17 Top Udacity Courses to Learn Programming

Want to start a career in programming or improve on your current programming skills? If so, you are in the right place. Programming is the present and the future and this post will show you the top Udacity courses to extensively learn programming so that you can be on the right track.

Now, are we good to go?

Before we get to the main business, let’s confirm if Udacity is a great platform to learn programming.

Is Udacity good to learn programming?

Yes, and these are the reasons:

• Udacity is one of the best platform for online courses.
• Aside from that, the programming tutors are leaders in the programming space and they make complex concepts easy to comprehend.  
• Enrolling with Udacity will also present you with other opportunities which include hands-on exercises, technical mentor support and the ability to think and solve problems like a programming expert.

Top Udacity Courses to Learn Programming

1. Learn to Code

If you are a complete newbie, this Udacity’s ‘Introduction to Programming’ course is perfect to kick start your career in programming.

To be more specific, if your interest is in Web Development, App Development, Machine Learning, Data Science, AI, and lots more, your most preferred choice should be this course.

Unlike some others, taking this course requires no experience.

In this course, you will learn the basics of programming featuring HTML, CSS, Python, and JavaScript.

The modules of this program include:

• Intro to Web Development: you will be exposed to how to make basic web pages using HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and how to add style to your pages with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
• Intro to Programming with Python: here, you will learn the basics of one of the most versatile programming languages – Python.
• Intro to Programming with Python: as a continuation to the previous one, this course will help you advance your skills in Python.
• Intro to JavaScript: this is the last on the list and it shows you the fundamentals of web programming using JavaScript.

While this course doesn’t require any coding experience, it is recommended that you have experience using the web, you should also be comfortable performing web searches on Google and lastly, you must have the determination to push through.

Rating: 4.7/5

Estimated completion time: 4 Months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Check out this course here

2. Front End Developer

You know, a great user experience gives website visitors the best value for their time, right?

If you want to be adept at building quality websites and applications that promote amazing user experience, then this course should be on top of your list.

In this program, you will learn how to:

• Create a responsive website using CSS, Flexbox and CSS Grid.
• Use JavaScript and HTML to develop an interactive website and User Interface (UI) applications.
• And use JavaScript to connect a web application to backend server data.

To get the best out of this program, it’s advisable you are already conversant with the use of basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Rating: 4.6/5

Estimated completion time: 4 Months (If you dedicate 5-10hrs/week)

Get the course here

3. Become a Java Web Developer

Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world.

Its mastery will position you for various opportunities in different companies.

In this Nanodegree program, you will learn how to build, test and deploy back-end infrastructure – even at an enterprise level – using java.

This program has four modules which include:

• Spring Boot Basics
• Web Services and APIs
• Data Stores & Persistence
• Security and DevOps

An intermediate knowledge of Java is recommended to make the most of this program.

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 5-10hrs/week).

Get the course here.

4. Become a Cloud Developer

This program is most appropriate for those with working knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and the Linux Command-Line.

Basically, taking this course will help you understand how to build and deploy full stack apps on AWS.

Firstly in this course, you will learn basics of cloud computing.

Subsequently, this program will adequately teach you how to design and deploy full stack applications, how to develop and deploy micorservices and the theories of serverless technologies and practice of serverless applications.

The modules include:

• Cloud Foundations
• Full Stack Apps on AWS
• Monolith to Microservices at Scale
• Deploy and Deploy a Serverless App

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here

5. Cloud DevOps Engineer

Just like the previous course, the first module in this program teaches you the fundamentals of cloud computing while the second shows you how to deploy infrastructure as codes.

You will also learn how to build CI/CD systems and lastly, you will be exposed to all you need to operationalize microservices.

Rating: 4.6/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here.

6. Data Structures and Algorithms

In this nanodegree program, you will learn the framework to tackle any open-ended problem, the different data structures for data storage, how to implement basic algorithms and examine the efficiency of these algorithms.

On top of that, this program will teach you more advanced algorithms including brute force greedy algorithms, graph algorithms etc.

One of the best ways to adequately learn is constant practice and this program does the job so well with its more than 100 exercises available for you to undertake.

Rating: 4.7/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here

7. Android Basics by Google

If you want to start building apps without any experience, then you should consider this program created in partnership with Google.

The skills you will harness in this course will help you accelerate your journey in android development.

Here, you will learn how to transform hand-drawn app designs into layouts, display images and texts, build app with java, show multiple screens, add audio and use web APIs.

Rating: 4.8/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here

8. Become an Android Kotlin Developer

Developing an app is now easier.

With Kotlin, a relatively recent and modern programming language, you can be more effective at building professional Android apps.

In this program, you will learn how to create a basic user interface using Android components.

Aside from that, you will learn the best practices of material design and the advanced parts of Android development will be revealed to you.

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here.

9. Become a Java Programmer

Becoming and staying relevant in the programming space is crucial to career growth.

