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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Google, Harvard, MIT are offering free coding courses in 2025: Here are 10 you can start now
In a world where coding bootcamps can cost more than a semester at DU, a silent revolution is underway—and it doesn't demand your money, only your attention. In 2025, top global universities and tech giants are dismantling paywalls and putting free beginner-level coding courses in the hands of anyone with a screen and stable internet. From Harvard's flagship Python series to Google's internal training modules made public, the message is loud: You no longer need a fancy degree to learn the language of machines. Here's a curated look at the best courses students, interns, career switchers—and yes, even schoolteachers—can start today, without paying a rupee. Harvard University: CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python Forget YouTube hacks and shortcut tutorials. This is Harvard's real deal. CS50's Python course teaches the foundations of computer science using one of the world's most in-demand languages. Students go from basic loops and conditionals to real-world problem-solving in just a few weeks. The format is demanding, but the payoff is portfolio-worthy. Stanford University: R Programming Fundamentals If you're eyeing data science, you can't ignore R. Stanford's free course cuts through the clutter, offering a no-math-needed, beginner-friendly intro to R—a language still ruling academic research and statistical modelling. You'll learn how to wrangle data like a pro without needing a PhD to decode the syllabus. Google: Python Class Here's what Google once kept in-house to train its own engineers. Now it's online for anyone. Taught by Googler Nick Parlante, this course blends video lectures and hands-on exercises to teach Python basics—strings, lists, loops, file handling. It's direct, utilitarian, and refreshingly no-frills. Exactly what early learners need. MIT: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python This isn't just about syntax—it's about thinking like a computer scientist. In this 9-week course, MIT teaches you how to write clean code while understanding why you're doing it. Designed for absolute beginners, this course slowly builds your muscle for abstraction, logic, and algorithmic design. IIT Bombay: Programming Basics No flashy frameworks. No language obsession. IIT Bombay takes a fundamentalist route—sharpen your logic first, and the syntax will follow. Their "Programming Basics" course is an underrated gem, focusing on algorithmic thinking before dropping you into any specific language. It's as close as you'll get to a coding degree mindset, minus the tuition fees. University of Michigan: Programming for Everybody Python, minus the anxiety. That's the promise. This 7-week course avoids math-heavy theory and focuses instead on practical coding tasks—writing simple programs, understanding variables, working with user input. Perfect for non-tech majors who want to add a hard skill to their résumé without drowning in technical jargon. Microsoft: Begin Python Coding in Minecraft Yes, Minecraft. Microsoft is banking on the game's popularity to teach Python to schoolkids, hobbyists, and first-timers. Through MakeCode and Azure Notebooks, learners can manipulate the Minecraft world by writing code. Playful? Absolutely. But underneath the pixelated mobs is a rock-solid programming foundation. Dartmouth College & Institut Mines-Télécom: C Programming Foundations For those who care how a computer really thinks, there's C. This course goes down to the bare metal—teaching memory management, pointers, and logic from scratch. It's not glamorous, but for students dreaming of systems programming, embedded tech, or robotics, this is where you begin. Microsoft: Learn Java on Azure Enterprise software doesn't run on TikTok filters—it runs on Java. Microsoft's course shows you how Java code goes from your laptop to cloud-based apps on Azure. It walks you through real deployment practices, frameworks like Spring, and integration with Kubernetes. If you want to see what 'production-grade' looks like, this is it. University of Chicago: Teaching Coding in Grades 5–8 with Scratch Not everyone taking these courses is job-hunting. Some are classroom-bound. This course is designed for future educators who want to teach coding to middle schoolers using Scratch—a visual programming language built for children. It includes lesson planning, teaching strategies, and tools for making coding fun without losing rigour. These courses don't just teach you syntax. They introduce a way of thinking that can benefit students across fields. Whether you're in your first year of college or preparing for campus placements, free courses like these help you stay industry-ready with the flexibility to learn at your own pace. So if you've ever thought of learning to code, this is your sign. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
Ivy League credits for free: Here's a list of Harvard's Computer Science courses you can take online
Getting an Ivy League education used to mean elite admissions and expensive tuition—but not anymore. Thanks to Harvard University's commitment to open learning, students from around the world can now access top-tier Computer Science courses online for free. Whether you're looking to explore coding basics or dive into artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, Harvard's online offerings can help you build real-world skills at zero cost. These self-paced courses are available through platforms like edX and Harvard's Professional and Lifelong Learning (PLL) site. You can audit all of them for free, and if you want a certificate, you can pay a fee to get one that adds value to your resume or LinkedIn profile. Here's a closer look at some of the most valuable CS courses Harvard offers online: CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science Harvard's flagship course, CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science, is widely considered one of the best beginner programming courses online. Designed to be completed in around 12 weeks, it covers core concepts like algorithms, data structures, memory, and languages such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. Taught by Professor David J. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo Malan, it combines theory with hands-on assignments to develop both coding skills and problem-solving ability. Perfect for students with little to no background in computer science. CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python If you've completed CS50x or have some Python experience, CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python is a great next step. In just 7 weeks, students explore foundational AI topics like search algorithms, machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing. With practical coding projects and real-world use cases, it's an ideal course for those eager to understand how AI works behind the scenes. Web Programming with Python and JavaScript CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript is a project-heavy course that dives into the world of full-stack development. Over the span of 12 weeks, students build interactive, data-driven websites using Flask, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. It's best suited for learners who already understand basic programming and want to create real-world web apps from the ground up. Introduction to Cybersecurity Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields, and CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity makes it approachable in just 6 weeks. This course explores how systems are attacked and defended, covering topics like encryption, social engineering, software vulnerabilities, and risk management. Students develop a strong foundation in how to identify and respond to common security threats—vital knowledge in today's digital world. CS50 for Lawyers CS50 for Lawyers is a 10-week course designed for students from non-technical backgrounds—especially those in law, public policy, or business. While it doesn't require prior coding experience, it still introduces core computing concepts and digital systems, helping students understand how technology intersects with legal frameworks and modern society. It's a must for future professionals navigating tech-heavy industries. Introduction to Programming with Scratch If you're completely new to coding, Introduction to Programming with Scratch is a friendly 3-week course that introduces programming logic through visual blocks. Students create animations, games, and interactive stories, while learning fundamental coding concepts like loops, variables, and conditionals. It's ideal for school students, beginners, or anyone curious about how code works—without diving into text-based languages right away. Data Science: Machine Learning Harvard also offers a solid introduction to machine learning through its Data Science: Machine Learning course. Over 8 weeks, students learn how to build prediction models using R programming, touching on topics like linear regression, classification, and recommendation systems. The course focuses on practical applications in fields like healthcare, e-commerce, and marketing—making it ideal for students interested in data-driven careers. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.