Whether you work in the tech industry, or spend time on your personal device, taking a free online computer science course offers benefits. Free online computer science courses are a great way to improve your skills. They help you stay current on the ever-changing world of computers.
Thanks to websites like Coursera and EdX, students have access to online computer science courses free. You can also learn from some of the world’s best universities. These courses are available to anyone, regardless of location or time zone. This means you can study topics on a preferred schedule in areas like:
- Data science
- Programming languages
- Theoretical computer science
With hundreds of online computer science classes, we have information about the best ones. Read on for more information about the top 30 free online computer courses.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs
Where to Find Free Computer Science Courses Online
Wondering where to find online free computer science courses? One quick Google search pulls many results, but which ones offer the best value? It all depends on what type of online courses you’re looking for. Because there is something for everyone.
Many colleges and universities offer online computer science classes, but they’re not all free. Through websites like Coursera, you can take online courses from top institutions like:
- Columbia University
- Harvard University
- Hong Kong University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- National University
- Stanford University
- University College London
- York University
Do you want to find a free computer science degree or are you only looking for free computer science courses? Below you’ll find 30 top choices for studying computer science. From free online computer courses with certificate options or a degree, there’s a program or class that can fit your needs. Here are 30 best online computer science free courses.
See Also: 50 Highest Paying Jobs in Computers & IT
Build Your First Android App
CentraleSupélec — the collaborative name of France’s Supélec and Ecole Centrale Paris — offers this free online course. As a project-centered class, Build Your First Android App walks students through the production of an application. Step by step, students create storyboards, install necessary tools, and build.
Studying computer science is easy with this online class. It takes about 19 hours to complete.
Course Website
See Also: Top 50 Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming
Beginning students who want to understand what computer programming is should consider this free course offered by the University of Edinburgh. Course instructors use Scratch to introduce the basic concept and principles of coding to beginning students.
Throughout the course, students learn to think like a software engineer. They learn everything from how to remix a game to programming languages. You can apply this course toward a free online computer science degree. The course takes about 12 hours to complete.
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Computer Architecture
Schools like Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology offer free online courses. But other schools do too. According to Coursera’s Learner Career Outcomes, 50% of people who took this free online course from Princeton University saw career benefits. These impressive results mean students gain knowledge in data science and computer architecture.
In this free online course, students learn to design the computer architecture of complex modern microprocessors. The syllabus consists of 21 modules on topics like directory protocols and parallel programming. The course is best for those advanced in computer science. It takes about 50 hours to complete.
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Computer Science 101
Want to study computer science at Stanford University? Look no further than this free online course. If you are a true computer science newbie, Stanford University offers this good starting point. In Computer Science 101, online students learn the basic patterns and ideas that govern computer science.
Students explore topics covered in most 101 courses. You study everything from data science to web development. Class activities include experimenting with short bits of computer code and learning to download or install software. The Stanford University course is beginner level, and takes about six weeks to complete.
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Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines
Princeton University offers a variety of free online computer science courses, including this one. Algorithms, Theory, and Machines is a 20-hour online course available on the educational website Coursera.
In this class, students explore topics like “Stacks and Queues” and “Introduction to the Theory of Computing.” It is a good introductory course that exposes students to fundamental concepts. Imagine taking a class at Princeton University for free! Now, you can.
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Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Another Princeton University online course is Programming with a Purpose. This computer science class is free and online. You can take it via the website Coursera. As the class description states, “Learning to program is an essential part of the education of every student, not just in the sciences and engineering, but in the arts, social sciences, and humanities, as well.”
This flexible course consists of 10 modules. Topics include basic programming concepts and programming languages. You also explore basic information that data science courses cover. It takes about 88 hours to complete this beginner-level course.
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Computer Vision Fundamentals with Watson and Open CV
Anyone interested in artificial intelligence should consider free online courses computer science offers. One course is offered by computer science powerhouse IBM. Computer Vision Fundamentals is a hands-on online computer science course. In it, students learn about:
- Python
- Watson AI
- OpenCV
Students use their new knowledge to build, train, and test their own image classifiers. The classes also use lab exercises to reinforce material. IBM’s free online computer science courses, like this one, take about 14 weeks to complete.
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CS50’s Computer Science for Business Professionals
How many students dream of attending Harvard University? You can with this introductory course on computer science. Designed with business professionals in mind, the Harvard University computer science course teaches students the basics of computer science in business and more.
After learning the basics, students enrolled in the Harvard University free online courses can expect to master high-level concepts. Instead of emphasizing mastery of low-level concepts, this course emphasizes mastery of high-level concepts. Topics covered include:
- Artificial intelligence
- Cloud computing
- Data science
- Programming languages
- Software development in business
The course is ideal for beginners, but progresses at a fast pace. It takes six weeks to complete.