One of the skills that ascertain these is Java Programming.

With this course, you will accelerate your career momentum because you will arm yourself with java techniques such as syntax, conditional statements, loops, and so on.

Before you enroll, make sure you have a working understanding of basic java concepts including variables, loops, and conditionals.

Estimated completion time: 3 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

Get this course here

10. Full Stack JavaScript Developer

Currently, this is one of the most sort after skills in the world of tech.

With this skill, you can build the front end and backend of a web platform and create stunning web experience for users.

In this nanodegree program, you will be taught how to build User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).

Aside that, you will also create APIs and develop persistence layer to store, process and retrieve data.

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

11. Become a Blockchain Developer

If you’ve heard about cryptocurrency, then blockchain should not really be strange to you.

Blockchain maintains all the record of transactions made in cryptocurrency. This industry is booming and will not stop anytime soon and for this reason, the demand for blockchain developers is unprecedented.

If you take this course, you will learn the basics of blockchain platform.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to create your own blockchain, explore ethereum platform and develop your own decentralized app.

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

12. Become a React Developer

React is not a programming language but a library.

Actually, it is a JavaScript library used for building User Interface or UI.

This course by Udacity will open you up to project-based learning that will help you master how to build user interfaces using React.

Before you jump into taking this course, it’s advisable you have a solid grasp of HTML & CSS, JavaScript, Asynchronous JavaScript (AJAX) and Web forms.

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 2 months (If you dedicate 5-10hrs/week)

13. Become an iOS Developer

With this course, you don’t need any previous experience to becoming an iOS developer.

This program will expose you to all you need to start creating apps for iPhone and iPad.

In this course, you will learn the basics of iOS development, develop your first set of apps and build more advanced applications.

Rating: 4.6/5

Estimated completion time: 6 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

14. Become a C++ Developer

This is a programming language relevant for many engineering jobs such as robotics, servers and video games.

If you want to get the best out of this course, you need to be intermediate in your experience in programming.

In this course, you will learn how to build route planner and at the end, you will have to build your own application using C++.

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 6 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

15. Become a Data Engineer

Learn how to prepare data for analytical and operational functions.

As a Data Engineer, you make the work easy for Data Scientist (and others in your organization) and this is why considering this course is not an awkward option if you want to advance your career.

To take this course, you need to have a sufficient knowledge of Python and SQL.

What you will cover includes:

• Data Modeling
• Cloud Data Warehouse
• Spark and Data Lakes
• Data Pipeline with Airflow

At the end of the course, you will combine all you’ve learned to build your portfolio project

Rating: 4.6/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 5-10hrs/week)

16. Full Stack Web Developer

This is one of the amazing options in our list of the top Udacity courses to learn programming.

If you want to be an expert in developing high performing web applications, this nanodegree program is most appropriate for you.

This program will teach you how to design and build databases for software application.

Plus, you will learn the best way to secure and manage user authentication and access control for an application backend.

Please note that experience using Python, CSS/HTML, and Git will enhance your outcome from this course.

Rating: 4.5/5

Estimated completion time: 4 months (If you dedicate 5-10hrs/week)

17. Learn Intermediate Python

Python is the programming language transforming Data Science, Machine Learning and a host of others at the moment.

This program will expose you to advance python topics which will equip you to perform advance tasks including data mining, file classification etc.

Before you opt in, make sure you’re familiar with basic python.

Estimated completion time: 2 months (If you dedicate 10hrs/week)

5 Free Udacity Programming Courses

Indeed, our list of the top Udacity courses to learn programming will not be complete without the highlighting the free options available.

But what’s great about the courses listed below?

Let me tell you…

First, you don’t need any requisite knowledge before enrolling and secondly, they will prepare you for your programming career. How cool is that?

The free Udacity programming courses include:

1. What is Programming?

Learn the very basics of programming including what programmers daily routine is, the terminologies, how the web functions and what communication on is like.

Timeline: 1 Day

2. Introduction to Python programming

Python is a versatile programming language and its uses cut across a variety of careers such as Data Science and Web Development.

Timeline: 5 Weeks

3. Intro to JavaScript

This is the most popular language in web development. With this free course, you will learn how to develop web applications.

Timeline: 2 Weeks

4. Intro to HTML and CSS

In this course, you will understand the structure of a website and how to style webpages created.

Timeline: 3 Weeks

5. Android Basics: User Interface by Google 

Are you interested in developing Android apps?

This free course will teach you the basics of Android and Java programming.

Timeline: 2 Weeks

Wrapping Up

Learning programming is a smart move if you are just starting. And if you are already some steps in but desirous of upgrading your skills, this article on the top Udacity courses to learn programming has outlined the best courses that will propel you in your career.

This ‘top Udacity courses to learn programming’ post includes 17 paid courses and 5 free courses for complete beginners.

Don’t hesitate to jump in and start right away. Happy learning!