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Seeking an efficient way to master Python? Python is used in many fields and can help you land a rewarding career opportunity or excel in your current role. Beginning Python courses found online are an ideal option as they cater to all skill levels and budgets.
Let Benzinga help you find the best fit.
Quick Look: Best Beginning Python Courses
Here are Benzinga’s top picks for beginning Python courses:
- Python Programming Made Easy: A Concise Python Course by Udemy
- Python 3 Network Programming — Build 5 Network Applications by Udemy
- Python 3 Complete Masterclass — Make Your Job Tasks Easier! by Udemy
- Python Programming: A Concise Introduction by Wesleyan University
- Crash Course on Python by Google
- Python Programming Essentials by Rice University
- Python Basics by Team Treehouse
- Learning Python by LinkedIn Learning
What Makes a Beginning Python Course Great?
There are hundreds of beginning Python courses to choose from, so how do you know which are worthwhile? Look for these characteristics when narrowing down your options:
1. Offers Foundational Knowledge
Python is a complex programming language and you may want a course that conveys foundational knowledge before delving into more advanced material. This helps eliminate confusion.
2. Supplementary Resources
Beginning Python classes that include extra resources are ideal. You can gauge your comprehension of the material and implement the skills you’ve learned throughout the lessons. Look for courses with readings, quizzes, activities, projects or a combination of each.
3. Self-Paced
Avoid classes that impose strict deadlines. It’s crucial that you work at a pace that’s comfortable for you and allows you to fully grasp the material taught in the lessons.
Our Top Picks
We’ve compiled a list of the best beginning Python courses on Udemy. Our top picks are from top distance learning providers, including Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, Team TreeHouse and Udemy.
There’s also a description and price point for each option to help you make an informed decision.
Beginning Python Courses
Whether you’re pursuing a career that requires you to use Python or are in an entry-level role, these introductory courses are worth considering.
1. Python Programming Made Easy: A Concise Python Course by Udemy
- Who it's for: Beginners and individuals who need a Python refresher course
- Price: On sale
This highly rated course from Udemy teaches Python in a fun-filled way. It’s led by experienced software developer Cher Hin Chong, who uses in-depth video presentations to demonstrate key concepts presented in the lessons.
The enrollment fee includes 20 video lectures that cover Python installation, variables, data types, string manipulation, typecasting, data structure and more. You’ll also receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course.
2. Python 3 Network Programming — Build 5 Network Applications by Udemy
- Who it's for: New programmers who want to learn Python 3
- Price: On sale
This Udemy bestseller is presented by PythonTutorial IO and caters to new programmers who want to learn Python 3. It covers 5 network applications:
- Reading/writing device configuration via SSH
- Building an interactive subnet calculator
- Extracting network parameters and building graphs
- Building a basic network packet sniffer
- Configuring File Management and email Notifications
Enroll today to unlock 11 hours of on-demand video lectures. You will also have access to 83 articles and 8 downloadable resources to supplement your learning.
Facilitator Mihai Catalin Teodosiu is an experienced Python developer and QA automation engineer.
It’s helpful to have basic knowledge of networking concepts like CLI, OSI Layers, SSHv2, TCP/IP and Telnet before you enroll.
3. Python 3 Masterclass — Make Your Job Tasks Easier! by Udemy
- Who it's for: Entry-level data entry operators, developers, engineers, information technology and quality control professionals
- Price: On sale
This Udemy bestseller is designed for entry-level data entry operators, developers, engineers, information technology and quality control professionals who want to sharpen their skills. You’ll discover what it takes to work effectively using Python and position yourself for career growth.
Python 3 Complete Masterclass — Make Your Job Tasks Easier! teaches all the essentials from scratch. Concepts covered throughout the lessons include strings, numbers, booleans, sets, tuples, ranges, dictionaries, ranges, loops, conditionals, exceptions and so much more.
If this course sounds like a good fit, enroll today for full lifetime access, 310 lectures jam-packed into 16 hours of on-demand video. You’ll also receive 156 articles, 43 downloadable resources and 50 coding exercises.
The class is also led by Mihai Teodosiu.
4. Python Programming: A Concise Introduction by Wesleyan University
- Who it's for: Beginners with little or no programming experience
- Price: Free
Offered by Wesleyan University, this course interactively introduces Python Version 3.x programming. It is best for beginners with little or no programming experience.
Python Programming: A Concise Introduction consists of 4 modules:
- Beginning to Program in Python
- Working with Lists and Importing Libraries — The Random Library
- Tuples, Data Dictionaries, Text and CSV Files
- Functional Values, Sorting, Formatting, Statistics and a Menu-Driven Database Program
Each module includes video lessons, reading and quizzes to help you get the most from the course. Expect to spend 14 hours working through the material.
Instructor Bill Boyd is a visiting associate professor and visiting scholar in the Quantitative Analysis Center.
5. Crash Course on Python by Google
- Who it's for: Students with no programming experience
- Price: Free
Want to learn Python but always on the go? Look no further than this introductory course. It’s the first course in the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate program.
Crash Course on Python is divided into core 5 components:
- Hello Python!
- Basic Python Syntax
- Loops
- Strings, Lists and Dictionaries
- Object-Oriented Programming
There’s also a final project that allows you to implement your knowledge in a simulated environment. You’ll complete a series of readings and quizzes as you work through the lessons.
You should complete the course in 25 hours.