Course Website
Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains
The University System of Georgia offers online computer science classes. One such class is Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains. This free online course is for computer science students, working professionals, and others interested in learning computer science.
Over the course of study, students gain an understanding of different types of cybersecurity. Topics include disaster recovery and software development security. The course uses lecture videos, discussions, and other activities as learning aids. While designed for beginners, anyone at any level can take the class. You can expect to complete it in 25 hours.
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Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms
Through Coursera, Stanford University offers many free online courses in computer science. One such course is the Divide and Conquer class.
This courses is for intermediate-level students, aspiring software engineers, and interested parties. The online course covers algorithms, asymptotic notation, and integer and matrix multiplication. The course is the first in a series on Algorithms at Stanford University. It takes about 17 hours to complete.
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Everyday Excel, Part I
Fluency in the program Excel is one of the best skills a job seeker can have. For those without Excel experience, the University of Colorado Boulder offers free online courses.
Everyday Excel, Part I provides students with a fun way to learn to navigate, edit and format, and manage data sets using Excel. The course is perfect for beginners. It takes about 24 hours to complete.
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How Computers Work
Even software engineers want to know how computers work. If you, too, have an interest in this computer science question, then this course from University of London will help.
In this course, students work through a series of four modules. They learn about networks, the internet, and applications. By the end of the class, you gain a solid understanding of the ways in which a computer works. The course is ideal for beginners. It takes about 10 hours to complete.
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How to Code: Simple Data
The University of British Columbia offers online computer science classes. For those who want to learn how to code, the How to Code: Simple Data course helps you gain skills.
In this course, students learn how to master any programming language by approaching them through a systematic programming method. Class topics and activities include program requirements and building tests. The class is ideal for beginners, and takes about seven weeks to complete. You can progress at your own speed, but plan on spending a couple hours per week on studies.
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How to Create a Website in a Weekend!
Unlike most of the classes on our list of free online computer science courses, the SUNY Online course is project-centered. This means that students who enroll in How to Create a Website in a Weekend! will learn to build a website in a weekend.
Through video tutorials and guided activities, students build and publish a WordPress site. Students build the site with sound, images, text, hyperlinks, and more. It is an interactive class that offers more than theoretical computer science. Students learn practical skills they can apply to their web development ventures.
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Internet History, Technology, and Security
Anyone interested in the history of the internet and how it works, will enjoy this free online course offered by University of Michigan. Internet History, Technology, and Security is a course that focuses on the impact technology and networks have had on our lives and culture.
Over the course of 10 modules, students learn about the evolution of the internet. This includes the Dawn of Electronic Computing during World War II to the rapid growth and commercialization of the internet of today. Students also study how applications and websites get built and encrypted. The course is suitable for beginners and advanced students. It takes about 15 hours to complete.
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International Cyber Conflicts
This free online course offered by SUNY Online has grown in popularity thanks to daily reports of international cyber crime. In International Cyber Conflicts, students learn to distinguish between:
- Data theft
- Political espionage
- Propaganda
They also learn to identify the different players in cyber threats. Students learn how to address cyber crime and apply different psychological theories of human motivation to international cyber conflicts. The course is open to students of all levels, and takes about seven hours to complete.
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Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology offers free online courses in computer science and related fields. One such class is the Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software.
This free online computer science course is ideal for anyone looking to update their resumé or CV with knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students also learn how to edit photos using GIMP. The class teaches students the basics. They touch on the different parts of a computer system. They also learn about different software types. The course is open to all, taught in English, and takes about 15 hours to complete.
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Introduction to HTML5
Anyone interested in web design will find useful online computer science courses at University of Michigan. Introduction to HTML5 is the first of five courses in the series “Web Design for Everybody.” It is a helpful class for students interested in web development, data science, and more.
Over the course of about three weeks, students cover the basics of HTML5. They explore some preliminary coding, and webpage accessibility, among other things. The course is ideal for beginners through advanced. It takes about 12 hours to complete.
Course Website
Introduction to Self-Driving Cars
Interested in learning about self-driving cars? The course from University of Toronto blends computer science with an introduction to self-driving vehicles.
The Introduction to Self-Driving Cars is the first of four classes on the subject. Topics covered include:
- Requirements for autonomy
- Safety assurances
- Self-driving software architectures
The class is taught in English, offers flexible deadlines, and takes about 35 hours to complete.
