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Software Engineering Courses

Software engineering courses can help you learn programming languages like Python and Java, software development methodologies, version control systems, and testing practices. You can build skills in code optimization, debugging, and collaborative project management. Many courses introduce tools such as Git for version control, Docker for containerization, and integrated development environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code, which enhance your ability to develop, test, and deploy software efficiently.


Popular Software Engineering Courses and Certifications


  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    I

    IBM

    Introduction to Software Engineering

    Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Software Design, Software Development Methodologies, Software Design Patterns, Development Environment, Unified Modeling Language, Software Engineering, Web Applications, Software Development Tools, Software Development, Application Deployment, Programming Principles, Front-End Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Python Programming

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    4.3K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    Status: AI skills
    AI skills
    I

    IBM

    IBM DevOps and Software Engineering

    Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Software Development Life Cycle, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Continuous Integration, Istio, Linux Commands, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Kubernetes, Gherkin (Scripting Language), Restful API, Git (Version Control System), DevOps, Grafana, Software Engineering, Data Import/Export, Application Development

    Build toward a degree

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    64K reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    T

    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Software Engineering

    Skills you'll gain: Software Design Patterns, Requirements Analysis, Systems Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Acceptance Testing, Software Development Methodologies, Unified Modeling Language, Software Development Life Cycle, Configuration Management, Software Quality Assurance, Debugging, Software Design, Software Engineering, Software Testing, Object Oriented Design, Functional Requirement, Data Modeling, Systems Design, Project Management, Project Planning

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    591 reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    D

    Duke University

    Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Software Design, Debugging, Software Engineering, Javascript, Computer Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Encryption, Algorithms, Image Analysis, Web Applications, Data Processing, Statistical Analysis, Data Import/Export, Predictive Modeling, Integrated Development Environments, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Web Servers, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    22K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    Amazon

    Introduction to Software Development

    Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Java, Program Development, Software Development, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Programming Principles

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    342 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Minnesota

    Software Development Lifecycle

    Skills you'll gain: User Story, Agile Software Development, Software Design Patterns, Design Thinking, Software Development Methodologies, Software Design, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Process Mapping, Software Engineering, Kanban Principles, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Quality Assurance, Application Security, Scrum (Software Development), Object Oriented Design, Software Architecture, User Experience Design, Software Quality (SQA/SQC), Requirements Analysis

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    9.8K reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    T

    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Software Engineering: Modeling Software Systems using UML

    Skills you'll gain: Requirements Analysis, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Functional Requirement, Data Modeling, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Systems Development Life Cycle, System Requirements, Software Development, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Project Planning, Project Management

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    350 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    S

    Scrimba

    AI Engineering

    Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, LangChain, Image Analysis, Responsible AI, OpenAI, LLM Application, Cloud Applications, Multimodal Prompts, Generative AI, Cloud API, Application Deployment, Prompt Engineering Tools, API Gateway, Generative AI Agents, Tool Calling, User Interface (UI), Data Ethics, Application Programming Interface (API), Open Source Technology, Software Engineering

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    279 reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    D

    DeepLearning.AI

    Generative AI for Software Development

    Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, Database Design, LLM Application, Software Documentation, Software Design Patterns, Databases, Test Automation, Collaborative Software, Software Testing, Application Design, Technical Documentation, Generative AI, Database Management, Software Design, Code Review, Software Architecture, Software Engineering, Software Development, Machine Learning

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    724 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    E

    Edureka

    Generative AI for Software Engineers & Developers

    Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Generative Model Architectures, Generative AI Agents, Google Gemini, OpenAI, Performance Tuning, Large Language Modeling, Software Development Tools, Code Review, Application Deployment, Software Documentation, LLM Application, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, AI Personalization, Software Development, Software Quality Assurance, Debugging, Automation

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Software Architecture for Big Data

    Skills you'll gain: Service Level, Performance Testing, Software Engineering, Data Architecture, Web Applications, Software Architecture, Cloud Applications, Scalability, Functional Requirement, Distributed Computing, Databases, Microservices, Application Deployment, Predictive Modeling, Application Development, Application Performance Management, Software Testing, System Design and Implementation, Middleware, Big Data

