How To Learn Python Skills Online For Free In 2024

What skill do data analysts, data engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and full stack developers all have in common?

Python.

And no, in case you were wondering, python is not a snake in this instance.

Python actually refers to a high-level, general-purpose programming language, which is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. The language is used for everything from automation, to software development, to data analysis, and everything in between.

It is also ranked as the third most frequently used programming language worldwide, being used by 51% of software developers globally, preceded only by JavaScript and HTML/CSS at 62% and 53% of usage respectively according to Statista.

Why Learn Python?

An understanding of programming languages is useful to have whether or not you wish to pursue a purely technical career. Some people teach themselves skills such as SQL or Python simply because they think it may be useful one day; some might want to even monetize their skill to develop apps as a side hustle; others learn Python so they can embark on a new career, such as working as a business analyst or data analyst, or even as a technical project manager.

Still others opt for learning Python programming skills so they can build on their existing skill set and expand their knowledge and expertise as developers, since any good developer knows that learning new languages makes you more attractive in the job market and increases the breadth of career opportunities and correspondingly, increased pay that you are exposed to.

One thing you should know about Python as a programming language is that it is a high-income skill—considered to be one of the highest paying skills in the tech industry—meaning that it is in high demand by employers (and potential clients if you decided to work as a freelancer) and they are willing to pay a premium for this skill too.

For example, even just at the entry-level, Python developers make between $110,311 and $128,924 on average annually, while a data scientist—a job that also requires Python expertise—pays up to $134,000 on average according to Salary.com.

So it is quite easy to see how learning Python can be beneficial to your career.

8 Free Python Courses In 2024

But, where does one go to learn Python programming skills, and is it possible to start learning for free?

Here are several online platforms from which you can start learning this prominent programming language today:

1. Codecademy: Provides a free Python course that covers the basics and more advanced topics.
2. Coursera: Offers free Python courses from universities such as the University of Michigan and tech companies such as IBM. You can access course materials and the certificate for free if you qualify for financial aid for the course.
3. edX: Provides free Python courses from leading technical institutions including MIT and Harvard. You may need to pay for the certificate, however.
4. Google’s Python Class: This is another free course that includes video lectures, written materials, and coding exercises designed for professionals with some degree of programming experience.
5. Kaggle: Offers a Python course for free, with a special focus on data science. You can practice Python on this platform by participating in coding competitions as well.
6. Real Python: Hosts a range of free tutorials, articles, and exercises that cover Python from beginner to more advanced levels.
7. YouTube: Subscribing to technical education channels, such as Corey Schafer, Programming with Mosh, and freeCodeCamp, who deliver comprehensive Python tutorials for free.
8. W3Schools: Provides free Python tutorials and resources that are beginner-friendly and cover the fundamentals.

These free online resources enable you to learn Python at your own pace, and become confident in your skills through hands-on, practical experience, whether you’re a beginner, or looking to take your skills to the next level.