Introduction to User Experience Design
If you have any interest in learning User Experience (UX) Design, then this course is for you. Offered by Georgia Tech, Introduction to User Experience Design covers designing alternatives, prototyping, and more.
The course is short. It takes about six hours to complete. But in a short time, you can learn what makes a better user experience. A skill that you can take into any related career.
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Introduction to Web Development
For students who want to learn computer science and web development, the Introduction to Web Development is a free online computer science course at U.C. Davis. This courses is for anyone thinking about entering the world of web development.
In this beginner-level course, students learn computer science fundamentals. These include:
- CSS code
- HTML
- JavaScript
By the end of the class, students have a better understanding of the internet’s structure and functionality. Students also learn to create and publish their own web pages. The course takes about 25 hours to complete. It is one of the longer free online courses on our list.
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Kotlin for Java Developers
Intermediate-level programmers interested in expanding their knowledge find this free online computer science course helpful. Jetbrain offers Kotlin for Java Developers via the educational website Coursera.
Included on the syllabus are “Nullability, Functional Programming,” “Properties, OOP, Conventions,” and “Sequences, Lambdas with Receiver, Types.” The course takes about 25 hours to complete.
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Learn Object Oriented Programming with C++
The free educational website Coursera offers a few computer science online courses that benefit students. Learn Object Oriented Programming with C++ is an intermediate-level course.
The online course takes 1.5 hours to complete. It walks students through creating a basic command line application using object oriented methods. It is a great class for college students attending schools like Harvard University, Stanford University, or London International Programmes. It can supplement any computer science degree.
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Learn to Program: The Fundamentals
Interested in learning how to make things happen in the world of computer science? Then check out this free online course offered by University of Toronto. As its name implies, Learn to Program: The Fundamentals covers the basics of programming and learning to write useful programs.
The course focuses on working with Python. It’s geared toward beginners, but all levels can take the course. It takes about 25 hours to complete.
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Machine Learning for All
Machine learning is one of the hottest topics in computer science. You can learn all about it in Machine Learning for All, a free online course offered by University of London.
What makes this course unique is that it focuses on more than programming tools. Instead, the course covers the basics of machine learning technologies. It also discusses the benefits and dangers of AI to society. By the end of the course, students use datasets to train a machine module.
The course is ideal for beginners, and takes about 22 hours to complete.
Course Website
Mathematical Thinking in Computer Science
UC San Diego, in partnership with HSE University, offers Mathematical Thinking in Computer Science for free via Coursera. The online course covers the most important tools used in discrete mathematics. This include:
- Examples
- Induction
- Invariants
- Logic
- Optimality
- Recursion
The only prerequisite is a knowledge of basic math, though a knowledge of programming is helpful. The course is beginner level, and part of a larger specialization on discrete mathematics.
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Modern Robotics: Foundations of Robot Motion
Students at other colleges like Harvard University or Hong Kong University find taking a computer science course from another school helps. If you are interested in robots as a career this free course from Northwestern University is worth your time.
Foundations of Robot Motion is the first course of a specialization on modern robotics. The class covers the fundamentals of robot configurations. You learn how and why robots move. Best suited for intermediate-level students, Foundations of Robot Motion takes about 24 hours to complete.
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Natural Language Processing
Natural Language Processing is a free online course offered by HSE University, one of the top research universities in Russia. The course is taught in English, and covers a wide range of tasks in Natural Language Processing.
These include sentiment analysis, summarization, and dialogue state tracking. Though the course is on its own, it’s part of a larger series of courses on advanced machine learning.
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Parallel Programming in Java
Parallel Programming in Java is an intermediate-level course ideal for computer science students and industry professionals. Offered by Rice University, this free online class teaches the fundamental concepts of parallel programming in the context of Java 8.
By the end of the course, students learn to use parallel Java frameworks to write parallel programs for desktop computers. They also learn to use them on mobile devices and other multicore platforms. The course takes about 19 hours to complete.
Course Website
Python Programming: A Concise Introduction
Wesleyan University
You might be surprised to find schools other than Stanford University or Johns Hopkins University offering free online computer science courses. Wesleyan University has Python Programming, which offers an introduction for computer science professionals and students.
Python is one of the most useful programming languages. This free online course is ideal for anyone new to programming and/or computer science. Python Programming: A Concise Introduction uses four modules and hands-on activities to introduce students to working and creating with Python Version 3.x. The course is ideal for beginners. It takes about four weeks to complete.
Course Website
Top Schools Offering the Best Computer Science Courses
Some of the biggest players in free online courses in computer science include:
- Columbia University
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- New York University
- Stanford University
- Technical University of Munich
- University College London
- York University
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