How to Find Free Python Courses Online

Beth Walton
By
Updated on September 16, 2024
Edited by
Learn more about our editorial process
Python is lauded as easy to learn and easy to use. Enroll in a free Python training course to grow your skills and learn to program.

Find the program that's right for you

Learn new skills quickly with a bootcamp, or earn a degree from a traditional college.

Find a Bootcamp

Answer a few questions to get matched with a bootcamp that fits your needs.

Search Colleges

Explore accredited colleges to get matched with the best program for you.

Guido van Rossum developed Python for a little over a year before posting the first version to USENET in February 1991. Funnily enough, he named the programming language after Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a famous British sketch comedy series.

Python is an easy-to-understand programming language capable of many feats. It can develop web applications, create video games, and operate computers. Python’s versatility makes it one of the most popular programming languages.

Python skills are still in demand. Anyone can learn Python online with free courses and intensive Python coding bootcamps.

21 Best Free Online Python Courses

1. Google’s Python Class

Students with some programming language experience can learn Python free with Google’s intensive two-day course. While there are no official prerequisites, students need a basic understanding of programming language concepts, such as if statements.

Learners initially explore strings and lists using lecture videos and written materials. A coding exercise follows each section, and the exercises become increasingly complex.

This Python course gives students hands-on practice with complete programs, working with text files, processes, and HTTP connections.

2. Microsoft’s Introduction to Python Course

Students can learn Python online and build a simple input/output program with Microsoft’s introductory Python course. There are no prerequisites for this short, eight-unit, 16-minute class, other than an Azure account.

This online Python course is part of Microsoft’s Python learning paths. It prepares students with the concepts and basic skills to pursue more advanced learning.

Students explore Python code, where to run Python apps, learn how to declare variables, and use the Python interpreter. They also learn how to access free resources.

3. Introduction to Python Programming by Udemy

Udemy’s introductory Python course doesn’t require any previous programming experience. Students only need access to a computer or laptop to get started.

This quick and straightforward course features three sections, 18 lectures, and over an hour and a half of on-demand video lectures. Students receive step-by-step lessons to guide them through Python coding and syntax, beginning with the basics.

Learners explore strings, variables, and data types, then move on to loops and conditions, file manipulation, and functions.

4. Learn Python – Full Course for Beginners by freeCodeCamp

This free YouTube tutorial developed by Mike Dane is nearly four and a half hours long. It covers the basics to get started programming in Python, including how to install Python.

ThefreeCodeCamp Python course covers writing code in a text editor versus an integrated development environment (IDE) like PyCharm. Learners explore variables and data types, working with strings and numbers, if statements, and comparisons.

Additionally, students learn how to build a basic calculator, translator, and multiple-choice quiz.

5. Learn Python 3 From Scratch by Educative

This beginner’s-level course features a hands-on learning experience in live coding environments using a browser. It takes an estimated 10 hours to complete.

Students learn Python 3, beginning with the basic building blocks and moving to higher-level concepts such as functions and loops. Written lessons, quizzes, and assessments allow students to practice and test their skills.

Interactive coding challenges and playgrounds help reinforce the course concepts and build skills to create basic applications in Python 3.

6. Python for Everybody by University of Michigan

Programming for Everybody is the first of five Python for Everybody Specialization courses. There are no prerequisites other than basic computer skills.

The first course covers the first five chapters of the textbook “Python for Everybody” and takes approximately 19 hours to complete. Beginners learn how to install Python and the basics of Python 3.

Students learn to use variables to calculate, retrieve, and store information, and programming tools, including functions and loops, to write their first program.

7. Learn Python 3 by Codecademy

Code Academy’s Python 3 course has 13 online modules providing users with basic operating knowledge. The beginner class moves through 23 hours of coursework. Students complete 12 projects and receive AI-guided coding assistance.

Students learn how to write in three different Python programs, simplify their code, and apply their knowledge to different platforms. Classes cover coding topics like flow, lists, loops, functions, strings, and modules.