6. Python Programming Essentials by Rice University
- Who it's for: Individuals new to Python
- Price: Free
Offered by Rice University, Python Programming Essentials dives into program building through Python and other critical elements of programming. It’s the first course in the Introduction to Scripting in Python Specialization.
The lessons are divided into 4 categories: Python as a Calculator, Functions, Logic and Conditionals and Python Modules. Course material is delivered through a series of videos, readings and quizzes that take 12 hours to complete.
Facilitators Scott Rixner and Joe Warren are computer science professors.
7. Python Basics by Team Treehouse
- Who it's for: Individuals with little to no Python experience
- Price: Included with the monthly membership
In a little under 4 hours, this introductory course from Treehouse teaches the building blocks of Python. It covers conditional branching, exception handling, input and output, loops and other fundamental programming concepts.
Python Basics is led by developer Craig Dennis and categorizes the material into 4 segments:
- Meet Python
- Types and Branching
- Functions and Looping
- All Together Now
Each segment is broken down into several small, digestible steps. You shouldn’t have trouble following the lessons.
It’s free to enroll if you have a Treehouse monthly membership. Or you can try out the course with a free 7-day trial.
8. Learning Python by LinkedIn Learning
- Who it's for: New developers and experienced developers who need a refresher
- Price: $44.99 or included with the monthly membership
Facilitated by Joe Marini, manager and strategic partner of developer relations at Google, this introductory course is best for those who are new to Python. You’ll also find this course useful if you're an experienced developer and need a crash course on the basics.
Learning Python spans a little over 2 hours and consists of the following modules:
- Getting Started
- Python Basics
- Working with Dates and Times
- Working with Files
- Working with Web Data
Enrollment is included with a $29.99 monthly LinkedIn membership, or you can pay a flat fee of $44.99. Prefer to test drive the course? Sign up for a free 1-month trial.
9. 100 Days of Code – The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp for 2021
Who it’s for: Individuals who want to learn Python from scratch; experienced programmers who want to switch to Python
Price: On sale
Join over 51,000 students who’ve gone from Python novice to expert by taking this course. Dr. Angela Yu adopts an innovative teaching approach by having you complete 100 projects using Python in 100 days. You will learn to build apps, games, websites and so much more.
This popular class offers massive value for the price. Students get exclusive access to 675 lectures condensed into 60 hours of on-demand video, 229 articles, 116 downloadable resources and 1 coding exercise.
Plus, you’ll walk away with a portfolio of high-quality projects completed with Python to showcase during interviews with potential employers. It only takes a few minutes to enroll, and you can start working right away.
10. Python for Absolute Beginners by Udemy
Who it’s for: Individuals who are interested in Python but have no prior programming experience, new Python programmers who want to improve their skills
Price: On sale
If you have little to no programming experience but want to master Python, this introductory course from Green Chameleon Learning is worth considering. It’s also ideal for novice programmers who need a refresher on Python or who want to level up their knowledge.
Python for Absolute Beginners consists of 94 lectures that are broken down into these sections:
- Introduction
- Python Basics
- Strings Part 1
- Functions
- Flow Control
- Introduction to Loops
- Strings Part 2
- Lists
- Dictionaries
The enrollment fee also includes a series of quizzes of practice problems to help you master the fundamentals. Plus, you will receive a certificate of completion when you reach the finish line.
11. Python for Beginners with Examples by Udemy
Who it’s for: Individuals who are interested in a programming career that requires Python expertise
Price: On sale
Interested in learning Python through a hands-on approach? Or maybe you need more practice building apps using Python? Look no further than this exceptional course from PythonHow.
It’s been taken by over 92,000 students and boasts stellar ratings. When you enroll, you will dive into the programming language and start building two complete apps from start to finish.
Below is a glimpse of how the class is structured:
- Getting Started
- Python Basics
- Beyond the Basics
- A Real World Desktop App
- A Real World Web App
Ready to get started? Register right away to access 4 hours of on-demand video, 35 articles, 9 downloadable resources and 20 coding exercises.
Bonus Course: Teach Your Kids to Code: Learn Python Programming at Any Age by Udemy
Who it’s for: Parents, teachers and children of all ages
Price: On sale
Imagine if you could learn how to code in Python and teach your little one simultaneously. This Udemy bestseller makes it possible, and it only takes 6 hours of your time to complete. You will learn how to draw colorful shapes and spirals with Turtle graphics, build interactive apps that respond to mouse clicks and inputs, develop playable games and so much more.
Teach Your Kids to Code: Learn Python Programming at Any Age covers these topics:
- Getting to Know Your (Programming) Environment
- Turtle Graphics in Python
- Numbers and Variables in Python
- Loops
- Conditions
- Random Fun and Games
- Functions
- After the Course
- Turtle Gallery! User-submitted cool apps in Python
Sounds like fun? Sign up right away to start working through the 6 hours of on-demand video, 5 articles and 12 downloadable resources included with the course.
Start Learning Python Today!
We’ve made it easy to learn the basics of Python. Select a course from our list of recommendations and sign up to start learning today.
Python offers self-paced supplementary resources to help you get the most from your online learning experience. Interested in getting certified in Python? Data Science Dojo has a great week-long Python for Data Science training program to get you started out. And be sure to check out our Best Python Certifications and Courses Page, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some entry-level positions using Python?
Several entry-level positions include software developer, machine learning engineer and quality assurance engineer.
What are some excellent Python courses for beginners?
Benzinga recommends the Crash Course on Python Programming, Python 3 Network Programming and Python Programming Made Easy.
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