    Build toward a degree

    3.5
    Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    102 reviews

    Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    Advancing Women in Tech

    Real-World Engineering Management

    Skills you'll gain: Software Architecture, Engineering Management, Goal Setting, Systems Design, Technical Management, Smart Goals, API Design, Technical Product Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Recruitment, Program Management, Team Performance Management, Technical Communication, Management Training And Development, Software Engineering, Microservices, Employee Coaching, Talent Management, Leadership and Management, Talent Acquisition

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    90 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Searches related to software engineering

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular software engineering courses

  • Introduction to Software Engineering: IBM
  • IBM DevOps and Software Engineering: IBM
  • Software Engineering: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals: Duke University
  • Introduction to Software Development: Amazon
  • Software Development Lifecycle: University of Minnesota
  • Software Engineering: Modeling Software Systems using UML: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • AI Engineering: Scrimba
  • Generative AI for Software Development: DeepLearning.AI
  • Generative AI for Software Engineers & Developers: Edureka

Frequently Asked Questions about Software Engineering

Browse the software engineering courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

  • Introduction to Software Engineering: IBM
  • Software Engineering: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • IBM DevOps and Software Engineering: IBM
  • Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals: Duke University
  • Claude Code: Software Engineering with Generative AI Agents: Vanderbilt University‎

If you aim to become a software engineer or enhance your existing skills, understanding your goal is vital. Regular practice in coding, software design, and project management is crucial. Join online communities like Stack Overflow or LinkedIn groups for support and networking. Work on real projects like developing software or contributing to open-source projects. Coursera’s Software Engineering Specialization by University of Alberta provides a thorough grounding in software engineering principles and practices.‎

Yes. You can start learning software engineering on Coursera for free in two ways:

  • Preview the first module of many software engineering courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  • Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in software engineering, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Take our quick quiz to find the software engineering course that fits your goals—whether you're building programming fundamentals, exploring system design, or working toward a full-time engineering role. Take the quiz to discover the best place to begin.‎

Software engineering courses on Coursera provide learners with essential skills for designing, developing, and managing software projects, including:

  • Fundamental principles of software development and engineering
  • Best practices in writing clean, maintainable code
  • Techniques for software design and architecture, including UML and design patterns
  • Agile and DevOps methodologies for efficient project management
  • Testing and quality assurance practices to ensure software reliability
  • Understanding and implementing software security measures
  • Tools and technologies used for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD)‎

Coursera’s software engineering courses cater to learners with varying levels of programming experience:

  • Beginners: No prior programming experience is necessary for introductory courses that teach the basics of software engineering concepts.
  • Intermediate Learners: Those with some programming background will benefit from courses that expand on software development methodologies and advanced design techniques.
  • Advanced Professionals: Experienced programmers can deepen their expertise with specialized courses in areas such as system architecture, security, and agile methodologies.‎

Participating in software engineering courses on Coursera can lead to a variety of credentials that demonstrate your capabilities:

  • Course Certificates: Earn a certificate for each software engineering course you complete, showcasing your skills in specific areas of the software development lifecycle.
  • Professional Certificates: These are designed to prepare you for professional roles in the software industry by consolidating knowledge across multiple related courses.
  • Specializations: Dive into specific facets of software engineering with a series of related courses that culminate in a capstone project, providing hands-on experience.‎

Proficiency in software engineering can open up numerous career paths within the technology sector, such as:

  • Software Developer: Building and maintaining software applications.
  • Systems Architect: Designing robust software solutions that meet business needs.
  • Quality Assurance Engineer: Ensuring the quality and reliability of software through rigorous testing.
  • DevOps Engineer: Bridging the gap between software development and operations in project cycles.
  • Technical Project Manager: Overseeing software projects from conception to deployment, ensuring they meet deadlines and budgets.‎
This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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