Lessons also touch on common challenges facing Python users and next steps for graduates seeking to deepen their knowledge. A certificate of completion is available to Plus or Pro Codecademy users.

8. Python for Data Science, AI & Development by IBM

Python for data science is an online Python and introductory programming course that takes approximately 26 hours to complete. Learners can apply it to multiple specializations.

Using hands-on exercises, students learn Python fundamentals, including data structures, types, expressions, and variables. Additionally, learners will collect data via APIs and web scraping and process it using Numpy and Pandas libraries.

Students will learn to work with data, create basic programs, and solve real-world problems using Python.

9. Learn Python for Total Beginners by Udemy

This beginner online Python course covers the fundamentals of Python 3.6 and Anaconda 5.0.0 using Jupyter Notebook. It takes around seven hours to complete.

Students learn to install the Jupyter Notebook IDE, gaining hands-on experience with its core features and functions. They explore Python basics, data structures, control flow, loops, comprehension, functions, and handling errors.

The course contains seven sections, 32 lectures, and seven exercises, including complete solutions in lecture and PDF formats.

10. Try Django 1.11 // Python Web Development by Udemy

This Udemy course features a little over eight hours of on-demand video focusing on Python web development using Django. Udemy recommends the 30 Days of Python Course as a prerequisite to ensure students understand the Python language.

Students learn the fundamentals of Django, a framework to build web applications with Python 3. They explore topics including database Integration, creating user profiles, and building an internal search engine.

Students build a web app with Django throughout six sections featuring 47 lectures.

11. Introduction to Programming with Python by Harvard

Harvard Professor David J. Malan offers this introductory online nine-week Python course. Students spend 3-9 hours each week learning how to read, write, and troubleshoot code. The course is designed for students with or without prior programming knowledge. It covers basic Python concepts like functions, arguments, return values, variables, conditions, Boolean expressions, and more.

Course content is inspired by real-world programming experience to give students hands-on opportunities for relevant practice.

12. Try It: Intro. to Python by UT-Austin

This is a basic 1-2 hour self-paced online class introducing novice programmers to Python. The introductory material is meant to highlight UT-Austin’s tech boot camps. No coding experience is required.

Learners discover what Python is and where it’s used. They practice basic coding with functions, variables, and conditional logic. They learn how to use Python to automate decision-making.

UT Austin’s boot camps combine data analysis and machine learning to prepare students for careers in data analytics, financial analytics, and data science.

13. Python Basics for Data Science by IBM

IBM’s Python Basics for Data Science is a self-paced course that takes about three weeks. Participants spend, on average, 4-10 hours a week learning to create their own Python scripts. Students perform hands-on data analysis with IBM’s Jupyter-based lab. There, you can begin your own data science projects and collaborate with others using IBM’s Watson Studio.

Lessons focus on programming basics, machine learning, and data visualization. An understanding of basic high school math is necessary. Practice will include work with commonly used Python libraries such as Pandas and Numpy. Participants will also access and web scrape data using application programming interfaces and libraries like Beautiful Soup.

14. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python by MIT

MIT’s Introduction to Computer Science and Programming focuses on how to use Python 3.5 as a tool to solve real-world analytical problems. Students should expect to spend 14-16 hours per week on this instructor-led course.

The nine-week class is the first in a two-part series. You can also enroll in the follow-up course, Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science.

Both courses are designed to help people with no exposure to computer science learn how to program and write scripts to tackle useful problems. Coursework includes simple algorithms, testing and debugging, and data structure.

15. Python Programming: Basic Skills by Codio

Codio’s 5-week beginner course is designed for learners with no coding experience. The self-paced class takes about 2-3 hours a week. It focuses on teaching Python alongside core computer science and software development topics.

Codio promises learners that they will be coding and running their first Python script within minutes. Students learn how to use variables, data types, loops, and operators to store, manipulate, and automate small pieces of data.

There are no videos with this course. Assignments contain short explanations with images alongside runable code examples and suggested edits to allow students to explore on their own. A variety of assessment options help learners move from one skill to the next.

