Python is one of the industry's most popular programming languages, and our list of the best online Python courses around offers just a snapshot of the sheer variety and scale of the industry.
Usually studied in tandem with other top programming languages, Python is an excellent beginner language, as it's not only very intuitive and easy to learn, it also offers a solid coding skill foundation that can be built upon and expanded with other specialist languages.
As a general-purpose language, Python can be found in many applications, none more so than the Web. However, the language is also used for game development, data analysis, network development, and automation scripting.
Developers at the world’s largest tech brands use Python to create test versions of products. Even in sectors without an obvious link to programming, Python is a useful language with a dedicated user base. For example, accountants are known to use Python for simple mathematical scripts.
Popular uses of Python include:
- Website and software development
- Task automation
- Data analysis
- Data visualization
- Web development and frameworks
- Embedded systems
- Graphic design
- Network development
- Rapid application development
- Testing
- Automation scripting
Is Python development a good career?
Employers are always on the lookout for skilled Python developers, with competitive compensation packages often on the table. Per data from recruitment website Indeed, US-based Python developers earn an average base salary of $124,000, but this can vary depending on skill level.
In the UK, Python developers may have to shift expectations depending on their region. While those in London are looking at an averager base rate of £85,000 per year according to Indeed, those in Manchester are looking at £60,000 and those in Edinburgh at just £54,000.
Even as new technologies such as AI and data analytics have become widely adopted in the past few years, Python has continued to prove its worth. It is one of the most commonly used programming languages and those with Python skills remain among the top paid developers. Part of its appeal for new learners in particular is its forgiving learning curve, helped in no small part by its thriving user community.
Python’s was the second-most popular programming language on GitHub at the end of 2023, beating out other languages such as Java per the platform’s annual Octoverse report, a spot it has held since 2019. It has an extremely active online community, which feeds into the wide range of online Python courses on offer.
What are the best Python courses?
If you’re interested in learning Python, the best courses can help you master the language and put it into use with a range of complimentary technologies.
The Complete Python Bootcamp from Zero to Hero in Python
Best online Python course for beginners
Provider: Udemy
Price: $189.99 (£54.99 in the UK)
Course link: The Complete Python Bootcamp from Zero to Hero in Python
Course length: 22 hours
Designed for students to learn Python 2 and 3, this course offers 19 coded exercises that move the student from installing Python to modules, functions, and unit tests. Students who complete the course will have a thorough foundation of knowledge to take their Python skills to the next level with more advanced courses.
30 Days of Python | Unlock your Python Potential
Best intensive online Python course
Provider: Udemy
Price: $84.99 (£39.99 in the UK)
Course link: 30 Days of Python | Unlock your Python Potential
Course length: 9.5 hours
Another one for beginners, this course covers all the basics of Python programming before introducing more complex topics. The structure is very hands-on, aiming to empower participants to write CSV (comma-separated value) files with Python by day ten. This is a common format used in programs such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, so has strong business value. By the end of this course, students will learn how to perform web scraping using Python 3.
Advanced Python: Language Features
Best online Python course on LinkedIn Learning
Provider: LinkedIn Learning
Price: $20-$50 (£16-£40) (including VAT) for individual courses. A monthly subscription costs $39.99 (£32) or yearly for $323 (£257). LinkedIn Premium members can access every course for no extra cost. A one-month free trial is also available.
Course link: Advanced Python: Language Features
Course length: 2 hours 30 mins
There are dozens of Python courses on the LinkedIn Learning hub to choose from. This course offers progressive teaching by introducing advanced functions such as variable argument strings and Python Comprehensions. If you want to take your Python skills to the next level, this course offers a fast introduction.
Python and Django Full Stack Web Developer Bootcamp
Best online Python course for web development
Provider: Udemy
Price: $129.99 (£139.99 in the UK)
Course link: Python and Django Full Stack Web Developer Bootcamp
Course length: 32 hours
This in-depth course is structured like the best coding bootcamps, in that it takes a practical approach to teaching. Participants work to create a website using Full-Stack with Django 1.11 as the basis.
If you’re aiming to learn Python for website development, this course could be ideal. To that end, it also includes components that connect Python with JavaScript, REST application programming interfaces (APIs), and front-end technologies, including CSS and HTML.
AI Programming with Python
Best online Python course for using AI
Provider: Udacity
Price: $249 per month (£194 per month in the UK) or $846 (£659 in the UK) for a four-month bundle
Course link: AI Programming with Python
Course length: 3 months (around 10 hours per week)
With AI impacting all aspects of business processes, this course connects AI with Python programming to deliver a syllabus that covers NumPy, PyTorch, calculus and linear algebra, and how Python can be used to build neural networks. In addition, students also learn linear algebra, linear transformation and how these connect Python to programming for AI applications.
Python Programmer
Best online Python course for those wanting a bit of everything
Provider: Datacamp
Price: $12.35 per month (£9.88) - billed annually for Premium membership
Course link: Python Programmer
Course length: 67 hours
A subscription to this service unlocks all the courses available, including this one that takes students from basic Python concepts to practical applications of the programming language. Students who want to build a career as a programmer need no prior experience or knowledge as this course takes them from the basics to application building for the Web, data applications and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
Data Scientist with Python
Best online Python course for data science
Provider: Datacamp
Price: $12.35 per month (£9.88) - billed annually for Premium membership
Course link: Data Scientist with Python
Course length: 90 hours
Anyone looking to become a data scientist will find this course a practical addition to their skill set. The course applies Python to data manipulation and machine learning (ML) applications and teaches how NLP (natural language processing) decision trees can be built with Python. Each course element uses interactive components to communicate the key concepts and ensure the student understands them before moving to the next module.
Learn Python Programming Masterclass
Best online Python course for software development
Provider: Udemy
Price: $189.99 (£59.99 in the UK)
Course link: Learn Python Programming Masterclass
Course length: 74 hours
This course is aimed at complete beginners and existing programmers who want to add Python to the languages they already know. The course is structured around Python 2 and 3 and includes OOP (object-orientated programming) to round out the skills of each student.
If you have ambitions to become a professional software developer, this course will give you a foundation to build upon. And existing programmers will also benefit by expanding the languages they are proficient in.
Python for Everybody Specialization
Best online Python course for data visualization
Provider: Coursera
Price: Free trial or included in Coursera Plus which is $59 per month (£46 per month in the UK) or $399 per year (£314 per year in the UK)
Course link: Python for Everybody Specialization
Course length: 2 months (10 hours per week)
This course builds on Coursera's Python for Everybody course for the University of Michigan. In this course, students connect Python to JSON, XML and database programming to illustrate how Python is essential when using these technologies.
The course moves students from basic concepts to data visualization with Python, making it one of the most comprehensive available.
