Expanding your coding skills with free courses in the UK is a fantastic way to shift careers or strengthen your technical expertise. In today’s tech-driven world, coding has become one of the most versatile and in-demand skills across countless sectors, helping professionals automate tasks, drive efficiencies, and stay competitive.
The potential for a lucrative career in coding is substantial. As of 2024, the average software developer in the UK earns approximately £45,365 annually, with salaries for experienced professionals often reaching £55,000 or more. Entry-level roles are increasingly accessible, providing a strong starting point for newcomers, while developers with specialized skills in fields like data science, AI, and cyber security can command even higher salaries. This high demand and earning potential make programming an appealing choice for those looking for growth and stability.
The best part is that learning to code doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. With many free resources available, there are accessible options for beginners and experienced learners alike. Whether you’re looking to learn a new programming language, advance your current skills, or explore different areas of software development, free coding courses offer a flexible and affordable way to achieve your goals. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best free coding courses available in the UK to help you get started on your journey.
The best free coding courses in the UK
FreeCodeCamp
Website: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
FreeCodeCamp is a charitable organisation offering a comprehensive learning platform with tutorials and recognised certifications, all entirely free. Users can learn to code by completing coding challenges and building projects, allowing for practical, hands-on experience. Currently, the platform provides over 6,000 tutorials, and with no fixed schedule, learners can progress through the content at their own pace.
The platform also boasts a supportive community forum, where learners can connect with others, seek help, and share knowledge, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances the learning experience.
Certifications include responsive web design, JavaScript, Data visualization, APIs and microservices, and information security and quality assurance.
Code First Girls
Website: https://www.codefirstgirls.org.uk/
A particular favourite of ours, this coding website is dedicated to supporting women in tech and was founded by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford. The charity offers free, part-time coding courses and has so far provided training to thousands of women across the UK at no cost.
Its free introductory courses, designed to fit around full-time commitments, are delivered at over 50 locations across the UK, making it accessible for women from diverse backgrounds to start their coding journey.
Among these courses are introductions to web development, python programming, data science, and SQL programming.
Code Your Future
Website: https://codeyourfuture.io/
Established in 2016, CodeYourFuture is a UK-based charity dedicated to helping refugees and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds become software developers. The organization offers free, part-time coding courses in several UK cities, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Additionally, CodeYourFuture has expanded its reach internationally, with classes now available in Rome and Italy, and has plans to establish programs in Tunis, Tunisia, and Cape Town, South Africa.
The curriculum covers a range of technical skills such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, and React, alongside essential non-technical competencies like teamwork and problem-solving. The program is structured to accommodate individuals with varying levels of experience, offering courses like "Intro to Digital," "Intro to Programming," and a comprehensive "Software Development Course."
Students may also be eligible for financial support to cover costs including Wi-Fi, transportation, childcare, and lunch in certain circumstances, following the completion of an initial introduction to coding course. A second, much more substantial course also covers full-stack web development.
Codecademy
Website: https://www.codecademy.com/
Codecademy, founded in 2011, has helped over 50 million people worldwide learn to code. The platform offers a free ‘Basic’ plan, giving beginners access to foundational coding courses that they can complete at their own pace. This plan provides an excellent starting point for those new to programming and looking to explore tech skills without a financial commitment.
One of Codecademy’s unique features is its hands-on, interactive approach. Students can learn through real-world projects, like building websites and apps, which reinforce key concepts. The platform covers a variety of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, Python, and SQL, making it versatile for learners interested in different areas.
For more in-depth training, Codecademy offers ‘Plus’ and ‘Pro’ plans, priced at £14.99 and £19.99 per month when billed annually. These paid options provide access to career paths, skill paths, and practical projects designed to build job-ready skills. The Pro plan, in particular, offers more intensive resources for those seeking structured guidance.
With its mix of free and paid options, Codecademy remains a popular and accessible choice for aspiring coders, offering both foundational skills and pathways to advanced knowledge.
Coursera
Website: https://www.coursera.org/
Coursera is a prominent online learning platform that collaborates with universities and industry leaders to offer a vast array of courses, including coding and programming. While many courses are accessible for free, obtaining a "Coursera Verified Certificate" to validate your completion typically requires a fee, starting at approximately $49.
This certificate can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to professional development. Coursera's coding courses cover a broad spectrum of tech skills, from foundational languages like HTML and CSS to advanced subjects such as machine learning and data science. The platform's tutor-led approach ensures structured learning, with opportunities to engage in hands-on projects and assessments. For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, Coursera offers subscription models like Coursera Plus, providing unlimited access to a majority of courses for an annual fee.
Founders & Coders
Website: https://www.foundersandcoders.com/
This UK-based charity develops and runs tuition-free, peer-led training programmes in full-stack web development. It’s a unique way to learn to code with a focus on getting a job that uses these skills.
It runs 12-week long foundational courses to teach you the basics of software development - which can be done part-time. It also offers longer courses up to 21-months in length that provide a comprehensive dive into the world of software.
Profits made from graduate placement are fed back into funding the training process. In addition, students are expected to spend one to two evenings a month mentoring prospective applications. Graduates of the course spend at least one full week volunteering as a mentor during the first eight weeks of the following cohort.
Microsoft Learn
Website: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/
Microsoft Learn is the company's official learning platform, offering a comprehensive range of courses focused on Microsoft products and technologies. The platform provides interactive, self-paced learning paths that cover areas such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Power BI, and SQL Server.
Each learning path consists of multiple modules, which are further divided into units featuring written content, hands-on labs, and assessments to reinforce understanding. Upon completing certain courses, learners can pursue Microsoft Certifications, which are industry-recognized credentials that enhance a CV and validate expertise in specific Microsoft technologies.
These certifications are valuable for professionals seeking to advance their careers in the tech industry.
W3Schools
Website: https://www.w3schools.com/
W3Schools is a comprehensive online platform offering tutorials and references on a wide array of web development languages and technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, jQuery, AngularJS, XML, and Bootstrap.
Unlike traditional guided learning platforms, W3Schools provides detailed explanations of various programming elements, allowing learners to study at their own pace. The platform features an online editor, enabling users to modify code examples and execute them in a sandbox environment to observe real-time results. This hands-on approach facilitates practical understanding of coding concepts. While the educational content is freely accessible, W3Schools also offers paid certification exams for those seeking formal recognition of their skills. These certifications can enhance a CV and demonstrate proficiency to potential employers.
Additionally, W3Schools provides structured courses and career paths for learners aiming to deepen their expertise in specific areas of web development.
Code.org
Website: https://code.org/
This is another charity dedicated to encouraging people (especially schoolchildren and students) to learn how to code. There are introductory tutorials, about an hour-long, that cover hundreds of activities in over 45 languages.
The organisation’s primary goal is to teach children, so the courses are designed with this in mind, but if you’re looking for a course that definitely won’t assume any prior knowledge or experience, then this could be a good fit.