16. Python Basics by University of Michigan

The University of Michigan’s beginner Python Basics course is part of the school’s Python 3 Programming Specialization. The course takes around 26 hours and learners work at their own pace.

It covers Python 3 basics, like conditional statements, loops, and data structures, including strings and lists. Students also develop practical programming skills by creating drawings and debugging software.

The Python 3 program specialization allows students to learn new concepts from industry experts, gain foundational knowledge, and develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects.

17. Python Programming Fundamentals by Duke University

Duke University’s Python Programming Fundamentals uses a seven-step framework to help learners create algorithms and programs. They will learn to test cases and debug Python code, as well as master Python basics, such as conditionals, loops, mathematical operators, and data types.

The course takes 23 hours to complete. It is self-paced, and typically completed in a three-week time frame. By the end, students will be able to develop a Python program from scratch to solve a data science problem.

18. Python Course for Beginners With Certificate: Mastering the Essentials by Scaler

Mastering the Essentials by Scaler offers around 10 hours of content and is set up to welcome new learners to Python. There are 10 challenges to help students deepen their understanding of Python fundamentals, data structures, and object-oriented programming.

Graduates of the course should be able to install and set up Python, work with basic syntax and data types, control flow and loops, manipulate strings and handle lists, use tuples, dictionaries and sets, and define and use functions. The course also covers object-oriented programming concepts, file handling, and error expectations.

19. Introduction to Python by DataCamp

DataCamp’s Introduction to Python promises beginning users that they will master the basics of the programming language in just four hours. The course is suitable for people with no coding experience. It starts with fundamentals, like understanding variables and types and building Python lists. It teaches learners how to use Python interactively and store, access, and manipulate data.

Learners also explore Python functions and packages, using code that other Python developers have written, introducing students to existing open-source code libraries that offer solutions to many real-world problems. Students will also learn NumPy, a data science tool often paired with Python code.

20. Free Python Course With Certificate by GeeksforGeeks

GeeksforGeeks offers a three-week beginner course on Python. It promises learners a foundational knowledge of Python programming, including control structures, strings, functions, and more. The course attempts to help participants see how they can tackle real-world problems with Python, while enhancing their coding skills.

The self-paced class is set up to be a go-to guide to the world of Python. Learners explore setting up a Python environment, as well as how to build Python projects, and solve general coding problems with ease. Graduates can later enroll in the more in-depth paid GeeksforGeeks’s Python Foundation-Self Paced course to deepen their knowledge and work towards becoming a Python pro.

21. Introduction to Programming in Python Language by EC-Council

EC-Council Learning offers Python for Absolute Beginners as a free course. There are 26 lessons and three quizzes and assessments to work through. Python installation, running scripts, PyCharm IDE set up, numbers, strings, Boolean operators, lists, dictionaries, and variables are covered.

Students also learn about functions, arguments, return values, loops, and modules. A final project explores how Python is used in the real-world. The course is taught by Joseph Delgadillo, founder of JTDigital Courses, an educational technology company.

Related Programming Bootcamps for You

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Where Can I Find Free Online Python Courses With a Certificate?

When exploring free Python courses, it’s important to consider your desired outcome. Are you looking to earn a professional certificate? Or, are you looking to explore this popular technology and build more skills?

Do you want a simple introduction to the coding language, or do you plan to pursue a career in data science and want to use this training as a springboard for the next step in your career or educational journey?

Regardless, you will want to make sure you enroll in a program that offers the right fit for you. Some free Python courses will provide educational and training content at no charge, but require a fee for the certificate of completion or professional endorsement.

Make sure to understand what is being offered and what you need before dedicating hours of time to study.

Coursera offers a library of Python courses. Digitaldefynd.com also explores the different online Python training programs in a robust list.

Alternative Places to Learn Python

Intensive coding bootcamps are another alternative to learning Python online. Bootcamps are short, comprehensive courses that provide hands-on experiences to learn to code.

Bootcamps often cover computer science basics and languages, including CSS, HTML, JavaScript, SQL, and Python. The best coding bootcamps offer interview preparation and collaborate with industry partners to provide graduates with job placement opportunities.

