development allows you to create interfaces for users to interact with. Backend architecture lets you manipulate and store data, and integrate key services. Version control enables collaboration with other developers and tracking of changes. Together, these skills prepare you to create almost anything and open up a world of opportunities."

If you‘re seeking career advancement, adding programming to your skillset is a smart move. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for software developers will grow 22% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2020, the median annual wage for software developers was $110,140.

Even if you‘re not interested in becoming a full-time programmer, coding skills are increasingly valuable in a variety of other careers as well. A report from Burning Glass found that over half of all jobs paying $57,000 or more require some coding skills. They also note that the number of jobs requiring coding skills has grown 12% faster than the job market overall.

In addition to developing technical abilities, online courses help you build a portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers. Many courses include hands-on projects that give you real-world experience. You can highlight these projects on your resume or personal website to demonstrate your capabilities. This portfolio serves as powerful evidence of your skills that companies value when assessing candidates.

Throughout the pandemic, online learning surged as people sought out productive ways to spend time at home. Coursera reported over 20 million new registered learners in 2020, a 353% increase compared to 2019. Many people took this opportunity to gain new skills and accelerate their careers. While the boom has slowed somewhat, it‘s clear that online learning is here to stay and will remain an indispensable resource moving forward.

Online courses provide unparalleled access to high-quality education from top universities and companies in the world. With such a huge variety of free courses to choose from, you‘re bound to find something that fits your interests and advances your goals. Whether you‘re looking to boost your hirability, earn a promotion, or just learn something new, take advantage of these online courses to build valuable programming skills at no cost.

The skills you can pick up from these courses are highly transferrable and empower you to build your own projects. You can combine courses focusing on different aspects of programming to become a well-rounded developer capable of building complete, functional applications. For example, you might start with a Python fundamentals course, layer on knowledge of data structures and algorithms, then learn front-end web development to create user interfaces for your programs. The possibilities are endless.

Ready to get started? Below is a small sample of the 400+ courses starting in April. For the complete list, check out Class Central‘s compilation.

Beginner:

• Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners from Stanford University ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5375)
• Python for Everybody from University of Michigan ⭐⭐⭐⭐(3)
• Intro to HTML and CSS from Udacity
• Linux Command Line Basics from Udacity

Intermediate:

• Algorithms, Part I from Princeton University ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(58)
• Intro to Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(24)
• Introduction to Cybersecurity from University of Washington
• Data Structures and Performance from University of California San Diego ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(13)

Advanced:

• Deep Learning from Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(44)
• Blockchain Technology from Princeton University ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(12)
• Robotics from Columbia University ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(7)
• Quantum Cryptography from California Institute of Technology ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(1)

Online learning makes it possible for anyone, anywhere to gain valuable skills on their own time. You can learn at your own pace and start applying your new programming skills immediately. The self-motivated nature of online learning also prepares you for the reality of working as a professional developer, where you‘re frequently required to learn new technologies and solve novel problems.

I encourage you to challenge yourself and enroll in a course that sparks your interest or fills a gap in your skillset. Make the commitment to your education and stick to a learning schedule. Join forums and connect with your fellow students. Build projects and add them to your portfolio. Reward yourself as you make progress.

Who knows where programming skills could take you? Maybe you‘ll land your dream job, maybe you‘ll discover a new passion, or maybe you‘ll build something that changes the world. But you‘ll never know unless you get started. Take the leap and begin your programming journey today!