Engineering courses can help you learn design principles, project management, systems analysis, and problem-solving techniques. You can build skills in technical drawing, materials selection, and prototyping, along with understanding regulatory standards and sustainability practices. Many courses introduce tools such as CAD software for design, simulation programs for testing, and project management platforms to streamline workflows.

Rice University
Skills you'll gain: Cost Estimation, Project Scoping, Communication Planning, Cost Management, Scope Management, Project Estimation, Project Schedules, Earned Value Management, Scheduling, Team Management, Quality Assurance, Stakeholder Management, Work Breakdown Structure, Risk Management, Organizational Structure, Procurement, Project Risk Management, Project Documentation, Project Management, Planning
★ 4.7 (4.9K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Khalifa University
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Management Systems, Environment Health And Safety, Environmental Monitoring, Accident Reporting, Fire And Life Safety, Accident Prevention, Environmental Regulations, Health And Safety Standards, Hazard Analysis, Safety Standards, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Laws, Environmental Resource Management, Risk Management, Risk Management Framework, Environmental Engineering and Restoration, Risk Analysis, Environment and Resource Management, Engineering Management, Engineering
★ 4.7 (325) · Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Failure Analysis, Systems Engineering, Requirements Management, Scope Management, Design Reviews, Engineering Management, Change Control, Program Management, Cost Management, Requirements Analysis, Contract Management, Root Cause Analysis, Test Engineering, Risk Mitigation, Systems Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Risk Management, Test Planning, Systems Analysis
★ 4.8 (176) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Dartmouth College
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Structural Engineering, Building Design, Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Construction, SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), Architectural Design, Failure Analysis, Design
★ 4.8 (186) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Computational Logic, Engineering Calculations, Integral Calculus, Trigonometry, Linear Algebra, Engineering Analysis, Logical Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Calculus, Statistics, Statistical Methods, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Inference, Theoretical Computer Science, Numerical Analysis, Descriptive Analytics, Applied Mathematics
★ 4.5 (205) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

ISAE-SUPAERO
Skills you'll gain: Mechanics, Hazard Analysis, Risk Control, Simulations, Simulation and Simulation Software, Systems Of Measurement, Engineering Calculations, Physics, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Mathematical Modeling
★ 4.7 (616) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Columbia University
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Derivatives, Financial Market, Investment Management, Portfolio Risk, Asset Management, Risk Modeling, Estimation, Financial Modeling, Regression Analysis, Market Liquidity, Risk Management, Finance, Financial Trading, Model Optimization, Risk Analysis, Probability, Market Data, Numerical Analysis, Microsoft Excel
★ 4.6 (440) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Northwestern University
Skills you'll gain: Robotics, Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Mathematical Software, Mechanics, Simulations, Simulation and Simulation Software, Torque (Physics), Graph Theory, Matlab, Numerical Analysis, Algorithms, Estimation
★ 4.7 (1.3K) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

L&T EduTech
Skills you'll gain: Oil and Gas, Petroleum Industry, Hazard Analysis, Environmental Resource Management, Energy and Utilities, Environment and Resource Management, Environmental Regulations, Environment Health And Safety, Big Data, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Risk Analysis, Failure Mode And Effects Analysis, Data Management, Data Processing, Electric Power Systems, Applied Machine Learning, Production Process, Environmental Issue, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
★ 4.6 (248) · Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Electrical Power, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Control Systems, Electrical Substation, Electrical Equipment, Automation Engineering, Electrical Safety, Mathematical Modeling, Matlab, High Voltage, Electrical Engineering, electromagnetics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Calculations, Artificial Neural Networks, Design, Coordination
★ 4.5 (303) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Methods, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), AI powered creativity, Precision Medicine, Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI literacy, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Algorithms, Transfer Learning, Control Systems, Image Analysis, Robotics, Deep Learning, Medical Imaging, Reinforcement Learning, Bioinformatics, Drug Development, Applied Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling
★ 4.5 (217) · Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Skills you'll gain: Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Matlab, Numerical Analysis, Integral Calculus, Calculus, electromagnetics, Algebra, Applied Mathematics, Geometry, Mechanics, Scripting, Simulations, Physics, Plot (Graphics), Derivatives
★ 4.8 (7.9K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Top-rated Engineering courses offered by L&T EduTech on Coursera.
Earn a certificate in Engineering from top universities and companies.
Top-rated beginner-friendly Engineering courses with no prerequisites.
Engineering is the practice of using science, math, design, and problem-solving to create, improve, or maintain systems, products, structures, and processes. It can include fields such as mechanical, civil, software, systems, environmental, and product engineering, each with its own tools and methods. Courses on Coursera reflect this range, with options such as Introduction to Engineering Mechanics, Introduction to Software Engineering, Engineering Project Management, and The Engineering of Structures Around Us.‎
Many roles use engineering, including software engineer, systems engineer, product designer, project engineer, safety engineer, civil or structural engineer, and engineering manager. The specific role usually depends on the branch of engineering and the kinds of problems you want to solve, such as building software, designing products, improving safety systems, or analyzing structures. Coursera courses can help you explore different directions before choosing a more focused path.‎
Helpful starting skills for engineering include basic math, physics, analytical thinking, communication, and comfort with structured problem-solving. Some areas may also benefit from basic programming, design thinking, or familiarity with how technical projects are planned and managed. If you are new to the field, courses like Introduction to Engineering Mechanics, Engineering and Product Design Processes, or Introduction to Software Engineering can help you build a foundation.‎
Skills that complement engineering include project management, systems thinking, data analysis, technical writing, design, safety awareness, and collaboration. Depending on your goals, you might also add programming for software engineering, product design methods for innovation work, or health, safety, and environmental knowledge for operations-focused roles. Coursera’s engineering selection includes courses such as Engineering Project Management, Introduction to Systems Engineering, and HSE Engineering that support these related skills.‎
A good way to start learning engineering is to choose one area that matches your interests, then build core concepts through an introductory course. For example, you might begin with engineering mechanics if you like physical systems, software engineering if you enjoy coding and applications, or product design if you are interested in how ideas become usable products. Coursera lets you compare beginner-friendly courses across several engineering areas and continue into more specialized topics as your goals become clearer.‎
Yes. You can start learning engineering on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in engineering, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
Strong beginner options for engineering include Introduction to Engineering Mechanics from Georgia Institute of Technology, Introduction to Software Engineering from IBM, and Engineering and Product Design Processes from Arizona State University. These courses introduce different sides of the field, from forces and structures to software development practices and design workflows. You can also explore Introduction to Systems Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder if you want to understand how complex technical systems are planned and managed.‎
Engineering courses typically cover problem-solving methods, technical analysis, design processes, systems thinking, project planning, and field-specific tools or standards. On Coursera, the topic range includes mechanics, software engineering, project management, health and safety, systems engineering, product design, structural engineering, and even prompt engineering for generative AI. Reviewing course descriptions and skills can help you choose whether to build broad engineering literacy or focus on a specific area.‎