Typically, students need some programming language experience to enroll in a coding bootcamp. Many require students to take an entrance exam or offer an intro course before enrolling in the more intensive courses.

Python Career Outlook

While programming jobs are expected to decline significantly over the next decade, jobs for software developers, including those skilled in Python, are projected to climb 25%, much higher than other growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Jobs for Computer and Information Research Scientists are also growing at a faster rate of 23%.

The BLS projects, on average, around 153,900 openings a year for software developers and related careers, such as quality assurance analysts and testers, through 2032. About 3,400 openings for computer and information research scientists are also projected each year during that same time frame.

Python is a popular pick for programming languages. It’s easier to learn than most and is dominant across sectors as technology in the workplace advances. Python is lauded for its compatibility with artificial intelligence (AI), web development, machine-learning, automation, and data science. It isn’t just the tech sector that needs Python pros. There is also project job growth for developers in finance, insurance, manufacturing, administration, and management.

Possible Careers With Python Skills
JobsDescriptionAverage Salary (Aug. 2024)
Business Intelligence AnalystGathers, organizes, and analyzes data to identify trends, patterns, and insights for strategic planning and decision-making.$74,964
Database AdministratorCreates and organizes systems to store and secure data, such as financial records or customer addresses. Ensures data is available for authorized users and hidden to others.$79,060
Python DeveloperWrites, tests, and maintains Python code. Designs scripts to automate tasks. Develops new features and fixes bugs in existing software products.$82,555
Full-Stack DeveloperA software engineer capable of working on both the front-end and back-end of websites and applications, including user interfaces, as well as how data is collected, stored, and processed behind the scenes.$86,460
Business Intelligence DeveloperOversees the systems a business uses to store, display, and report on industry data. Uses visualization tools and business intelligence software to present data in a useful and meaningful way.$87,320
Business Intelligence ConsultantHelps companies analyze and interpret data for decision-making, process development, and growth. Works with companies to define objectives, assess infrastructure, and analyze data.$87,960
Software EngineerDesigns, develops, tests, and maintains software applications using a variety of engineering principles and programming languages. Projects might include computer games, business applications, operating systems, and network control.$93,830
Data EngineerCollects, processes, and manages data for analysts. Cleans data for errors, builds database systems, and creates algorithms and application programming interfaces to make datasets more accessible and useful.$97,030
Data ScientistCombines expertise in computer science, statistics, and business to solve problems. Makes sense of large amounts of data with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical analysis. Looks for trends and challenges assumptions.$100,600
Machine Learning EngineerPrograms artificial intelligence systems to develop algorithms that can learn and make predictions. Creates tools and infrastructure to automate tasks.$119,080
Data ArchitectAn IT professional responsible for defining policies, procedures, models, and technologies used in collecting, organizing, storing, and accessing company information.$132,500
Source: Payscale

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Python

The amount of time you spend learning Python depends on your goals. You can probably learn the coding basics in a couple of weeks, especially if you are following a set curriculum and regularly committing to study. However, it will take months, if not a full year, of practice to master Python enough to market it as a job-ready skill. There are a variety of different online courses and certifications you can obtain to deepen your knowledge.

Explore More College Resources

Best Online Computer Programming Degrees 2024

Best Online Computer Programming Degrees 2024

Computer programming degrees are far from becoming obsolete. Learn more about the fastest-growing careers in computer programming.

Alison Plaut

by Alison Plaut

Updated September 17, 2024

The 10 Best Self-Paced Bootcamps 2023

The 10 Best Self-Paced Bootcamps 2023

Want to start your tech career, but think you need more time? Discover the best self-paced bootcamps that let you work on your own schedule.

Nalea Ko

by Nalea Ko

Updated October 17, 2023

A Guide to the Best Coding Bootcamp Scholarships

A Guide to the Best Coding Bootcamp Scholarships

Scholarships can make it easier to pay for coding bootcamps. Discover how you can get financial aid for coding bootcamps.

Nalea Ko

by Nalea Ko

Updated November 8, 2023